'Dante and Shakespeare divide the modern world between them: there is no third'. - T.S. Eliot

Dante Alighieri, an Italian poet, writer, and philosopher, stands out for his enduring and celebrated legacy. Unlike typical literature grounded in the present, Dante's "Divine Comedy"offers a transcendental experience, exploring profound spiritual and existential questions. His vivid depictions of Hell have a lasting impact, making his work timeless. Seven hundred years after his death, Dante remains influential, his works continuously revered and translated, a testament to his lasting significance in Western literature. Here, Richard Alston shares his insights on this remarkable poet, whom Pope Francis recently described as "a witness to the innate yearning for the infinite present in the human heart."

Richard Alston is a former barrister, senior cabinet minister and diplomat, and currently a company director and occasional essayist.