Literature is an art. It demands the imagination of the reader, and in return the literature will communicate the message at whatever level is desired. It is not uncommon for many literary works to operate on more than various level; there are facts and truths, which are immediately apparent, and in contrast, the symbolism or allegories that may be present upon deeper investigation and exploration. In works regarding religion or spiritual matters, oftentimes it is very common to find symbolism, and this is very true of Dante's 'Divine Comedy,' a work so full of symbolism that there is only time enough to concentrate on the first two cantos of the first book Inferno.
When putting this work into context so that the symbolism may be appreciated, we must remember that this was written a long time ago. It was written at a time when religious beliefs were different from the way they are practiced and interpreted toady. "In looking at the poems by Dante we need to understand that he......
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Approximate Word Count: 1891
Approximate Pages: 8 (260 words per double-spaced page) |