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The New Life (Masterplots, Revised Second Edition)

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In that part of the book of my mind before which there would be little to read is found a chapter heading which says: “Here begins the new life.” It is my intention to copy into this little book the words I find written there; if not all of them, at least their essential doctrine.

So begins Dante Alighieri’s The New Life, a celebration in prose and poetry of the great poet’s love for Beatrice Portinari. Perhaps it is revealing to realize that this love was a poet’s love; that is, Dante’s love was not ordinary and practical, leading...

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