The Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri Free PDF eBook (1849) Translated by John Aitken Carlyle













Dante called the poem "Comedy" (the adjective "Divine" was added later, in the 16th century) because poems in the ancient world were classified as High ("Tragedy") or Low ("Comedy"). ... Boccaccio's account that an early version of the poem was begun by Dante in Latin is still controversial.







The Divine Comedy (Italian: Divina Commedia is a long Italian narrative poem by Dante Alighieri, begun c. 1308 and completed in 1320, a year before his death in 1321. It is widely considered to be the pre-eminent work in Italian literature and one of the greatest works of world literature.





Book Published: (1849)

Author: Dante Alighieri

Translator: John Aitken Carlyle

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The object of the following Prose Translation is to give the real meaning of Dante as literally and briefly as possible. No single particle has been wittingly left unrepresented in it, for which any equivalent could be discovered; and the few words that have been added are marked in Italics. English readers, it is hoped, will here find a closer, and therefore, with all its defects, a warmer version than any that has hitherto been published for them. The Italian Text, carefully collated from the best editions, is printed beneath, in order to justify and support the Translation, which is perhaps too literal for standing alone; and likewise to enable those who have any knowledge of Italian to understand the Original itself more easily, and with less obstruction enjoy the deep rhythmic force and beauty of it, which can not be transferred into any other language. New Arguments or explanatory introductions, intended to diminish the number and burden of indispensable notes, are prefixed to the Cantos.The Notes themselves are either original, or taken directly, and in no case without accurate reference, from the best Italian commentators and historians; and, above all, from Dante's own works, wherever anything appropriate could be met with. Illustrative or parallel passages are quoted in them, from the Bible, and from Virgil and other ancient authors, to show the way in which Dante used his materials; and more sparingly from Chaucer and Milton, both of whom. had read the Divina Commedia with poetic warmth and insight, before producing any of their own great works.The endless passages which might have been quoted from Italian writers are excluded for the sake of brevity, and as being far less near and less interesting to us. Finally, the doubtful, difficult, or obsolete words are explained between the notes and the original text, or in the notes themselves. A brief account of the most remarkable Editions, Comments, and Translations, is given at the commencement, together with a sketch of Dante's Hell and his journey through it. And the volume concludes with a complete Index of the Proper Names that are mentioned or alluded to.