The Divine Comedy

Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy is considered one of the greatest works in world literature, establishing the standardized Italian language that is used today. Writing between 1308 and 1320, Dante drew from countless subjects, including Roman Catholic theology and philosophy, the struggle between the papacy and the Holy Roman Empire, Greek mythology, and geocentric cosmology to answer the age-old question: What happens in the afterlife? Dante's vision of the answer, this three-volume epic poem, describes in detail the systematic levels in Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven, constantly referencing the religious and political upheavals of his time. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's blank-verse translation captures the original brilliance of Dante's internal rhymes and poetic patterns while remaining true to the author's meaning. In addition, Longellow provides extensive commentary in his scholarly footnotes to the poem, illuminating Dante's worldview and explaining his references and allusions, making this the perfect edition for anyone who wants to both enjoy and understand Dante's exploration of the eternal worlds. This edition is newly designed and typeset, printed on acid-free, archival-quality paper for durablity and long life.