The Divine Comedy, or 'La Divina Commedia,' is a narrative poem by the Italian poet Dante Alighieri. He was a philosopher and theologist involved with religion and political issues in medieval Florence, his hometown. He started writing The Divine Comedy in 1308 and finished it in 1321. Dante's encounter with his great love, Beatrice took place in 1274, and her influence on his life and work is immeasurable. He immortalized her in La Vita Nuova (1292) and The Divine Comedy, ensuring that her legacy would live on through his words.