Am I In Purgatory? Dante’s Divine Comedy

I came across the first volume, Hell, a few years back in an Oxfam bookstore and thought I’d give it a go. I had a vague idea it had something to do with the layers of hell, moving through them. I soon found that I needed my own guide to understand this book. Mine was Dorothy L Sayers, who has done a good job in her translation and notes to the text. It is full of biblical and classical references. There are also references to the time that Dante was writing in, which are less familiar to me. I certainly had no knowledge to the political background to 13th Century Florence. Having said that the imagery in Hell is strong enough to be of interest on its own. The circle of suicides was certainly disturbing. The souls have mutated into plants and when Dante pulled a branch I winced. Most disturbing is the account of Count Ugolino who was eating his companion, Archbishop Rugieri’s, head. It’s definitely a rewarding read if you are prepared to do the background reading. Dante had Virgil to guide him, bring your own guide.

I am currently reading Purgatory. I was making good progress whilst I could get out to the Heath and read in the sunshine. Now the winter is drawing in I have to admit I’ve slowed down a bit, but I will get back and finish it.