As the unsurpassed Christian epic poem, Dantes Divine Comedy provides not only far more personality and emotional depth than the pagan epics, it opens up all the issues on which Western history turnstruth, beauty, goodness, sin, sanctification, and triumph.

In this guide, Peter J. Leithart brings his rich biblical-typological insight to bear in opening up the Comedy for students, high school and up. After examining the meaning and place of the courtly love tradition leading up to Dante, the heart of the guide walks us carefully through the craft and symbolisms of each progressive stageInferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. Each section contains helpful study questions.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgments 1. "I Have Come to the Garden" The Classics, the Bible, and Love in Medieval Literature 2. Politics, Prophecy, and the Poetry of Love 3. Not Yet Aeneas, Not Yet Paul Inferno 4. Redeemed from Fire by Fire Purgatorio 5. Join the Dance Paradiso Author Index