Dante’s Paradise
By Anthony Esolen, Ph.D. · Published by TAN Books
Course Trailer
Overview
After descending through the depths of the Inferno and climbing the purifying mountain of the Purgatorio, Dante finally enters the indescribable glory of Heaven. Guided by blessed Beatrice, he ascends through the celestial spheres toward the Throne of God and the beatific vision for which every human soul was made.
In Dante’s Paradiso, acclaimed translator and teacher Anthony Esolen, Ph.D., leads students through the third and final canticle of the Divine Comedy. With poetic insight and Catholic clarity, Dr. Esolen helps readers approach Dante’s most elevated and difficult poetry, revealing the grandeur of Heaven, the order of virtue, and the final destiny of man.
Dante’s vision of Paradise unfolds like a blossoming rose, each sphere revealing greater splendor as the pilgrim draws nearer to God. This course invites students to complete Dante’s journey and contemplate the love that moves the sun and the stars.
What This Course Offers:
- A Guided Ascent to Heaven: Journey through Dante’s celestial spheres with one of the leading modern translators of the Divine Comedy.
- Catholic Vision of Paradise: Discover Dante’s poetic meditation on Heaven, virtue, grace, and the beatific vision.
- Expert Literary Interpretation: Learn how Dante’s elevated poetry communicates the final end and purpose of man.
- Completion of the Divine Comedy: Finish the journey from sin, through purification, into the eternal joy of God.
- Enter the Glory of Paradise: Follow Dante and Beatrice through the Moon, Mercury, Venus, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, the Fixed Stars, and the Primum Mobile.
- Understand the Virtues: See how Paradise is ordered around the cardinal and theological virtues.
- Encounter the Saints: Meet figures such as St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Dominic, St. Bonaventure, St. Peter, St. James, and St. John.
- Contemplate the Beatific Vision: Approach Dante’s final vision of the Trinity with reverence and wonder.
- Deepen Your Longing for God: Let Dante’s poetry awaken desire for Heaven, holiness, and divine love.
Course Curriculum
- Cantos 1–5: Man Soaring Beyond Man
- Cantos 6–9: Glory and Love
- Cantos 10–13: The Empire of the Sun
- Cantos 14–17: The Fighting Christian
- Cantos 18–21: The Providence of God
- Cantos 22–25: Dante Takes His Final Exams
- Cantos 26–29: Angelic Love
- Cantos 30–33: The Love that Moves the Sun and Stars
Lecture Sample
From the Course
“Dante’s Paradise reveals the final destiny of man: to be drawn into the love that moves the sun and the stars.”
Your Expert Guide
Dr. Anthony Esolen, expert translator and teacher of Dante, guides students through the profound and elevated poetry of the Paradiso. Having led readers through the darkness of the Inferno and the purification of the Purgatorio, he now completes the journey with Dante and Beatrice in the splendor of Heaven.
Through each celestial sphere, Dr. Esolen illuminates Dante’s vision of grace, virtue, divine order, the communion of saints, and the mystery of God’s providence. This final course helps students contemplate the majesty of Dante’s verse and the eternal purpose for which every human person was created.
Meet Your Professor
Dr. Anthony Esolen is a writer, social commentator, translator of classical poetry, and Writer-in-Residence at Magdalen College of the Liberal Arts. He has taught at Furman University, Providence College, Thomas More College of Liberal Arts, and Magdalen College.
Dr. Esolen has translated Dante’s Divine Comedy, Lucretius’s On the Nature of Things, and Torquato Tasso’s Jerusalem Delivered. He is the author of numerous books and articles published in Modern Age, Catholic World Report, Chronicles, The Claremont Review of Books, Public Discourse, First Things, Crisis Magazine, The Catholic Thing, and Touchstone, where he serves as a senior editor.
Intended Audience
This course is ideal for Catholics interested in Dante, the Divine Comedy, Heaven, Catholic theology, classical literature, poetry, virtue, and the beatific vision. It is especially valuable for homeschool families, literature students, teachers, book clubs, and anyone who wants to complete Dante’s journey through a faithful Catholic lens.
FAQs
Does this course cover the entire Divine Comedy?
This course focuses on the Paradiso, the third and final canticle of Dante’s Divine Comedy.
Do I need to take the Inferno and Purgatorio courses first?
They are helpful but not required. This course completes Dante’s journey, and Dr. Esolen provides guidance for understanding the major themes and structure of the Paradiso.
Is the Paradiso difficult to understand?
It is often considered the most elevated and challenging part of the Divine Comedy, but Dr. Esolen’s guidance makes its poetry, theology, and symbolism accessible.
Homeschool Components
- Lesson Plans: Structured guidance for completing the course.
- Quizzes: Reinforce comprehension of each canto grouping.
- Lecture Notes: Helpful summaries and literary insights.
- Final Essay: Comprehensive written assessment.
- Answer Key: Complete instructor resources included.
Key Themes
- The Beatific Vision: The soul’s final union with God in eternal glory.
- Virtue and Glory: Paradise ordered by the cardinal and theological virtues.
- Divine Providence: God’s wisdom governing creation, history, and salvation.
- The Communion of Saints: Encountering the blessed souls who rejoice in God’s light.
- The Love that Moves All Things: Dante’s final vision of the Trinity and divine love.
- Imprint:
- TAN Courses
- Publication Date:
- 4/1/2014
2 Reviews
-
REALLY GREAT!!
I loved it! It's such a great resource classroom discussion with seniors in high school!
-
Amazing
Dante is so deep and descriptive. Dr. A Esolen is a great teacher.
