The Canon Library
Cover of The Divine Comedy

Medieval · Epic, allegory

The Divine Comedy

by Dante Alighieri. Dante journeys through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise in a synthesis of theology, politics, poetry, and personal vision.

Find a print edition

Browse Bookshop.org's current catalog to choose an available edition.

Some purchase links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Date
c. 1308–1321
Origin
Italy
Era
Medieval
Genre
Epic, allegory
Canon tier
Essential core
Difficulty
Challenging
Length
Very long
Collection
The Western Canon

Subjects and themes

SinRedemptionCosmic Order

Why it matters

Dante journeys through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise in a synthesis of theology, politics, poetry, and personal vision.

This work is included on the basis of great books / bloom / harvard. Its cataloged influence level is 5 out of 5.

Related works

Reading paths featuring The Divine Comedy

Continue through a deliberately ordered journey that places this work in conversation with others.

Reading path

Essential 100

A century of works that gives the broadest useful first view of the Western canon. 100 books · Advanced.

Reading path

Start the Western Canon in 20 Books

A deliberately varied first route through epic, philosophy, scripture, drama, political thought, science, the novel, and modern literature. 20 books · Intermediate.

Reading path

Great Epics

Seven foundational journeys through kingship, war, homecoming, empire, exile, salvation, and rebellion. 7 books · Intermediate.