Dante's Divine Comedy: A Biography – A Multi-Century Legacy
2025-03-16
Joseph Luzzi's 'Dante's Divine Comedy: A Biography' explores the enduring impact of this 14th-century epic. From initial ecclesiastical controversies to becoming a cornerstone of Italian literature and its embrace by Romantics and Modernists (Joyce, Pound, Eliot), the journey of the *Commedia* mirrors Dante's own tumultuous life. Luzzi dissects various interpretations, like the Romantic misreading of Ulysses as a hero, and the surprising solace found in Auschwitz. He also compares Dante to Milton, highlighting their differing views on free will. Ultimately, Luzzi reveals the *Commedia* as Dante's personal reflection and exploration of faith, truth, and human self-transcendence.