Last week, the Italian Book Club’s meeting was dedicated to Inferno, the first canticle of The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri, with a special focus on two of the poem’s most powerful and memorable cantos: Canto V, which tells the tragic story of Paolo and Francesca, and Canto XXXIII, featuring the dramatic episode of Count Ugolino.
Together, we explored the historical and political context of The Divine Comedy, the structure and symbolism of the nine circles of Hell, and the themes of love, justice, betrayal and moral responsibility that emerge in these two cantos. The session also included readings of some of Dante’s most celebrated verses in both Italian and English, followed by a lively discussion on their enduring literary and cultural significance.
The Italian Book Club in Mumbai – Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Mumbai
