Divina Divina CommediaCommedia

A Sonnet Cycle byA Sonnet Cycle byHenry Wadsworth Henry Wadsworth

LongfellowLongfellow

All hope All hope abandon, abandon,

ye who enter in!ye who enter in!

Longfellow’s 1882 translation the inscription Longfellow’s 1882 translation the inscription over the Gate of Hell from Dante’s over the Gate of Hell from Dante’s InfernoInferno

The Longfellow family on the poet’s The Longfellow family on the poet’s last trip to Italy, c. 1869. Longfellow last trip to Italy, c. 1869. Longfellow sits at the center of the group.sits at the center of the group.

A view of Florence, Italy. According to biographer A view of Florence, Italy. According to biographer Charles Calhoun, Italy had a great influence on Charles Calhoun, Italy had a great influence on Longfellow's life; he became “the most famous Longfellow's life; he became “the most famous translator of Dante in nineteenth-century translator of Dante in nineteenth-century America” and in later life “became fascinated with America” and in later life “became fascinated with the life and poetry of Michelangelo.”the life and poetry of Michelangelo.”

                                       

Divina Commedia: Divina Commedia: TranslationTranslation Longfellow was a scholar, Longfellow was a scholar,

translating many translating many European masterworks European masterworks into the English of his day. into the English of his day. He was particu-larly He was particu-larly fascinated with fascinated with The Divine The Divine ComedyComedy of Dante, the of Dante, the early Renaissance epic early Renaissance epic that is considered the that is considered the masterpiece of Italy’s masterpiece of Italy’s greatest poet. Long-greatest poet. Long-fellow’s desire was to fellow’s desire was to create an English version create an English version of the work that would of the work that would remind his readers of the remind his readers of the Italian original without Italian original without slavishly imitating it. He slavishly imitating it. He published his translation published his translation in 1867.in 1867.

A manuscript page from Longfellow’s A manuscript page from Longfellow’s translation of Dante’s translation of Dante’s The Inferno, The Inferno, 1862-1862-

1866.1866.

Divina Commedia: Divina Commedia: InspirationInspirationThe six sonnets in the cycle were The six sonnets in the cycle were

written during the progress of written during the progress of Longfellow’s work in translating Longfellow’s work in translating La La Divina CommediaDivina Commedia and were and were published as poetical fly-leaves to the published as poetical fly-leaves to the three volumes of his completed 1867 three volumes of his completed 1867 edition. edition.

The first sonnet was written just The first sonnet was written just after he had put the first two cantos after he had put the first two cantos of of InfernoInferno into the hands of the into the hands of the printer. This, with the second, printer. This, with the second, prefaced prefaced InfernoInferno. The third and . The third and fourth introduced fourth introduced PurgatorioPurgatorio, and , and the fifth and sixth the fifth and sixth ParadisoParadiso. .

All of the poems are associated All of the poems are associated with Longfellow’s grief at the death with Longfellow’s grief at the death of his second wife Fanny in 1861.of his second wife Fanny in 1861.

Frances Appleton Frances Appleton Longfellow. Hers is the Longfellow. Hers is the portrait referenced in “The portrait referenced in “The Cross of Snow.”Cross of Snow.”

Divina Commedia: Italian Divina Commedia: Italian SourceSource

La Divina Commedia La Divina Commedia by Dante by Dante Alighieri, written between 1308 Alighieri, written between 1308 and Dante’s death in 1321, is and Dante’s death in 1321, is considered the greatest epic considered the greatest epic poem in Italian and one of the poem in Italian and one of the greatest works of world greatest works of world literature.literature.

The poem tells of the 35-year-The poem tells of the 35-year-old poet’s imaginative and old poet’s imaginative and allegorical journey through the allegorical journey through the Christian afterlife—Hell Christian afterlife—Hell ((InfernoInferno), Purgatory ), Purgatory ((PurgatorioPurgatorio), and Heaven ), and Heaven ((ParadisoParadiso) during the Easter ) during the Easter Triduum (sunset Maundy Triduum (sunset Maundy Thursday through sunrise Easter Thursday through sunrise Easter Sunday) of Spring, 1300. The Sunday) of Spring, 1300. The journey mirrors the passion of journey mirrors the passion of Christ and the salvation journey Christ and the salvation journey that Christians take.that Christians take.

Opening page from a 1337 Opening page from a 1337 manuscript manuscript of The Divine Comedyof The Divine Comedy

Divina Commedia: Italian Divina Commedia: Italian SourceSourceIn In The Divine ComedyThe Divine Comedy,, Dante Dante encounters historical figures and encounters historical figures and mythological creatures, each mythological creatures, each symbolic of a particular fault or symbolic of a particular fault or virtue. The Roman poet virtue. The Roman poet VirgilVirgil, , author of the epic author of the epic AeneidAeneid, guides , guides Dante through Hell and Dante through Hell and Purgatory. Dante’s great love Purgatory. Dante’s great love BeatriceBeatrice, whom he regarded as , whom he regarded as a manifestation of the divine, is a manifestation of the divine, is his guide through Paradise. his guide through Paradise.

Dante and Beatrice speak to Dante and Beatrice speak to two Sicilian saints in this two Sicilian saints in this

fresco painting by Philipp Veit fresco painting by Philipp Veit illustrating Canto 3 of illustrating Canto 3 of

ParadisoParadiso..

Divina Commedia: Italian Divina Commedia: Italian SourceSourceThe Divine ComedyThe Divine Comedy is divided into three is divided into three canticlescanticles ((InfernoInferno, , PurgatorioPurgatorio, , ParadisoParadiso) of thirty-three ) of thirty-three cantoscantos each, plus one extra in the first canticle, making a total each, plus one extra in the first canticle, making a total of one hundred cantos. of one hundred cantos.

Each canto is composed of three-line Each canto is composed of three-line tercetstercets; the ; the first and third lines rhyme, and the second line rhymes first and third lines rhyme, and the second line rhymes with the beginning of the next tercet, establishing a with the beginning of the next tercet, establishing a kind of overlap. kind of overlap.

Dante’s realms are further subdivided: Dante’s realms are further subdivided: InfernoInferno is composed of nine levels, the vestibule is composed of nine levels, the vestibule

making a tenth making a tenth PurgatorioPurgatorio has seven terraces, plus two ledges in has seven terraces, plus two ledges in

an ante-purgatory; adding these to the Earthly an ante-purgatory; adding these to the Earthly Paradise (Eden) yields ten zones Paradise (Eden) yields ten zones

ParadisoParadiso is composed of nine heavens; Empyrean is composed of nine heavens; Empyrean makes the tenth. makes the tenth.

Divina Commedia: Italian Divina Commedia: Italian SourceSourceIn In InfernoInferno, sinners are organized by three , sinners are organized by three vicesvices——

Incontinence, Violence, and Fraud—and further Incontinence, Violence, and Fraud—and further divided by the seven deadly sins. divided by the seven deadly sins. In In PurgatorioPurgatorio, penance is ordered on the basis of three , penance is ordered on the basis of three types of types of natural lovenatural love. .

InIn Paradiso Paradiso, Dante travels , Dante travels through the through the nine celestial spheres nine celestial spheres organized on the organized on the basis of three types of basis of three types of Divine LoveDivine Love, and , and further further subdivided according to the subdivided according to the three three theological and four cardinal theological and four cardinal virtues. Beyond the ninth sphere, Dante virtues. Beyond the ninth sphere, Dante ascends to a region beyond physical ascends to a region beyond physical existence, called the Empyrean Heaven existence, called the Empyrean Heaven where the souls of all the believers form where the souls of all the believers form

the petals of an enormous rose. the petals of an enormous rose. Dante and Beatrice see God as a point of light surrounded by angels.

Divina Commedia: Italian Divina Commedia: Italian SonnetSonnetThe basic The basic metermeter or or rhythmrhythm of all sonnets is of all sonnets is iambic iambic pentameterpentameter, typically presented as a poetic line of ten , typically presented as a poetic line of ten syllables in which the even beats are stressed:syllables in which the even beats are stressed:

Ĭn sóoth,/Ĭ knów/nŏt whý/Ĭ ám/sŏ sád. (Shakespeare)Ĭn sóoth,/Ĭ knów/nŏt whý/Ĭ ám/sŏ sád. (Shakespeare)

The The Italian (Petrarchan) sonnetItalian (Petrarchan) sonnet is divided into two is divided into two sections by two different groups of sections by two different groups of rhymerhyme schemes. The schemes. The first 8-line section is called the first 8-line section is called the octaveoctave. It consists of two . It consists of two quatrains and rhymes as follows: quatrains and rhymes as follows:

a b b a a b b a a b b a a b b a

The remaining 6-line section is called the The remaining 6-line section is called the sestetsestet and can and can have several rhyming schemes, arranged in a variety of have several rhyming schemes, arranged in a variety of ways: ways:

c d c d c dc d c d c d c d d c d d c d d c d d c d d c d cc d d c d cc d e c d ec d e c d e c d e c e dc d e c e d c d c e d cc d c e d c

Divina Commedia: ContextDivina Commedia: ContextLongfellow’s sonnets Longfellow’s sonnets begin on a summer begin on a summer afternoon outside a afternoon outside a medieval Italian medieval Italian cathedral, possibly the cathedral, possibly the DuomoDuomo of Florence. The of Florence. The poet spends his afternoon poet spends his afternoon touring the cathedral, touring the cathedral, beginning at noon and beginning at noon and ending in early evening. ending in early evening. Each of the six sonnets Each of the six sonnets represents one stage in represents one stage in his own personal journey his own personal journey of faith, an allegorical of faith, an allegorical journey similar to Dante’s.journey similar to Dante’s.

The medieval Italian cathedral of The medieval Italian cathedral of Milan.Milan.

Divina Commedia: Cycle Divina Commedia: Cycle StructureStructureII Outside the Outside the cathedralcathedral

IIII Near the entranceNear the entrance

IIIIII In the narthexIn the narthex

IVIV Before the VirginBefore the Virgin

VV In the nave prior In the nave prior toto

the Massthe Mass

VIVI Exiting after the Exiting after the experienceexperience

The Byzantine basilica of St. Mark in Venice.The Byzantine basilica of St. Mark in Venice.

Three views of the gothic Three views of the gothic DuomoDuomo or bishop’s cathedral of or bishop’s cathedral of Florence. On the left, a detail from Giotto’s Florence. On the left, a detail from Giotto’s campanilecampanile, or , or bell tower. In the center, the west façade featuring bell tower. In the center, the west façade featuring Barabino’s mosaic of Christ between Mary and John the Barabino’s mosaic of Christ between Mary and John the Baptist over the center door. On the right, a view of the Baptist over the center door. On the right, a view of the nave from the position of the high altar and choir under nave from the position of the high altar and choir under Brunelleschi’s great dome.Brunelleschi’s great dome.

Four views of Santa Maria del Fiore (Saint Mary of the Four views of Santa Maria del Fiore (Saint Mary of the Flower), the Flower), the DuomoDuomo of Florence, begun 1296. Left, a of Florence, begun 1296. Left, a view of Giotto’s view of Giotto’s campanilecampanile, or bell tower. In the , or bell tower. In the center, an aerial view of the cathedral campus and a center, an aerial view of the cathedral campus and a detail of the stained-glass rose window from the west detail of the stained-glass rose window from the west façade. Right, a view of Brunelleschi’s dome.façade. Right, a view of Brunelleschi’s dome.

Divina Commedia: Divina Commedia: I I OctaveOctaveOft have I seen at some cathedral door Oft have I seen at some cathedral door

A laborer, pausing in the dust and heat, A laborer, pausing in the dust and heat,

Lay down his burden, and with reverent feet Lay down his burden, and with reverent feet

Enter, and cross himself, and on the floorEnter, and cross himself, and on the floorKneel to repeat his paternoster o’er; Kneel to repeat his paternoster o’er; “Our Father”“Our Father”

Far off the noises of the world retreat; Far off the noises of the world retreat;

The loud vociferations of the street The loud vociferations of the street

Become an undistinguishable roar.Become an undistinguishable roar.

Divina Commedia: Divina Commedia: I I SestetSestetSo, as I enter here from day to day, So, as I enter here from day to day, And leave my burden at this minster gate, And leave my burden at this minster gate,

churchchurch

Kneeling in prayer, and not ashamed to Kneeling in prayer, and not ashamed to pray,pray,

The tumult of the time disconsolate The tumult of the time disconsolate

To inarticulate murmurs dies away, To inarticulate murmurs dies away,

While the eternal ages watch and wait. While the eternal ages watch and wait.

Floor plan of St. Mark in Venice. The basilica is in the shape of a Floor plan of St. Mark in Venice. The basilica is in the shape of a Greek cross and covered with domes after the Byzantine tradition. Greek cross and covered with domes after the Byzantine tradition. The Venetians were influenced by the art and architecture of The Venetians were influenced by the art and architecture of Constantinople (Istanbul) during the Crusades.Constantinople (Istanbul) during the Crusades.

Interior view of St. Mark showing Interior view of St. Mark showing gilded mosaic decoration. gilded mosaic decoration.

Divina Commedia: Divina Commedia: II II OctaveOctave

How strange the sculptures that adorn these How strange the sculptures that adorn these towers! towers!

This crowd of statues, in whose folded sleeves This crowd of statues, in whose folded sleeves

Birds build their nests; while canopied with leaves Birds build their nests; while canopied with leaves Parvis and portal bloom like trellised bowers,Parvis and portal bloom like trellised bowers, porch, door porch, door

And the vast minster seems a cross of flowers! And the vast minster seems a cross of flowers!

But fiends and dragons on the gargoyled eaves But fiends and dragons on the gargoyled eaves

Watch the dead Christ between the living thieves, Watch the dead Christ between the living thieves,

And, underneath, the traitor Judas lowers!And, underneath, the traitor Judas lowers!

Divina Commedia: Divina Commedia: II II SestetSestetAh! from what agonies of heart and brain, Ah! from what agonies of heart and brain,

What exultations trampling on despair, What exultations trampling on despair,

What tenderness, what tears, what hate of What tenderness, what tears, what hate of wrong,wrong,

What passionate outcry of a soul in pain, What passionate outcry of a soul in pain,

Uprose this poem of the earth and air, Uprose this poem of the earth and air,

This mediæval miracle of song! This mediæval miracle of song!

Traditional Roman Catholic confession Traditional Roman Catholic confession in the church of Gesu Nuovo in Naples.in the church of Gesu Nuovo in Naples.

Divina Commedia: Divina Commedia: III III OctaveOctave

I enter, and I see thee in the gloom I enter, and I see thee in the gloom Of the long aisles, O poet saturnine! Of the long aisles, O poet saturnine! melancholymelancholy

And strive to make my steps keep pace with And strive to make my steps keep pace with thine. thine.

The air is filled with some unknown perfume;The air is filled with some unknown perfume;

The congregation of the dead make room The congregation of the dead make room For thee to pass; the votive tapers shine; For thee to pass; the votive tapers shine; prayerfulprayerful

Like rooks that haunt Ravenna’s groves of pine Like rooks that haunt Ravenna’s groves of pine

The hovering echoes fly from tomb to tomb.The hovering echoes fly from tomb to tomb.

Divina Commedia: Divina Commedia: III III SestetSestetFrom the confessionals I hear arise From the confessionals I hear arise

Rehearsals of forgotten tragedies, Rehearsals of forgotten tragedies,

And lamentations from the crypts below;And lamentations from the crypts below;

And then a voice celestial that begins And then a voice celestial that begins

With the pathetic words, “Although your With the pathetic words, “Although your sins sins

As scarlet be,” and ends with “as the snow.”As scarlet be,” and ends with “as the snow.”

Two interpretations in Two interpretations in Italian Carrara marble Italian Carrara marble of the Virgin Mary—of the Virgin Mary—the the PietaPieta of of Michelangelo and Michelangelo and Virgin and ChildVirgin and Child by by Alberto Ayala. Alberto Ayala.

Divina Commedia: Divina Commedia: IV IV OctaveOctaveWith snow-white veil and garments as of flame, With snow-white veil and garments as of flame,

She stands before thee, who so long ago She stands before thee, who so long ago Filled thy young heart with passion and the woe Filled thy young heart with passion and the woe From which thy song and all its splendors came;From which thy song and all its splendors came;And while with stern rebuke she speaks thy And while with stern rebuke she speaks thy name, name, The ice about thy heart melts as the snow The ice about thy heart melts as the snow On mountain heights, and in swift overflow On mountain heights, and in swift overflow Comes gushing from thy lips in sobs of shame. Comes gushing from thy lips in sobs of shame.

Divina Commedia: Divina Commedia: IV IV SestetSestetThou makest full confession; and a gleam, Thou makest full confession; and a gleam, As of the dawn on some dark forest cast, As of the dawn on some dark forest cast, Seems on thy lifted forehead to increase;Seems on thy lifted forehead to increase;Lethe and Eunoë—the remembered dream Lethe and Eunoë—the remembered dream And the forgotten sorrow—bring at last And the forgotten sorrow—bring at last That perfect pardon which is perfect peace. That perfect pardon which is perfect peace.

Before leaving Purgatory and proceeding to Paradise, souls who have Before leaving Purgatory and proceeding to Paradise, souls who have completed their appointed course of suffering must drink first from completed their appointed course of suffering must drink first from

the River the River LetheLethe, causing them to forget their sinful ways, and then , causing them to forget their sinful ways, and then from the River from the River EunoëEunoë, , which strengthens and purifies the remembrance of which strengthens and purifies the remembrance of their good deeds and their good deeds and honorable intentions. honorable intentions.

Interior of a cathedral shown from the center of the Interior of a cathedral shown from the center of the nave looking toward chancel where the altar table has nave looking toward chancel where the altar table has been prepared to celebrate Mass (the Lord’s Supper).been prepared to celebrate Mass (the Lord’s Supper).

Divina Commedia: Divina Commedia: V V OctaveOctave

I lift mine eyes, and all the windows blaze I lift mine eyes, and all the windows blaze

With forms of Saints and holy men who died, With forms of Saints and holy men who died,

Here martyred and hereafter glorified; Here martyred and hereafter glorified; And the great Rose upon its leaves displays And the great Rose upon its leaves displays

windowwindow

Christ’s Triumph, and the angelic roundelays, Christ’s Triumph, and the angelic roundelays, medallionsmedallions

With splendor upon splendor multiplied; With splendor upon splendor multiplied; And Beatrice again at Dante’s side And Beatrice again at Dante’s side Dante’s Dante’s guideguide

No more rebukes, but smiles her words of praise. No more rebukes, but smiles her words of praise.

Divina Commedia: Divina Commedia: V V SestetSestetAnd then the organ sounds, and unseen And then the organ sounds, and unseen choirs choirs

Sing the old Latin hymns of peace and love Sing the old Latin hymns of peace and love

And benedictions of the Holy Ghost;And benedictions of the Holy Ghost;

And the melodious bells among the spires And the melodious bells among the spires

O’er all the house-tops and through heaven O’er all the house-tops and through heaven above above Proclaim the elevation of the Host! Proclaim the elevation of the Host! bread used in Massbread used in Mass

The scenic countryside of Italy often features the The scenic countryside of Italy often features the rugged Apennines, a mountain range that runs the rugged Apennines, a mountain range that runs the entire length of the Italian peninsula. This view is of entire length of the Italian peninsula. This view is of Pietra di Bismantova in Emilia between Rome and Pietra di Bismantova in Emilia between Rome and Florence shows stone and tile roofed buildings in Florence shows stone and tile roofed buildings in villages of the region. villages of the region.

Divina Commedia: Divina Commedia: VI VI OctaveOctaveO star of morning and of liberty! O star of morning and of liberty!

O bringer of the light, whose splendor shines O bringer of the light, whose splendor shines Above the darkness of the Apennines, Above the darkness of the Apennines, mountainsmountains

Forerunner of the day that is to be!Forerunner of the day that is to be!

The voices of the city and the sea, The voices of the city and the sea,

The voices of the mountains and the pines, The voices of the mountains and the pines,

Repeat thy song, till the familiar lines Repeat thy song, till the familiar lines

Are footpaths for the thought of Italy!Are footpaths for the thought of Italy!

Divina Commedia: Divina Commedia: VI VI SestetSestetThy fame is blown abroad from all the Thy fame is blown abroad from all the heights, heights,

Through all the nations, and a sound is Through all the nations, and a sound is heard, heard,

As of a mighty wind, and men devout,As of a mighty wind, and men devout,Strangers of Rome, and the new proselytes, Strangers of Rome, and the new proselytes,

disciplesdisciples

In their own language hear thy wondrous In their own language hear thy wondrous word, word,

And many are amazed and many doubt. And many are amazed and many doubt.

Three of Longfellow’s six children (left to Three of Longfellow’s six children (left to right): six-year-old Edith, nine-year-old right): six-year-old Edith, nine-year-old Alice Mary, and four-year-old Anne Allegra. Alice Mary, and four-year-old Anne Allegra. The painting still hangs in the dining room The painting still hangs in the dining room of Craigie House, the family home in of Craigie House, the family home in Cambridge, MassachusettsCambridge, Massachusetts