What role did The Divine Comedy play in reflecting the culture of the day?

Question: What role did The Divine Comedy play in reflecting the culture of the day!?

If someone could clarify the question for me, that would be great!. I don't fully understand it!.!. what kind of role does a poem play!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

The 'role' was a window into the souls of the Italian people!. Dante put one of the Popes in hell, a very bold thing that could have gotten him convicted for sacrilege or heresy!. I haven't read the whole thing (I think is is awfully tiresome) but Dante did present an image of ideal love focused on a woman, namely Beatrice, probably a teen he knew!. Some people see an indirect link between this and the very romantic poetry of Petrarch!. also, the popularity of the poem made the Tuscan dialect standard Italian!. At the time their was a renewed interest in antiquities and in ancient literature; Dante has the pagan poet Vergil as a guide!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Check this couple of sites, they might help answer your question
www!.answers!.com/topic/the-divine-comed!.!.!.
www!.enotes!.com/divina-commediaWww@QuestionHome@Com