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'''The Divine Comedy''' is a long poem by [[Dante Alighieri]]. Although it is strongly influenced by the poetic epics of the [[Illiad]] and the [[Odyssey]] by [[Homer]], and particularly the [[Aeneid]] by [[Virgil]], its structure is significantly different from anything that had been written before. The basic story details Dante getting lost in a dark forest, and as an act of divine grace to correct his life, embarking on a tour of the afterworld. We are introduced to his benefactor, Beatrice, who may be an allusion to a woman he loved and wrote poetry about, as well as a symbol of wisdom. She sets him under the care of Virgil, who as a wise pagan is confined to Limbo. Virgil is given permission to escort him through all the levels of [[Hell]] and [[Purgatory]]. In [[Paradise]], he is reunited with Beatrice as his escort.  

'''The Divine Comedy''' is a long-form poem by [[Dante Alighieri]]. Although it is strongly influenced by the poetic epics of the [[Illiad]] and the [[Odyssey]] by [[Homer]], and particularly the [[Aeneid]] by [[Virgil]], its structure is significantly different from anything that had been written before. The basic story details Dante getting lost in a dark forest, and as an act of divine grace to correct his life, embarking on a tour of the afterworld. We are introduced to his benefactor, Beatrice, who may be an allusion to a woman he loved and wrote poetry about, as well as a symbol of wisdom. She sets him under the care of Virgil, who as a wise pagan is confined to Limbo. Virgil is given permission to escort him through all the levels of [[Hell]] and [[Purgatory]]. In [[Paradise]], he is reunited with Beatrice as his escort.  

== Structure ==

== Structure ==

''Main article: [[Dante's Purgatorio]]''

''Main article: [[Dante's Purgatorio]]''

They then escape [[Hell]] by going through the center of the Earth and meeting the entrance to [[Purgatory]]. Purgatory is depicted as an incredibly high mountain on an island in the world's southern hemisphere. The mountain is encircled by seven ledges, known as cornices, where each of the [[Seven Deadly Sins]] is cleansed. As Dante goes up the mountain, his own sins are also cleansed to prepare him for his journey into [[Heaven]]. As they travel through Purgatory, Virgil and Dante again meet many historical figures as well as Dante's contemporaries. There are many references to [[Florence]] and other cities in [[Italy]], and he uses the various levels of Purgatory to malign his political foes, and corrupt Church leaders. Classical figures are mainly absent, as their lack of Christian faith prevents them from entering.

[[Purgatory]] is depicted as an incredibly high mountain on an island in the world's southern hemisphere. The mountain is encircled by seven ledges, known as cornices, where each of the [[Seven Deadly Sins]] is cleansed. As Dante goes up the mountain, his own sins are also cleansed to prepare him for his journey into [[Heaven]]. As they travel through Purgatory, Virgil and Dante again meet many historical figures as well as Dante's contemporaries. There are many references to [[Florence]] and other cities in [[Italy]], and he uses the various levels of Purgatory to malign his political foes, and corrupt Church leaders. Classical figures are mainly absent, as their lack of Christian faith prevents them from entering.

At the end of Purgatory before he enters Heaven, Virgil departs and Dante is left to Beatrice as his guide. <ref> [[The Divine Comedy]], By Dante Alighieri,  

Translated by Charles Singleton, Bollingen Series 80, Vol 2: Purgatorio. Copyright 1973 by Princeton University Press.</ref>

At the top of Mount Purgatory is the [[Garden of Eden]], commonly referred to in this context as the Earthly Paradise. Here, Dante is reunited with Beatrice amid an elaborate pageant. She rebukes him for his sins and readies him for their journey through Heaven, while Virgil departs.<ref> [[The Divine Comedy]], By Dante Alighieri, Translated by Charles Singleton, Bollingen Series 80, Vol 2: Purgatorio. Copyright 1973 by Princeton University Press.</ref>

===Heaven===

===Heaven===

''Main article: [[Dante's Paradiso]]''

''Main article: [[Dante's Paradiso]]''

Dante and Beatrice leave the Earthly Paradise and ascend into Heaven. As Dante nears the edge of Heaven and approaches God's throne, he begins to comment on the inadequacy of his poetic gifts to describe what he has seen.

Dante and Beatrice leave the Earthly Paradise and ascend into Heaven, which is located in what we would now call [[outer space]]. As Dante nears the edge of Heaven and approaches God's throne, he begins to comment on the inadequacy of his poetic gifts to describe what he has seen. The poem ends at this point, and it is implied that Dante then returns to Earth to begin the task of recounting his marvellous journey, the result of which is the Divine Comedy itself.<ref>  [[The Divine Comedy]], By Dante Alighieri, Translated by Charles Singleton, Bollingen Series 80, Vol. 3: Paradiso. Copyright 1975 by Princeton University Press.  </ref>

 

Dante speaks to the souls he meets, in the nine spheres of Heaven, and Beatrice explains a number of theological and philosophical matters. Again, the content draws on Greek and Roman mythology, which is related to Christian virtues and doctrines, symbols from astrology, Biblical history, Church teaching, and honored political figures.<ref>  [[The Divine Comedy]], By Dante Alighieri, Translated by Charles Singleton, Bollingen Series 80, Vol. 3: Paradiso. Copyright 1975 by Princeton University Press.  </ref>

==References==

==References==