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Despite reading the Inferno in college and finding it quite interesting, I only recently learned that it was part of a trilogy. Does anyone know why the Infern

Despite reading the Inferno in college and finding it quite interesting, I only recently learned that it was part of a trilogy. Does anyone know why the Inferno appears to be more widely read than Purgatorio or Paradiso?

Fellshard 6y ago
My initial guess is that it focuses on human depravity, an accessible topic compared to the more explicit theological claims in the latter parts. That is based on my very loose knowledge of the material, though. The self-righteous urge probably contributes: assurance that "I wouldn't possibly qualify as anywhere near this bad."
throw0101a 6y ago
> Does anyone know why the Inferno appears to be more widely read than Purgatorio or Paradiso? "If it bleeds, it leads." Bad news gets more attention than good news, and what could be more bad than seeing people suffer in hell? * https://www.collaborativefund.com/blog/the-seduction-of-pessimism/ https://www.collaborativefund.com/blog/the-seduction-of-pess...
ayacoe 6y ago
They talk a little in the article about how the Inferno was more based in earthly things than the the later two books, and that makes it easier to approach. I think the reason why the Inferno is solely taught is becaue it's just so long a text, and the characters Dante interacts with in his descent are more familiar to an early student of the classics than the later volumes. I would absolutely recommend reading Purgatorio and Paradiso if you have a chance. Though it's long, it's quick reading, and sublime is an understatement.
dang 6y ago
It used to be the other way around, but hell became more popular in the modern period.
Swizec 6y ago
The 9 circles of hell are a popular literary reference through the ages. Knowing inferno helps you understand future works that you’ll encounter in western literature. The other two not as much afaik. For what it’s worth, in my neck of the woods we always learned that The Divine Comedy is a trilogy and dove into Inferno.
pachico 6y ago
Yes, although all three books are beautifully written, it is in the Inferno where he shines. This is because is the most dramatic in terms of passion and where it's more controversial. In the Inferno he exercises a call for sympathy for putting certain characters there (is god fair for condemning them? Remember the beautiful case of Ulysses or lovers) but also criticism by putting others in that place, even some not yet dead at the time. :)

Fellshard 6y ago

My initial guess is that it focuses on human depravity, an accessible topic compared to the more explicit theological claims in the latter parts. That is based on my very loose knowledge of the material, though. The self-righteous urge probably contributes: assurance that "I wouldn't possibly qualify as anywhere near this bad."

throw0101a 6y ago

> Does anyone know why the Inferno appears to be more widely read than Purgatorio or Paradiso? "If it bleeds, it leads." Bad news gets more attention than good news, and what could be more bad than seeing people suffer in hell? * https://www.collaborativefund.com/blog/the-seduction-of-pessimism/ https://www.collaborativefund.com/blog/the-seduction-of-pess...

ayacoe 6y ago

They talk a little in the article about how the Inferno was more based in earthly things than the the later two books, and that makes it easier to approach. I think the reason why the Inferno is solely taught is becaue it's just so long a text, and the characters Dante interacts with in his descent are more familiar to an early student of the classics than the later volumes. I would absolutely recommend reading Purgatorio and Paradiso if you have a chance. Though it's long, it's quick reading, and sublime is an understatement.

dang 6y ago

It used to be the other way around, but hell became more popular in the modern period.

Swizec 6y ago

The 9 circles of hell are a popular literary reference through the ages. Knowing inferno helps you understand future works that you’ll encounter in western literature. The other two not as much afaik. For what it’s worth, in my neck of the woods we always learned that The Divine Comedy is a trilogy and dove into Inferno.

pachico 6y ago

Yes, although all three books are beautifully written, it is in the Inferno where he shines. This is because is the most dramatic in terms of passion and where it's more controversial. In the Inferno he exercises a call for sympathy for putting certain characters there (is god fair for condemning them? Remember the beautiful case of Ulysses or lovers) but also criticism by putting others in that place, even some not yet dead at the time. :)