Choosing which translation of Dante’s Divine Comedy to read is a very subjective and personal decision. Any translation involves balancing the meaning, feel, and artistry of the work, normally at the expense of at least one of these qualities. A major consideration is the topic of rhyme. The Divine Comedy has a complex rhyme scheme that suits itself well to the rhyme-rich language of Italian (where, unlike English, many words end in vowels). Translations that attempt to maintain any type of rhyme scheme often sound forced and usually compromise the meaning of the text.

At the other end of the spectrum are straight prose (spoken word) translations. Prose translations are great for communicating the story and it’s nuances, however any poetical structure is lost. A third choice is a translation written in blank verse (iambic pentameter). This format allows freedom to communicate the work without rhyme, yet maintains a metrical structure. In addition, it’s well suited for English (Shakespeare wrote much of his work in blank verse).

So, which translation should you read? I have no vested interest in selling a particular author’s work, my recommendations are just my personal opinion. My favorite version is by Mark Musa (written in blank verse). I also enjoy Anthony Esolen’s translation (blank verse with some rhyme).  They also both have good notes (a necessity). Ultimately, it’s great to read a few and decide which version you like best, each has strengths and weaknesses.

Reading Dante’s Divine Comedy for the first time can be confusing. The poem includes references to classical literature, medieval theology, Italian politics, and literary issues that scholars are still debating. In addition, there are many translations (some good, some not so good) to choose from. This article will help you get started on this amazing and very rewarding journey.


The Story

The Divine Comedy is Dante’s story of his journey through the afterlife of Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven. It begins with Dante waking from sleep, lost in a dark wood. After a few attempts at escape, he encounters the poet Virgil, who tells Dante the only way out is down through the center of the earth through Hell.

Virgil leads Dante through Hell, encountering terrifying scenes of punishment as well as meeting up with various inhabitants from Florence, the Bible, and classical literature. The journey through Hell ends with Dante and Virgil meeting Satan and escaping out of the other side of the earth.

The two travelers then encounter the Mountain of Purgatory, where they join all those destined for Heaven in the journey of purification. Just as in Hell (Inferno), Dante meets up with real and fictional characters, each with a story to tell.

Near the top of the Mountain of Purgatory, Dante changes guides and begins his journey through Paradise (Heaven) culminating in a vision of God.

Dante the Man

Dante Alighieri was born in Florence around 1265. He had a good education and was influenced in large measure by the writings of the poet Virgil, specifically his work, The Aeneid. Themes and characters from The Aeneid appear constantly in the Divine Comedy. Florentine politics also played a major role in the story and characters of the Divine Comedy. That period of history was dominated by power struggles within the various city states in Italy. The two groups competing for power in Florence were the Guelphs (artisans, new money, lesser nobility) and the Ghibelline’s (old money, aristocracy). These divisions, typically followed family lineage, with Dante being a member of the Guelph party.

Through much of Dante’s life, the Guelphs were in power, in fact Dante held a government position for a time. However, a bitter split developed within the Guelph party creating two factions, the Whites (to which Dante belonged), and the Blacks. Pope Boniface VIII eventually sided with the Black Guelphs, and consequently Dante was exiled from Florence. It’s no accident that Boniface ends up in Hell in Dante’s poem.

The Divine Comedy was written when Dante was exiled from his beloved city (to which he never returned). Exile and redemption is a theme which runs throughout this work. In addition, many of Dante’s political friends and enemies appear in the different sections of the afterlife. The character of Beatrice in the poem is believed to be the real woman, Beatrice Portinari, whom Dante knew and possibly fell in love with (however she was married) in Florence. Dante went on to write his first major work, Vita Nuova, as a love poem to her. Beatrice died at a young age, and although Dante did get married, he never seemed to recover from her death. Beatrice’s role in the Divine Comedy has come to represent all that is good, as well as the theological personification of grace.

The Divine Comedy can be read at so many levels; poetry, narrative, political, theological. Dante scholars have written volumes on this amazing work, and continue to do so to this day.

The Poetry

Dante’s Divine Comedy is not only a classic story, but also a masterpiece of poetry. It is the first major poem written in the everyday spoken language of the writer (Italian). Previously, classical poetry was written in Latin. The number 3 plays an important part in the divisions of this book, representing the 3 Persons of the Trinity.

The work is divided into 3 books, each book is divided into chapters, or Cantos.

The books are:

1. Inferno (Hell) containing 33 cantos plus one introductory Canto.

2. Purgatorio (Purgatory) containing 33 Cantos.

3. Paradiso (Paradise) containing 33 Cantos.

The cantos are divided into 3 line units called Tercets.

Dante also devised a rhyme scheme which he called terza rima . The rhyme scheme is:

aba, bcb, cdc, ded, etc.

When you hear this read out loud, this scheme pushes the poem forward, keeping the journey moving.

Here is the beginning of the first canto, showing the rhyme:

Nel mezzo del cammin di nostra vita (a)

mi ritrovai per una selva oscura. (b)

ché la diritta via era smarrita. (a)

Ahi quanto a dir qual era è cosa dura (b)

esta selva selvaggia e aspra e forte (c)

che nel pensier rinova la paura! (b)

Tant’è amara che poco è più morte; (c)

ma per trattar del ben ch’i’ vi trovai, (d)

dirò de l’altre cose ch’i’ v’ho scorte. (c)

Some editions have side by side English and Italian text, which can greatly enhance the experience of reading the Divine Comedy.

The Divine Comedy is work of literature that is timeless and grows as we grow.

Dante’s Divine Comedy is a journey through the afterlife of Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise, written by one of the greatest classical poets in history. Here are ten reasons why this great work of literature should still be read today.

1. The Divine Comedy is a gripping and fascinating journey through the afterlife unequaled in literature.

Many scholars believe that the Divine Comedy is the greatest single work of poetry ever written. In the words of T.S Elliot: “Dante and Shakespeare divide the world between them - there is no third.”

2. The story is as exciting and fresh today as it was in the 14th century.

Monsters, adventure, politics, sex, love, relationships, good and evil, this story has it all.

3. It can be enjoyed and appreciated on many levels.

Besides being the ultimate adventure, The Divine Comedy is loaded with history, intrigue, allegory, religion, and yes even comedy.

4. This is a work that can’t be read just once.

Like all great literature, this work demands multiple readings. It speaks to us wherever we are in life’s journey, and grows as we grow.

5. It covers the whole range of emotions.

Frustration, confusion, terror, rage, compassion, and love. And that’s just in the first book.

6. It’s an education in theology, philosophy, and history.

Learn about Aquinas, the classical philosophers, artists, and poets as well as the political, and religious leaders of Dante’s lifetime.

7. The inhabitants of Hell remind us some people we know.

Let’s face it, maybe somebody in the office?

8. Souls don’t always end up where you think.

Popes in Hell, killers in Heaven, it’s all about redemption and mercy.

9. Everyone loves a story about a journey.

Earth, Hell, Purgatory, Heaven. The greatest journey.

10. It has a happy ending.

After a rough start, Dante ends up in Heaven. This is ultimately a story of hope.