Literature
Dante's Divine Comedy
An introductory course examining Dante’s Divine Comedy through its historical context, structure, themes, language and selected English translations.
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About this course
The course considers the historical and cultural circumstances behind Dante’s poem, then examines its structure, central themes, language and interpretations of the journey through the afterlife. Selected cantos are read in English, with attention to how Dante incorporates his personal perspective. Teaching combines tutor-led lecture material with group discussion, readings, questions and some pair or group activities. A further reading list is provided at the end.
What you'll learn
- Describe the structure of The Divine Comedy and some of its sources of inspiration
- Explain key themes in Dante’s poem
- Identify ways Dante expresses his personal perspective within the work
Is this course right for you?
This introductory course is intended for learners with no knowledge of Italian or previous reading about Dante. A good grasp of English is needed to engage with the translated extracts and the poem’s complex syntax.
- No Italian language knowledge is required
- Previous reading about Dante is not required
- The course includes lecture material, discussion, reading and pair or group activities
Before you go
- Translated extracts from the cantos are provided by the tutor.
- Writing materials may be brought for note-taking.
- A reference copy of The Divine Comedy is optional; the recommended edition is the Robin Kirkpatrick translation published by Penguin Classics in 2012.