Dante Alighieri (1265-1321)

Life The father of Italian Literature Was arranged to be married to Gemma di Manetto Donati; but loved another woman, Beatrice Portinari Wrote several sonnets to Beatrice, but never to Gemma First Italian poet to explore the concept of love (amore)

Life Upon Beatrice’s death, he turned his writing to politics and philosophy His involvement in violent politics led to his banishment for life from Florence, Italy During his exile, he wrote The Divine Comedy Died in 1321 (at the age of 56) while returning to Ravenna from a diplomatic mission to Venice, perhaps of malaria contracted there

The Divine Comedy Dante’s journey through the three realms of the dead: Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso Virgil guides him through Inferno and Purgatorio Beatrice, the ideal woman, guides him through Paradiso The comedy often refers to Dante’s politics, his exile, and the damnation of his enemies

Inferno The Nine Circles of Hell The circles increase in wickedness from 1 - 9 Each sinner is afflicted by the main sin they committed Sinners are aware of their past and future, but not the present

The Nine Circles First Circle – Unbaptized and Virtuous Pagans Second Circle – The Lustful Third Circle – The Gluttonous Fourth Circle – The Materialistic Fifth Circle – The Wrathful/Slothful Sixth Circle – The Heretics Seventh Circle – The Violent Eighth Circle – Conscious Fraud and Treachery Ninth Circle – Severe Conscious Fraud and Treachery (Satan, Brutus, Cassius, and Judas are in Zone 4)

Canto A canto is like a “chapter” 33 Cantos in each section Introductory canto totals 100 cantos Rhyme scheme is ABA, BCB, CDC, DED, EE. This is known as terza rima

Dante’s Home on Via Santa Margherita Photo courtesy of Rebekah Bowie 

Tomb of Dante Alighieri in the San Lorenzo Church Photo courtesy of Rebekah Bowie 