Divine Comedy and Don Quixote

The poem by Dante, begun in exile in 1306 and allegorically describing the poet's (by implication mankind's) journey through life to salvation. The Commedia (as originally entitled, “divine” being a later addition) is the central and culminating literary work of medieval Europe. It is systematically structured in terza rima, with three cantiche (Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso), each having thirty-three canti (plus an introductory canto to the Inferno), and with each of the realms having nine subdivisions (Bloom, 65).

Dante suggests that the pope can help the emperor to rule wisely, further demonstrating his commitment to a more harmonious life ...