Review (PDF) The Inferno (Signet Classics)
Belonging in the company of the works of Homer and Virgil, The Inferno is a moving human drama, a journey through the torment of Hell, an expression of the Middle Ages, and a protest against the ways in which men have thwarted the divine plan.
Series: Signet Classics
Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Signet; Reprint edition (October 6, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451531396
ISBN-13: 978-0451531391
Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.9 x 6.8 inches
Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars 317 customer reviews
Best Sellers Rank: #2,883 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #3 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Poetry > Ancient, Classical & Medieval > Medieval #5 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Poetry > Regional & Cultural > European #156 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Classics
+++++(Note: this review is for the book "The Inferno" translated by John Ciardi and published by Signet Classics in 2001.)This is book one containing part one (or "canticle" one) of poet Dante Alighieri's (1265 to 1321) three part "The Divine Comedy." This book describes Hell and the eternal suffering of the damned. This poem is comprised of 34 episodes (or "cantos").Dante at the beginning of the poem explains why he has begun this journey:"Midway in our life's journey, I went astrayfrom the straight road and woke to find myselfalone in a dark wood."Thus because Dante's life journey has led him "astray from the straight road" (that is, from the straight and narrow), he now finds himself "in a dark wood" (that is, in Hell). Thus the journey through the nooks and crannies of Hell begins. Dante takes this incredible journey with his master and guide, Virgel. Along the way the reader along with the travelers encounters such things as mythical creatures and people, legends, people of Dante's time, biblical people and references, and human victims.Hell, according to Dante, has 4 complex parts:(1) The Gate of Hell(2) The first 7 stone ledges or "circles"(3) The eighth circle which consists of ditches(4) The nineth circle with Satan at its centerAt the end of this long trek through Hell, Dante says, "My Guide and I crossed over and began / to mount that little known and lightless road / to ascend into the shining world again."From here, they acsend "The Mount of Purgatory" (which is the subject of Book 2 containing Part 2 called "The Purgatorio").There is a historical introduction by Archibald MacAllister of Princeton.
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