Dante’s Purgatorio
By Anthony Esolen, Ph.D. · Published by TAN Books
Course Trailer
Overview
Many readers know Dante’s terrifying vision of Hell in the Inferno, but far fewer understand the luminous mystery of Purgatory. In the second canticle of the Divine Comedy, Dante climbs the mountain of purification, where souls are not condemned forever but lovingly cleansed, healed, and prepared for the joy of Heaven.
In Dante’s Purgatorio, acclaimed translator and teacher Anthony Esolen, Ph.D., guides students through Dante’s astonishing poetic vision of repentance, penance, mercy, and divine love. Continuing the journey begun in the Inferno, Dr. Esolen leads students canto by canto up Mount Purgatory, helping them understand one of the most profound imaginative representations of purification ever written.
This course reveals the beauty of the soul’s healing. On each terrace of Mount Purgatory, Dante encounters souls being purified from pride, envy, wrath, sloth, avarice, gluttony, and lust. Their suffering is real, but so is their joy, because every step brings them closer to the eternal bliss of Paradise.
What This Course Offers:
- A Catholic Vision of Purgatory: Understand Dante’s poetic treatment of purification, repentance, and preparation for Heaven.
- Canto-by-Canto Guidance: Journey through the Purgatorio with Dr. Anthony Esolen as your expert guide.
- Formation in Virtue: See how each terrace purifies a disordered love and restores the soul toward God.
- Hope-Filled Theology: Discover why Purgatory is not a place of despair, but of mercy, healing, and joyful transformation.
- Climb Mount Purgatory: Follow Dante and Virgil through the terraces where souls are purified of sin.
- Understand the Seven Deadly Sins: Learn how pride, envy, wrath, sloth, avarice, gluttony, and lust deform the soul.
- Discover Joy in Penance: See how suffering, when united to God’s mercy, becomes healing and hope.
- Continue the Divine Comedy: Move from the darkness of Hell toward the light of Paradise.
- Deepen Your Desire for Heaven: Let Dante’s vision awaken longing for purification, holiness, and divine love.
Course Curriculum
- Cantos 1–4: On the Shores of a New World
- Cantos 5–8: At the Threshold of Penance
- Cantos 9–12: Learning to Bow the Head
- Cantos 13–16: Learning to See Straight
- Cantos 17–20: Learning to Race Indeed
- Cantos 21–24: A Lantern on the Road
- Cantos 25–29: The Fire of Love
- Cantos 30–33: The Final Preparation for Paradise
Lecture Sample
From the Course
“In Purgatory, suffering is not despair. It is the joyful work of love, purifying the soul for the eternal happiness of Heaven.”
Your Expert Guide
A celebrated translator and teacher of Dante, Dr. Anthony Esolen interprets the rich theological and poetic insights discovered on the climb up Mount Purgatory. With his guidance, students continue the journey begun in the Inferno and prepare for the ineffable beauty of Paradiso.
Through Dante’s encounters with penitent souls, angelic guardians, Virgil, and finally Beatrice, Dr. Esolen helps students see the Purgatorio as a profound meditation on healing, discipline, memory, love, and the soul’s final preparation for union with God.
Meet Your Professor
Dr. Anthony Esolen is a writer, social commentator, translator of classical poetry, and Writer-in-Residence at Magdalen College of the Liberal Arts. He has taught at Furman University, Providence College, Thomas More College of Liberal Arts, and Magdalen College.
Dr. Esolen has translated Dante’s Divine Comedy, Lucretius’s On the Nature of Things, and Torquato Tasso’s Jerusalem Delivered. He is the author of numerous books and articles published in Modern Age, Catholic World Report, Chronicles, The Claremont Review of Books, Public Discourse, First Things, Crisis Magazine, The Catholic Thing, and Touchstone, where he serves as a senior editor.
Intended Audience
This course is ideal for Catholics interested in Dante, the Divine Comedy, Purgatory, Catholic theology, classical literature, poetry, virtue, and the spiritual journey toward Heaven. It is especially valuable for homeschool families, literature students, teachers, book clubs, and anyone who wants to understand the Purgatorio through a faithful Catholic lens.
FAQs
Does this course cover the entire Divine Comedy?
This course focuses on the Purgatorio, the second canticle of Dante’s Divine Comedy.
Do I need to take the Inferno course first?
It is helpful but not required. This course continues Dante’s journey, but Dr. Esolen provides enough guidance for students to follow the Purgatorio with confidence.
Is Dante’s description of Purgatory official Catholic doctrine?
Dante’s poem is a literary and theological vision, not a literal map of Purgatory. However, his insights can help readers better understand purification, repentance, and the soul’s longing for Heaven.
Homeschool Components
- Lesson Plans: Structured guidance for completing the course.
- Quizzes: Reinforce comprehension of each canto grouping.
- Lecture Notes: Helpful summaries and literary insights.
- Final Essay: Comprehensive written assessment.
- Answer Key: Complete instructor resources included.
Key Themes
- Purification: The soul’s healing from the wounds and habits of sin.
- Penance and Joy: Understanding suffering as preparation for Heaven.
- The Seven Deadly Sins: Seeing how disordered loves are corrected by grace.
- The Ascent to God: Climbing from repentance toward divine union.
- Catholic Imagination: Encountering one of literature’s greatest visions of mercy and hope.
- Author:
- Anthony Esolen, PhD
- Imprint:
- TAN Courses
- Publication Date:
- 1/1/2012
- Wistia Name:
- CCI: Dante's Purgatory
- Wistia Url:
- https://www.tanbooks.com/cci-dantes-purgatory-mkp-2019/
- Wistia Hash:
- a5l7kkhp39
1 Review
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Dantes Purgatory
A very good companion to Esolens translation, this workbook summarizes each Canto well and provides questions that inspire meditation alone or in groups.
