Dante Alighieri: Science and poetry in The Divine Comedy

About

Dante's comedy is one of the most widely-translated and published works of all time. Written in 1300, it deals with themes which are still relevant today, and which makes today's generations feel closer to that love that moves the sun and other stars.

This course looks at the poetry in the journey that the poet-character Dante takes his readers on from the human to the "divine". It will focus on the scientific aspects, which have, in general, received less interest on the part of critics. Although largely ignored by literary critics, Dante has been widely studied by scientists both past and present.

You will be escorted on your journey through Dante's comedy by characters like Beatrice, Pier delle Vigne and Ulysses, but also by some of the most famous scientists, like Albert Einstein, to see how Dante Alighieri's description of the cosmos in 1300 was later verified by modern science.

In this way, the Comedy succeeds in conveying how precious Dante's thoughts are and shows 21st century readers that science and poetry do not have to be separated but constitute the unity of universal knowledge.

What you will learn

• The mix of poetry and science in Dante’s work
• Symmetry in the structure of Dante’s work and in the universe
• Possible interpretations and readings of the Comedy
• Importance of numerology in the Comedy

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Discover the intricate blend of poetry and science in Dante's Divine Comedy with this foundational course by edX. Over 30 hours, delve into the rich sources and references that intertwine with modern science. Ideal for arts and humanities enthusiasts, subscription options include Professional and Starter tiers.