The Divine Comedy (Oxford World's Classics) - Softcover

Dante Alighieri

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0199535647 ISBN 13: 9780199535644

Publisher: OUP Oxford, 2008

Synopsis

Described variously as the greatest poem of the European Middle Ages and, because of the author's evangelical purpose, the 'fifth Gospel', the Divine Comedy is central to the culture of the west. The poem is a spiritual autobiography in the form of a journey - the poet travels from the dark circles of the Inferno, up the mountain of Purgatory, where Virgil, his guide leaves him to encounter Beatrice in the Earthly Paradise. Dante conceived the poem as the new epic of Christendom, and he creates a world in which reason and faith have transformed moral and social chaos into order., Charles Sisson's blank verse translation is remarkable for its lucidity and vigour, and the Introduction, diagrams, maps, and notes by David Higgins provide the reader with invaluable guidance. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

About this title

Review:

`The pleasingly plain, readable English well reflects Dante's original eloquence.'The Times

What is amazing about Dante's language is the fluency, the plainness, the simplicity - the sheer approachability - of his words. The sheer formal mastery of the man is quite amazing. (Michael Glover, New Statesman & Society)

About the Author:

Charles H. Sisson is a well-known poet and translator, and editor of Poetry Nation Review. David Higgins is Head of Italian Studies at the University of Bristol, and is the author of Dante and the Bible (1992).

About this edition

• Publisher: OUP Oxford
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0199535647
• ISBN 13: 9780199535644
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 752
• Editor: Higgins David H.