THE ESOTERISM OF DANTE LEsoterisme de Danté René Guénon Sophia Perennis et UniversalisThis translation first published 1996 © Sophia Pereanis et Universalis Originally published 1925 in French as L ‘Esoterisme de Danté Gallimard, Paris No part ofthis book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher, except for the ‘quotation of brief passages in criticism ISBN 0 900588 02 0 ‘anslation by C.B, Bethell Sophia Perennis et Universalis 343 Ree, 21C, Ghent, NY 12075 USA General Edicor James R. Wetmore I VI vil vill 1x Contents Foreword Apparent and Hidden Meaning Masonic and Hermetic Parallels Dante and Rosicrucianism xura-Terrestrial Journeys in Different Traditions The Three Worlds The Symbolic Numbers The Cosmic Cycles The Error of Systematic Interpretations ‘The Works of René GuénonForeword this previously untranslated wore by René Guénon is scing published in a limited study-edition for the use of seri- ous students of Guénon who cannot read the original French, is based on a first version by Mr. C.B. Bethel vo whom we express our appreciation, both for ‘The translat of Austra vis pioneering labor of love, and his willingness to have it tam- pered with. Mrs. FJ. Casewit, of Morocco, a friend of the énon family and a language specialist long engaged in the Jist works, was kind enough to read through ind to offer a number of valuable suggestions. ‘or any imprecisions or infelicities must study of tradit the manuscrip Final responsibility however fall to the general editor, who has made extensive isions. Though done with care, the translation is provi- sional; should a larger edition be calle¢ for as a consequence of this first printing, every effort will be made to further improve it and to add supplementary notes. The publisher assumes that most readers into whose hands falls will already be familiar with Guénon’s work, and with the ‘traditionalist’ perspective it represents, as well as with the works of such related writers as Frithjof Schuon, Titus Burckhardt, A.K. Coomaraswany, Martin Lings, Marco Pallis, S.H. Nasr, and Huston Smich. Those encountering Guénon here for the first time may wish to contact the pub- isher for a complete list of titles available by these authors. As a general point of orientation ‘t may be remarked that Guénon was the first chef d’école! of the circle of traditionalist this volum