Hi friends and happy Monday! I hope you’re all doing well. It’s been a while, but I’m finally back with yet another classic read! Today I’m posting my reading update thoughts on The Divine Comedy Inferno, Purgatory & Paradise.

The Divine Comedy – Inferno

This vigorous translation of Inferno preserves Dante’s simple, natural style, and captures the swift movement of the original Italian verse. Mark Musa’s blank verse rendition of the poet’s journey through the circles of Hell re-creates for the modern reader the rich meanings that Dante’s poem had for his contemporaries. Musa’s introduction and commentaries on each of the cantos brilliantly illuminate the text.

Goodreads synopsis

I’ve made some good headway into the first volume of the Divine Comedy, Inferno. This starts by entering Dante’s upper five layers of hell and so far I’ve made it to layer 2 – lust. The first one was limbo, a place with no feeling, what a place to be. It’s been a really interesting read so far. I like getting to understand the depths at which hell can exist. The translator, Mark Musa, has notes at the end of each Canto, which has been helpful in giving more context and understanding, but I also find it a bit annoying that he references the other volumes that I haven’t gotten to yet. He sometimes does a little compare and contrast to them and I’m like this means nothing to me… yet. Maybe once I read further into the other volumes things will click, but for now, I look forward to continuing on. 

I’m now deeper into the layers of hell. I’ve past the first five upper layers and am making my slow descent into the lower layers where there is a lot more of a break down. Soon I’ll be at the centre of the earth. I’m intrigued to explore more. I find it fascinating that each layer has a theme and when we get there, there are people there to represent said theme. Like what they did in their living life has led them there and they are perpetually stuck in that layer of hell for eternity. I’m glad we’re just passing through and this reads exactly like that, a guided tour through hell. I have to say also, this translation makes it really easy to follow along with and be engaged with what’s happening. 

Now I’m, you guessed it, deeper into the layers of hell. I have now made my way to lower hell where the circles are getting smaller and smaller. I feel like the further we go, the more specific the circles get and are reserved, if you will, for the souls who have committed the worst crimes/sins. I’m still enjoying learning and reading about this concept of hell. It looks like I’m on my way to middle earth and “the well” I’m curious what it’ll be like when I get there. I guess I’ll find out soon, I have 14 more cantos to go!

I have to say, this is starting to lose me. I’m nearing the end, but these last few cantos have not really piqued my interest. We’re moving through more of the realms and learning of different peoples sins and why they’re in this level of hell vs. another and I don’t know, I feel like it’s getting a bit repetitive. I’m obviously going to finish this, but it’s really starting to drag for me and I really do want to like it. I get that there needs to be so many layers of hell to represent the different layers of sin/punishment, but damn, this is elaborate! I honestly had no idea it was so detailed like this. I almost already feel like I’m in purgatory… that should be an interesting read.

I made it to the end of Inferno! After our adventure through hell, we’re now back to earth. This felt like it had more of a positive ending; I thought after everything and knowing that the next volume is called Purgatory, I thought this would end on a more sadder or cruel ending. This makes me curious for what I’m getting into next. This volume was really easy to read, like I said it lost me a bit in the middle, but for the most part, I enjoyed this. The notes at the end of every canto made the reading even more accessible… when the translator Musa wasn’t comparing to something that comes in the future. But he really goes into details that give a better understanding to the text and it’s appreciated.

The Divine Comedy – Purgatory

The second volume of Dante’s Divine Comedy

Beginning with Dante’s liberation from Hell, Purgatory relates his ascent, accompanied by Virgil, of the Mount of Purgatory – a mountain of nine levels, formed from rock forced upwards when God threw Satan into depths of the earth. As he travels through the first seven levels, Dante observes the sinners who are waiting for their release into Paradise, and through these encounters he is himself transformed into a stronger and better man. For it is only when he has learned from each of these levels that he can ascend to the gateway to the Garden of Eden. The second part of one of the greatest epic poems, Purgatory is an enthralling Christian allegory of sin, redemption and ultimate enlightenment.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

Goodreads synopsis

I’m having a really hard time with this volume (hence the lack of updates recently 😅). There’s something about it that is not drawing me in or captivating my attention. I’m finding the writing is harder to follow; this volume is translated by someone different, Dorothy L Slayers, and it’s reading more old-timey to me in comparison to Inferno. I’m also finding this one is more heavily influenced by religion. Don’t get me wrong, Inferno was also, but there were also other references to other classical works such as Homer or philosophical teachings from Plato or Aristotle, this one is straight the bible. I’m intrigued by the fact that there are also layers to purgatory, as there were to hell, so I’m going to keep plugging away, hoping it will get better – although I have a feeling it won’t. We shall see!

I have to say, we’re climbing up the Purgatory mountain pretty quickly. One minute we were in ante-purgatory, where the excommunicates and late repenters resided, now we’re in lower purgatory, where the proud and wrathful reside. It’s been an interesting journey… but I’m still not fully engaged or really care what’s happening. Again, the writing feels very old timey and is hard to follow with. Even the notes aren’t helping. I’m trying really hard to focus and understand the depths but it’s really dragging. Part of me thinks that maybe because this feels like a repeat of inferno, and mixed with the writing style that could be why I’m not enjoying this. But I will keep climbing my way through purgatory because it’s got to get better than this… right?

Like I said last week, we are moving up Purgatory’s Mountain really quickly! We have now pushed past lower and mid-purgatory and are now in upper purgatory where the covetous, gluttonous and the lustful stay. We still have 12 cantos to go… and not a lot of mountain left to climb so I’m very curious where we’re going to go from here. This has already started talking about the soul’s release from purgatory, maybe we’ll get more details on that. I’m kinda curious, but that’s the only thing that’s really keeping me going here. I’m still not really enjoying this. We have gotten more references to Greek mythology and different works through time, so that has made the experience a little better, but not by much. I’m almost there nearing the end, I can do it!

We have reached the top of Mount Purgatory and we’re now entering the forest of paradise. As much as going through purgatory has been quick, it took the characters roughly four days to get through it all, it really hasn’t felt that way reading it. It’s still slow going, that hasn’t changed and I feel like a broken record saying it. There were parts in a few of the cantos where I was actually pretty captivated, but there weren’t enough of those moments to keep me going. I am curious how the last few cantos will prepare me for the final volume, paradise. 

I made it! It took time, but I made it to the end! I have to say, reading the glossary really helped put more perspective on purgatory and seeing the references Dante used, I don’t know, to me I found it helpful and enjoyable to read. This book has a lot of high ratings on Goodreads and I feel bad giving it a 2, but this just did not work for me. Most of this was a slog and I really couldn’t connect with it. I really wanted to, and I really tried, but this volume was not for me. The concepts were interesting, but they weren’t enough to keep me fully engaged. I do still look forward to Paradise. I made it this far, I’m not giving up now! 

The Divine Comedy – Paradise

The final volume in this brilliant translation destined to take its place among the great English versions of The Divine Comedy

In this translation of Paradise, Mark Musa exhibits the same sensitivity to language and knowledge of translation that enabled his versions of the Inferno and Purgatory to capture the vibrant power and full dramatic force of Dante’s poetry. Dante relates his mystical interpretation of the heavens, and his moment of transcendent glory, as he journeys, first with Beatrice, then alone, toward the Trinity.

Professor Musa’s extraordinary translation and his interpretive commentary, informative glossary, and bibliography clarify the theological themes and make Dante accessible to the English-speaking public.

Goodreads synopsis

Well, I can say that this has been off to a better start than Purgatory. Maybe it was a combination of not caring about the content as much and the translation, because even though I’m still not 100% into the content of Paradise, I think the translation is better. This was translated by Mark Musa (same guy who translated Inferno); it’s more conversational and feels less like reading an academic essay. I’ve made it to paradise… and yet still there are layers to paradise. I mean, I shouldn’t be surprised, if the last two had layers, this was bound to have them, too. There are 9 Angels who circle God and so Dante is making his way to reach them. But with each layer he uncovers truths about the world and himself; it’s feels sorta retrospective in a way and has piqued my interest to read more. 

I feel like I’ve been reading this for ages, and I can feel myself burning out of it. The entire Divine Comedy is a long road, but I know I’m almost there so I’m not going to quit, but gosh am I losing focus. I keep saying I want to love it, but with each passing day that I go to read this, it feels like a slog. It’s not the translation because I’m actually liking how this is written (although the notes have gotten longer and longer), it’s really the content. Now that we’re in paradise I feel like we’re in heaven essentially and there are a lot of bible references. What I have liked are the references to philosophy, those are the parts that are engaging, too bad there aren’t as many. Only 20 more cantos to go!

I will say, this week’s reading of Paradise hasn’t been as bad as past weeks. I actually found something quite interesting while reading – there’s a heavy influence and talk of the eagle and how that’s a big symbol in the Christian faith, which I had no idea. It got me thinking about the US and how their country animal is the bald eagle, yet an eagle nonetheless and how the US put so much faith in God and Christianity (I mean it’s on their money, “In God We Trust”). So I just thought this was an interesting parallel and one that I wouldn’t be surprised was thought out. I mean, this could all be well known knowledge, I’m just seeing it now. I have to say, this has gotten a little more interesting and given me some life in reading it.  

I am so close to the finish line with this. Dante is now in the eighth sphere of heaven, out of 10. There isn’t any real marker for the passage of time; it’ll just get briefly mentioned and I’m like ‘oh that’s where we are’. Not that I mind anymore because I’m just trying to enjoy the ride. I thought it was interesting this point that the translator, Mark Musa, brought up in one of his notes. He talked about how God liked one of Dante’s answers and let him proceed to the next stage of heaven – but if Dante is showing us his idea of how the soul reaches heaven, then wouldn’t it be assumed God would like all his answers? He wouldn’t need approval? I thought it was interesting. Because to me, the whole point of the Divine Comedy is to capture this journey. Anyhow, I’m curious to see where the top tier of heaven takes us!

I did it! I made it to the end; it felt like a long time coming, but we’ve reached enlightenment essentially. Dante has now seen God in all his glory and it was blissful. I can’t say that I didn’t enjoy this because I did, there were parts that dragged a bit for me, but the concepts and the journey was interesting. I don’t know if I’d ever want to go on this whole journey again though. I think out of the three volumes, Inferno is the inferior volume and that’s the one that I’d probably see myself reading again. These other two volumes felt like more of a slog to get through and held my attention less. In the end, I’m glad I read all three and got to experience it once. 

 Have you read The Divine Comedy? Let me know in the comments!