Paradiso

Paradiso is the third and concluding part of The Divine Comedy, Dante Alighieri’s three-part epic narrative poem. It completes the allegorical journey initiated by the first two parts, Inferno (Hell) and Purgatorio (Purgatory). Beatrice, who symbolizes Dante’s ideal woman and who had previously accompanied him through the past part of Purgatory, here accompanies him as he journeys through the nine levels or spheres of Heaven, which are represented by various celestial bodies. In each sphere, Dante encounters various souls of the blessed who impart wisdom to him through insights into history, theology, and morality. As the journey reaches its culmination, Dante has a vision of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and finally God himself as he reaches the Empyrean, or highest sphere of Heaven, thus completing the poem’s allegory of the soul’s ascent to God.

Dante (c.1265-1321) is considered the preeminent figure in Italian literature, and The Divine Comedy one of the masterpieces of world literature. The Paradiso was completed shortly before Dante’s death in 1321.

This guide uses the 2007 English verse translation of the Paradiso by Robert Hollander and Jean Hollander, published by Doubleday.