The Poets' Company

Singers, predecessors, and the welcome into a poetic family

Poets receive gifts, honor one another, and give later writers a place to begin. Demodocus enters a feast with the Muse's favor; Virgil places worthy poets among the blessed. Dante joins an ancient company, then lets Statius describe the poetry and faith he owes to Virgil.

1. Odyssey 8.62–64
2. Aeneid 6.660–665
3. Inferno 4.85–93
4. Inferno 4.94–102
5. Purgatorio 21.94–99
6. Purgatorio 22.64–75