Definition

Proper noun 1. A narrative epic poem by Dante Alighieri: "Divine Comedy" is the title of a major 14th-century Italian epic poem by Dante Alighieri. It is considered one of the greatest works of world literature. The poem describes Dante's allegorical journey through the three realms of the afterlife: Hell (Inferno), Purgatory (Purgatorio), and Paradise (Paradiso).

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • Dante's "Divine Comedy" is a cornerstone of Italian literature.
  • We studied the structure of the "Divine Comedy" in my medieval literature class.
  • The "Divine Comedy" explores themes of sin, redemption, and divine love.

Advanced Usage

• "the Comedy": The work is often referred to simply as "the Comedy" (in Italian, ). Dante himself called it this; the adjective "Divine" was added by later admirers.
  • Boccaccio was one of the first to lecture publicly on the "Comedy".
• Used to signify a complex, profound, or arduous journey with a redemptive end.
  • His recovery from addiction was a personal "Divine Comedy," a painful journey through hell and purgatory to finally find peace.

Variants and Related Words

• Dante's Comedy: Another common way to refer to the work.
• The Commedia: The original Italian title.
• Inferno: The title of the first part of the "Divine Comedy," often published and studied separately.
• Purgatorio: The title of the second part.
• Paradiso: The title of the third and final part.

Synonyms

• Dante's epic: A descriptive synonym highlighting the author and genre.
• La Divina Commedia: The full Italian title.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• A Dantesque journey/scene: An idiom derived from the "Divine Comedy," used to describe an experience or sight that is terrifyingly hellish or surreal in its horror or complexity.
  • The aftermath of the battle was a Dantesque scene of destruction.

Noun

1. a narrative epic poem written by Dante