DANTE ALIGHIERI (1265-1321)

Politics (Political Theology):
        political chaos of Italy is a threat to salvation; need order, Empire
        medievaly Italy: conflict between Papacy & Empire
        factions in Italian city states: Guelfs (pro-Papacy)
                                                  Ghibellines (pro-Empire)
Biography:
        Florentine Noble; White Guelf
       1301-2 exiled from Florence by Black Guelfs assisted by Pope Boniface VIII
       supporter of Emperor Henry VII (defeated by Pope in 1313)
Writings:
De Monarchia (“On Monarchy,” 1313)
         Universal monarchy necessary for full realization of man (Roman model)
         Division of temporal Monarchy Empire, this world, from Church
                Papacy should not interfere in secular affairs
        Shifts Augustinian Paradigm
                 City of Man:  from pagan Rome to Florence
                                 (Inferno: "Florence, whose name rings throughout Hell")
                 City of God:  prepared for on earth by Roman Empire
Divine Comedy: “cosmic autobiography” - Dante as Christian pilgrim,
                    journeys through Hell, Purgatory, Paradise
                    Virgil: Good pagan: Poetic model through Aeneid; Human reason; Rome
                    Beatrice: In “Vita Nuova” > “donna angelicata”
                                    In “Comedy” > love, divine grace, theology.
                   Satan: chews on Judas, Brutus, Cassius