The Divine Comedy – Purgatorio and Paradiso

Dante Alighieri was an Italian writer and philosopher from Florence. Thought to have been born around 1265. He is most recognised for his epic poem, The Divine Comedy or Commedia, which many consider the greatest piece of literature in the Italian language which he wrote between 1308 and 1321. This scene takes students through the seven tiers of Mount Purgatory and on to Paradise, as part of Dante Alighieri’s poem, The Divine Comedy.



# Learning objectives



1: To understand the historical context of The Divine Comedy.{.info}

2: To describe the nature of repentance represented in Purgatory.{.info}

3: To identify the key themes in Purgatory and Paradise.{.info}



# Early Life and Context{.objective .objective1}



The early life and occupation of Dante Alighieri is discussed as well as an overview of the political and religious conflicts that were taking place at the time.

Students will be asked to enter the scene and explore the seven tiers of Mount Purgatory to look for symbols and imagery associated with historical and philosophical figures.

# Purgatory{.objective .objective2}



The seven tiers of Purgatory are outlined as areas of repentance for the sins of Pride, Envy, Wrath, Sloth, Greed, Gluttony and Lust. Dante’s spiritual growth is discussed.

Students are encouraged to explore the seven tiers in the scene, identify imagery associated with each sin, and consider the significance of the imagery and how it connects to repentance.

At the eighth tier of Lust, your student’s Vroomie will change to have a shadow. This is to symbolise the relationship between life and afterlife at this stage of the journey. As the souls leaves the body it results in a virtual body which follows the spirit as shadow.

# Paradise{.objective .objective3}



Paradise is reached at the top of the mountain and Dante bids farewell to Virgil and is joined by Beatrice, Beatrice Portinari was a real person from Dante's life, a figure who served as an inspiration for Dante’s work. In the text, she symbolises the idealized concept of love, purity, and beauty and her presence in the Divine Comedy emphasizes the importance of divine love as a guiding force in Dante's spiritual journey.

The nine spheres of Paradise are presented, and students will be able to observe these and identify them as the Moon, Mercury, Venus, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, the fixed Stars and the Primum Mobile.

# Teacher Resources



**Download Teacher Notes**



[](https://avnfs.com/9tlT7IhYr8sC3J410p3ObdlXktfTQ66u1Wq4nJnLjB4?size=1027732&type=application%2Fpdf&name=The+Divine+Comedy+-+Purgatory+and+Paradise+Teacher+Notes+1.pdf)



**Student Quiz Answers Document**



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**Download Student Quiz Document**



[](https://avnfs.com/B7rYnexZWtpWQEiTVRY_mYSc28oCnTzcyRHDQm3h6ks?size=80286&type=application%2Fpdf&name=The+Divine+Comedy+-+Purgatory+and+Paradise+Teacher+Notes+3.pdf)