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Pic looked rubbish so moved it again (should have previewed)
One of the main differences between the Divine Comedy and the classical epics that partly inspired it is its varied style. At different times it is serious and comic, lyrical and plain, allegorical and personal. Some examples are:
One of the main differences between the Divine Comedy and the classical epics that partly inspired it is its varied style. At different times it is serious and comic, lyrical and plain, allegorical and personal. Some examples are:
*'''Comic''': Dante and Virgil's encounter with the demons in the eighth circle in cantos 21 and 22 of the Inferno is played as pure farce, with the mischievous demons tricking Virgil and undermining his attempts to remain dignified.
*'''Comic''': Dante and Virgil's encounter with the demons in the eighth circle in cantos 21 and 22 of the Inferno is played as pure farce, with the mischievous demons tricking Virgil and undermining his attempts to remain dignified.
[[Image:William_blake_beatrice.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Beatrice appears before Dante amid a symbolic pageant in the Garden of Eden (illustration by [[William Blake]]).]]
*'''Serious''': The Emperor Justinian's indictment of the Florentines' betrayal of the [[Roman Empire]]'s legacy in Paradiso, canto 7 is a heartfelt statement regarding the political scene of the time.
*'''Serious''': The Emperor Justinian's indictment of the Florentines' betrayal of the [[Roman Empire]]'s legacy in Paradiso, canto 7 is a heartfelt statement regarding the political scene of the time.
*'''Lyrical''': Francesca dei Rimini's account of her infidelity and murder in Inferno, canto 5 is a famously powerful treatment of the power of love.
*'''Lyrical''': Francesca dei Rimini's account of her infidelity and murder in Inferno, canto 5 is a famously powerful treatment of the power of love.
*'''Plain''': Paradiso is home to numerous expositions on complex theological points such as [[free will]] and [[original sin]].
*'''Plain''': Paradiso is home to numerous expositions on complex theological points such as [[free will]] and [[original sin]].
*'''Allegorical''': In the Earthly Paradise in Purgatorio, canto 29, Dante is shown a marvellous procession, in which each element symbolises part of the Christian church. For example, 24 old men represent the [[Old Testament]] and a [[griffon]] represents [[Jesus]].
*'''Allegorical''': In the Earthly Paradise in Purgatorio, canto 29, Dante is shown a marvellous procession, in which each element symbolises part of the Christian church. For example, 24 old men represent the [[Old Testament]] and a [[griffon]] represents [[Jesus]].
*'''Personal''': Dante's first meeting with Beatrice in Purgatorio, canto 30 is where the poet's own feelings are laid bare, as he is rebuked for his real-life transgressions and his infidelity to Beatrice's memory.
*'''Personal''': Dante's first meeting with Beatrice in Purgatorio, canto 30 is where the poet's own feelings are laid bare, as he is rebuked for his real-life transgressions and his infidelity to Beatrice's memory.