The Divine Comedy describes Dante's descent into hell with Virgil as his guide; his ascent to Mount Purgatory and meeting his dead love, Beatrice; and finally, his arrival in heaven. Examining questions of faith, desire, and enlightenment, the poem is a brilliantly nuanced and poignant allegory of human redemption. Dante Alighieri was born in Florence in 1265 and belonged to a noble but impoverished family. His life was divided by political duties and poetry, the most famous of which was inspired by his meeting with Bice Portinari, whom he named Beatriz, including La Vita Nuova and La Divina Comedia. He died in Ravenna in 1321.