"The Comedy of Dante Alighieri," more commonly known as "The Divine Comedy," is a long narrative poem by Dante Alighieri, begun c. 1308 and completed in 1320, a year before his death in 1321. It is widely regarded as the pre-eminent work in Italian literature and one of the greatest works of world literature. The poem's imaginative and allegorical vision of the afterlife is a culmination of the medieval world-view as it had developed in the Western Church.
The poem is divided into three parts: Inferno (Hell), Purgatorio (Purgatory), and Paradiso (Paradise). Dante narrates his travels through these realms, guided first by the Roman poet Virgil and later by Beatrice, representing divine love. Through vivid imagery and profound theological reflections, Dante explores themes of sin, redemption, and the ultimate attainment of divine grace. "The Divine Comedy" remains a cornerstone of Western literature, celebrated for its poetic beauty, intellectual depth, and enduring relevance.
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