Major Characters in the Divine Comedy - 18
UCLL 0202 - 18
Course Description
In addition to reading and discussing the characters as to where they are assigned, Francesco will give a presentation about Dante’s life, political and literary, and the importance of the structure of the Comedy, Dante’s original title of the work. Who added “Divine”? Why is it a Comedy? Why is a Pope in Inferno, the work, but not in Hell itself. Two popes who have not died are destined for Hell. Suicides are in Hell, yet a couple are in Purgatory, therefore will be saved. Rahab, ‘The Harlot of Jericho,’ is in Heaven? Welcome to Dante’s world. The Inferno is what most people read, but miss the humanity of Purgatory and the Divine of Paradiso. Will Dante see God as depicted in art? You will be provided with the list of characters, related selections, and summaries of all the cantos. We will use the translation by Mark Musa published in one volume which also contains Dante’s first work Vita Nuova dedicated to Beatrice. We will read approximately 20 pages each week. Required material: Mark Musa, The Portable Dante (Penguin Classics Paperback) [Comedy and Vita Nuova]; $18.25
Major Characters in the Divine Comedy
Francesco Castellano, OLLI Member
4 Tuesdays, 10am - 12pm (3/26, 4/2, 4/9, 4/16)
Class will be held virtually on zoom.
Affiliated With:
University College