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8 things you don't know about the divine comedy:
1- The mathematical structure: The "Divine Comedy" is divided into three main cantos: Inferno, Purgatorio and Paradiso. Each canto contains 33 cantos, except the Inferno which has an introductory canto, therefore 34. This total of 100 cantos reflects the numerical symbolism of perfection: 3 (the Trinity) multiplied by 33 (the age of Christ when he died).
2- Alphabetical order: Dante often uses alphabetical order to structure his works. In the "Divine Comedy", each canticle begins with the letter "A". For example, "Forsaken you who enter" begins Hell, "Ave Maria gratia plena" begins Purgatory, and "Hail, Virgin, queen of heaven" begins Paradise.
3- Political allusions: Dante used his work to make political comments on his time. Many of the characters in the Inferno, for example, are politicians contemporary with Dante, whom he despised. This caused him political problems and contributed to his exile from Florence.
4- Beatrice's presence: Although Beatrice is an important character only in Paradise, Dante's journey through Hell and Purgatory is guided by his love for her. Beatrice represents Dante's perfection and guide towards redemption.
5- Numerical symbolism: In addition to the total number of cantos, there are many other symbolic numbers in the "Divine Comedy". For example, Dante encounters nine circles of hell, symbolizing the nine circles of Hell.
6- The opening and closing words: The first words of the "Divine Comedy" are "Nel mezzo del cammin di nostra vita", which means "In the middle of the journey of our life". This phrase reflects the theme of Dante's spiritual journey. The last words are "l'amor che move il sole e l'altre stelle" (the love that moves the sun and the other stars), which reflect the divine love that guides everything.
7- Virgil's role: Virgil, the author of the Aeneid, guides Dante through Hell and Purgatory but cannot enter Paradise because he is a pagan. This symbolizes the limit of human reason in dealing with the deepest spiritual realities.
8- Descriptions of places: Dante describes in great detail the places he visits in his work, creating a vivid image of Hell, Purgatory and Paradise. These descriptions are not only geographical, but also symbolic, reflecting the states of the human soul and its relationship with God.