Description
Book SynopsisThis compelling new work argues that appreciation of the Divine Comedy has been hindered by lack of understanding of how Dante used theology to articulate his ideas. He should be understood not just as a poet indeed the 'Supreme Poet', as Italians call him but also as a remarkable theologian.
Trade Review'Dante the Theologian is a significant, brilliant and illuminating contribution to theological reflection on Dante's Commedia. As such, it can both build on and help strengthen further the growing body of scholarly reflection on the theological dimensions of Dante's work. It presents an unusually compelling combination of depth of content and accessibility of style while offering new insights into Dante's poetry. Its central argument is that a theological analysis that ignores the poetic prevents us from recognizing both the uniqueness of Dante's theological voice and the contribution this can make even today to our theological thinking. Among the most significant contributions of the book are its splendidly incisive highlighting of the theological nature of Dante's poetry as poetry, and its marvellously fruitful treatment of the question of the relationship between fiction and truth. In both respects, Denys Turner's book is a powerful and novel contribution to key debates concerning Dante's work and its theological implications.' Vittorio Montemaggi, King's College London
'Dante the Theologian is a significant, brilliant and illuminating contribution to theological reflection on Dante's Commedia. As such, it can both build on and help strengthen further the growing body of scholarly reflection on the theological dimensions of Dante's work. It presents an unusually compelling combination of depth of content and accessibility of style while offering new insights into Dante's poetry.' Vittorio Montemaggi, King's College London
'This is a superb book, and will be very welcome. It's written with energy, and a sense of excitement and fun – all qualities which are often lacking in books on Dante. It brings a +avenues for research on and discussion of its subject.' Matthew Treherne, University of Leeds
Table of ContentsIntroduction; 1. Theology and Poetry; Hell: 2. Hell: Dante and Aquinas; 3. Does Dante's Hell Exist?; Purgatory: 4. Purgation and Purgatory; 5. Hope, Memory, and the Earthly Paradise; Paradise: 6. Paradise and Paideia; 7. The End of Poetry.
