Purgatorio
Dante author Robin Kirkpatrick translator Robin Kirkpatrick editor
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Penguin Books Ltd
Published:28th Jun '07
Should be back in stock very soon
This poem reimagines Purgatory, illustrating how the aspiring soul's free will can transform earthly flaws into perfection. Through intense experiences, it explores themes of hope, redemption, and human potential. Purgatorio captures this journey beautifully.
Purgatorio is the second part of Dante Alighieri's epic poem, The Divine Comedy. In this work, Dante explores the concept of Purgatory, presenting it as a place of transformation where souls undergo purification to prepare for Heaven. Following his descent into Hell, Dante, guided by the Roman poet Virgil, embarks on an ascent of Mount Purgatory. This mountain serves as a physical representation of the soul's journey toward redemption, where penitents endure various trials to atone for their earthly sins.
As Dante progresses up the mountain, he encounters souls who are engaged in acts of penance, experiencing physical suffering, hunger, and fire as they confront their past vices. Each encounter serves as a lesson for Dante, illustrating the importance of free will and the possibility of change. Through these interactions, he learns that the path to spiritual enlightenment requires an understanding of one's flaws and the determination to overcome them.
Ultimately, Dante's journey leads him to the Earthly Paradise at the summit of Mount Purgatory, where he reunites with his beloved Beatrice. This meeting symbolizes the culmination of his spiritual growth and the hope of redemption. Purgatorio stands as a profound allegory of human potential, emphasizing the transformative power of free will and the enduring quest for hope and redemption in the face of adversity.
“A masterly translation.” ―Judith Thurman, The New Yorker
“Kirkpatrick brings a more nuanced sense of the Italian and a more mediated appreciation of the poem's construction than nearly all of his competitors.” —The Times (London)
“We gain much from Kirkpatrick’s fidelity to syntax and nuance. . . . His introduction . . . tells you, very readable indeed, pretty much all you need for a heightened appreciation of the work.”
—The Guardian
“Likely to be the best modern version of Dante . . . The perfect balance of tightness and colloquialism.” —Bernard O’Donoghue
“This version is the first to bring together poetry and scholarship in the very body of the translation—a deeply informed version of Dante that is also a pleasure to read.” —David Wallace, University of Pennsylvania
ISBN: 9780140448962
Dimensions: 198mm x 130mm x 25mm
Weight: 404g
592 pages