introduction the divine comedy.pptVIP

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Introduction: The Divine Comedy Dante Alighieri Facts Written between 1308 and 1321 Tells of an imaginary journey Dante takes through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise. The Journey is symbolic of the spiritual quest for salvation. Dante is the first of the “Christian Humanists” Facts: Quest Recognizing sin (journey through Hell, or the Inferno). Rejecting sin and awaiting redemption (the time in Purgatory) Achieving salvation through faith in divine revelation (seeing the light of G-d in Paradise) Facts: Dante meets historical figures Ancient Rome Characters from classical Greek mythology Political enemies from his own era. Divine Comedy This work provides a portrait of almost every aspect of medieval human life. Form, Number, and Symbol The poem contains 100 cantos (chapters) Number 100 regarded as the perfect number in the Middle Ages. Introductory Canto The text is divided into 3 sections of 33 cantos. Form: Composed in tercets, three-line stanzas, and uses a rhyme scheme called terza rima. The middle of one tercet rhymes with the first and third lines of the next tercet, giving the poem a strong sense of unity. Number: The number 3 is important because of its relation to the Christian Trinity. 3 divine figures—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—in one G0d. The poem is divided into 3 parts: First part: Inferno, focuses on the power of G-d the Father Evidenced by the punishments of the damned The poem is divided into 3 parts: The Second part: Purgatorio, focuses on the wisdom of Christ the Son, and the hope for salvation that he offers to those awaiting final judgment. The poem is divided into 3 parts: The Third part: Paradiso Focuses on the love of the Holy Spirit. Time The journey takes place over 3 days Begins in Hell on Good Friday, the day of Christ’s crucifixion, and ending symbolically in Paradise on Easter Sunday. Action The entire action of the poem takes place under the guidance of three ladies: The Virgin Mary, the mo