Author(s): Dante Alighieri
The Divine Comedy (in Italian, Divina Commedia, or just La commedia or Comedia) is an epic poem written by Dante Alighieri in the first decades of the 14th Century, during his exile from his native Florence. Considered the most important work of Italian literature, the poem has also has enormous historical influence on western literature and culture more generally. Dante represents the three realms of the afterlife in his three canticles (Inferno–Hell; Purgatorio–Purgatory; Paradiso–Paradise) in a way that reflects and, at the same time, goes beyond Christian tradition of the 14th Century. Dante is sometimes called “The father of the Italian language” for the linguistic influence of the Comedy, which helped to elevate his native Florentine Tuscan dialect to the level of national standard. The poem is written in the first person, and tells of Dante’s journey through the three realms of the dead, lasting from the night before Good Friday to the Wednesday after Easter in the spring of 1300. The Roman poet Virgil guides him through Hell and Purgatory; Beatrice, Dante’s ideal woman, guides him through Heaven. (Summary by Mary J)MC: LeniBC: Mary JDPL, Editor: Michele Eaton
Cast:Heavenly Messenger, Pier della Vigna, Malacoda, Sordello, Sapia, Angel of Temperance, Leah, Nymph 2, Piccarda: Sarah TerryPier da Medicina: Adele de PignerollesHomer, Minotaur, Jacopo Rusticucci, Pope Nicholas, Master Adam, Cato, Manfred, King Solomon, Adam: alanmapstoneTree, Tree 2, A Soul in the Sphere of Mercury: Amy GramourPeter Damian: David LawrenceSinner 1, Megaera, Soul 2, Widow, Wife of Pisistratus, Siren, Lustful Soul 1, Nymph 7: AvailleMohammed, Corrado Malaspina: BeniaminoMassimoMinos: Bryan RupertAglauros, Pisistratus, Abbot of St Zeno: DomBombadilUlysses: David N WinklerCount Ugolino, Soul 3, St James: Beth ThomasPlutus, Calvalcante dei Calvalcanti, Giacomo da SantAndrea, Alessio Interminei of Lucca, Vanni Fucci, Guido da Montefeltro, Sinon, Nimrod, Buonconte Da Montefeltro, Guard, Oderisi, Envious Soul 3, Marco, A Pope, Forese Donati, Guido Guinizelli, Griffon, Justinian, Thomas Aquinas, St Peter: Andrew ColemanCacus: GaylorSwiftCiacco, Sinner 3, Lano, Tegghiaio Aldobrandi, Malebranche 2, Fra Catalan, Puccio Sciancato, Boniface VIII, Capocchio, Frate Alberigo, Belacqua, Judge Nino, Envious Soul 4, Guido del Duca, Nymph 3, Charles Martel, Bonaventure, St Bernard: Zach KBertran de Born, Angry Mob: Johnny AlexanderNarrator, Beatrice: Mary JCharon, Filippo Argenti, Chiron, Guido Guerra, Venedico Caccianimico, Swindler: inflectedProud Soul 2, Nymph 4: Jessie YunFrancesca da Rimini: Amanda FridayAngry Mob 1, Angel of Peace, Singing Elder, Nymph 5: K CotterWrathful Soul, Tisiphone, Farinata, Nessus, Capaneus, Malebranche 1, Fra Loderingo, Snakeman, Black Cherub, Mosca, Camiscione dei Pazzi, Casella, Pia, Angel, Proud Soul 3, Envious Soul 2, Thunderous Voice, Angry Mob 4, Lavinia, Slothful Soul 1, Angel of Zeal, Hugh Capet, Bonagiunta, Lustful Soul 3, Soul in Eden 1, Many Souls Voice 3, Nymph 1, Folco, St Benedict, St John: Kristin GjerløwOmberto, Rinieri dal Calboli, Avaricious/Prodigal Penitent, Statius, Many Souls Voice 4: LeniVirgil: Anna SimonPhlegyas: LibriNinjaLucia, Malebranche 4, Penitent Soul, Jacopo del Cassero, Lucia, Angel of Humility, Other Souls 2, Many Souls Voice 5, Nymph 6: LydiaBrunetto Latini: Martin GeesonBocca degli Abati: Alex LaneExcommunicated Repentant Soul: Nan MigAlecto, Trajan: Patrick EatonCacciaguida: Vin ReillyGriffolino, Slothful Soul 4: Rob BoardSinner 2, A Florentine Bush, Malebranche 5, Traitor 2, Angry Mob 2, Slothful Soul 3, Lustful Soul 2, Soul in Eden 2, Many Souls Voice 2: Rosslyn CarlyleAvaricious, Prodigal Penitent 2: Ruth GoldingSinging Souls, Angel of Purity, Matelda, Singing Angels: Shakira SearleAvaricious Soul, Agnello, Angry Mob, Cunizza: Holly AlexanderVirgin Mary, Prodigal Soul, Demon, Usurer, Traitor 1, Late Repentant Soul, Proud Soul 1, Envious Soul 1, Angel of Generosity, Holy Lady, Other Souls 1, Voice, Many Souls Voice 1, Eagle: TriciaGDante: Peter TuckerMalebranche 3, Buoso, Angry Mob, Slothful Soul 2: Vincent AlexanderDaniel Arnaut: Vespero