The Canon Library
Cover of The Divine Comedy

Medieval · Epic, allegory

The Divine Comedy

by Dante Alighieri. Dante journeys through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise in a synthesis of theology, politics, poetry, and personal vision.

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Date
c. 1308–1321
Origin
Italy
Era
Medieval
Genre
Epic, allegory
Difficulty
Challenging
Length
Very long
Collection
The Western Canon

Subjects and themes

SinRedemptionCosmic Order

Why it matters

Dante journeys through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise in a synthesis of theology, politics, poetry, and personal vision.

This work is included in the collection on the basis of great books / bloom / harvard. Its cataloged influence level is 5 out of 5.

Related works

Reading lists featuring The Divine Comedy

Reading path

Essential 100

A century of works that gives the broadest useful first view of the Western canon. 100 books · Advanced.