The Divine Comedy

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It's a hit!

Dante's Divine Comedy is undoubtedly a poem of epic proportions. I started to read this on a whim, then got so engrossed that I couldn't stop. Th... (show more)

Dante's Divine Comedy is undoubtedly a poem of epic proportions. I started to read this on a whim, then got so engrossed that I couldn't stop. The torment of the souls in Hell and Purgatory were absolutely mortifying. The clarity that Dante writes with provides such mental pictures in these two canticles that would make one cringe, and, for those with weak constitutions, vomit.

When one enters Hell, a Who's Who of classical literature seems to appear, from Homer to the subject of his writing, Achilles. Charon, Phlegyas, Judas Iscariot, Plato, Brutus, Ephialtes, Geryon, Muhammad, and King Minos are a few characters who are taken from history and mythology to populate the nine infamous circles of the damned. Those who just read the Inferno are really only starting the book, and they are missing out of a very enriching experience - the other two-thirds of an epic.

The Mount of Purgatory and its various Whips and Reins are breathtaking and exhilirating. Heaven and its rewards were very interesting, and, at times, simply incredible. All in all, the trilogy of canticles are just an astounding piece of literature that have stood and will continue to stand the test of time. I believe that this book will continue to dazzle, disgust, and tickle the fancies of many more readers in the future. (show less)

 

 

by Isaac J. Nesbit

No, it's a flop!

from inferno!...met a lot of people....through purgatorio...what a ride... to Paradiso!

i don't believe in purgatory though, and to hell with th... (show more)

from inferno!...met a lot of people....through purgatorio...what a ride... to Paradiso!

i don't believe in purgatory though, and to hell with the 7 layers of hell! bullcrap! (show less)

 

 

by Marietta Marero Estonanto

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  Although there are several translated versions of this book, I find that it is not the direct translation that is most appealing to me. It is tremendously difficult to translate a language of beauty to English and think for one moment that nothing will be lost. This English translation by John Ciardi utilizes this triple rhyme scheme to the best that is available in a language (English) that is neither as beautiful sounding nor as it is easy to rhyme.

  Dante is clever in this leg to Par... (show more)

  Although there are several translated versions of this book, I find that it is not the direct translation that is most appealing to me. It is tremendously difficult to translate a language of beauty to English and think for one moment that nothing will be lost. This English translation by John Ciardi utilizes this triple rhyme scheme to the best that is available in a language (English) that is neither as beautiful sounding nor as it is easy to rhyme.

  Dante is clever in this leg to Paradise, the route through Purgatory is littered with historical accuracies of historical figures, his personal opinion on his current day and events and his views on religion, politics and camaraderie. I found it most most intriguing his treatment for those sinners wasting away in the bowls of existence. This was not a book written upon a whim of the imagination, but a calculated, tremendously well thought-out story.

  For some this may be a hard read, as the name dropping, and extended descriptions are sure to be a daunting task to undertake, but I found this one of the most enjoyable books I've read. It made me want to stop and check out those things I didn't understand, and in turn, not only was I entertained merely by the storyline, but educated in history. If only more of life could be taught under the same premise. (show less)

   

   

  by Facebook User on Aug 21, 2009 at 12:15PM

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  Since this is poetry, not a novel, the phrasing is intentionally flowery...and therefore obfuscated and hard to follow sometimes. However, no one reads Dante on a whim so I'm assuming you expected that. Two paragraphs of run-on sentences describing how a character turned to leave is a bit much for me though.

  In addition, Dante uses many political and social references that would have been relevant to his contemporaries but make no sense to me. Names of Italian nobles, artists, political... (show more)

  Since this is poetry, not a novel, the phrasing is intentionally flowery...and therefore obfuscated and hard to follow sometimes. However, no one reads Dante on a whim so I'm assuming you expected that. Two paragraphs of run-on sentences describing how a character turned to leave is a bit much for me though.

  In addition, Dante uses many political and social references that would have been relevant to his contemporaries but make no sense to me. Names of Italian nobles, artists, political figures and the like, references to fairly obscure events from mythology and ancient history, and other information is all used to paint a particular mood or to describe an environment or character and fails to enlighten me because I have no preconception of Dante's references.

  Furthermore, the premise (Dante's understanding of the after-life) is flawed from my belief system and therefore may be interesting fiction but doesn't help me in life other than to make me sound more cultured in certain circles. I'd rather read Randy Alcorn's "Heaven". (show less)

   

   

  by Etienne Hardre on Aug 20, 2009 at 03:09PM

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