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The title of the "Divine Comedy" is midleading for most people because when they hear the word, 'comedy' they think that the story will be a humorous one. This is nowhere near being humorous, unless you are a person who enjoys the aspect of the German term, schadenfreude, or the happiness of the misfortune of others. No, this is not what is thought of today as a comedy. It is an account of Dante's journey (fictional in all its sense), through what he thinks is hell, purgatory, and heaven. He is alive throughout the poem, however. It is called a comedy because the ending is a happy one. This term is from Shakepearian times, and it is the opposite of a 'tragedy.' Either way, it is perhaps one of the greatest stories told of all time and is a great read, even if you aren't religious.
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The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri
sccrtomboy4evr, October 29, 2007
The title of the "Divine Comedy" is midleading for most people because when they hear the word, 'comedy' they think that the story will be a humorous one. This is nowhere near being humorous, unless you are a person who enjoys the aspect of the German term, schadenfreude, or the happiness of the misfortune of others. No, this is not what is thought of today as a comedy. It is an account of Dante's journey (fictional in all its sense), through what he thinks is hell, purgatory, and heaven. He is alive throughout the poem, however. It is called a comedy because the ending is a happy one. This term is from Shakepearian times, and it is the opposite of a 'tragedy.' Either way, it is perhaps one of the greatest stories told of all time and is a great read, even if you aren't religious.(6 of 10 readers found this comment helpful)