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Hugh Thomas's avatar

The deeper part of Dante's hell is itself a city. Do you think he is responding to features of urban development that were novel in his time? I find it an appealing idea.

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Beatrice Marovich's avatar

Ooh, I hadn’t thought of that. But yes, it makes sense! Especially because the nature of some of the sins he delineates seems related to the development of society and politics as they are shaped in a more urban environment.

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