Dante: A Very Short Introduction

Very Short Introductions #423

by Peter Hainsworth, David Robey

In this Very Short Introduction , Peter Hainsworth and David Robey take a different approach to Dante, by examining the main themes and issues that run through all of his work, ranging from autobiography, to understanding God and the order of the universe. In doing so, they highlight what has made Dante a vital point of reference for modern writers and readers, both inside and outside Italy. They emphasize the distinctive and dynamic interplay in Dante's writing between argument, ideas, and analysis on the one hand, and poetic imagination on the other.

Dante was highly concerned with the political and intellectual issues of his time, demonstrated most powerfully in his notorious work, The Divine Comedy . Tracing the tension between the medieval and modern aspects, Hainsworth and Robey provide a clear insight into the meaning of this masterpiece of world literature. They highlight key figures and episodes in the poem, bringing out the originality and power of Dante's writing to help readers understand the problems that Dante wanted his audience to confront but often left up to the reader to resolve.

ABOUT THE
The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Genres: Literature, Nonfiction, Poetry, Italy, Biography, Literary Criticism, Philosophy

127 pages, Paperback

First published February 26, 2015

Reviews

[Jane Butane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic introduction to Dante including his work, politics, religion and his background. I'm very glad I read this before I went too in-depth as it's given me a good overview and I have made lots of notes for further reading!

[Simon · Rating 2 out of 5]

In my opinion it’s too much of a fragmented analytical dissection, I miss the empathetic approach and a clear outline of the bigger story. Too much I feel like the authors are - almost fearfully - defending their views against other scholars, but hey this is an introduction for a - if not primarily at least partly - lay audience. Though I do really like this series I feel like this is a recurring issue. Why don’t people dare to confidently express their opinions anymore? It’s clear a priori that each view has its pro’s and con’s, and it just makes the message so weak and confusing.

[Evan Micheals · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this after hearing Bishop Barron speaking on the Art of Manliness Podcast discuss Dante. I was inspired and decided that it was time to have a go with Dante, and read this to prepare. I am not sure if I found this useful at all. I was reminded of a Nassim Talen quote “Asking science to explain life and vital matters is equivalent to asking a grammarian to explain poetry”. I found a lot of this looked at the more academic aspects of Dante, without discussing the substance, or at least what I was looking for. It is a short book and I got no more clues to Dante from reading this than I got from Bishop Barron without the inspiration. I am aware the it is an investigation into Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven. Time to begin Dante – 800 pages.

[Jason Ray Carney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent brief overview less of Dante and more of his most famous poem, the Comedy; in this, the authors seems to emphasize the Inferno. They treat the poem from a diversity of perspectives--biographical, historical, political, theological. I found their strategy--of exploring how Dante's biographical, philosophical, and political proclivities manifest in his poems--very engaging, but this means that this VSI less a biography and more a work of literary criticism. I would have loved a lengthier chapter on Dante's biography. Overall, worth the read.

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting format where the writer introduces the ideas per topic, e.g. Dante on Politics, Ethics, etc. This has its fair share of Divine Comedy analysis so I like it, but I expect more of it and less about his other works. But overall this is good intro for overall guideline about Dante as a writer in general and the main events in the Divine Comedy, which I'm planning to read soon.

[Stephen Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good introduction (hence the title "Very Short Introduction") to Dante's breadth of themes and philosophies. This is a good start to further Dante study.

[Elisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

确实只是非常简单的介绍，不过写得挺好

[Josh Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

The authors did well describing Dante's life and environment. They are clearly experts in the Divine Comedy and gave helpful interpretive guides.

[Juan Manuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Qué deleitable introducción a toda la obra de Dante Alighieri.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read two other VSI books, but this one felt like you had to be a member of MENSA to understand any part of it. Very disappointing.

[Nicholas Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good introduction.

This book covers the totality of Dante’s corpus and allows one to see how his vision of life and death were created.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Italian literary scholars Peter Hainsworth and David Robey’s book introducing Dante's life and work was published in 2015. The book has illustrations, including charts. The book has a section entitled “further reading” (Hainsworth & Robey 116-118). The book has an index. The book has a timeline of Dante’s life (Hainsworth & Robey 14). The first chapter is an introduction to the field of Dante’s studies. The second chapter views Dante's writings as life writings (Hainsworth & Robey 13). Hainsworth and Robey write, “Dante’s particular form of life-writing is not what we expect from modern autobiography” (Hainsworth & Robey 13). Chapter 3 is on Dante's interpretation of his Divine Comedy (Hainsworth & Robey 43). Chapter 4 is on Dante’s writing style in both the Italian and Latin languages. This chapter also includes Dante’s importance to the development of Italian literature. Chapter 5 is on Dante’s views of humanity. Hainsworth and Robey write, “What it means to be human, and what the purpose is of human existence, are questions Dante comes back to repeatedly” (Hainsworth & Robey 65). Chapter 6 discusses Dante’s political philosophy. Chapter 7 is the Paradiso section of the Divine Comedy. Hainsworth and Robey write, "Paradiso is the most beautiful and demanding of the three parts of the poem” (Hainsworth & Robey 99). This book is an excellent short introduction to Dante's literature.

[Linde · Rating 2 out of 5]

small book on dante’s most important works.

i read some chapters i found interesting. there is a clear introduction missing of what to expect of this book. the chapters go quite deep into some themes in the divine comedy, which doesn’t really seem an introduction to me, but more advanced. i think you’d understand more if you’d actually read dante’s works and then read this “introduction” as a companion/guide on modern perceptions of the works.

[Robert Devine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Research book - as the title suggests, a series of excellent essays that discuss themes in Dante's writing (with focus on "The Comedy").

[Amr Ezzat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review it later.. Rileggi la divina commedia dall'inferno

[Ryan Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid overview of Dante's life, thought, and writings.