10 to 11:30 a.m., February 15, 17, and 22
$225 for series
As we celebrate the 700th anniversary of Dante’s death, what makes his Divine Comedy such essential reading today? This course will explore the fascinating Inferno of Dante in all its cultural and historical richness, as we consider Dante’s relation to his beloved hometown of Florence, his lacerating experience of exile, and his lifelong devotion to his muse Beatrice. We will pay special attention to the originality and brilliance of Dante’s poetic vision that transformed his great poem into one of the most influential works in literary history. The class will be conducted online in three sessions by Joseph Luzzi (Ph.D., Yale), Professor of Comparative Literature and Faculty Member in Italian Studies at Bard College. Participants will receive a study guide for each class, and the format will be highly interactive through our videoconferencing platform.