Written in the fourteenth century by Italian poet and philosopher Dante Alighieri, "The Divine Comedy "is""arguably the greatest epic poem of all time--presenting Dante's brilliant vision of the three realms of Christian afterlife: "Inferno, Purgatory, "and" Paradise." In this second and perhaps most imaginative part of his masterwork, Dante struggles up the terraces of Mount Purgatory, still guided by Virgil, in a continuation of his difficult ascent to purity. Anthony Esolen's acclaimed translation of "Inferno, " Princeton professor James Richardson said, "follows Dante through all his spectacular range, commanding where he is commanding, wrestling, as he does, with the density and darkness in language and in the soul. It is living writing." This edition of "Purgatory" includes an appendix of key sources and extensive endnotes--an invaluable guide for both general readers and students.

A new translation by Anthony Esolen
Illustrations by Gustave Dore 

A Questions for the Thinker Study Guide is available for this title

"Professor Esolen's translation of Dante's Inferno is the best one I have seen. . . . And his endnotes and other additions provoke answers to almost any question that could arise about the work." 
--A. Kent Hieatt, translator of The Canterbury Tales

"Esolen's brilliant translation captures the power and the spirit of a poem that does not easily give up its secrets." 
--Robert Royal, president, Faith and Reason Institute

"Anthony Esolen's new translation follows Dante through all his spectacular range, commanding where he is commanding, wrestling, as he does, with the density and darkness in language and in the soul. It is living writing." 
--James Richardson, Princeton University

Anthony Esolen, Professor of English at Providence College, is the editor and translator of the Modern Library edition of Dante's "Divine Comedy." He has published scholarly articles on Spenser, Shakespeare, Dante, and Tasso in various journals and is a senior editor and frequent contributor to "Touchstone Magazine."

Listen to a discussion of Dante's Divine Comedy from EWTN's Catholic Authors program