Dante Alighieri: His Life and Works

by Paget Jackson Toynbee, Robert Hollander (Introduction)

One of the most frequently cited texts on Dante's life and writings, this invaluable study illuminates the Divine Comedy as well as the great Florentine poet's other works. Author Paget Toynbee was the most influential Dantean scholar of his era, and this, his most widely known work, presents an exceptional account of one of the pivotal thinkers of the early Italian Renaissance. Toynbee's meticulous attention to detail and clear analysis offer a concise account of Dante's world. Besides being a valuable reference for scholars, the book also serves as a gateway to the past for anyone interested in history or literature.
Toynbee's study opens with historical background on thirteenth-century Florence, which comes alive with the rivalry between the two political parties, the Guelfs and the Ghibellines. It traces the poet's birth and ancestry; his youth, education, and military service; and his private and public life, from his condemnation and exile to his death and subsequent fame. Anecdotes about Dante's personality and character by Boccaccio and other contemporaries enliven the book, which concludes with an exploration of the Vita Nuova, the Convivio, and the Divine Comedy, as well as Dante's Latin works.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1900

Reviews

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every so often you find a book that has a cache of hidden jems. This is one of those books. As a fan of Dante this book provided a novice reader such as myself with a lot of background that is missing in other texts. For example, I knew because Faranata had betrayed Florence he was condemned to hell. What I did not understand was the extent of the betrayal. Once I understood what he did I understood why he deserved the place he was put.

Of course, anyone with any familiarity with Dante understands the Ghibellines, White Geulphs, and Black Guelphs. What I did not know were the details in how they rose up in Florence. This books provides that detail.

The book also provides some great stories about Dante the person. There are many anecdotes and stories about his life. Some I had known and others were new.

Admittedly, the last few chapters of this book are not quite that good. Many pages are just lists of chapters and their contents of Dante's work. There are also chapters that go on and on about various editions and translations. I am sure that is of interest to someone, unfortunately I am not that person. There is also a chapter on various portraits of Dante that I found to be boring.

Overall, however, I would encourage any Dante fan to read this book if you have not done so already. If you are more than just a novice Dante reader much of the information may already be known to you.

[Marko Vasić · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was read in one sitting. Mere indulgence. Sheer word-torrent. Published 122 years ago, but still fresh in expression. The opening part Toynbee used to introduce the reader with the occasions in Florence in XIII century and with two parties – Guelfs and Ghibellines. Then, the narration leisurely was spilled on Dante’s life in Florence, referencing and leaning much on Boccaccio’s Life of Dante as well as on Vita Nuova, and many additional historical facts regarding that era. The third part is brief review of Dante’s years in exile, his sudden death, the burial, the purloin of his remains and the descriptions of the changes of his sepulchre through ages. The last two parts are especially interesting to me – in the penultimate Toynbee enclosed a few written or oral anecdotes from Dante’s life and in the last part, he discussed his bibliography and meticulously listed all of his literary work – on which language was written and when and in which circumstances was published. The book is maybe thin, but these 230 pages are quite valid base for the further scrutinisation of the higher ground.

[Hanny]

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