Dante Alighieri



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One of the greatest poets in the history of world literature, Italian writer Dante Alighieri composed poetry influenced by classical and Christian tradition. Dante’s greatest work was the epic poem The Divine Comedy (completed in 1321). It includes three sections: Inferno, in which the great classical poet Virgil leads Dante on a trip through hell; Purgatorio, in which Virgil leads Dante up the mountain of purification; and Paradiso, in which Dante travels through heaven. This passage from the Inferno (recited by an actor) comes at the beginning of the epic, when Dante loses his way in the woods. The illustration shows Dante standing in front of the Tower of Babel, with hell on his right and heaven on his left.

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Dante Alighieri; Italian Literature

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