The theme of literature's power to shape readers' actions is closely linked to education and the proper use of free will. Dante made a revolutionary choice to write his poem in Italian rather than Latin—the traditional language for epics, the church, and grand themes—to reach a wider audience. One of his goals was for the Divine Comedy to serve as a guide, prompting readers to focus on the afterlife and, if needed, change their current way of living. Some scholars even believe Dante intended for his poem to be read with the same gravity as Scripture.

Dante's work was heavily influenced both poetically and spiritually by sacred and secular texts from his era and from ancient times. Perhaps the most impactful influence was Augustine's Confessions. In book 8 of this important work, Augustine (354–430) explores literature's transformative power through his personal experience. He describes being in a garden during a time of severe emotional and spiritual turmoil. In his darkest hour, he heard a voice urging him to open the book he had with him to any page and read. He turned to St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, which narrates Paul's conversion to Christianity (13:13). This account had such a profound effect on Augustine that he stopped reading and immediately felt relief from his distress, leading to his conversion to Christianity.

Dante drew on a story from the Confessions to emphasize the impact of literature and the significance of correct interpretation. In Inferno (5), Dante depicts Francesca recounting how reading influenced her and her lover, Paolo. Unlike Augustine, who read Scripture, Francesca and Paolo were absorbed in a medieval romance, Lancelot. Francesca describes reaching the part where the lovers in the story kiss, and, echoing Augustine, she mentions that they read no further. This suggests that they acted on their adulterous passion, swayed by Lancelot. The contrast between these experiences is stark: while both were deeply moved by their readings, Augustine correctly understood Paul’s writings and embraced faith, whereas Francesca and Paolo allowed the romance to mislead them. For this "misuse" of the text and their free will, they are doomed to spend eternity in hell.

A significant counterpoint to the Francesca episode is the meeting between Virgil (70–19 BCE) and Statius (61–96 CE) in Purgatory 22. Overjoyed to encounter Virgil, the revered pagan poet, Statius reveals that Virgil's Fourth Eclogue—interpreted during the Middle Ages as predicting Christ's arrival—inspired his conversion to Christianity. Although this may seem unlikely, Dante uses it to further demonstrate literature's power and the importance of proper interpretation and the correct use of free will for salvation.