Woman Earthly and Divine in the Comedy of Dante

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The book explores the portrayal of female characters in the Divine Comedy, analyzing traditional feminine roles like wife, lover, and mother, with a focus on Beatrice. It situates the discussion within the broader context of medieval literature, highlighting Dante's adherence to misogynistic traditions. Shapiro argues that while Dante's earlier works present a more nuanced view of women, the Divine Comedy reinforces binary oppositions of good and evil, reflecting a shift in his characterization of women.