Prophetic elements in the Divina commedia of Dante Alighieri

Wilson, Robert Paul (2003) Prophetic elements in the Divina commedia of Dante Alighieri. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

This thesis presents a list and analysis of the prophecies in the Commedia of Dante Alighieri. The prophecies are then broadly considered under two headings, ante eventum and post eventum, although these elements are frequently mixed together. They are used by Dante for various purposes, including the reinterpretation of the meaning of his own exile, and different programmes of moral and political critique. The foresight shown by the inhabitants of the three parts of the after-life is also examined, and philosophical and literary explanations found. The prophetic ability of the souls in the Inferno especially is found to have an antecedent in classical literature, and in particular in Lucan’s Pharsalia.  The role of the post eventum and ante eventum prophecies in the truth claims of the Commedia is considered, and the meaning of Dante Poeta’s silence on them is examined.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Subjects: P Language and Literature > PC Romance languages
• Colleges/Schools: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Modern Languages and Cultures > Italian
• Supervisor's Name: Miller, Prof. Eileen Ann
• Date of Award: 2003
• Depositing User: Mrs Laura Sweeney
• Unique ID: glathesis:2003-4252
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 07 May 2013 14:06
• Last Modified: 07 May 2013 14:06
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/4252