"Written between 1308 and his death in 1321, this ... epic poem is widely considered to be the last great work of medieval literature and the first great work of the Renaissance - straddling two worlds on the brink of change... Its] profound Christian message and detauiled social and political commentary of fourteenth-century Italy weave a rich tapestry of interpretation, meaning and symbolism. Dante's allegorical analysis of the mystery of divine revelation to the unsuspecting human soul is beautifully conveyed as a subtle journey of wonder and self-discovery, made personal by characters (and sinners) drawn from his own lineage, contemporary Florentine life, mythology and the Bible. ... "--Back cover.