“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.