Dante Alighieri: "The Divine Comedy." Summary for schoolchildren

At the core of Dante's poem lies the recognition by mankind of their sins and the ascent to spiritual life and to God. According to the poet, in order to find peace of mind, it is necessary to go through all the circles of hell and renounce the blessings, and to redeem sins by suffering. Each of the three chapters of the poem includes 33 songs. "Hell", "Purgatory" and "Paradise" are eloquent names of the parts from which the "Divine Comedy" is composed. The summary provides an opportunity to comprehend the main idea of the poem.

The poem Dante Alighieri created during the years of exile, shortly before his death. It is recognized in the world literature as a genius creation. The author himself gave her the name "Comedy". So in those days it was customary to call any work that had a happy ending. The "Divine" was named by her Boccaccio, thus putting the highest mark.

Dante's poem "Divine Comedy," a short summary of which schoolchildren are in the 9th grade, is hardly perceived by modern adolescents. A detailed analysis of some songs can not give a complete picture of the work, especially given the current attitude towards religion and human sins. However, acquaintance, albeit a survey, with the work of Dante is necessary to create a complete picture of the world literature.

"The Divine Comedy". The summary of the chapter "Hell"

The protagonist of the work is Dante himself, to whom is the shadow of the famous poet Virgil with a proposal to make a journey through the afterlife. Dante first doubts, but agrees after Virgil informs him that to become his conductor of the poet asked Beatrice (the author's beloved, by that time long dead).

The path of the characters begins with hell. Before entering it there are pitiful souls who, during their lifetime, did neither good nor evil. Behind the gate flows the river Acheron, through which Charon sends the deceased. Heroes approach the circles of hell:

• The first is the limb, here are the souls of unbaptized and unfaithful evil. These include sages and heroes of antiquity, such as Homer, Socrates, Plato and Virgil.
• The second is protected by Minos and is intended for sensualists.
• The third is reserved for the souls of gluttons and gluttons. At the entrance to this circle is the three-headed dog Cerberus. It constantly rains, so the souls are always bathing in the mud.
• The fourth is reserved for misers and spendthrifts, most of whom were formerly popes and cardinals. It is guarded by the giant Plutus.
• The fifth receives the souls of envious persons, and those who have become possessed by anger.
• The sixth is at the foot of the city of Dita. Here rest heretics.
• The seventh is for suicides, moneylenders, blasphemers, murderers. When Dante touched the branch of the bush, black blood poured from her, the plant moaned. It turned out that these are suicide souls who peck at the Harpy, causing them terrible pain.
• Eighth - for hypocrites, seducers, pimps, thieves, sectarians.
• The ninth is reserved for the souls of traitors. Here is an ice lake, in which all those who betrayed their relatives were frozen to death. In the center of the earth is the lord of the underworld of the world Lucifer. He has three mouths that Judah, Brutus and Cassius devour forever.

After passing through all the circles of hell, Dante and his companion went upstairs and saw the stars.

"The Divine Comedy". The summary of the part "Purgatory"

The protagonist and his conductor fall into purgatory. Here they are met by the watchman Cato, who sends them to the sea to wash. Satellites go to the water, where Virgil washes away from the face of Dante the soot of the afterlife. At this time, the canoe, ruled by an angel, approaches the travelers. He landed on the shore the souls of the dead who did not go to hell. With them, the heroes travel to the mountain of purgatory. On the way they meet fellow countryman Virgil - the poet Sordello, who joins them.

Dante falls asleep and in a dream is carried to the gates of purgatory. Here the angel writes seven letters on the forehead of the poet, denoting mortal sins. The hero passes through all the circles of purgatory, cleansing from sins. After passing each circle, the angel erases from the forehead of Dante the letter of overcome sin. On the last lap the poet must pass through the flames of fire. Dante is afraid, but Virgil convinces him. The poet passes the test with fire and gets to heaven, where he is waiting for Beatrice. Virgil pauses and disappears forever. Her beloved is washing Dante in a sacred river, and the poet feels the power flowing into his body.

"The Divine Comedy". The summary of the part "Paradise"

Beloved ones ascend to heaven. To the surprise of the protagonist, he was able to take off. Beatrice explained to him that souls, not burdened by sins, are easy. Lovers pass all heavenly heavens:

• The first sky of the Moon, where the souls of nuns are;
• The second is Mercury for the ambitious righteous;
• The third is Venus, here are the souls of lovers;
• The fourth - the Sun, intended for the wise;
• The fifth is Mars, which accepts warriors;
• The sixth - Jupiter, for the souls of the just;
• The seventh is Saturn, where the souls of contemplatives are;
• The eighth is for the spirits of the great righteous;
• Ninth - there are angels and archangels, seraphim and cherubim.

After the rise to the last heaven, the hero sees the virgin Mary. She is among the shining rays. Dante raises his head up on the bright and blinding light and gains the highest truth. He sees the deity in his trinity.

The summary of the "Divine Comedy", of course, allows you to get acquainted with the general idea, but can not convey a small fraction of the entire beauty of the poem's songs.