"Vertical Readings in Danteâ s Comedy is a reappraisal of the poem by an international team of thirty-four scholars. Each vertical reading analyses three same-numbered cantos from the three canticles: Inferno i, Purgatorio i and Paradiso i; Inferno ii, Purgatorio ii and Paradiso ii; etc. Although scholars have suggested before that there are correspondences between same-numbered cantos that beg to be explored, this is the first time that the approach has been pursued in a systematic fashion across the poem. This collection â to be issued in three volumes â offers an unprecedented repertoire of vertical readings for the whole poem. As the first volume exemplifies, vertical reading not only articulates unexamined connections between the three canticles but also unlocks engaging new ways to enter into core concerns of the poem. The three volumes thereby provide an indispensable resource for scholars, students and enthusiasts of Dante."This work was published by Saint Philip Street Press pursuant to a Creative Commons license permitting commercial use. All rights not granted by the work's license are retained by the author or authors. "Vertical Readings in Dante's Comedy is a reappraisal of the poem by an international team of thirty-four scholars. Each vertical reading analyses three same-numbered cantos from the three canticles: Inferno i, Purgatorio i and Paradiso i; Inferno ii, Purgatorio ii and Paradiso ii; etc. Although scholars have suggested before that there are correspondences between same-numbered cantos that beg to be explored, this is the first time that the approach has been pursued in a systematic fashion across the poem. This collection - to be issued in three volumes - offers an unprecedented repertoire of vertical readings for the whole poem. As the first volume exemplifies, vertical reading not only articulates unexamined connections between the three canticles but also unlocks engaging new ways to enter into core concerns of the poem. The three volumes thereby provide an indispensable resource for scholars, students and enthusiasts of Dante. The volume has its origin in a series of thirty-three public lectures held in Trinity College, the University of Cambridge (2012-2016) which can be accessed at the "Cambridge Vertical Readings in Dante's Comedy" website."--Publisher's website Acknowledgements vii Editions Followed and Abbreviations ix Notes on the Contributors xi Introduction George Corbett and Heather Webb 1 1.i. Pagan Dawn of a Christian Vision George Corbett 13 1.ii. Orientation Heather Webb 25 2. Reading Time, Text and the World Matthew Treherne 37 3. The Bliss and Abyss of Freedom: Hope, Personhood and Particularity Vittorio Montemaggi 57 4. Virtuous Pagans, Hopeless Desire and Unjust Justice John Marenbon 77 5. Massacre, Miserere and Martyrdom Robin Kirkpatrick 97 6. Divided City, Slavish Italy, Universal Empire Claire E. Honess 119 7. The Wheeling Sevens Simon A. Gilson 143 8. Civitas and Love: Looking Backward from Paradiso viii Brenda Deen Schildgen 161 9. ‘Without Any Violence’ Zygmunt G. Barański 181 10. Humility and the (P)arts of Art K P Clarke 203 11. The Art of Teaching and the Nature of Love Paola Nasti 223 Bibliography 249 Index of Names
