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The Divine Comedy
Blake Ritson, David Warner, Hattie Morahan and John Hurt star in this BBC Radio 4 dramatisation of Dante's epic poem.
Inferno: Thirty-five year old Dante finds himself in the middle of a dark wood, in extreme personal and spiritual crisis. Hope of rescue appears in the form of the venerable poet Virgil, now a shade himself, who offers to lead Dante on an odyssey through the afterlife, beginning in the terrifying depths of Hell.
Purgatorio: Dante is led up Mount Purgatory by his guide. They encounter numerous souls who have embarked on the same difficult journey - one that will eventually lead to their spiritual salvation.
Paradiso: Dante's journey comes to a glorious conclusion as he is led by Beatrice, through the spheres of Paradise and into the presence of God himself. As they ascend, they encounter a number of souls who have also achieved blessedness. Many years later, the older Dante reflects on the episodes from his life that have inspired his great poem.
Inferno: Thirty-five year old Dante finds himself in the middle of a dark wood, in extreme personal and spiritual crisis. Hope of rescue appears in the form of the venerable poet Virgil, now a shade himself, who offers to lead Dante on an odyssey through the afterlife, beginning in the terrifying depths of Hell.
Purgatorio: Dante is led up Mount Purgatory by his guide. They encounter numerous souls who have embarked on the same difficult journey - one that will eventually lead to their spiritual salvation.
Paradiso: Dante's journey comes to a glorious conclusion as he is led by Beatrice, through the spheres of Paradise and into the presence of God himself. As they ascend, they encounter a number of souls who have also achieved blessedness. Many years later, the older Dante reflects on the episodes from his life that have inspired his great poem.
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Published September 18, 2014
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About the author
Dante Alighieri
4,466 books6,221 followersDante Alighieri, or simply Dante (May 14/June 13 1265 – September 13/14, 1321), is one of the greatest poets in the Italian language; with the story-teller, Boccaccio, and the poet, Petrarch, he forms the classic trio of Italian authors. Dante Alighieri was born in the city-state Florence in 1265. He first saw the woman, or rather the child, who was to become the poetic love of his life when he was almost nine years old and she was some months younger. In fact, Beatrice married another man, Simone di' Bardi, and died when Dante was 25, so their relationship existed almost entirely in Dante's imagination, but she nonetheless plays an extremely important role in his poetry. Dante attributed all the heavenly virtues to her soul and imagined, in his masterpiece The Divine Comedy, that she was his guardian angel who alternately berated and encouraged him on his search for salvation.
Politics as well as love deeply influenced Dante's literary and emotional life. Renaissance Florence was a thriving, but not a peaceful city: different opposing factions continually struggled for dominance there. The Guelfs and the Ghibellines were the two major factions, and in fact that division was important in all of Italy and other countries as well. The Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor were political rivals for much of this time period, and in general the Guelfs were in favor of the Pope, while the Ghibellines supported Imperial power. By 1289 in the battle of Campaldino the Ghibellines largely disappeared from Florence. Peace, however, did not insue. Instead, the Guelf party divided between the Whites and the Blacks (Dante was a White Guelf). The Whites were more opposed to Papal power than the Blacks, and tended to favor the emperor, so in fact the preoccupations of the White Guelfs were much like those of the defeated Ghibellines. In this divisive atmosphere Dante rose to a position of leadership. in 1302, while he was in Rome on a diplomatic mission to the Pope, the Blacks in Florence seized power with the help of the French (and pro-Pope) Charles of Valois. The Blacks exiled Dante, confiscating his goods and condemning him to be burned if he should return to Florence.
Dante never returned to Florence. He wandered from city to city, depending on noble patrons there. Between 1302 and 1304 some attempts were made by the exiled Whites to retrieve their position in Florence, but none of these succeeded and Dante contented himself with hoping for the appearance of a new powerful Holy Roman Emperor who would unite the country and banish strife. Henry VII was elected Emperor in 1308, and indeed laid seige to Florence in 1312, but was defeated, and he died a year later, destroying Dante's hopes. Dante passed from court to court, writing passionate political and moral epistles and finishing his Divine Comedy, which contains the Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. He finally died in Ravenna in 1321.
Politics as well as love deeply influenced Dante's literary and emotional life. Renaissance Florence was a thriving, but not a peaceful city: different opposing factions continually struggled for dominance there. The Guelfs and the Ghibellines were the two major factions, and in fact that division was important in all of Italy and other countries as well. The Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor were political rivals for much of this time period, and in general the Guelfs were in favor of the Pope, while the Ghibellines supported Imperial power. By 1289 in the battle of Campaldino the Ghibellines largely disappeared from Florence. Peace, however, did not insue. Instead, the Guelf party divided between the Whites and the Blacks (Dante was a White Guelf). The Whites were more opposed to Papal power than the Blacks, and tended to favor the emperor, so in fact the preoccupations of the White Guelfs were much like those of the defeated Ghibellines. In this divisive atmosphere Dante rose to a position of leadership. in 1302, while he was in Rome on a diplomatic mission to the Pope, the Blacks in Florence seized power with the help of the French (and pro-Pope) Charles of Valois. The Blacks exiled Dante, confiscating his goods and condemning him to be burned if he should return to Florence.
Dante never returned to Florence. He wandered from city to city, depending on noble patrons there. Between 1302 and 1304 some attempts were made by the exiled Whites to retrieve their position in Florence, but none of these succeeded and Dante contented himself with hoping for the appearance of a new powerful Holy Roman Emperor who would unite the country and banish strife. Henry VII was elected Emperor in 1308, and indeed laid seige to Florence in 1312, but was defeated, and he died a year later, destroying Dante's hopes. Dante passed from court to court, writing passionate political and moral epistles and finishing his Divine Comedy, which contains the Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. He finally died in Ravenna in 1321.
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August 4, 2019This dramatisation is a very good introduction to the Divine Comedy. I am interested to read it, but baulk a bit at starting a 14,000 line poem from 700 years ago. This is obviously a very filtered version with lots omitted, but being performed by professional actors with sound effects, brought it to life in a way that a simple read does not. It also gave me a introduction to different parts of the story and make me better prepared to read the full poem. While Dante's view is reflects Catholic theology of the time, listening made me reflect on things I do today. I thought that Purgatory was good, even though people normally find Inferno most enjoyable - maybe it is all the gory torments. However I found that I could identify with the sinners in Purgatory, they seemed like normal people, whereas those in Hell seemed irredeemably bad. The spirits in Hell seemed to be locked into themselves and their behaviours, blamed everyone else for their suffering and had not changed their attitudes and behaviour, whereas those in Purgatory could see they had made mistakes and they were suffering as a result. So it makes you think about the way we act in this life, even in you are not religious.
October 1, 2024
Dante one of the realest mfs to ever do it
October 3, 2025
An easily digestible way to experience The Divine Comedy, this BBC produced full cast dramatization was highly engaging. It made for some fascinating listening and conversation on a long car ride with my husband.
I’d read Dante’s “Inferno” as well as bits and pieces of the other two parts of this “narrative poem” in college but never experienced the whole thing. It’s something that’s been popping up as I’ve been delving deeper into C.S. Lewis’s background and work as well as several other books by other authors.
Definitely worth visiting and researching if you are into understanding allegories and influences on Western culture.
I’d read Dante’s “Inferno” as well as bits and pieces of the other two parts of this “narrative poem” in college but never experienced the whole thing. It’s something that’s been popping up as I’ve been delving deeper into C.S. Lewis’s background and work as well as several other books by other authors.
Definitely worth visiting and researching if you are into understanding allegories and influences on Western culture.
September 15, 2024
I liked this one quite a bit. You could feel the cultural references stemming from it, and the dramatization made this version very accessible. There are many big questions addressed, from a cultural frame from a long time ago. I would recommend this if curious about Dante and other old writers, and you want an easy way in.
After writing the review I pondered why despite enjoying it, it didn't leave a strong impact, thus the three rating. I think I felt far off from the story's Dante. It was interesting to follow his arc, but his problems were far from mine (not due to the time, but due to his perspectives) and I didn't resonate.
After writing the review I pondered why despite enjoying it, it didn't leave a strong impact, thus the three rating. I think I felt far off from the story's Dante. It was interesting to follow his arc, but his problems were far from mine (not due to the time, but due to his perspectives) and I didn't resonate.
September 16, 2016
It was a pleasure to listen to John Hurte's voice. Like three hours of the dragon from Merlin. he brought Dante to life.
March 8, 2023
Really well done, but I did not care for the voice acting of Beatrice.
October 1, 2024
WOW this was such a fun book to listen to on Audible. The storytelling was vivid and exciting. This is the gateway to my Dante obsession. I will be listening to the full version next, then I will read it physically. I’ve been recommending this audio book to everyone it’s SO GOOD.
March 15, 2025
Actual rating: 3.5
April 5, 2024
FANTASTIC dramatization! 🤩 I’ve known Inferno since college, but this was my first time through Purgatorio and Paradiso and WOW what an amazing way to experience them! Highly recommend this! 👍🏻👍🏻
November 21, 2020
"Faith is what gives substance to our hopes and makes us certain of realities we do not see."
In Paradiso 24: Believing is Not Seeing, Dante is ultimately questioned on faith, hope, and love by the three major apostles: Saint Peter, Saint James, and Saint John. It's important to note that up until this point, Dante has had a continuous struggle in his belief in God and faith, being led and mentored throughout the epic poem by Virgil. It is astonishing therefore to both Lady Beatrice and Saint Peter when Dante quotes Saint Paul, echoing his own personal view on faith.
I listened to The Divine Comedy as a BBC Dramatization and found the heavy text much more understandable this way. I simply loved this ending sentiment recited by Dante. The final culmination of everything a young Dante has learned is summed up within it and although the traditional words were originally spoken over 2,000 years ago (in the 1st century BC by St. Paul the Epostle), they still resonate to modern ears.
To me, hearing the epic poem largely reenacted using a more modern script while still retaining the story and much of the original text, was the perfect compromise between old and new. Especially as a younger reader, I found I got so much more out of it.
In addition, the radio play format allowed me to listen to some of my favorite actors voice beloved classic characters, like Hattie Morahan portraying Lady Beatrice and Blake Ritson as a Young Dante.
Overall, I would strongly recommend listening to Dante's Comedy in this format, especially for anyone looking to get a taste for classic literature, but not prepared to swallow whole chunks of Italian 'terza rima' or complex rhyming schemes.
In Paradiso 24: Believing is Not Seeing, Dante is ultimately questioned on faith, hope, and love by the three major apostles: Saint Peter, Saint James, and Saint John. It's important to note that up until this point, Dante has had a continuous struggle in his belief in God and faith, being led and mentored throughout the epic poem by Virgil. It is astonishing therefore to both Lady Beatrice and Saint Peter when Dante quotes Saint Paul, echoing his own personal view on faith.
I listened to The Divine Comedy as a BBC Dramatization and found the heavy text much more understandable this way. I simply loved this ending sentiment recited by Dante. The final culmination of everything a young Dante has learned is summed up within it and although the traditional words were originally spoken over 2,000 years ago (in the 1st century BC by St. Paul the Epostle), they still resonate to modern ears.
To me, hearing the epic poem largely reenacted using a more modern script while still retaining the story and much of the original text, was the perfect compromise between old and new. Especially as a younger reader, I found I got so much more out of it.
In addition, the radio play format allowed me to listen to some of my favorite actors voice beloved classic characters, like Hattie Morahan portraying Lady Beatrice and Blake Ritson as a Young Dante.
Overall, I would strongly recommend listening to Dante's Comedy in this format, especially for anyone looking to get a taste for classic literature, but not prepared to swallow whole chunks of Italian 'terza rima' or complex rhyming schemes.
March 1, 2023
This is a BBC audio-theatrical dramatization of one of the most highly regarded literary works in the latest millennia: That of Dante Alighieri and his 14,000 Italian narrative poem La Divina Commedia.
“The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who,
in times of great moral crisis,
maintain their neutrality.”
- Inferno/ La Divina Commedia (1/3)
The story, subdivided into three cantos, revolves around Dante and his journey through Inferno (Hell), Purgatorio (Purgatory) and Paradiso (Paradise). This voyage, based on the Western Church's view of the afterlife in the 14th century, symbolizes the journey of the ascent of a man's soul to God: starting with sin rejection (Inferno), followed by Christian penitence (Purgatorio), and ending by soul ascension (Paradiso). Through it all, Dante is accompanied by three successive guides: The Poet Virgil (symbolic of human reason), The Beautiful Beatrice (representative of faith and divine revelation) and the Saint Bernard (allegorical to his devotion to Mother Mary).
“Thus you may understand that love alone
is the true seed of every merit in you,
and of all acts for which you must atone.”
- Purgatorio/ La Divina Commedia (2/3)
This BBC Dramatization does a fairly good job in capturing the essence of the above mentioned work, although in a very light and filtered way. Nonetheless, for an introduction into the world of La Divina Commedia, it does its work well, with the added bonus of the theatrical sounding performance, with a British accent, that is sure to captivate the attention of the auditor.
“As a wheel turns smoothly, free from jars,
my will and my desire were turned by love,
The love that moves the sun and the other stars.”
- Paradiso/ La Divina Commedia (3/3)
“The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who,
in times of great moral crisis,
maintain their neutrality.”
- Inferno/ La Divina Commedia (1/3)
The story, subdivided into three cantos, revolves around Dante and his journey through Inferno (Hell), Purgatorio (Purgatory) and Paradiso (Paradise). This voyage, based on the Western Church's view of the afterlife in the 14th century, symbolizes the journey of the ascent of a man's soul to God: starting with sin rejection (Inferno), followed by Christian penitence (Purgatorio), and ending by soul ascension (Paradiso). Through it all, Dante is accompanied by three successive guides: The Poet Virgil (symbolic of human reason), The Beautiful Beatrice (representative of faith and divine revelation) and the Saint Bernard (allegorical to his devotion to Mother Mary).
“Thus you may understand that love alone
is the true seed of every merit in you,
and of all acts for which you must atone.”
- Purgatorio/ La Divina Commedia (2/3)
This BBC Dramatization does a fairly good job in capturing the essence of the above mentioned work, although in a very light and filtered way. Nonetheless, for an introduction into the world of La Divina Commedia, it does its work well, with the added bonus of the theatrical sounding performance, with a British accent, that is sure to captivate the attention of the auditor.
“As a wheel turns smoothly, free from jars,
my will and my desire were turned by love,
The love that moves the sun and the other stars.”
- Paradiso/ La Divina Commedia (3/3)
January 9, 2021
I loved this! I wanted to do some preliminary research into the Divine Comedy before actually reading it and this is excellent for that. The performances and the sound effects are phenomenal, as well as the music that sometimes appears in certain scenes. It is a beautiful dramatisation, and I teared up at the end. It is packed with meaning and very tightly constructed. The Inferno is the most dramatic part and perhaps the most famous and it is very good. However, for my personal taste, Purgatory is my favorite, then Paradise and then the Inferno. Although perhaps that is only a reflection of my current state of mind and of what I am going through in my life right now. In any case, I would recommend this to anyone really, I think there is literary, poetic and dramatic merit in this dramatisation and if taken seriously, can seriously make you see your life in a different light. Everyone should read this, but especially every Christian out there, and for Catholics it should be must-listen, as Dante is perhaps the most brilliant author to come out of the Catholicism, and Christianity in general for that matter. This is a phenomenal introduction or refresher to his poem (although I don't think a replacement). Absolutely loved it.
December 8, 2019
Hard one to review. I feel the performance of the BBC cast is actually pretty good, but the story starts off really well in inferno and then just becomes one slow motion cart wreck. Should have ended at inferno
January 16, 2021
A sightseeing tour through the pits of Hell.....
Having read the original at uni years ago, this audio is a magnificent hearing and learning experience for those who have not read the original.
.. and the voice of John Hurt is simply mesmerazing.
Having read the original at uni years ago, this audio is a magnificent hearing and learning experience for those who have not read the original.
.. and the voice of John Hurt is simply mesmerazing.
March 28, 2018
The angelic hymns, narration, the Italian passages, all come together to move through your soul like an ice breaker ship. It's an incredible audiobook.
February 28, 2020
Audiobook
This version is great. They have multiple voices. Very interactive.
This version is great. They have multiple voices. Very interactive.
April 12, 2020
What the hey? Everyone knows that God is a giant radish... But still an excellent play-like condensation.
Purgatory 57 min in
Paradise 1 hr 54 min in
Purgatory 57 min in
Paradise 1 hr 54 min in
November 29, 2020
Sounds like a good introduction. Wanted some easy to digest base knowledge prior or reading the translation. I enjoyed it.
September 7, 2021
This is my first time trying an audiobook. With my current mental state, this is very much helpful.
January 12, 2023
An intense audible listen, from the depths of the hottest hell to the heights of the highest heaven, this Roman Catholic narrative is a classic for a reason.
January 17, 2024
I enjoyed the dramatized reading.
Very interesting from a mythological standpoint, but also makes me so grateful I left Christianity!
Very interesting from a mythological standpoint, but also makes me so grateful I left Christianity!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews