Dante’s Divine Comedy: A Journey Through the Afterlife
Introduction
Dante Alighieri began writing “The Divine Comedy” in 1304 and completed it shortly before his death in 1321. The exact date of completion is unknown, but 1304 is the earliest possible date.
The poem employs a style similar to that used by Virgil and other classical epic poets. The literal sense of “comedy” in this context is simply the narrative of a journey to the supernatural worlds.
It is an allegorical poem based on medieval Christian cosmology. It contains one hundred cantos in *terza rima* (interlocking three-line rhyme scheme), divided into thirty-four cantos for *Inferno* (Hell), which he describes as a mountain in an inverted cone located in the Northern Hemisphere near Jerusalem.
The cantos that refer to Hell are divided into nine circles, which narrow towards the center of the Earth where Lucifer resides. In this journey, Dante is accompanied by Virgil, who is his savior and guide. Virgil, who possesses great poetic gifts, clarity of language, unsurpassed harmony in his verses, and a brilliant narrative voice, is seen as a symbol of reason, making him the ideal companion for Dante.
“The Divine Comedy” is a unique genre of poetic composition, unlike tragedy, which begins admirably and quietly but ends sadly and horribly. “Comedy”, in contrast, may start with adversity but concludes happily.
Inferno: A Descent into the Nine Circles of Hell
Cantos I-II: Prologue
Canto I: Dante finds himself lost in a dark forest, representing the sinful life of man. He attempts to climb a sunlit hill, representing virtue, but is blocked by three beasts. Virgil, recognized as the symbol of reason, appears and offers to guide Dante through Hell.
Canto II: This canto describes Virgil’s mission. Dante expresses doubts about his experience, but Virgil encourages him, revealing that three blessed ladies in Heaven are praying for Dante’s safe return.
Canto III: The Gates of Hell
In this part of Hell are the souls who passed through life without leaving a mark, neither good nor evil. Charon, the ferryman of Hell, transports these souls across the river Acheron.
Cantos IV-XI: The Nine Circles of Hell
From the following cantos, Hell is divided into nine levels, each closer to the center of the Earth, where Lucifer resides. Dante and his companion descend through these circles.
Canto IV: The first circle is Limbo, where those who died without knowing the Christian faith reside, including virtuous pagans and unbaptized infants.
Canto V: The second circle houses the lustful and sinners of the flesh. Minos, one of the three judges of Hell, guards this circle and assigns souls to their respective punishments.
Canto VI: The third circle contains the gluttonous. Here, Cerberus, the three-headed dog, guards the gates of Hell and torments the souls submerged in a foul, icy rain.
Canto VII: The fourth circle is where the avaricious (greedy) and prodigal (wasteful) are punished. Virgil describes Fortune as an angel appointed by God to distribute worldly goods and balance wealth.
Canto VIII: The fifth circle holds the wrathful and sullen. Here, Dante and Virgil encounter resistance from fallen angels who oppose their passage.
Canto IX: On the threshold of Dis, the city of lower Hell, Dante is terrified by the three Furies, who represent divine vengeance and remorse of conscience. A heavenly messenger arrives to open the way for them.
Cantos X and XI: The sixth circle is the realm of heretics, those who denied the immortality of the soul. Here lies the tomb of Pope Anastasius. This section also describes the overall structure and distribution of the damned in Hell.