logo

65 pages 2 hours read

Purgatorio

Fiction | Novel/Book in Verse | Adult | Published in 1316

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Dante Alighieri

Purgatorio

Fiction | Novel/Book in Verse | Adult | Published in 1316
Book Details
Pages

160

Format

Novel/Book in Verse • Fiction

Period
Setting

Mount Purgatory • Medieval Christianity

Publication Year

1316

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

In Purgatorio, the second poem of Dante Alighieri's The Divine Comedy, Dante journeys with the Roman poet Virgil from the shores of Purgatory, through seven levels where penitents atone for the seven deadly sins, and into the Garden of Eden. Guided next by Beatrice, Dante witnesses the purifying process souls undergo and prepares for his ascent to Heaven. Sensitive topics related to sin and penance are explored in the poem.

Contemplative

Inspirational

Melancholic

Serene

Hopeful

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

<Purgatorio> by Dante Alighieri garners praise for its rich allegorical content and vivid imagery, often hailed as the most human and relatable part of the Divine Comedy. Critics appreciate its exploration of repentance and spiritual growth. However, some find the dense theological references challenging and less accessible than Inferno. Recommended for devoted readers of classic literature.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Purgatorio?

A reader who enjoys Purgatorio by Dante Alighieri is likely captivated by classical literature, allegorical narratives, and poetic explorations of morality and redemption. Similar readers may appreciate works like John Milton's Paradise Lost and Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales for their rich language and theological themes.

Book Details
Pages

160

Format

Novel/Book in Verse • Fiction

Period
Setting

Mount Purgatory • Medieval Christianity

Publication Year

1316

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.