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Summary: The Best Way to Read this Epic Poem
Review: Mark Musa's translation of the Divine Comedy is the smoothest, most enjoyable version I have read. (I've read a few.) Mr. Musa provides a brief summation at the beginning of each Canto of Dante's Inferno. He then follows the summation with the actual poem (his translation), and then, after each Canto, he gives in-depth notes on all the references Dante has made -- which may often be obscure to the modern reader. This version is perfect for high-school and college students as well as the leisure time reader who simply wants to become acquainted with this foundation of Western poetry.The Inferno is the first volume of the Divine Comedy and tells the story of how Dante is taken by the spirit of Virgil through the depths of Hell. The scenes and characters that they encounter cover many different human emotions; mostly sorrowful ones while Dante and Virgil are in Hell. This first volume is the most famous of the three, but Mark Musa's translation makes it so quick and entertaining to read, that I think most will find themselves wanting to continue on into the final two volumes, which I would highly recommend in order for one to obtain the entire perspective of this brilliant poem.
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Summary: Excellent Translation
Review: Musa's translation of Dante's _Inferno_ has excellent, comprehensive notes, lyricism, and vividness. It is an incredible translation of Dante's work, and conveys the essence of it nicely.
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Summary: Wonderful, Scary, and Full of Information
Review: My interest in classic literature did not arise until recently. I read many reviews which indicated that people with this such interest absolutely MUST read Dante's Inferno. With that hefty weight upon my "newbie" shoulders I decided to undergo the journey that so many others have made over the last 700 years. As it turns out, Mark Musa's translation of Inferno is fantastic. Each chapter begins with a very brief but informative synopsis, followed by the prose, then finally capped off my Musa's notes on the text. Musa's notes give backgroud on all of the characters and situations that take place throughout the story. These notes are a MUST for any newcomer to Dante and classical literature in general. So, not only is there the original text in English for us non-Italian speakers, but there are notes to increase the readers comprehension. Dante is guided by the author of the Aeneid, Virgil. Virgil takes Dante through the Nine Levels of Hell to show him the pain and suffering of all those who do not love and follow God. Dante learns a great deal on this journey as does the reader. Mark Musa's translation of Dante is smooth, entertaining, and very informative. Anyone interested in Christianity, Hell, famous Greeks, and classical literature should definitely indulge themselves as this translation is not overwhelming in the slightest. Five stars across the board.
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Summary: A Dimond In The Rough
Review: Recently in my 11th grade English class we have been studying Dante's Inferno. Before I had read this book in class, I had heard that this book was very boring. So this interested me to see why people thought so badly of this classic story. It was very boring at first but as we got further into the book in became more interesting. Dante's inferno is about a guy named Dante, who has realized that he is spiritually lazy and spiritually lost. In order for Dante to get out of his spiritual problems he must take a trip through hell. Virgil a pagan from hell has been chosen from on high to lead Dante on his journey through hell, as well as protect him from its perils. Dante meets many people on his journey such as Odysseus, Francesca. Francesca is in hell because she is unrepentant toward God and does not take responsibility for here own reactions. Her punishment is to be whipped around in a fierce storm, which represents the storm of love. Odysseus is in hell because he did not take responsibility for his family plus; he also did not realize his own limitations because he went past the Pillars of Hercules, which is where the rock of Gibraltar is today. At this time in history it was forbidden to go out of the Mediterranean Sea. His punishment is that he will be inside a flame for eternity. One of the major lessons that Dante has to learn is to show no pity to the souls that have been dammed because they chose to be there. This lesson, as well as others are taught through the souls that he encounters in hell and the guidance, which he obtains from Virgil. I think that when a person really sits down and analyzes the meaning of everything in the Inferno, there is a lot of advice, which can even be used today world.
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Summary: Dante Alighieri's Inferno
Review: The first book of The Divine Comedy (I write of the Inferno contained in the copyright 1980 Harvard Classics Edition) is a tale of the macabre and discovery. Although it chronicles Dante's journey through Hell with the Roman poet Virgil as his guide, who resides in Hell's limbo area because of lack of faith, and catalogues Dante's discourse with all kinds of shady characters, it is a novel built upon setting. The appeal of this book and the reason why it has lasted through the ages is the premise, a man's journey through Hell (and in the latter two books, Purgatory and Paradise) where living man has yet to set foot. He meets historical figures and fellow men of Italy; some in eternally burning flames, some transformed into trees, some afloat in rivers of lava, some nearly frozen, some merely loitering for eternity, some under constant attack by serpents, and others under various forms of torture. The scene described where Virgil leads Dante through the gates of Hell I found hysterical, "And when his hand he had stretch'd forth...To mine, with pleasant looks, whence I was cheer'd...Into that secret place he led me on" (13). Pleasant looks! In front of the gates of Hell! Once sufficiently goaded to enter the perimeter we find that the first circle is synonymous with Limbo where those who lack baptism/faith are doomed to loiter for eternity (unless God wishes you to show an Italian around the afterlife). "The poet...descends into Limbo...where he finds the souls of those, who, although they have lived virtuously and have not to suffer for great sins, nevertheless through lack of baptism, merit not the bliss of Paradise" (16). One might say it's a rather harsh penalty for not believing in God, especially for those around before baptism was even practiced (notably Homer). It is a common mistake to confuse Limbo with Purgatory though according to Dante they are quite different; Purgatory's residents are made up of eternal loiterers who repented before death, souls that are making the journey up the mountain of Purgatory to Heaven, and souls that undergo torments like those in Hell but temporarily for they only continue until a soul has been cleansed of sin-- once cleansed the soul (or shade as Dante refers to them) may continue the ascent to Heaven. When a soul is cleansed, "the mountain shakes, and all the spirits sing Glory to God" (225). In the second circle carnal sinners are tossed about by the hot winds of Hell, and in the third gluttons are forced to lie under a continuous stream of hail, snow and discolored water (yes, discolored water-- purple rain anybody?). Suicides are turned into trees that are preyed upon by harpies and hypocrites must walk in circles wearing cloaks forever. The torments get worse as the story progresses; in the eighth gulf of the eighth circle (the eighth circle is known as Malebolge) Ulysses stands immersed in flame and in the final ninth circle amidst souls covered in ice, Lucifer sits munching on Brutus, Cassius and Judas (the three great traitors). Dante was a master of poetry and of prose and his mastery is seen throughout the book, "A headless trunk...By the hair it bore the sever'd member, lantern-wise...Pendent in hand, which look'd at us, and said, 'Woe's me!'...His arm aloft he rear'd, thrusting the head...Full in our view" (118). His descriptions paint such vivid pictures and his way of expressing ideas is to say the least unique. Democritus, "who sets the world at chance," said Dante, believed the world was the product of the random concourse of atoms. Is that not an eloquent way to describe this logical thinker? My only gripe with Dante is that it sometimes seemed as if he was not mentioning souls he encountered in Hell and other related people for any good reason. It was like he was name dropping or giving shout outs to his Italian homeboys or naming historical figures that were the main characters in other stories so that he could talk about them and their lore. What a great idea though, taking famous characters from elsewhere so one does not have to make them up and putting them in a no less than awesome setting (Hell). If this book were rewritten today it would be likely to include more pop-culture characters, musicians and actors than political figures. A quite profitable venture I would wager too...
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Summary: Modern Trends
Review: The Inferno is a timeless classic that continues to inspire young authors. I recently ran a cross a modern version of the book,, A Journey to hell and Back by Charlotte Johnson, based on one individuals modern journey through hell in the Z-shop. It is intriguing to read both books and discuss the modern use of metaphors and allegory with classic literature. It is alos a good way to keep teenagers interested in classical literature. I have included this book introduction to show the parallel structures. Journey To Hell and Back
By Charlotte Johnson
Journey To Hell and Back is a gripping saga of a young woman's journey from adolescence to adulthood at an accelerated pace. This book is an exploration of a troubled teen's journey into the underworld to emerge as an independent, confident, and self-assured woman. Pitfalls, tragedy, and trials that lure a young honor student into the mean streets of Atlanta and finally, New York mark the story. Her journey to hell led her through a fiery furnace that burned 70 % of her body with 2nd and 3rd degree burns, and an over three months hospital stay where God provided personal consolation and healing. After God miraculously saved her from a life in the streets heaped with sin, her zeal for God resulted in her making additional mistakes, including renewing the abusive relationship that had almost cost her life.
The story is a modern day version of Dante's Inferno. Each layer of Hell corresponds with a new low in the protagonist's life. Finally, from within the very bowels of Hell, she cries out to the Lord for salvation. This spiritual epiphany becomes a turning point in her life, thrusting her forward from Hell. The tremendous suffering and miraculous ending of this book will offer hope and comfort for anyone suffering from loneliness, heartache, or disappointment. It provides a realistic and human perspective on many social topics such as teenage rebellion and pregnancy, domestic violence, divorce, AIDS, substance abuse, prostitution, and the legal system. It is a necessity for anyone who has been a part or will work with any of these populations.
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Summary: amazing, gave me chills and nightmares
Review: The Inferno is one of the only of many books I've read that has actually changed the way I think. This was one of those books that melted its way into my mind and made its self comfortable because it know it'll be sticking around for a while. The levels that this book forced my already vivid imagination to were unreal! It was like I could feel the heat from the fires. Details are a beautiful thing afterall. In my opinion, Mark Musa did an excellent job translating. Yes a few of the notes did leave you saying to yourself, "...okay?" but I know that I would get online and look up whatever it was Musa had left to the reader to figure out. He wasn't the spoon-feeding type with The Inferno. Musa actually forces the reader to think and determine things for themself as opposed to saying "this is exactly how this is." and I appreciate that from him. I think that everyone, at some point, better young age than old if you ask me, should experience this book. I know that in my youth it has changed the way I look at my actions before I make them.
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Summary: Obviously someone missed the point on this fine translation
Review: This is one of the greatest pieces of literature ever produced and has provided much spiritual influence to people worldwide for hundreds of years. Mr. Musa's translation is first-rate. But I cannot believe that, of all the things the reader from San Francisco on 9/28/99 COULD have said about this superior translation, he/she chose to focus on the translator's use of the word "fart". This is a completely infantile response in light of the more edifying comments that could have been made concerning Dante's work and Mr. Musa's translation thereof. To quote the sign at the entrance to Hell, 'Abandon hope, all Ye who enter here.'
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Summary: Recent translation is very good.
Review: This recent translation of Dante Alighieri's classic epic poem, The Inferno, by Mark Musa, is very easy to read. Complete with detailed notes on the translation and an introduction on "how to be a good lover." The language of the translation is up to date, and best of all, Musa even uses the word FART!
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Summary: The most wonderful translation I have read.
Review: This translation is a masterpiece! It kept me up all night with it's artful horror, and yet kept me in awe by Dante's great skill and tecnique! No other translation to me knowladge comes close!
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