The Role of Reason and Love in Dante’s Divine Comedy
Titles of the Individual Presentations in a Panel
Dr. Maria G. Simonelli
Subject Area
Classical Studies
Abstract
The way of reason must yield to the way of the heart. In Dante’s Divine Comedy, the Latin poet Vergil metaphorically represents reason, which leads Dante through Hell. However, reason can take us only on the threshold of redemption, at the border of Purgatory. To reach the final destination of our life, only Love, metaphorically represented by Beatrice, can lead us to the vision of Transcendence. There our troubled heart will find rest. In fact, “Inquietum est cor nostrum donec requiescat in te Domine” (Augustine, Confessions,1.1.1).
Brief Bio Note
Professor of Italian and Latin at Monmouth University, where I have been teaching for 20 years.
Keywords
Dante Alighieri, Reason, Love
Location
Coastal Georgia Center
Presentation Year
2016
Start Date
4-7-2016 9:40 AM
End Date
4-7-2016 10:00 AM
Embargo
1-26-2016
Recommended Citation
Simonelli, Maria G. Dr., "The Role of Reason and Love in Dante’s Divine Comedy" (2016). South East Coastal Conference on Languages & Literatures (SECCLL). 35.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/seccll/2016/2016/35
The Role of Reason and Love in Dante’s Divine Comedy
Coastal Georgia Center
The way of reason must yield to the way of the heart. In Dante’s Divine Comedy, the Latin poet Vergil metaphorically represents reason, which leads Dante through Hell. However, reason can take us only on the threshold of redemption, at the border of Purgatory. To reach the final destination of our life, only Love, metaphorically represented by Beatrice, can lead us to the vision of Transcendence. There our troubled heart will find rest. In fact, “Inquietum est cor nostrum donec requiescat in te Domine” (Augustine, Confessions,1.1.1).
