When authors refer to other great works, people, and events, it’s usually not accidental. Put on your super-sleuth hat and figure out why.
Literary and Philosophical References
- Timaeus (Par. IV, 49)
- Saint Thomas Aquinas (Par. X, 99 and throughout Cantos X – XIII)
- Saint Francis (Par. XI, 49-117)
- Saint Dominic (Par. XII, 52-105)
- Saint Peter Damian (Par. XXI, 121)
- Saint Bernard (Par. XXXI, 101) – throughout cantos XXXI-XXXIII
- Virgil, Aeneid (Par. VIII, 8-9), (Par. IX, 97-98), (Par. XV, 25-27)
Biblical References
- Nebuchadnezzar (Par. IV, 14)
- Rahab (Par. IX, 115)
- Solomon (Par. XIII, 91-102, and throughout Cantos XIII and XIV)
- Jesus Christ (Par. XXIII, 20, and throughout)
- The Virgin Mary (Par. XXIII, 111, and throughout)
- Saint Peter (Par. XXIV, 34-36, and throughout)
- Saint James (Par. XXV, 18, and throughout Cantos XXV-XXVI)
- Saint John (Par. XXV, 112-114, and throughout)
- Adam (Par. XXVI, 83, and throughout)
- Daniel (Par. XXIX, 132)
Historical Figures
- Beatrice Portinari (Par. I, 46, and throughout)
- Justinian (Par. VI, 10, and through Canto VI)
- Sanctus hymn: (Par. VII, 1-3)
- Charles Martel (Par. VIII, 49-51)
- Cacciaguida (Par. XV, 135, and throughout Cantos XV-XVIII)
- Emperor Trajan (Par. XX, 44-48, and throughout Canto XX)
- Ripheus (Par. XX, 69-72, and throughout Canto XX)
- Henry VIII of Luxembourg (Par. XXX, 136)