The Divine Political Commentary
Renowned poet Dante Alighieri lived in a tempestuous political and religious era; Fourteenth century Italy was riddled with opposing political factions, most notably the Guelphs and Ghibellines, which were constantly engaged in conflict. This ongoing partisan upheaval would eventually result in Dante’s exile from Florence, after which he would go on to write The Divine Comedy, an epic poem that sets up a flawless system of punishment, redemption and salvation. The retributive structure he fashions, which is clearly exemplified in Dante’s Inferno, heavily contrasts with the imperfect earthly system that failed Dante. Although the primary message of the poem as a whole appears to be religious, the Inferno gives significant insight into how Dante was making an inherently political statement. Dante’s Inferno is primarily a retaliatory political commentary, written in response to Dante’s exile and the injustices he witnessed in …show more content…
Whereas the Ghibellines followed the Holy Roman Emperor, the Guelphs were aligned with the papacy (Machiavelli 47). Dante was an established Guelph, one who fought in the Battle of Campaldino in 1289. After establishing himself as a true citizen of Florence in battle, Dante entered into the political world in order to “prove the depth and quality of his civic virtue”. (Davenport 53). Dante climbed the political ranks, starting as a simple member of an apothecary guild before eventually becoming the elected town prior, a prestigious position akin to a modern day mayor (54). This desire to establish himself sets up the backdrop for the betrayal Dante will later experience when forced out of the city on accusations of
Renowned poet Dante Alighieri lived in a tempestuous political and religious era; Fourteenth century Italy was riddled with opposing political factions, most notably the Guelphs and Ghibellines, which were constantly engaged in conflict. This ongoing partisan upheaval would eventually result in Dante’s exile from Florence, after which he would go on to write The Divine Comedy, an epic poem that sets up a flawless system of punishment, redemption and salvation. The retributive structure he fashions, which is clearly exemplified in Dante’s Inferno, heavily contrasts with the imperfect earthly system that failed Dante. Although the primary message of the poem as a whole appears to be religious, the Inferno gives significant insight into how Dante was making an inherently political statement. Dante’s Inferno is primarily a retaliatory political commentary, written in response to Dante’s exile and the injustices he witnessed in …show more content…
Whereas the Ghibellines followed the Holy Roman Emperor, the Guelphs were aligned with the papacy (Machiavelli 47). Dante was an established Guelph, one who fought in the Battle of Campaldino in 1289. After establishing himself as a true citizen of Florence in battle, Dante entered into the political world in order to “prove the depth and quality of his civic virtue”. (Davenport 53). Dante climbed the political ranks, starting as a simple member of an apothecary guild before eventually becoming the elected town prior, a prestigious position akin to a modern day mayor (54). This desire to establish himself sets up the backdrop for the betrayal Dante will later experience when forced out of the city on accusations of