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[[Image:Gfdyte7y6.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Satan is trapped in the frozen central zone in the Ninth Circle of Hell, Inferno, Canto 34 (Satan's three faces are not clearly visible here).]]

[[Image:Gfdyte7y6.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Satan is trapped in the frozen central zone in the Ninth Circle of Hell, Inferno, Canto 34 (Satan's three faces are not clearly visible here).]]

'''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.  

'''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 [[Heaven|Paradise]], he is reunited with Beatrice as his escort.  

== Structure ==

== Structure ==

At the start of the poem, Dante is lost in a dark forest. He tries to get back to 'the straight path', but is prevented by three savage beasts: a lion, a wolf and a leopard. As he begins to despair, he meets the ghost of Virgil, who explains that he has been sent by Beatrice to guide Dante to safety. However, his predicament is so dire that the only way out leads through Hell.

At the start of the poem, Dante is lost in a dark forest. He tries to get back to 'the straight path', but is prevented by three savage beasts: a lion, a wolf and a leopard. As he begins to despair, he meets the ghost of Virgil, who explains that he has been sent by Beatrice to guide Dante to safety. However, his predicament is so dire that the only way out leads through Hell.

===Hell===

===[[Hell]]===

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

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

At the bottom of the ninth circle of Hell, at the center of the frozen lake Cocytus, Dante and Virgil behold [[Satan]]. They then make their way out by climbing down Satan's body to a tunnel that leads from the Earth's center to the southern hemisphere, where Purgatory is located.<ref> [[The Divine Comedy]], By Dante Alighieri, Translated by Charles Singleton, Bollingen Series 80, Vol 1: Inferno. Copyright 1970 by Princeton University Press.  </ref>

At the bottom of the ninth circle of Hell, at the center of the frozen lake Cocytus, Dante and Virgil behold [[Satan]]. They then make their way out by climbing down Satan's body to a tunnel that leads from the Earth's center to the southern hemisphere, where Purgatory is located.<ref> [[The Divine Comedy]], By Dante Alighieri, Translated by Charles Singleton, Bollingen Series 80, Vol 1: Inferno. Copyright 1970 by Princeton University Press.  </ref>

===Purgatory===

===[[Purgatory]]===

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

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

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>

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]]''

{{DEFAULTSORT:Divine Comedy, The}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Divine Comedy, The}}

[[Category: Poetry]]

 

[[Category:Poetry]]