One of the greatest works of western literature: The Divine Comedy
Introducing Dante's crowning achievement and undisputedly the most important poetic text of the European Middle Ages.
Written by Dante Alighieri in the 14th century the Divine Comedy is conceivably the most prominent love story ever told. Written together over 10 years, this narrative poem comprises an epic journey that covers both the human and the divine. Dante's Divine Comedy is more than simply a religious allegory.
It is also witty, scratching criticism of Italian politics. A soldier and statesman from Florence, Dante was heartily faithful to God. However, Dante was also highly unsympathetic to the Roman Catholic Church. He disliked the idea of buying and selling religious favors such as pardons from sin as many groups took advantage of these corrupt customs. Dante firmly believed that Florence needed more freedom from Roman influence. Moreover, Dante frequently spoke out against the Pope's absolute power. As a result, his criticisms of the Roman Catholic Church led to his exile from Florence in 1302. But rather than silencing him, this lifelong exile encouraged Dante's greatest critique of all. Dishonored and with little hope for return, the author freely aired his grievances with the Church and Italian society. Writing the "Divine Comedy" in Italian, rather than the traditional Latin for the educated elite, Dante ensured the widest possible audience for his biting political commentary. For instance, in the circle of Fraud, Dante converses with a mysterious sinner burning in the circle's hottest flames. As he later finds out that this is Pope Nicholas the third, who tells Dante that his two successors will take his place when they die as all three are guilty of simony and deceit.
Despite the dreary and sometimes even violent imagery in "Inferno", the "Divine Comedy" is also a love story. Though Dante had an arranged marriage with the daughter of a powerful Florentine family, he had also been unrequitedly in love with his lifelong muse Beatrice Portinari. As a matter of fact, Beatrice served as the inspiration and subject for many of Dante's works. Portrayed as a powerful, heavenly figure, she leads Dante through "Paradiso's" concentric spheres of Heaven until he is finally face-to-face with God.
In the centuries since its publication, the "Divine Comedy's" themes of love, sin, and redemption have been embraced by numerous artists- from Auguste Rodin and Salvador Dali to Ezra Pound and Neil Gaiman.
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