Issue 70 Dante’s Guide to Heaven and Hell

What a famous painting suggests about Dante’s life, legend, and legacy.

American literary education absolutely mangles the Divine Comedy.

Describing a pilgrimage through the realms of death, Dante shares his vision of how Christians should live.

If you still can’t grasp what Dante meant to say in the Comedy, this may (or may not) help.

Dante’s other books further illuminate his medieval mindset and shed light on the Comedy.

Dorothy Sayers discovers Dante.

Banished from his hometown, Dante became lonely, bitter, and inspired.

The poet’s feelings for Beatrice far exceeded a childhood crush.

From elements of many traditions, Dante fashioned a towering new theology.

Chronology of events related to Dante and the DivineComedy.

The Inferno is crammed with greedy Florentines receiving their due.

The dream of reaching heaven by visiting holy sites inspired millions of medieval Christians—including Dante.

Star sightings in the Comedy highlight Dante’s religious and political views.

Visions of eternity just aren’t what they used to be.

The doctrinal grounding of Dante’s mysterious mountain.

Why Dante’s medieval masterwork continues to thrive in translation.

Resources for further study of Dante and his works.