The Inferno (Signet Classics)
by Dante Alighieri
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Book Summary Information
Author: Dante AlighieriTranslator: John Ciardi
Introduction: Archibald T. MacAllister
Edition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2001-06-01
ISBN: 0451527984
Number of pages: 288
Publisher: Signet Classics
Book Reviews of The Inferno (Signet Classics)
Book Review: An Unforgettable Journey Through the Torment of Hell
Summary: 5 Stars
+++++
(Note: this review is for the book "The Inferno" translated by John Ciardi and published by Signet Classics in 2001.)
This is book one containing part one (or "canticle" one) of poet Dante Alighieri's (1265 to 1321) three part "The Divine Comedy." This book describes Hell and the eternal suffering of the damned. This poem is comprised of 34 episodes (or "cantos").
Dante at the beginning of the poem explains why he has begun this journey:
"Midway in our life's journey, I went astray
from the straight road and woke to find myself
alone in a dark wood."
Thus because Dante's life journey has led him "astray from the straight road" (that is, from the straight and narrow), he now finds himself "in a dark wood" (that is, in Hell). Thus the journey through the nooks and crannies of Hell begins. Dante takes this incredible journey with his master and guide, Virgel. Along the way the reader along with the travelers encounters such things as mythical creatures and people, legends, people of Dante's time, biblical people and references, and human victims.
Hell, according to Dante, has 4 complex parts:
(1) The Gate of Hell
(2) The first 7 stone ledges or "circles"
(3) The eighth circle which consists of ditches
(4) The nineth circle with Satan at its center
At the end of this long trek through Hell, Dante says, "My Guide and I crossed over and began / to mount that little known and lightless road / to ascend into the shining world again."
From here, they acsend "The Mount of Purgatory" (which is the subject of Book 2 containing Part 2 called "The Purgatorio").
There is a historical introduction by Archibald MacAllister of Princeton. It's imperative to have a good understanding of Dante in order to understand his poetic masterpiece and MacAllister does a good job of detailing Dante and his times.
The late John Ciardi, former poet and professor at Harvard and Rutgers, translated this poem from its original 1300's Italian into English. He retains Dante's three line stanzas and there is still much rhyming. He not only relied on his own knowledge but leaned heavily on the knowledge of other scholars for his translation. Some purists may not appreciate this translation but I enjoyed it.
This is a narrative poem whose greatest strength lies in the fact that it does not so much narrate as dramatize its episodes. It is a visual work that sparks your imagination. This poem combines the five senses with fear, pity, horror, and other emotions to involve the reader. The result: the reader actually experiences Dante's situation and just does not read about them.
Ciardi's mini-summaries in italics before each episode gives a brief summary of what to expect. His (foot)notes at the end of each episode highlight our understanding of key passages within each. For me, Ciardi's mini-summaries and notes that accompany each episode are the cornerstone to understanding what Dante was attempting to convey. As well, Dante can be challenging and tedious to read at times. These mini-summaries and notes help the reader meet the challenge and overcome the tedium.
There are five detailed illustrations in this book. These illustrations as a whole detail the complexity of Hell. They further increased my understanding, and, as well, added another visual dimension to this poem.
I should mention the impressive cover art on this book. It has a reproduction of the 1825 painting by artist William Blake of Dante and Virgil about to enter Hell's gate. Above this gate is an inscription that reads: "ABANDON ALL HOPE YE WHO ENTER HERE."
Finally, as I said this is a very imaginative poem. Thus I recommend "The Dore Illustrations for Dante's Divine Comedy" (1976) by Gustave Dore. This book adds another visual dimension to this poem.
In conclusion, if you want to experience Hell as seen through the eyes of a gifted poet, then read this book. Further, by reading this book, you will discover why this poem has endured popularity for seven centuries!!
(published 2001; translator's notes; introduction; 34 cantos; 260 pages)
+++++
Summary of The Inferno (Signet Classics)
Considered to be one of the greatest literary works of all time- equal only to those of Shakespeare-Dante's immortal drama of a journey through Hell is the first volume of his Divine Comedy. The remaining canticles, The Purgatorio and The Paradiso, will be published this summer in quick succession.Classics Books
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