The Divine Comedy, written by Dante Alighieri, is a monumental epic poem that explores the realms of the afterlife: Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise. Through the journey of the protagonist, Dante, readers encounter various historical and mythological figures, each representing different moral and philosophical themes. This work, translated by the Rev. H. F. Cary, is illustrated by Gustave Doré, enhancing the vivid imagery of Dante’s vision. The poem is divided into three main sections, each containing multiple cantos that detail Dante’s experiences and the lessons learned along the way. Ideal for literature enthusiasts and students studying classic poetry, The Divine Comedy remains a cornerstone of Western literature.

Key Points

  • Explores the afterlife through Dante’s journey in Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise
  • Features significant historical and mythological figures representing moral lessons
  • Divided into three main sections with numerous cantos detailing Dante’s experiences
  • Translated by Rev. H. F. Cary and illustrated by Gustave Doré
newtopiccyclegrowin
Author:Dante Alighieri
630 pages
Language:English
Type:Book
Classic Literature
newtopiccyclegrowin
Author:Dante Alighieri
630 pages
Language:English
Type:Book
Classic Literature
373
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T H E D I V I N E C O M E D Y
THE VISION
of
HELL, PURGATORY, AND PARADISE
BY DANTE ALIGHIERI
TRANSLATED BY
THE REV. H. F. CARY, M.A.
Illustrated by M. Gustave Doré
/ 630
End of Document
373

Figures

The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Figure 1
The hinder foot still firmer. Scarce the ascent
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Figure 3
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Figure 4
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Figure 5
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — CANTO II
Now was the day departing, and the air,
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Now much I dread lest he past help have stray’d,
(Note: Beatrice. I use this word, as it is
“All hope abandon ye who enter here.”
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Figure 11
E’en in like manner Adam’s evil brood
“Only so far afflicted, that we live
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Figure 14
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — CANTO V
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Figure 16
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Figure 17
“Love brought us to one death: Caina waits
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Figure 19
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Figure 20
E’en as a dog, that yelling bays for food
“Thy city heap’d with envy to the brim,
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — CANTO VII
“My guide! of thee this also would I learn;
The good instructor spake; “Now seest thou, son!
While we our course o’er the dead channel held.
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Figure 27
I could not hear what terms he offer’d them,
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Figure 29
“Outcasts of heav’n! O abject race and scorn’d!”
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Figure 31
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Forth issu’d from a vault, whereat in fear
He, soon as there I stood at the tomb’s foot,
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — CANTO XI
Whereon this scroll I mark’d: “I have in charge
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Figure 36
At seeing us descend they each one stood;
We to those beasts, that rapid strode along,
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Figure 39
Then as the dark blood trickled down its side,
The other, as seem’d, impatient of delay
Unceasing was the play of wretched hands,
“And art thou here?” He thus to me: “My son!
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — CANTO XVII
Forthwith that image vile of fraud appear’d,
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Think on th’ unusual burden thou sustain’st.”
For flames I saw, and wailings smote mine ear:
None for the second waited nor the third.
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Figure 49
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Figure 50
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Glanc’d with such violent motion, as had snapt
There stood I like the friar, that doth shrive
E’en thus the cook bestirs him, with his grooms,
“Who having heard my words, decide he then
But little it avail’d: terror outstripp’d
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Figure 56
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Figure 57
Then thus to me: “Tuscan, who visitest
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Figure 59
Amid this dread exuberance of woe
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — His felon deeds their end, beneath the mace
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Figure 62
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — As in that season, when the sun least veils
“Within these ardours are the spirits, each
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Figure 65
“And there instruct the twain, whom Fano boasts
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Figure 67
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Figure 68
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Figure 69
“O thou, who with thy fingers rendest off
To whom I answ’ring: “Oh! as thou dost hope,
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Figure 72
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Figure 73
“Great was his prowess, when the giants brought
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Figure 75
Not e’en its rim had creak’d. As peeps the frog
Then seizing on his hinder scalp, I cried:
“O thou who show’st so beastly sign of hate
And do thou strip them off from us again.’
Whence I betook me now grown blind to grope
Once more upon the wretched skull his teeth
“Lo!” he exclaim’d, “lo Dis! and lo the place,
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Figure 83
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Figure 84
To the right hand I turn’d, and fix’d my mind
My guide, then laying hold on me, by words
Lo how all human means he sets at naught!
Within a hundred spirits and more there sat.
I thus my guide address’d: “Upraise thine eyes,
We through the broken rock ascended, close
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — And with his arms did fold his knees about,
“Many,” exclaim’d the bard, “are these, who throng
“Ah! when thou to the world shalt be return’d,
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Next the third spirit; “then remember me.
There I with little innocents abide,
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Of lucid dye serene, fresh emeralds
The Spirit (who to Nino, when he call’d,
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — CANTO IX
There both, I thought, the eagle and myself
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri — Whose mighty worth mov’d Gregory to earn

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FAQs

What is the significance of the three beasts in Dante's Divine Comedy?
In the opening of Dante's Divine Comedy, the protagonist encounters three beasts: a panther, a lion, and a she-wolf. Each represents different sins and obstacles on his journey. The panther symbolizes lust, the lion represents pride, and the she-wolf embodies avarice. These beasts impede Dante's progress and reflect the various vices that lead souls away from the righteous path. Their presence emphasizes the challenges one must overcome to achieve spiritual redemption.
Who guides Dante through Hell in the Divine Comedy?
Dante is guided through Hell by the Roman poet Virgil, who serves as his mentor and protector. Virgil was chosen because of his wisdom and poetic prowess, which Dante deeply admires. He explains to Dante that he must take a different path to escape the dangers of the wilderness and that he will lead him through the realms of the afterlife, where they will encounter the tormented souls of the damned.
What role does Beatrice play in Dante's journey?
Beatrice is a pivotal figure in Dante's Divine Comedy. She is the woman Dante loved in life and serves as a divine guide. In the narrative, she sends Virgil to assist Dante when she learns of his perilous journey through the dark wood. Beatrice represents divine love and grace, and her presence signifies hope and salvation, ultimately guiding Dante towards Paradise after his journey through Hell and Purgatory.
What is the purpose of Dante's journey in the Divine Comedy?
Dante's journey through the Divine Comedy serves several purposes: it is a quest for self-discovery, a reflection on sin and redemption, and an exploration of the soul's journey towards God. The narrative illustrates the consequences of sin, the importance of repentance, and the hope of salvation. Each realm—Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise—offers lessons that guide Dante towards understanding divine justice and the nature of love.
How does Dante describe his feelings in the dark wood?
In the opening canto of the Divine Comedy, Dante describes his feelings of confusion and despair as he finds himself lost in a dark wood. He expresses that it is a 'gloomy wood' filled with savage wildness, which evokes a sense of dread and bitterness. This setting symbolizes his spiritual disorientation and the struggles he faces as he attempts to find the true path in life, representing a profound existential crisis.
What does Virgil say about the she-wolf in Dante's Divine Comedy?
Virgil describes the she-wolf as a particularly fearsome creature, one that embodies insatiable greed and has caused much suffering. He warns Dante that the she-wolf will prevent anyone from passing and is so cursed that she never feels satisfied. This commentary highlights the destructive nature of avarice and serves as a warning about the dangers of succumbing to such vices on the journey to salvation.
What does Dante seek at the beginning of his journey?
At the beginning of his journey in the Divine Comedy, Dante seeks to escape the dark wood where he feels lost and trapped by sin. He is in search of the 'pleasant mount,' which symbolizes spiritual enlightenment and divine grace. His desire to ascend this mountain reflects his longing for redemption and a return to the path of righteousness, ultimately leading him towards salvation.

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