Dante's Masterplot and Alternative Narratives in the Commedia

Dante's Masterplot and Alternative Narratives in the Commedia challenges the traditional narrative arc and presents three alternative models that resist it. The book analyzes the masterplot's workings and its influence on readings of the poem, exploring paradoxes, alternative endings, and parallel lives. It questions critical paradigms that favor a single master truth and highlights the poetic, theological, and ethical tensions often neglected due to the masterplot's influence. The study proposes that Dante's narrative pluralism should be a key role in contemporary and future readings of the Commedia.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 24 February 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Dante's Masterplot and Alternative Narratives in the Commedia

Dante Alighieri's writings challenge the conventional narrative arc prevalent in his works, paving the way for three alternative models that defy it. At the heart of Dante's masterplot lies the teleological trajectory that subordinates the past to the authority of a new and transformative experience. This intricate plot structure is analyzed in the book, exploring its profound influence on the interpretation of the Commedia. It documents the overwhelming success of the masterplot in shaping readings of the poem throughout centuries.

The volume then delves into three competing narrative models that challenge and counteract the dominance of the masterplot. These models are enacted through paradoxes, alternative endings, and parallel lives, offering alternative perspectives on the story. By focusing on these non-linear modes of storytelling and pushing the boundaries of linear narration, the book questions critical paradigms within the scholarship of the Commedia. It exposes the problematic authoritarian implications of these paradigms and highlights the often neglected poetic, theological, and ethical tensions that arise due to the masterplot's sway.

The new portrayal of a vulnerable author and an open-ended text that emerges from this study serves as a metacritical reflection on the state of the field. The book passionately argues that alongside established notions of Dante's trademark plurality of linguistic registers and styles, his narrative pluralism should play a crucial role in contemporary and future readings of the Commedia. By embracing these alternative narratives, readers can gain a deeper understanding of Dante's complex and multifaceted masterpiece, expanding their appreciation of its rich tapestry of themes and ideas.

Weight: 364g
Dimension: 142 x 223 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192857675