Dante Alighieri Biography & Works

Dante Alighieri was born in Florence Italy, in 1256. Based on his own statement in Paradiso, which indicates the day to have been when the sun was in Gemini, fixes his birthday between the 18th of may and the 17th of June. He was born to Alighiero di Bellincione Alighiere and Donna Bella degli Abati. Education and poetry.

Not much is known about Dante's education, and it is presumed he studied at home. At the age of nine years old he met Beatrice Portinari, with whom he fell in love even before he had spoken to her. After the age of 18 he often exchange greetings with her on the street, but he never knew her intimately. When Beatrice died in 1290, Dante tried to find a refuge in Latin literature, and then dedicated himself to the study of philosophy.

His first book was the Vita Nuova (The New Life), published in 1294, in which he speaks of his love for a young girl named Beatrice. Though they both married other people, Dante's spiritual love for Beatrice lasted throughout his life. The date that Dante began work on his great work, Divina Commedia (The Divine Comedy) is not known, but based on historical correspondence it is believed that the first two portions of his work ("Inferno", and "Purgatario") were known around 1319. The last part of his epic poem "Paradiso" was completed in 1321 and was published posthumously. The Devine Comedy 'recounts' Dante's journey through hell, purgatory and finally paradise. Dante Alighieri died on the 14th of September 1321.

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