The Divine Comedy

“Divina Commedia”
Learning Objectives:
 Identify the key themes, allegories, and moral lessons presented in The Divine Comedy (Inferno, Purgatorio, and
Paradiso).
 Demonstrate an appreciation for medieval literature and its relevance to contemporary discussions on morality, faith,
and human nature.
 Create visual representations of Dante’s journey through the afterlife.

Dante Alighieri

(May 29,1265- Sept.13,1321)

- was an Italian poet, writer, and philosopher best known for his epic poem The Divine Comedy
- Dante married a woman named Gemma Donate likely around 1285.
- his exile was a pivotal moment of his life
-considered as one of the most important poets of the Middle Ages and have the greatest literary work in the Italian language
- one of the greatest works of world literature and a cornerstone of Italian poetry. The poem is an allegorical journey through the
afterlife

The Divine Comedy

 The Divine Comedy is an epic poem written by the Italian poet Dante Alighieri between 1308 and 1321. It is one of the
greatest works of world literature and a cornerstone of Italian poetry. The poem is an allegorical journey through the afterlife
 It has an inspiration from the Old & New Testament, Homer’s Odyssey, St. Augustine's Confessions and especially Virgil's
Aeneid.
 Dante wrote The Divine Comedy while in exile

THEMES

Dante’s The Divine Comedy explores:

- Divine justice and Retribution

- Redemption and Salvation

- Divine Love and Grace

- Political and Religious Criticism

- The Power of Free Will

EXPLANATION

1. Divine Justice and Retribution

At the heart of Inferno lies the theme of divine justice, where sinners are punished in accordance with their sins. Dante portrays
Hell as a place of perfect justice, ruled by the principle of contrapasso (a form of poetic justice in which the punishment fits the
sin).
2. Redemption and Salvation
While Inferno deals with punishment, Purgatorio focuses on purification and hope for salvation. The souls in Purgatory are not
damned but are undergoing spiritual cleansing before they can enter Heaven. This reflects Dante’s belief in God’s mercy and the
possibility of redemption for those who repent.
3. Divine Love and Grace
In Paradiso, the theme of divine love is fully realized, culminating in Dante’s vision of God as the ultimate source of love and
harmony in the universe. Divine love is portrayed as the force that governs everything, from the movement of celestial bodies to the
salvation of souls.
4. Political and Religious Criticism
Dante was deeply involved in the political turmoil of his time, and he used The Divine Comedy as a means to critique corruption in
both political and religious institutions. He condemns leaders who abused their power, placing many of them in Hell.
5. The Power of Free Will
Throughout The Divine Comedy, Dante emphasizes that human beings have free will and are responsible for their own actions. The
choices people make determine their fate in the afterlife, whether they end up in Hell, Purgatory, or Paradise.

LITERARY ELEMENTS

 Allegory – The entire poem represents the soul’s journey from sin to salvation.
 Symbolism – Objects and characters represent deeper spiritual and moral meanings (e.g., Dark Wood = sin, Beatrice = divine
love).
 Terza Rima – A unique three-line interlocking rhyme scheme (ABA BCB CDC, etc.).
 Imagery – Vivid descriptions of Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven.
 Irony & Contrapasso (Poetic Justice) – Punishments fitting the sins in an ironic way.
 Allusion & Classical References – References to Greek, Roman, Biblical, and historical figures.
 Political and Religious Criticism – Critiques of corruption in the Church and political conflicts.
 Personification – Abstract concepts like reason and love are embodied in characters (e.g., Virgil = human reason).
 Divine Order & Numerology – Use of symbolic numbers (3, 9, 100) reflecting Christian theology.
 Epic Poetry Characteristics – Includes a hero’s journey, divine intervention, and elevated language.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL BACKGROUND

The conflict between the Papacy and the Holy Roman Empire

The Guelphs
-supported the Pope’s authority over secular rulers

The Ghibellines
-support the Holy Roman Emperor’s authority over Italy

EXPLANATION

Imagine you’re living in medieval Italy, a time when both the Pope (the leader of the Catholic Church) and the Holy Roman
Emperor (the ruler of a vast empire) wanted control over Italy. This led to a major political struggle between two rival factions:

The Guelphs vs. The Ghibellines

🔹 The Guelphs – Supported the Pope 🏰✝️
 They believed that the Pope should have power over secular rulers, including the Holy Roman Emperor.
 Many Guelphs were wealthy merchants, city leaders, and common people who wanted independence from imperial control.
 Strong in cities like Florence.
🔹 The Ghibellines – Supported the Holy Roman Emperor 👑⚔️
 They wanted the Holy Roman Emperor to have authority over Italy instead of the Pope.
 Many Ghibellines were nobles and landowners who relied on the emperor to protect their interests.
 Strong in cities like Siena and Pisa.
How This Affected Dante
 Dante was a Guelph but later opposed the Pope’s corruption.
 During a political struggle in Florence, he was exiled because of these conflicts.
 In The Divine Comedy, he places corrupt Popes and political leaders in Hell, showing his frustration with both sides.

The 13th and 14th century saw the rise in trade and banking, with Florence, Venice, and Genoa, emerging as commercial hubs
-the powerful medici and other banking families gained influence, contributing to conflicts between the merchant elite and traditional
nobility
- economic nobility led to social unrest, evident in Dante’s critiques of greed and corruption in Inferno

EXPLANATION

Imagine a world where cities are booming with trade, money is flowing like never before, and some families are becoming super rich
—not because they were born nobles, but because they were smart with business and banking. That’s what was happening in Italy
during the 13th and 14th centuries.
1. The Rise of Trade and Banking 💰🛳️
 Cities like Florence, Venice, and Genoa became major trade centers.
 Why? Because they were in perfect locations for sea trade, connecting Europe to the Middle East and Asia.
 Merchants traded silk, spices, and other valuable goods, while banking became a new way to manage and grow wealth.
2. The Rise of Banking Fmilies (Like the Medici) 🏦👑
 Banking became incredibly profitable because people needed places to store money and get loans.
 Families like the Medici (in Florence) became powerful, not because of royal blood, but because of their wealth and
influence.
 This made traditional nobles (old aristocrats) uneasy, leading to conflicts between:
o The merchant elite (new money 💰)
o The traditional nobility (old money 🏰)
3. Social Unrest and Dante’s Critique in Inferno 🔥😠
 With wealth came greed, corruption, and inequality—not everyone benefited from this new economy.
 Dante, who lived during this time, saw the moral decay caused by money and power.

POETIC STRUCTURE

The Divine Comedy is composed of 14,233 lines that are divided into three cantiche (singular cantica)

The Poem is written with exact 100 cantos, a perfect number symbolizing completeness in medieval numerology.

The verse scheme used, terza rima, is hendecasyllabic (lines of eleven syllables), with the lines composing tercets with a rhyme
scheme ABA BCB CDC DED so on and so forth

EXPLANATION

1. Structure of The Divine Comedy

Dante’s The Divine Comedy consists of 14,233 lines, which are divided into three cantiche (or major sections):

1. Inferno (Hell) – 34 cantos

2. Purgatorio (Purgatory) – 33 cantos
3. Paradiso (Paradise) – 33 cantos

4. Each cantica is made up of smaller units called cantos, which function like chapters in a book. The total number of cantos is
100, a number considered perfect in medieval numerology because it symbolizes completeness and divine order.

MAIN CHARACTERS
-Dante
-Virgil
-Beatrice
EXPLANATION

1. Dante Alighieri (The Pilgrim) – The Everyman’s Spiritual Journey

Dante, both the author and the protagonist, represents every human soul on the path toward redemption. His journey through
Hell (Inferno), Purgatory (Purgatorio), and Heaven (Paradiso) symbolizes the moral and spiritual struggles that every person must
face in life.
Key Significance:
 He is lost in sin at the beginning of the poem (Canto I, Inferno), wandering through a dark forest, symbolizing his confusion
and moral weakness.
 His journey is a metaphor for moral awakening and enlightenment, where he must witness sin, purify himself, and finally
reach divine truth.
 Dante, as the Pilgrim, is both a learner and a participant, meaning the reader experiences his growth firsthand.

2. Virgil (The Guide in Inferno & Purgatorio) – Human Reason & Classical Wisdom
Virgil, the famous Roman poet (author of The Aeneid), serves as Dante’s first guide through Hell and Purgatory. He represents
human reason, knowledge, and wisdom—the best of what classical (pre-Christian) civilization could offer.
Key Significance:
 Virgil is a symbol of logic, wisdom, and morality, but he lacks Christian faith—so he cannot enter Heaven.
 
In Inferno, he explains divine justice and the structure of Hell, showing Dante the punishments of sinners so he can learn
from them.
 In Purgatorio, he helps Dante understand repentance and human improvement, but he must step aside before Dante enters
Heaven.
Why Can’t Virgil Enter Heaven?
 Virgil lived before the birth of Christ and, despite his wisdom, was not baptized.
 He resides in Limbo (First Circle of Hell), where virtuous non-Christians exist without suffering but also without salvation.
 This shows that human reason alone is not enough for divine enlightenment—faith is necessary.

3. Beatrice (The Guide in Paradiso) – Divine Love & Salvation

Beatrice is not just a heavenly figure—she was a real woman that Dante loved from afar in Florence. In The Divine Comedy, she
becomes a symbol of pure, divine love and serves as Dante’s guide through Heaven.
Key Significance:
 Beatrice represents divine grace—the ultimate force that leads the soul to God.
 Unlike Virgil, she does not rely on reason and logic, but rather faith and divine wisdom.
 She scolds Dante for straying from the right path, reminding him that he must seek spiritual enlightenment rather than
earthly desires.
Why Does Beatrice Guide Dante Instead of Virgil?
 Virgil, as human reason, can only take Dante so far.
 Beatrice, as divine love, leads him beyond what human wisdom can achieve, allowing him to witness God’s presence.
Relationship with Dante and Virgil:
 Dante loves Beatrice, both as a human and as a heavenly figure, showing that true love leads to God.
 Beatrice thanks Virgil for guiding Dante through Hell and Purgatory, but she replaces him when Dante is ready for divine
truths.
1. INFERNO

Plot

Dante, lost in a dark forest, is threatened by three beasts (symbolizing sins) and is rescued by Virgil.

They pass through the Gates of Hell, inscribed with "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here."

Cross the Acheron River, ferried by Charon.

(THE NINE CIRCLES OF HELL)

1. Limbo
2. Lustful
3. Gluttonous
4. The Avaricious and the Prodigal
5. The Wrathful and the Sullen
6. Heretics
7. The Violent
8. The Fraudulent
The Ten Bolgias of Malebolge

1. Panderers and seducers – Forced to march while being whipped by demons

2. Flatterers – Immersed in human excrement
3. Simoniacs (corrupt church officials) – Placed upside down in holes, feet burning
4. False prophets and sorcerers – Heads twisted backward
5. Corrupt politicians – Submerged in boiling tar
6. Hypocrites – Forced to wear lead-lined cloaks
7. Thieves – Attacked by serpents, some transformed into reptiles
8. Fraudulent counselors – Engulfed in flames
9. Sowers of discord – Mutilated by demons
10. Falsifiers (alchemists, counterfeiters, liars) – Suffer from diseases and insanity

9. The Treacherous

EXPLANATION
1. Limbo (Virtuous Pagans) – Homer, Aristotle, Virgil
 Sin: These souls lived virtuously but were never baptized or born before Christianity. They are not tormented, but they
lack the presence of God and remain in eternal longing.
 Punishment: No physical suffering, but a sense of sorrow and loss.
 Notable Souls:
o Homer, Aristotle, Plato, Socrates – Great philosophers and poets who shaped human knowledge but lived before
Christ.
o Virgil – Dante’s own guide, wise but unable to enter Heaven due to being a pre-Christian pagan.
2. Lustful – Francesca da Rimini & Paolo
 Sin: Those who were ruled by their passions and gave in to carnal desires.
 Punishment: The sinners are blown around violently by strong winds, symbolizing how lust controlled them in life.
 Notable Souls:
o Francesca and Paolo – Francesca fell in love with Paolo, her husband’s brother, leading to their tragic murder.
o Cleopatra, Helen of Troy, Tristan – Figures known for their romantic affairs and seductions.
3. Gluttonous – Ciacco the Florentine
 Sin: Overindulgence in food, drink, or material pleasures.
 Punishment: Souls are forced to lie in filthy, freezing slush, while Ceberus, a monstrous three-headed dog, torments
them. This reflects their excessive indulgence in life, now reduced to filth and suffering.
 Notable Souls:
o Ciacco the Florentine – A glutton from Florence who predicts political struggles in Dante’s time.
4. The Avaricious and the Prodigal (Greedy & Wasteful)
 Sin: Either excessive hoarding of wealth (avaricious) or reckless spending (prodigal).
 Punishment: Two groups push massive weights in opposite directions, clashing into each other repeatedly, symbolizing
their futile obsession with material wealth.
 Notable Souls:
o Includes corrupt clergymen, popes, and cardinals, highlighting greed within the Church.
5. The Wrathful and the Sullen – Filippo Argenti
 Sin:
o The Wrathful openly expressed anger with violence.
o The Sullen suppressed their rage, fostering bitterness.
 Punishment:
o The Wrathful are trapped in the River Styx, constantly attacking each other.
o The Sullen are submerged beneath the river, unable to express themselves.
 Notable Souls:
o Filippo Argenti – A Florentine politician and personal enemy of Dante. Dante takes pleasure in seeing Filippo
suffer, showing Dante’s growing harshness in judgment.
6. Heretics – Farinata, Cavalcante
 Sin: Denial of God and the afterlife.
 Punishment: Souls are trapped in burning tombs, as they denied resurrection in life, now they burn in death.
 Notable Souls:
o Farinata – A powerful leader who opposed Dante’s family politically.
o Cavalcante – Father of Dante’s friend Guido, a skeptic about the afterlife.
7. The Violent (Divided into Three Rings)
Sinners are punished based on the type of violence they committed:
A. Violence Against Others (Murderers, Tyrants)
 Sin: Killing, war crimes, and cruelty.
 Punishment: Drowned in a river of boiling blood (Phlegethon) while centaurs shoot arrows at those trying to escape.
 Notable Souls:
o Attila the Hun, Alexander the Great – Famous for mass killings.
B. Violence Against Self (Suicides & Squanderers)
 Sin: Taking one’s own life or destroying one’s own property wastefully.
 Punishment: Transformed into gnarled trees, constantly torn apart by harpies—symbolizing their rejection of their own
bodies in life.
 Notable Souls:
o Pier della Vigna – A court official who fell from power and took his life in despair.
C. Violence Against God (Blasphemers), Nature (Sodomites), and Art (Usurers)
 Sin:
o Blasphemers cursed God.
o Sodomites violated nature through sexual sins.
o Usurers exploited wealth without labor.
  Punishment: Burn in a desert of scorching sand with fire raining down.
 Notable Souls:
o Capaneus – A blasphemer who remains defiant even in Hell.
8. The Fraudulent (Divided into 10 Bolgias)
 Sin: Deception, lying, manipulation.
 Punishment: Each fraudster faces unique torments, depending on their deceit.
 Notable Souls:
o Ulysses (Odysseus) – Deceived others in the Trojan War, now trapped in a burning flame.
o Bertran de Born – A poet who caused political division and now carries his own severed head, symbolizing how
he “split” people.
9. The Treacherous (Frozen in Ice – The Lowest Level of Hell)
 Sin: Betrayal of trust.
 Punishment: Souls are frozen in a lake of ice (Cocytus), completely devoid of warmth, love, or hope. The deeper the
betrayal, the more submerged they are.
 Notable Souls:
o Count Ugolino – Betrayed his city and was later imprisoned, starving to death. He now eternally gnaws on the
head of his betrayer, Archbishop Ruggieri.
o Judas Iscariot – Betrayed Jesus; chewed in Satan’s mouth.
o Brutus & Cassius – Betrayed Julius Caesar; also devoured by Satan.
o Satan – The ultimate traitor against God, frozen waist-deep in ice, flapping his wings, which makes Hell even
colder.

2. PURGATORIO

 Purgatorio is where souls cleanse their sins before reaching Heaven. Dante and Virgil arrive on the shores of Purgatory,
greeted by Cato

 They pass through the Gates of Hell, inscribed with "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here."
 He meet spirits waiting to enter Purgatory especially Manfred of Sicily, Belacqua

The Ante-Purgatory

1. Ante-Purgatory – A waiting area for souls who delayed repentance.

2. The Seven Terraces – The actual purgation process, corresponding to the Seven Deadly Sins.
3. The Earthly Paradise – The final stage before entering Heaven.

EXPLANATION

Purgatorio: The Second Realm of the Afterlife

In Dante’s The Divine Comedy, Purgatorio represents a place of spiritual cleansing, where souls atone for their sins before they can
enter Paradise. It serves as a middle ground between the eternal suffering of Inferno (Hell) and the eternal bliss of Paradiso (Heaven).
Unlike Hell, where sinners are punished forever, souls in Purgatory undergo temporary purification to make themselves worthy of
God’s presence.

Dante, guided by the Roman poet Virgil, arrives at Mount Purgatory, which is structured into different levels where sins are
cleansed through penance and suffering.

1. Ante-Purgatory: The Waiting Souls

Before entering the main purgation process, Dante meets souls who must wait outside because they delayed repentance in life.

A. The Excommunicated – Manfred of Sicily

  Manfred of Sicily, a former king, was excommunicated by the Church.
 He repented at the last moment, but because he was cut off from the Church, he must wait thirty times the length of his
sinful life before entering Purgatory.
 His story shows that God’s mercy is available even to those condemned by the Church.

B. The Late-Repentant – Belacqua

 Belacqua, a lazy Florentine, represents those who delayed repentance out of indifference.
 He must wait outside Purgatory as long as he postponed repentance in life.
 His presence teaches that one should not delay seeking forgiveness, as it results in a longer period of purification.

The Seven Terraces ( The Purgatory)- Seven Deadly Sins

Pride- Souls carry heavy stones.
Envy- Eyes sewn shut.
Anger- Souls wander in blinding smoke.
Sloth- Souls run to overcome laziness.
Avarice- Souls lie face-down in dust.
Gluttony- Emaciated souls suffer hunger.
Lust- Souls purify themselves in fire.

EXPLANATION

1st Terrace: Pride

Punishment: Souls carry heavy stones on their backs, forcing them to bend low.
Symbolism: Prideful people believed themselves to be above others. The weight of the stones humbles them, physically and
spiritually, teaching them to be meek and submissive before God.

2nd Terrace: Envy

Punishment: Souls have their eyes sewn shut with iron wire.
Symbolism: The envious suffered from excessive jealousy, always looking at others with resentment. Now, they cannot see at all,
forcing them to focus inwardly and find contentment without comparison.

3rd Terrace: Anger

Punishment: Souls wander in thick, blinding smoke.
Symbolism: The smoke represents the blindness caused by uncontrolled anger. When angry, people fail to see clearly, acting
impulsively and harming others. The souls here learn patience and clarity.

4th Terrace: Sloth

Punishment: Souls must run constantly without rest.
Symbolism: Slothful people were spiritually lazy and neglected their duties. By running endlessly, they develop diligence and an
eagerness to act righteously.

5th Terrace: Avarice (Greed)

Punishment: Souls lie face-down in the dust, unable to look up.
Symbolism: Greedy people were obsessed with wealth and material possessions. Now, they are forced to remain in the dust (a symbol
of humility) and detach themselves from worldly desires.

6th Terrace: Gluttony

Punishment: Souls are emaciated and suffer from hunger and thirst.
Symbolism: Gluttons indulged excessively in food and drink. Now, they experience extreme hunger, which teaches them self-control
and moderation.

7th Terrace: Lust

Punishment: Souls must walk through a wall of fire.
Symbolism: Lustful souls were consumed by uncontrolled desires. The fire symbolizes purification, burning away their sinful
cravings and teaching them to love purely.

Final Stage: Entering Paradise

After passing through the seven terraces, souls are fully purified. They reach the Earthly Paradise (Garden of Eden), where they are
finally ready to ascend into Heaven and be united with God.
The concept of Purgatory in Dante’s vision is deeply spiritual—souls are not condemned but given the opportunity to change. Each
punishment reflects the sin itself and serves as a means of correction, ultimately leading the soul to virtue and salvation.

3. PARADISO

 Reach the Earthly Paradise (Garden of Eden) at the mountain’s summit and meet Mathilda she is baptizer of souls that have
finished purging their sins in Lethe and Eunoe.
 Dante is purified in the Lethe (River of Forgetfulness) and Eunoe (River of Remembrance) to prepare for Heaven then
Beatrice guides Dante through Heaven, explaining divine truths.
 Mathilda shows Dante where Beatrice resides and she replaces Virgil, who must stay behind and accompany him through
heaven, explaining divine truths.

THE SEVEN SPHERES OF HEAVEN

Moon – Souls who failed religious vows (Piccarda Donati).

Mercury – Souls who did good but sought personal glory (Justinian).
Venus – Lovers who turned to God (Charles Martel of Anjou)
Sun – The wise and theologians (Thomas Aquinas, Bonaventure).
Mars – Warriors of faith (Cacciaguida, Dante’s ancestor).
Jupiter – Just rulers (David, Hezekiah, Trajan, and Ripheus).
Saturn – Contemplative souls (Peter Damian and Saint Benedict).

Fixed Stars – Saints (Peter, James, John test Dante’s faith, hope, and love).
Primum Mobile – Angels, closest to God (nine rings of angels).
The Empyrean - which is the abode of God and Dante comes to have face to face with God.

EXPLANATION

Dante’s Journey to the Earthly Paradise and Beyond

At the summit of Mount Purgatory lies the Earthly Paradise, also known as the Garden of Eden. This is where souls complete their
purification before ascending to Heaven. Here, Dante meets Mathilda, a mysterious and joyful woman who plays a key role in the
final stage of purification.

1. Mathilda and the Two Rivers (Lethe & Eunoe)

Mathilda serves as a kind of spiritual guide for the newly purified souls. She helps them undergo the final cleansing process before
entering Heaven:

 Lethe (The River of Forgetfulness) – When souls bathe in Lethe, they forget all their past sins and the burdens they carried
in life.
 Eunoe (The River of Remembrance) – This river restores memories of all the good deeds they have done, strengthening
their virtue before entering Heaven.

Dante himself undergoes this purification, preparing him to experience the divine realm without any attachment to past sins.

2. Beatrice Replaces Virgil

After the purification, Beatrice, Dante’s beloved muse and symbol of divine wisdom, appears. She takes over as his guide, replacing
Virgil, who must stay behind. This is because Virgil, being a virtuous pagan, cannot enter Heaven. Beatrice now leads Dante into
Paradise, where she explains the divine truths of the universe.
The Seven Spheres of Heaven (Paradiso)

Heaven in The Divine Comedy is structured into different levels, represented by celestial spheres. The higher a soul ascends, the closer
it gets to divine perfection. Dante encounters various historical and biblical figures in each sphere, each representing a different kind
of virtue or spiritual achievement.

1. The Moon (Souls Who Failed Religious Vows)

 These are souls who made religious vows but, due to circumstances beyond their control, were unable to keep them.
 Example: Piccarda Donati – A noblewoman who became a nun but was forced into marriage.
2. Mercury (Souls Who Did Good but Sought Personal Glory)
 These souls performed righteous acts, but their motivation was personal ambition rather than pure faith.
 Example: Emperor Justinian – A great Roman emperor who promoted justice but also sought recognition for his deeds.
3. Venus (Lovers Who Turned to God)
 Souls who were guided by love but ultimately directed their love toward God.
 Example: Charles Martel of Anjou – A ruler known for his generous and affectionate nature.
4. The Sun (The Wise and Theologians)
 This sphere is home to the great thinkers and theologians who used their wisdom to enlighten others.
 Examples: Thomas Aquinas (a Dominican theologian) and Bonaventure (a Franciscan philosopher).
5. Mars (Warriors of Faith)
 Dedicated to those who fought for Christianity, both physically and spiritually.
 Example: Cacciaguida – Dante’s ancestor, a knight who fought in the Crusades.
6. Jupiter (Just Rulers)
 This sphere is reserved for righteous kings and leaders who ruled with justice and mercy.
 Examples: King David, Hezekiah, Emperor Trajan, and Ripheus (a Trojan hero who was converted by divine grace).
7. Saturn (Contemplative Souls)
 This is the sphere of monks, hermits, and those who devoted themselves to deep spiritual reflection.
 Examples: Peter Damian (a Benedictine monk) and Saint Benedict (founder of Western monasticism).

Beyond the Seven Spheres

After passing through these seven planetary spheres, Dante continues his journey into the higher realms of Heaven:

1. Fixed Stars – Home to the great saints of Christianity, such as Saint Peter, Saint James, and Saint John, who test Dante’s
faith, hope, and love.
2. Primum Mobile – The sphere of angels, where the celestial order is maintained. The nine rings of angels move in harmony
with divine will.
3. The Empyrean – This is the highest and final realm, the abode of God Himself. Here, Dante has a vision of the Holy
Trinity and comes face to face with the ultimate divine truth.

MORAL LESSONS FROM THE DIVINE COMEDY

1. Actions Have Consequences

2. The Importance of Repentance and Redemption
3. Divine Justice is Perfect and Fair
4. Reason Alone is Not Enough for Salvation
5. The Dangers of Corruption and Greed
6. The Journey to Self-Improvement is Hard but Worth It
7. Free Will Determines Our Destiny