Dante's History

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The poem is allegorical, with multiple meanings. Each episode will cover a canto at a time, summarizing and interpreting the poem based on dozens of commentaries. Check the website for further reading.

Mallon Khan


    • Sep 14, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 18m AVG DURATION
    • 45 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Dante's History podcast is an exceptional series that delves into the historical context surrounding Dante's writing of The Divine Comedy. As a fan of the poem and podcasts on literature, I have found this podcast to be a delightful and insightful companion to my reading. The narrator, Mallon Khan, has a unique approach that allows for multiple interpretations of the historical influences on the work, making it more engaging than other podcasts or articles I've come across. The production quality is top-notch, with clear audio and well-chosen background music that adds to the overall enjoyment of each episode.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is the thoroughness with which it explores Dante's life and the state of Italian and European history during his time. Mallon provides rich insight into the political, cultural, and social climate that shaped Dante's work. This context enhances my understanding of the poem and allows me to appreciate its significance even more deeply. Additionally, Mallon's ability to present this material in a way that leaves room for interpretation is refreshing and encourages further exploration.

    The only downside I can think of regarding this podcast is that it currently focuses solely on The Inferno. While I understand that each canto requires substantial research and analysis, I am eager for episodes on Purgatorio and Paradiso as well. It would be wonderful if Mallon could continue this series beyond The Inferno so that listeners can fully immerse themselves in Dante's complete journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven.

    In conclusion, The Dante's History podcast is a true gem for anyone interested in exploring the historical background of Dante's work. Mallon Khan's thoughtful approach and high-quality production make each episode enjoyable and informative. Whether you're reading The Divine Comedy for the first time or revisiting it with fresh eyes, this podcast serves as an excellent companion that brings Dante's world to life.



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    Latest episodes from Dante's History

    Inferno: Canto 25 - The Transforming Thieves

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2023 24:43


    In this canto, Dante and Virgil continue to observe the thieves that reside in the seventh ditch of the 8th circle of the inferno, aka The Malebolge. Virgil will tell him about us about the raging centaur that terrorizes the inhabitants here and Dante will witness a couple of grotesque transformations.

    Inferno: Canto 24 - The Den of Snakes

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2021 17:32


    In this canto, Dante and Virgil finally make it out of the sixth subring of the 8th circle. As they cross the next bolgia, a disgruntled voice draws them down to take a closer look. They discover the seventh subring is full of snakes and thieves. Our travelers speak with one of these thieves, a political opponent of Dante's, who tells them about his greatest crime and offers the pilgrim a discouraging prophecy.

    Inferno: Canto 23 - The Heavy Hypocrites

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2021 21:53


    In this canto our travelers venture into the sixth bolgia of the 8th circle and walk with a procession of miserable monks who've been forced to wear heavy cloaks. We'll meet two of these sad hypocrites and learn why some of them have been crucified to the ground.

    Inferno: Canto 22 - The Bargaining Barrators

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2021 16:11


    In this canto, our travelers are joined by the Malebranche who may be leading them into a trap. The demonic escorts also catch an escaped barrator who identifies a few others sinners that bartered for a positions of power and are now submerged under the boiling black pitch. The barrator then tries to trick the demons with a bargain that sounds too good to be true.

    Inferno: Canto 21 - The Malebranche

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2021 22:37


    In this canto, our travelers meet the Malebranche; winged demons that patrol the 5th bolgia of the Circle of Fraud. We'll also learn about the sinners here and what the sin of barratry has to with sailing ships.

    INFERNO: Canto 20 - The Seditious Soothsayers

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2020 29:48


    In this canto, Virgil and the pilgrim examine the fourth ditch of the 8th circle and the group of sinners who abused the gift of prophecy. We'll learn about a few ancient prophets and Dante will have Virgil make a correction to his own work.

    Inferno: Canto 19 - The Sycophantic Simonists

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2020 32:44


    In this canto, Dante and Virgil explore the 3rd valley of the Malebolge. We'll learn about the sin of Simony and meet a former Pope who has been buried upside down for twenty years. Dante also finds a way to insult one of his greatest political enemies.

    Inferno: Canto 19 - The Sycophantic Simonists

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2020 32:44


    In this canto, Dante and Virgil explore the 3rd valley of the Malebolge. We'll learn about the sin of Simony and meet a former Pope who has been buried upside down for twenty years. Dante also finds a way to insult one of his greatest political enemies.

    Inferno: Canto 18 - The Belly Of Hell

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2020 20:48


    In this episode, Dante and Virgil begin exploring the 8th circle of the Inferno: The Malebolge. The pilgrim will describe the structure of this part of hell and meet two different kinds of sinners. We'll also learn how the sinners in this part of the Inferno use fraud to exploit the sins of others.

    Inferno: Canto 18 - The Belly Of Hell

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2020 20:48


    In this episode, Dante and Virgil begin exploring the 8th circle of the Inferno: The Malebolge. The pilgrim will describe the structure of this part of hell and meet two different kinds of sinners. We'll also learn how the sinners in this part of the Inferno use fraud to exploit the sins of others.

    Inferno: Canto 17 - The Beast of Fraud

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2020 20:57


    In this canto, Dante and Virgil encounter Geryon, the beast of fraud and the pilgrim will meet the last group of violent sinners, those who make money from money.

    Inferno: Canto 17 - The Beast of Fraud

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2020 20:57


    In this canto, Dante and Virgil encounter Geryon, the beast of fraud and the pilgrim will meet the last group of violent sinners, those who make money from money.

    Inferno: Canto 16 - The Three Shades

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2020 25:42


    In this canto, our travelers meet a trio of Florentine politicians who want to know about the current state of nobility in Florence. They also encounter a waterfall at the very edge of the 7th ring where Dante will be asked to give up something of his.

    Inferno: Canto 16 - The Three Shades

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2020 25:42


    In this canto, our travelers meet a trio of Florentine politicians who want to know about the current state of nobility in Florence. They also encounter a waterfall at the very edge of the 7th ring where Dante will be asked to give up something of his.

    Inferno: Canto 15 - The Uncivil Servants

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2019 24:33


    In this canto, Dante meets the man who taught him how to speak and write-- a politician and fellow exile who has one last lesson for the pilgrim. We'll also learn about the group of sinners punished in this sub-circle-- those who were violent against nature and order.

    Inferno: Canto 15 - The Uncivil Servants

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2019 24:33


    In this canto, Dante meets the man who taught him how to speak and write-- a politician and fellow exile who has one last lesson for the pilgrim. We'll also learn about the group of sinners punished in this sub-circle-- those who were violent against nature and order.

    Inferno: Canto 14 - The Burning Blasphemers

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2019 15:53


    In this canto, Dante and Virgil continue across the middle ring of the 7th Circle of hell, where they encounter a giant warrior with a chip on his shoulder. Then Virgil teaches the pilgrim about the tragic source of all the rivers of the inferno.

    Inferno: Canto 14 - The Burning Blasphemers

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2019 15:53


    In this canto, Dante and Virgil continue across the middle ring of the 7th Circle of hell, where they encounter a giant warrior with a chip on his shoulder. Then Virgil teaches the pilgrim about the tragic source of all the rivers of the inferno.

    Inferno: Canto 13 - The Forest of the Suicides

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2019 14:56


    In this canto, Dante and his guide enter a dark forest of mangled trees. They speak with a damned soul who took his own life. He shares his sad story and the gruesome fate that awaits those who use violence against themselves.

    Inferno: Canto 13 - The Forest of the Suicides

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2019 14:56


    In this canto, Dante and his guide enter a dark forest of mangled trees. They speak with a damned soul who took his own life. He shares his sad story and the gruesome fate that awaits those who use violence against themselves.

    Inferno: Canto 12 - The Bloody Tyrants

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2018 14:28


    In this canto, Dante and his guide will be confronted by "The Infamy of Crete" and the leader of thousands of centaurs guards threatens to shoot an arrow at the pilgrim. We'll learn about the ancient philosophy of love and hate and see which famous tyrants ended up in a boiling river of blood.

    Inferno: Canto 12 - The Bloody Tyrants

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2018 14:28


    In this canto, Dante and his guide will be confronted by "The Infamy of Crete" and the leader of thousands of centaurs guards threatens to shoot an arrow at the pilgrim. We'll learn about the ancient philosophy of love and hate and see which famous tyrants ended up in a boiling river of blood.

    Inferno: Canto 11 - The Shape of Hell

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2018 14:38


    In this canto, the pilgrim and his guide are forced to take a short break. Virgil uses the opportunity to describe the architecture of lower hell and explain why the act of making money from money is considered violence against nature.

    Inferno: Canto 11 - The Shape of Hell

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2018 14:38


    In this canto, the pilgrim and his guide are forced to take a short break. Virgil uses the opportunity to describe the architecture of lower hell and explain why the act of making money from money is considered violence against nature.

    Inferno: Canto 10 - The Soulless Nobles

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2018 18:22


    In this canto our duo walk among the tombs of the city of the dead where they meet two once feuding aristocrats who must now share a grave for eternity. We'll learn about the noble Epicureans and their views on the immortal soul and get further insight into the poet's view of the past , present, and future of the civil war in his homeland of Florence.Visit www.patreon.com/danteshistory

    Inferno: Canto 10 - The Soulless Nobles

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2018 18:22


    In this canto our duo walk among the tombs of the city of the dead where they meet two once feuding aristocrats who must now share a grave for eternity. We'll learn about the noble Epicureans and their views on the immortal soul and get further insight into the poet's view of the past , present, and future of the civil war in his homeland of Florence.Visit www.patreon.com/danteshistory

    Inferno: Canto 9 - The Faithless Furies

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2017 11:14


    In this canto, while Dante and Virgil wait for help to get them into the City of Dis, the pilgrim is threatened by blood-covered Furies. Then a visitor shows up and sends all the damned running in fear.

    Inferno: Canto 9 - The Faithless Furies

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2017 11:14


    In this canto, while Dante and Virgil wait for help to get them into the City of Dis, the pilgrim is threatened by blood-covered Furies. Then a visitor shows up and sends all the damned running in fear.

    Inferno: Canto 8 - The River of Wrath

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2017 12:08


    In this canto, Dante and Virgil travel through the Stygian marsh where they meet another demon ferryman and another damned Florentine citizen. Then when they reach the gates of Dis, the pilgrim is told he must turn back and this time even Virgil's won't be able to save him.

    Inferno: Canto 8 - The River of Wrath

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2017 12:08


    In this canto, Dante and Virgil travel through the Stygian marsh where they meet another demon ferryman and another damned Florentine citizen. Then when they reach the gates of Dis, the pilgrim is told he must turn back and this time even Virgil's won't be able to save him.

    Inferno: Canto 7 - The Fools of Fortune

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2017 11:28


    In this canto, the pilgrim and his guide encounter the demon Plutus, god of wealth in the Forth Circle. Here they observe the plight of the Avaricious and Prodigal, those who lust hoard or waste wealth. We'll learn a bit about the nature of fortune before entering the fifth circle, where the angry and sullen reside.

    Inferno: Canto 7 - The Fools of Fortune

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2017 11:28


    In this canto, the pilgrim and his guide encounter the demon Plutus, god of wealth in the Forth Circle. Here they observe the plight of the Avaricious and Prodigal, those who lust hoard or waste wealth. We'll learn a bit about the nature of fortune before entering the fifth circle, where the angry and sullen reside.

    Inferno: Canto 6 - The Gluttonous Hog

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2017 15:25


    In this canto, the pilgrim and his guide enter the Circle of the Gluttons and encounter the hound of hell. We meet another former Florentine citizen nicknamed "Hog" and delve deeper into the poet's views on the civil war in his home town.

    Inferno: Canto 6 - The Gluttonous Hog

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2017 15:25


    In this canto, the pilgrim and his guide enter the Circle of the Gluttons and encounter the hound of hell. We meet another former Florentine citizen nicknamed "Hog" and delve deeper into the poet's views on the civil war in his home town.

    Inferno: Canto 5 - The Birds of Lust

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2017 16:14


    The pilgrim enters the second circle and encounters Minos, judge of the dead. We'll learn about his people the once mythical Minoans. Then the pilgrim learns about two ill-fated lovers and their sin of lust.

    Inferno: Canto 5 - The Birds of Lust

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2017 16:14


    The pilgrim enters the second circle and encounters Minos, judge of the dead. We'll learn about his people the once mythical Minoans. Then the pilgrim learns about two ill-fated lovers and their sin of lust.

    Inferno: Canto 4 - The Virtuous Pagans

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2016 15:37


    The pilgrim walks through the first circle of the Inferno; Limbo. We'll get to know Dante's favorite heroes and great thinkers and learn why the poet thinks they belong in Hell.

    Inferno: Canto 4 - The Virtuous Pagans

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2016 15:37


    The pilgrim walks through the first circle of the Inferno; Limbo. We'll get to know Dante's favorite heroes and great thinkers and learn why the poet thinks they belong in Hell.

    Inferno: Canto 3 - The Neutral Angels

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2016 14:43


    In this episode the pilgrim reaches the gate of Hell. We'll identify the different entrances to the underworld and learn what the poet thinks of those who remain neutral.

    Inferno: Canto 3 - The Neutral Angels

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2016 14:43


    In this episode the pilgrim reaches the gate of Hell. We'll identify the different entrances to the underworld and learn what the poet thinks of those who remain neutral.

    Inferno: Canto 2 - The Ladies of Mercy

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2016 24:35


    In this episode, the pilgrim has second thoughts about his journey into the underworld. We'll learn about Beatrice, the woman who inspired the poet to start a new life.

    Inferno: Canto 2 - The Ladies of Mercy

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2016 24:35


    In this episode, the pilgrim has second thoughts about his journey into the underworld. We'll learn about Beatrice, the woman who inspired the poet to start a new life.

    Inferno: Canto 1 - The Beasts of Florence

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2016 15:27


    In this debut episode of Dante's History, we'll learn a bit about the author Dante Alighieri and his epic poem The Divine Comedy. Then we jump straight into the Inferno Canto 1. The pilgrim is terrorized by three savage beasts and the poet is confronted by three foes of his own.

    Inferno: Canto 1 - The Beasts of Florence

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2016 15:27


    In this debut episode of Dante's History, we'll learn a bit about the author Dante Alighieri and his epic poem The Divine Comedy. Then we jump straight into the Inferno Canto 1. The pilgrim is terrorized by three savage beasts and the poet is confronted by three foes of his own.

    Inferno: Canto 26 - The False Flames

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 26:10


    In this canto, Dante and Virgil climb out of the pit of the thieves and approach the eighth ditch of the 8th circle of the Inferno, where fire itself becomes the instrument of punishment. Here, Dante will behold flickering tongues of flame that speak without mouths — and one mysterious double flame that burns unlike the others. What it reveals offers both wonder and caution.

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