Describes the historical context that inspired Dante to write his "Divine Comedy," discussing his obsession for the girl--Beatrice--he had loved since childhood, and chronicling Dante's life after he was exiled from Florence.
The author examines the twelfth-century love story of poet, philosopher, and religious teacher Peter Abelard and his young student Heloise, their clandestine relationship, and the letters they shared with each other even after they were separated.
