I remember reading, somewhere, that to understand the Divine Comedy one simply must read La Vita Nuova. Though such categorical statements are almost always empty pomposity, this assertion nonetheless lived on in my memory and, eventually, led me here. I do see why the statement was made. So much of

✍️“In quella parte del libro de la mia memoria, dinanzi a la quale poco si potrebbe leggere, si trova una rubrica la quale dice: Incipit vita nova. Sotto la quale rubrica io trovo scritte le parole le quali è mio intendimento d'asemplare in questo libello; e se non tutte, almeno la loro sentenzia.”

T

La vida nueva de Dante Alighieri es más de lo mismo que hay escrito en las composiciones de Petrarca, los mismo temas, el mismo dolor y sufrimiento, la misma distancia de un amor que no puede ni será posible. En fin, prueba del amor cortés que se vivió en épocas como la Edad Media y el Renacimiento.

A little 13th-century intensity here:"...she turned her eyes to where I was standing faint-hearted and, with that indescribable graciousness for which she is rewarded in the eternal life, she greeted me so miraculously that I seemed at that moment to behold the entire range of possible bliss. ... I

La Vita Nuova an unusual book: written in alternating prose and poetry, it is part ode, part autobiography, part literary analysis, part metaphysical exploration. It is historically important as it provides much of the background to Dante’s life, especially his relationship with his distant love and