Nobiltà, ‘divizie’ e riflesso in Dante

Abstract

This article shows the way in which medieval sources in the field of optics and the bestiaries’ exempla served Dante as a basis for the construction of analogies that deal with riches and nobility. The article analyzes, in particular, Purg. XVII 1-9, Cv. II iv 16-17, III vii, ix, fragments of the canzone Le dolce rime and its commentary of Cv. IV. In fine, and discusses the philosophical counterpoint that Dante offers to the historical events of his time.