SOURCE: "Hell: Topography and Demography," in Diversity of Dante, Rutgers University Press, 1969, pp. 47-64.

In the following essay, the Inferno is esteemed—more so than the other two books of the Commedia—as an example of "sublime " storytelling and dramatic description of personality and scene.

Over the centuries scholars, experts, and merely humble readers of the Comedy have asked the question: why did Dante write his great work? To celebrate Beatrice and establish his reputation, as may be said of the Vita nuova? To give himself a standing among intellectuals, as is, in part at least, the avowed intent of the Convivio? To instruct the public on matters of general interest, somewhat neglected by others, as is the stated purpose of the De vulgari eloquentia and the De monarchia? For purposes of moral and political propaganda, evidence of which is not lacking in the Comedy itself? Or shall...