Dante's virtù: Creation, Embodiment, and Revelation. (February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chester, Ruth
• Is Part Of: Italian studies. Volume 70:Number 1(2015:Mar.)
• Page Start: 19
• Page End: 32
• Publication Date: 2015-02
• Subjects: Virtù -- Dante -- Creation -- Incarnation -- Body -- Metaphysics; Italian literature -- History and criticism -- Periodicals; Italy -- Intellectual life -- Periodicals; Italy -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; 945
• DOI: 10.1179/0075163414Z.00000000085
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0075-1634

Abstract

Abstract : This article addresses Dante's use of the term virtù in the Commedia and argues for its relevance as a key issue for exploring the poet's thinking on metaphysics, theology, ethics and the human body. Against the backdrop of a more richly contextualized idea of virtue in medieval thought, literary analysis of certain key passages of the Purgatorio and Paradiso throws new light on the way Dante explores the role of human existence in understanding the universe and working towards salvation.