The Divine Comedy

The historical and cultural significance of Dante Alighieri s masterpiece The Divine Comedy cannot be overstated. Dante s poetry takes the reader on a multi-layered journey, one through which he or she experiences this literary master s unique aesthetic and spiritual sensibilities. The Divine Comedy also presents the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of medieval Italian thought and its bearing on Western theology and culture. This lyrical allegory of a journey from the depths of Hell to Paradise is a moving read in its own right and its influence upon world literature unchallenged.