The basis of Dante's poem is the recognition by mankind of his sins and the ascent to spiritual life and to God. According to the poet, in order to find peace of mind, it is necessary to go through all circles of hell and give up benefits, and atone for sin with suffering. Each of the three chapters of the poem includes 33 songs. Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise are the eloquent names of the parts that make up the Divine Comedy. The summary provides an opportunity to comprehend the main idea of the poem.
Dante Alighieri created the poem during the years of exile, shortly before his death. It is recognized in world literature as a brilliant creation. The author himself gave her the name "Comedy". So in those days it was customary to name any work that has a happy ending. Boccaccio called it “Divine,” thus giving it the highest mark.
Dante’s poem "The Divine Comedy", a brief summary of which students take in the 9th grade, is difficult for modern teenagers to perceive. A detailed analysis of some songs cannot give a complete picture of the work, especially given the current attitude to religion and human sins. However, acquaintance, albeit a review, with the work of Dante is necessary to create a complete picture of world literature.
"The Divine Comedy". Summary of the chapter "Hell"
The main character of the work is Dante himself, to whom is the shadow of the famous poet Virgil with a proposal to make a journey through the underworld. Dante at first hesitates, but agrees after Virgil informs him that Beatrice asked her to be his guide to the poet (the beloved of the author, who had long since died).
The path of the characters begins with hell. Before entering it, there are miserable souls who, during their lifetime, did neither good nor evil. Acheron River flows through the gates, through which Charon crosses the dead. Heroes approach the circles of hell:
- The first is a limb; here the souls of the unbaptized and not committed evil rest. These include the sages and heroes of antiquity, such as Homer, Socrates, Plato and Virgil.
- The second is guarded by Minos and is intended for voluptuous people.
- The third is reserved for souls of gluttony and glutton. At the entrance to this circle is the three-headed dog Cerberus. It constantly rains here, so souls bathe in mud all the time.
- The fourth is reserved for merchants and wasters, most of whom were formerly popes and cardinals. It is protected by the giant Plutos.
- The fifth accepts the souls of envious people, and those who are possessed by anger.
- The sixth is at the foot of the city of Dita. Heretics rest here.
- The seventh is for suicides, loan sharks, blasphemers, killers. When Dante touched a branch of a bush, black blood poured from her, the plant groaned. It turned out to be the souls of suicides who peck the Harpies, causing them terrible pain.
- The eighth is for hypocrites, deceivers, pimps, thieves, sectarians.
- The ninth is reserved for the souls of traitors. Here is an ice lake, into which those who betrayed their relatives were frozen with their whole bodies. In the center of the earth is the ruler of the underworld Lucifer. He has three mouths, which forever eats Judas, Brutus and Cassius.
Having gone through all the circles of hell, Dante and his companion went upstairs and saw the stars.
"The Divine Comedy". Summary of the part "Purgatory"
The main character and his guide fall into purgatory. Here they are met by the guard Cato, who sends them to the sea to wash. The companions set off for water, where Virgil washes away the soot of the underworld from Dante's face. At this time, the shuttle, ruled by an angel, approaches the travelers. He lays on the shore the souls of the dead, who did not go to hell. With them, the heroes make a journey to the mountain of purgatory. On the way, they meet fellow countryman Virgil - the poet Sordello, who joins them.
Dante falls asleep and is transferred to the gates of purgatory in a dream. Here the angel writes seven letters on the poet's forehead denoting mortal sins. The hero goes through all circles of purgatory, being cleansed of sins. After passing through each circle, the angel erases the letter of sin overcome from Dante's forehead. On the last lap, the poet needs to go through the flame of fire. Dante is afraid, but Virgil convinces him. The poet passes the test of fire and goes to heaven, where Beatrice awaits him. Virgil falls silent and disappears forever. The beloved washes Dante in the sacred river, and the poet feels his strength pouring into his body.
"The Divine Comedy". Summary of the Paradise Part
Beloved ones ascend to heaven. To the surprise of the protagonist, he was able to take off. Beatrice explained to him that souls not burdened with sins are light. Lovers pass all heavenly heavens:
- the first sky of the moon, where the souls of the nuns are;
- the second is Mercury for the ambitious righteous;
- the third is Venus, the souls of the loving are resting here;
- the fourth is the sun, intended for the wise;
- fifth, Mars, which receives warriors;
- sixth - Jupiter, for fair souls;
- the seventh is Saturn, where the souls of the contemplators are;
- the eighth is for the spirits of the great righteous;
- ninth - there are angels and archangels, seraphim and cherubs.
After rising to the last heaven, the hero sees the Virgin Mary. She is among the shining rays. Dante raises his head up to a bright and blinding light and gains the highest truth. He sees the deity in his trinity.
The summary of “Divine Comedy”, of course, allows you to get acquainted with the general idea, but is not able to convey a small fraction of the beauty of the songs of the poem.