Paradiso

References

Paradiso

work by Dante

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 1, 2026

Quick Summary

Paradiso is the final section of Dante Alighieri's epic poem, The Divine Comedy. It describes Dante's fictional journey through Heaven, guided by Beatrice. This part of the poem culminates in the Beatific Vision of God.12

Paradiso explores themes of divine love and the ultimate nature of reality, contrasting with the Inferno's focus on sin and Purgatorio's on redemption. The work is structured around the divine number three, with 33 cantos in Paradiso, contributing to the poem's overall spiritual and mathematical harmony. It represents the fulfillment of Dante's spiritual journey, moving from darkness to divine light.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

The Divine Comedy
Purgatorio, and Paradiso—the poem traces the journey of Dante from darkness and error to the revelation of the divine light, culminating in the Beatific Vision of God.
Read More
Purgatorio, and Paradiso—the poem traces the journey of Dante from darkness and error to the revelation of the divine light, culminating in the Beatific Vision of God.
Read More

Dante
The Divine Comedy
There are 33 cantos in each canticle and 1 additional canto, contained in the Inferno, which serves as an introduction to the entire poem. The cantos range from about 136 to about 151 lines.
Read More
There are 33 cantos in each canticle and 1 additional canto, contained in the Inferno, which serves as an introduction to the entire poem. The cantos range from about 136 to about 151 lines.
Read More

Today in History—January 27
Dante’s Divine Justice
… and Purgatorio, Dante ended with Paradiso, in which he has a vision of Heaven and at last attains spiritual redemption. He never did return to Florence though.
Read More
… and Purgatorio, Dante ended with Paradiso, in which he has a vision of Heaven and at last attains spiritual redemption. He never did return to Florence though.
Read More

Italian literature
Dante (1265–1321)
>Paradiso. Each section contains 33 cantos, though the Inferno has one more (34), since the very first canto serves as a prologue to the entire work. Dante, through his experiences and encounters on the journey, gains understanding of the gradations of damnation, expiation, and beatitude,…
Read More
>Paradiso. Each section contains 33 cantos, though the Inferno has one more (34), since the very first canto serves as a prologue to the entire work. Dante, through his experiences and encounters on the journey, gains understanding of the gradations of damnation, expiation, and beatitude,…
Read More

Beatrice
…Purgatorio, and his guide through Paradiso. At first sight of her, in Purgatorio, he is as overwhelmed as he was at the age of nine, and he is dazzled by her presence throughout the journey, until she ascends again to her place in heaven. This expression of sublimated and spiritualized…
Read More
…Purgatorio, and his guide through Paradiso. At first sight of her, in Purgatorio, he is as overwhelmed as he was at the age of nine, and he is dazzled by her presence throughout the journey, until she ascends again to her place in heaven. This expression of sublimated and spiritualized…
Read More