[d4rkp4ttern]

For some reason I’m fascinated by the opening lines of Dante’s inferno. I’m reading the Longfellow translation where there is Italian and English side on opposing pages. Unlike the English version, the Italian version actually rhymes, and sounds beautiful. “Nel mezzo del cammin…” keeps ringing in my ears. Then it occurred to be that this poem could be a gateway to learn italian by going back and forth between the two versions.

Would be great to see this poem included in your project

[ItalianPoetry]

Eventually, yes, it's a must :)

The question is, which pieces. The whole thing is impossibly too long.

So far I have one request for the Paolo and Francesca episode. Feel free to suggest other parts!

[borroka]

Certainly, Paolo e Francesca. A classic of literature, sculpted in time.

A few years ago, I met a Greek woman, whose name was Marina. I told her—-you know that your name is in one of the most famous passages of Dante's Inferno:

"Siede la terra dove nata fui // su la marina dove 'l Po discende // per aver pace co' seguaci sui" (I wrote it from memory and then checked, the only mistake was "trovare" instead of "avere"). Dante refers to Ravenna, where Francesca da Rimini, of Paolo e Francesca, was born.

Was she impressed? I don't know, I never heard from her again.