The Divine Comedy discussion

I'm really interested in reading this book, but I'm kind of afraid that it is a hard read. Do you need any kind of knowledge as a pre-requisite for an easy understanding of the book?

Knowledge on Greco-Roman mythology, Christian theology and XIII century Italian politics comes in handy. However, most editions carry an index of annotations at the end of each chapter for every reference in it, so you need not miss out on much.

Having said that, Inferno and Purgatorio are a breeze compared to Paradiso; at least for me, having little to no prior knowledge (or care) for Christian saints and sainthood, of which there is nothing but for the last third of the book. So I was pausing every other sentence just to make sense of what I had just read.

if you read just a few pages every day, as a joy, i think it will be easier!

Benja wrote: "Knowledge on Greco-Roman mythology, Christian theology and XIII century Italian politics comes in handy."

Also, knowledge of the poet Virgil would be helpful.

I read this when I was thirteen and didn't have any problem understanding it. It does help, as others have stated, to know about Greco-Roman Mythology and Christian theology but I think you could read it without knowing any of that no problem. You'll miss a lot of it but the words are still just as beautiful.

It's definitely a challenge, but like most other people have been saying in this thread it's good to know your stuff on Greco-Roman mythology and Christian theology. I'd recommend really taking your time as well, it makes the journey much more pleasant if you're not trying to get through a lot at one time.

Hmmm.

Such a seminal work, The Divine Comedy, for contemporary readers, works at several levels, (as does many "deep" creations do).

From the "surface level" of plot, of journey to the deeper "webbed" levels of historical context and hermeneutic, The Divine Comedy becomes a work to be read again . . . and again.

So, plunge in!

Go with a "surface level" reading, first. I have no doubt that during that, the many facets of the poem will provoke you to further exploration.

As always, "Good reading.

I 1st encountered Dante when I was 17, travelling Europe, on my own. His statue is everywhere, in Italy. I asked an Italian gentlemen, who he was. "He is our greatest poet".
So, I came home and read his "Inferno" + his poems to Beatrice, before I went to University.
Is he a difficult read? Yes. However, he is a window on the Medieval mind. If there is a Hell, I doubt it would be as organized as Dante's version. Well worth the read.
If people can put themselves through reading the Bible; they can do this book.

Yes, it's hard. Yes, a lot of context is needed to fully understand the tale. People are listing Greco-Roman Mythology and Christian theology as subjects you might want to be familiar with before jumping in. That's good advice, though I would specify that you want to know your basic CATHOLIC theology. Only one person mentioned XIII Century Italian politics. This might be the most important thing to get your head around. Basic understanding of ancient Western mythology and medieval theology will get you by, but it's the Italian history that's been the biggest stumbling block for me. Having said all that, I've made my way through all of "Inferno" and half of "Purgatorio" and found the whole thing fascinating.

well, I'm not gonna lie to you, It is difficult but it's worth it. I think it took a whole month to read it and yet, i would like to re-read it for a "second look". It has its ages so the words and the phrases are something we are not relative with, but it helps if you have comments from the translator or from someone else

Salve. What we Italians must have before starting the study of the work is basically this: a good level of understanding of the lexicon of the language in which we read the work, a not necessarily solid basis of mythology and religious culture, the awareness of being faced with a brilliant writing hand. For the rest, Dante teaches that it is useless to stop in front of what seems difficult to us. Happy reading.