Dante’s Divine Comedy is one of the most celebrated works of world literature. While living in exile from his birthplace of Florence, the poet Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) created a persona of himself as a pilgrim who travels on an arduous journey through hell, purgatory, and heaven in search of redemption. On his journey to personal salvation, he also explores complex issues of Christian faith, the Roman Catholic Church and Florentine politics. Using the poetic form he created, terza rima, he weaves a compelling narrative that explores the journey of the human soul. In this 6-week session we will read and discuss the first half of Inferno which deals with the beginning of Dante’s journey toward redemption. Part Two will be in the spring.  If there is sufficient interest, I hope to offer the Purgatorio and Paradiso in subsequent semesters.

Suggested Readings: Dante Alighieri, The Inferno, trans. Allen Mandelbaum. There are inexpensive editions of this translation available online, but I highly recommend the Mandelbaum translation, which will be used in class.

Kathleen Duguay has an MA in Comparative Literature and a PhD in English. She was a professor of English for 25 years at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania where she taught a wide variety of courses in literature, linguistics, and writing. She currently lives in North Adams where you will often find her on the golf course or pickleball court.

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