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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
Opnieuw voor school (groten)deels gelezen... Prachtige verwoordingen overal, vooral bij Inferno en Purgatorio.
I found this book very hard to concentrate on, so expect that I missed much. I think this difficulty for two reasons. First, it is an English translation of 14th-century Italian poetry. Second, the many references to people and places are probably timely for medieval Italy, but I had no clue about more than half of them. Even with these issues, I did note some of the common themes of all Christian literature. It seems every Christian work must threaten you with the horrible punishment you will suffer if you don't believe what the author does, but fear-mongering does nothing to convince a rational person. Much of it came off as a political hatchet job against the influential that Dante didn't like and then changed to name dropping of those he did. I'm guessing most if not all of the people named were dead when he wrote this, or maybe he knew he was dying, and they would not be able to seek vengeance. I did notice a passage that appeared to be the source or at least an advertisement of the idea that darker skin is a punishment of sin. This trope has caused lots of suffering and was used to justify slavery. Unfortunately, it survives today in modern Evangelical and Mormon circles.
I will probably look for some commentaries to learn more about what I missed, but I would not expect more understanding of the meaning to make it a nobler work.
I will probably look for some commentaries to learn more about what I missed, but I would not expect more understanding of the meaning to make it a nobler work.
I have listened to two different translations. I get the it should be a 5 for impact on culture. I also admit that the poetry part is lost in translation so that is probably a 5. Even with all of that this is just the 14th century version of the left behind, 90% fear mongering 10% political attacks. If historians and poets want to study it great but for the average person it is more likely to shrink you life and world view than expand it. Which I have to admit is the goal of all the religious writing I have encountered.
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ever since I graduated from college I've read a major classic work during the summer. This was my pick for this year. I kind of enjoy ancient literature so the language and style weren't a problem for me. In fact, I bought a copy in Italy years ago and read it in both English and Italian which meant it took twice as long to read it. Each section had its distinctive feel and it took me a bit to figure the style out and fully understand what was going on, but once I did I really got the flow. There were sections of each that stood out to me but the last few Cantos of Purgatory were really spectacular for me. I loved the Celestial parade that came to welcome Dante in the Garden of Eden and the concept of the two rivers, one for remembering good things and one for forgetting bad things. I'm going to have to read it again just in English to fully appreciate all the nuances and I would probably get a different edition, but overall a great read.
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
The finest translation of the Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri is by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It took a Poet of the magnitude of H.W. Longfellow to bring to vivid life the verses of this amazing work.
had to find a translation and watch a few video essays to fully understand but wow. more than just a self insert fic ill admit lmaooo. out of the three id probably say purgatorio is my favorite/was the most impactful, but both purgatorio and paradisio deserve more hype!!! inferno is more widely talked about (to the point i didnt even KNOW there were two other parts), but traveling through both purgatory and heaven, watching souls, even after death, working to redeem/save themselves and then reach eternal paradise, is SO crazy and its one of those times where i almost wish i HAD grown up religious or being taught about God because thats like. such a unique relationship and faith and hope i guess you have to have, which i wouldnt experience otherwise. ugh bro
I remembered vaguely the different circles and their punishments and classifications from college. I don't think we went over this one too in depth or I just don't remember. I forgot how brutal it was too against other religions, but hey, that's Christianity for you. Especially how they treat Jewish people in the book considering it's a stolen religion from them. I also find it funny how this was treated as gospel as well even though it's technically a fan fic. Also a bit of a humble brag on Dante's part too is sprinkled in. An interesting read, though.
It took me nearly 3 years to complete (quite fittingly) after taking a long sabbatical from the story near the end of Purgatorio. Its structure is remarkable & unmatched, incomprehensibly creative & complex, yet most of Paradiso can be mindbogglingly boring with Dante often saying, "Everything is so beautiful, all the light, I can't describe any of it!" yet never being short on words for the darkness of hell (I suppose on Earth we are more familiar with the likes of Hell than Heaven). Without literary notes and guides, good luck understanding half the references. Also, Dante finished writing it around 1320, and used closer calculations for the circumference of the Earth than Christopher Columbus did 170 years later so congrats Columbus, you're an idiot and a genocidal murderer. This review took a turn...