Dantes Divine Comedy
Dante Alighieri was an Italian Renaissance poet whose greatest and most lasting work is the Divine Comedy. An allegorical tale about his journey through Hell, Purgatory and Heaven, the Dante's Divine Comedy was instrumental in the formation of the modern Italian language and has frequently been called one of the greatest works of literature in history. Paper Masters can compose a custom written research paper on Dante's Divine Comedy that follows your guidelines.
The Plot of Divine Comedy
In the Divine Comedy's plot, Dante is first guided through Hell (the Inferno) by the Roman poet Virgil. This is the one part of the work that is most frequently read and is the source for the Nine Circles of Hell. Each circle represents a different type of sin, traveling inward towards Satan. The wicked are each punished according to his or her sin, in what can be best described as poetic justice.
In parts two (Purgatorio) and three (Paradiso), Dante is guided by Beatrice, a Florentine woman that Dante had fallen in love with and was the inspiration for much of Dante's poetry. The reason that Beatrice takes over from Virgil is that because he was a pagan, Virgil could not enter the higher realms.
Purgatory is depicted as a mountain comprised of seven terraces, each representing one of the seven deadly sins. At the summit of the mountain is the Garden of Eden. Heaven, the last realm through which Dante passes is comprised of nine celestial spheres, representing the four cardinal virtues:
- Prudence
- Fortitude
- Justice
- Temperance
The three theological virtues:
- Faith
- Hope
- Charity
The end of the Divine Comedy sees Dante coming face to face with God, whom he cannot fully describe.