"Dante and Shakespeare divide the world between them. There is no third." -T.S. Eliot

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In this second part of his great poem, Dante journeys up Mount Purgatory. Unlike in Hell, on this mountain the sinners accept their punishments and are eager to reach God. Although many Protestants may be tempted to dismiss a tale about Purgatory as merely Roman Catholic superstition, Dante is deeply concerned with sin and even got himself in trouble with the popes for his protests against their usurpation of political power. Dante’s poem is a beautiful reflection on grace, as well as an tragic lament for the rot that had corrupted Christendom.

This Canon Classic has edified seven centuries (and counting) of readers, who use its images to better understand the Christian life. The Canon Classics series presents the most definitive works of Western literature in a colorful, well-crafted, and affordable way. Unlike many other thrift editions, our classics feature individualized designs that prioritize readability by means of proper margins, leading, characters per line, font, trim size, etc. Each book’s materials and layout combine to make the classics a simple and striking addition to classrooms and homes, ideal for introducing the best of literary culture and human experience to the next generation.

This edition does not feature a worldview guide or introduction.