The Divine Comedy

Beginning with Dante's liberation from Hell, this work relates his ascent to the Mount of Purgatory. Dante observes the sinners who are waiting for their release into Paradise, and through these encounters he is himself transformed into a better man. The second part of an epic poem, it is a Christian allegory of sin, redemption and enlightenment.

“The English Dante of choice.” —Hugh Kenner

“Exactly what we have waited for these years, a Dante with clarity, eloquence, terror, and profoundly moving depths.” —Robert Fagles, Princeton University

“A marvel of fidelity to the original, of sobriety, and truly, of inspired poetry.” —Henri Peyre, Yale University

Dante Alighieri was born in Florence in 1265 and belonged to a noble but impoverished family. His life was divided by political duties and poetry, the most of famous of which was inspired by his meeting with Bice Portinari, whom he called Beatrice,including La Vita Nuova and The Divine Comedy. He died in Ravenna in 1321.