Dante

This is an excellent introduction to the political and historical Dante. It focuses on the thought of Dante and presents his development from the early poetry and the 'Vita Nuova ' through the climax in 'The Divine Comedy'. It places the work in the context of its time , and gives much detail on the Florentine world . Dante's story with Beatrice his ideal love and inspiration is traced from its courtly love foundation through its religious and spiritual transformation. Holmes sees the Divine Comedy as the most powerfully sustained poetic work in world literature in the past millenium. He does not focus on a close reading of the poetry, but does provide a guide to the major personalities and themes of ' The Comedy'. This small work gives a true sense of the overall mission and meaning of Dante's work.