Dante’s ‘Divine Comedy’ is one of the most important pieces of writing in history and a cornerstone of our literary tradition. Its depiction of a multi-tiered heaven and hell has done much to define the Western vision of these metaphysical realms. The popularity of this work, during and since the Renaissance, also did much to establish Tuscan as the standardised Italian language. Though this work stands out as Dante’s crowning achievement there was more to this Renaissance man than one good poem.
'Dante and Virgil in Hell' by Eugene Delacroix, 1822
Born in Florence around the year 1265 Dante entered into a politically unstable world. Supposedly ruled by elected officials the history of the Florentine Republic was marked by numerous coups and countercoups. The latest transition of power before Dante’s birth had seen the Guelphs lose out to the Ghibellines. Though his father, Alighiero, was a member of the losing group there had been little reprisals against the family.
While it is unclear if this was due to Alighiero enjoying important status or being politically impotent the result was that Dante was born on the losing side of a politically murky world. At twelve years old Dante’s role in this political world began in earnest as he was contracted to marry Gemma di Manetto Donati. This promise of marriage scored serious points for Dante and his family by forging strong links with the powerful Donati family.
The heart of the young Dante had, however, already been swept off by another. At only nine years old Dante had met, and immediately fallen in love with, Beatrice Portinari. Though he wouldn’t meet her again for another nine years, and even then only in passing, ‘Bice’ became Dante’s muse. He wrote sonnets for her and had her, or her namesake at least, act as the heavenly guide for the narrator in the ‘Divine Comedy’.
For Gemma, his wife and mother of his children, there would be no poems penned or movements started. Idealised love triumphed over reality even then.
'Dante meets Beatrice at Ponte Santa Trinita' by Henry Holiday, 1883
This idealising infatuation led Dante to create the ‘sweet new style’ as he explored the many avenues of love in his poetry. Focusing on introspection and the divine beauty of the female form this ‘new style’ used complex symbolism and metaphor hitherto unseen in Italian poetry. The effects of this revolutionising of Italian poetry can still be seen in many romantic poems throughout history; and all of it born from Dante’s secret love for a woman he barely knew.
Throughout this time Dante, like most of his peers, was embroiled in Florentine politics and the tug-of-war between the Guelph and the Ghibelline for power over the city. In 1289 the Battle of Campaldino saw this conflict end in favour of the Guelph. It wasn’t long before another political rift opened up, however, as the Guelphs distinguished themselves between papal loyalists, Black Guelphs, and those who wanted more independence from Rome, White Guelphs.
It was this latter group that first gained power and exiled their opponents from Florence. As a White Guelph Dante found himself in the ascendancy and over the following years held various political offices. This political favour saw Dante sent as a part of a delegation to Rome in 1301. Tensions were high between Florence and the papacy and the city state were eager to know of the Pope’s intentions in appointing Charles of Valois as peacemaker of Tuscany.
All of the delegates, bar Dante, were quickly dismissed by Pope Boniface who asked Dante alone to remain. There was little he could do from the hills of Rome as Charles and the Black Guelphs took Florence by force in November 1301. With power secured the Black Guelphs repaid their enemies with two years banishment and harsh fines.
Dante is depicted between purgatory and Florence in 'Dante and the Divine Comedy' by Domenico di Michelino, 1465.
Miles from home and unable to pay these fines Dante was condemned eternal exile with the threat of death should he ever return to Florence. Though his early years abroad were spent plotting a return to power with his fellow White Guelphs continual infighting saw Dante turn his back on his erstwhile allies. The rest of Dante’s life would be marked by extensive wandering, often relying on the hospitality of others, and he would never again return to his beloved Florence.
Dante’s life and writing had always been driven, to varying degrees, by politics, philosophy, and his love for ‘Bice’. While the death of Beatrice in 1290 had not detracted from Dante’s love for her it did see him focus his mind more on matters of philosophy and theology. Exile similarly saw a shift in Dante’s focus as he was freed up from the daily politics of Florentine life.
This increased interest in philosophy and theology resulted in Dante composing his greatest works, including the ‘Divine Comedy’. Despite this outpouring of literary work and the hospitality of others banishment proved to be a heavy burden for Dante. He laments the case of the exile in the ‘Divine Comedy’ and spent considerable effort imploring princes and leaders to overthrow the Black Guelphs.
Yet when amnesty was offered in 1815 Dante refused; he would not beggar himself or lay prostrate in order to return home. In 1318 he was invited to Ravenna by the city’s prince. It was here that he finished his ‘Divine Comedy’ and it was here also that he was laid to rest in 1321. Despite numerous pleas and request from Florence the body of Italy’s greatest poet remains at rest in Ravenna.
The empty cenotaph in Florence, built for Dante in 1829
Join Patrick and a panel of experts as they journey through the life of Dante Alighieri and his impact on the world. Join us as we look back on his life under the Tuscan sun and as an exile away from home. What was his life like in Florence? How did he impact on the culture of the time? Why is he known as ‘the Father of the Italian language? And what has his impact on literature been?
Patrick also talked with author Henry Hemming about his biogrpahy of Geoffrey Pyke, 'Churchill's Iceman'. A full list of our book recommendations can be found here.
