Divine Comedy

Comprised of three books - Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso - Dante`s Divine Comedy follows Dante Alighieri`s epic poems follows Dante through the different sections of the afterlife; hell, purgatory, and heaven. Divine Comedy began as a project in 1308 and ended in 1320, the year before Dante`s death. Told in first person, Dante follows the poet Virgil through the rings of hell and purgatory. The Divine Comedy is a highly allegorical text and renowned as one of the most influential Italian masterpieces in literature. This classic translation by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) was the first to be published by an American author and is a staple in every library. With this accurate and eloquent translation, the beauty of Dante`s amazing epic poetry can be fully appreciated. Inspiration to a slew or popular authors and poets, Divine Comedy is well remembered and Gustave Dore`s illustrations bring Dante`s masterpiece to life.