Although he illustrated the entire work, Doré seemed to favor the Inferno. Drawn hundreds of years ago, his pictures still inspire:

• At the beginning of his journey, Dante is alone. - (The Dark Wood of Error - Canto I, 1-2)



• Virgil - who will guide Dante for part of the trip - soon appears, and the two companions start off together.



• Because Dante’s first objective is to recognize sin, he must first descend to the Inferno. To the unsuspecting, the gate of hell looks innocuous.



• Phlegyas, the Boatman of the Styx (river of the underworld), gives Dante and Virgil passage. (Canto VIII 27-29)



• Dante sees the flaming red towers of Dis, capital of Hell. (Canto VIII, 110-111)



• Those who have harmed their neighbors - and have been violent against them - must atone for their past sins. Those guilty of Avarice must also pay. (Canto XII, 65-67)



• In the Seventh Circle of Hell, Dante and Virgil meet Brunetto Latini.



• Devils, with pitchforks, assail Virgil.



• As they continue their travels, Dante and Virgil see firsthand (Canto XXIV, 79-81) that the Inferno is a gross, terrible place (Canto XXXII, 97-98).

Since Dante’s Divine Comedy has been in print since the 14th century, it stands to reason that many rare copies exist. Notre Dame University has one of the best collections of those priceless books. Let’s take a look at some of the copies.