Written during his exile from Florence in the early 1300s, Dante Alighieri鈥檚 Divine Comedy describes the poet鈥檚 travels through hell, purgatory, and paradise, exploring the state of the human soul after death. Dante鈥檚 鈥淒ivine Comedy鈥� narrates the remarkable reception of Dante鈥檚 masterpiece, one of the most consequential religious books ever written. Joseph Luzzi charts how the dialogue between religious and secular ideas in The Divine Comedy has shaped issues ranging from changing conceptions of women鈥檚 identity and debates about censorship to the role of canonical literature in popular culture. Recently we asked Joseph to share his thoughts on Dante’s enduring influence.
Has the reception of The Divine Comedy changed over the centuries?
Tell us about your favorite circle of Hell.
Joseph Luzzi is the Asher B. Edelman Professor of Literature at Bard College. His books include Botticelli鈥檚 Secret: The Lost Drawings and the Rediscovery of the Renaissance; In a Dark Wood: What Dante Taught Me av福利社 Grief, Healing, and the Mysteries of Love; and My Two Italies.