Tom Hanks returns to the Da Vinci Code franchise to play our favorite symbologist, Robert Langdon. Inferno, the title of the new film, comes from Dante Alighieri’s epic poem The Divine Comedy, part of which details the “inferno,” the Italian word for hell. But in this new film, we get a glimpse of Langdon’s past in the form of an unrequited love, Elizabeth Sinsky (Sidse Babett Knudsen). But Elizabeth isn’t just a random character Dan Brown made up — she’s inspired by Dante’s own muse and unrequited love, the real Beatrice Portinari. Beatrice has been the subject of numerous books and paintings, despite Dante only meeting her a few times. So, who was this enchanting mystery woman who stole Dante’s heart and inspired his epic poetry? Click through our slideshow to find out.
Hell on Earth
In the film Inferno, a misguided biologist, Bertrand Zobrist (Ben Foster), has plans to solve the problem of overpopulation by releasing a virus that will create “hell on Earth.” Worried that the sixth great extinction is upon us and will totally wipe out humans, Zobrist thinks he can save Homo sapiens by killing off half of them. Langdon must follow clues that relate to Dante’s epic poem Inferno, which details the nine circles of hell.
Dante Alighieri
Dante Alighieri lived from 1265 to 1321 and was the dominant Italian poet of the late Middle Ages. He’s best known for writing The Divine Comedy, part of which is Inferno. During this time period, most great literary works were written in Latin. Dante, however, wrote in Italian because he wanted regular people, not just the elite, to read his works.
Dante meets young Beatrice
When Dante was only 9 years old, he was introduced to 8-year-old Beatrice Portinari at a May Day party. He was so taken by her youthful charm and beauty that he obsessed over her for his entire life.
Arranged marriage
By the time Dante was 12 years old, his family had made arrangements for him to marry Gemma di Manetto Donati, daughter of Manetto Donati, a member of the powerful Donati family. Arranged marriages were the norm for prominent, wealthy families, who used marriage as a strategic way to increase their wealth and status.
The concept of romantic love
Because marriage was such a strategic venture in the Middle Ages, there was no place for love in it. The concept of romantic love was introduced by traveling minstrels who would sing about loving a beautiful yet unattainable woman. Romantic love was always unrequited, and it was considered the most powerful love of all in the Middle Ages. This type of love was never consummated.
Beatrice Portinari
Beatrice was born in Florence, Italy, in 1265. Her family had a summer villa next door to Dante’s family. The daughter of a banker, Beatrice married another banker, Simone dei Bardi, in 1287. Beatrice didn’t seem to have the same affection for Dante as he had for her.
Dante meets Beatrice as an adult
Nine years after meeting Beatrice the first time, Dante ran into her as she walked on a street along the Arno River with two other women. Dante was too shy to speak to her and ran off.
Dante and Beatrice in heaven
According to Dante, he only met Beatrice just a few times in his life. This painting by Elisabeth Sonrel depicts Dante meeting her three times: once as a boy at the May Day party, the second on the street in Florence and the third time in heaven.
Beatrice becomes Dante’s muse
Dante’s work, Vita Nuove, or The New Life, was mainly inspired by Beatrice and details his strong feelings for her. In Dante’s Inferno, Beatrice is one of Dante’s guides, taking over for the Latin poet Virgil because he was a pagan and could not enter heaven.
Beatrice’s untimely death
In 2016, it’s difficult to understand why Dante loved Beatrice so much, especially considering he barely knew her. Surely, she was beautiful, but there were many other beautiful women in Italy. Perhaps her death at the age of 24 made such an impact on Dante that he romanticized her even more.
Dante’s love for Beatrice still inspires
InVita Nuova, Dante wrote this about Beatrice: “Behold, a deity stronger than I; who, coming, shall rule over me.” He clearly worshiped Beatrice, putting her on a pedestal. His love for her still inspires today.
Beatrice in the ‘Inferno’ book & movie
When Dan Brown decided to use Dante’s Inferno as a device for delivering clues in his book, he wisely decided to incorporate Dante’s unrequited love for Beatrice as well. Though Langdon is running through Florence with Sienna Brooks (Felicity Jones), for most of the story, we do get to meet Elizabeth, a woman from Langdon’s past.
Langdon’s ‘Beatrice’
Dr. Elizabeth Sinskey (Sidse Babett Knudsen) is the leader of the World Health Organization who works to prevent the spread of the deadly virus. It is revealed that she and Langdon were former lovers who were kept apart because their jobs forced them to live in separate countries. It’s clear that they both still love each other very much, and Langdon even refers to Elizabeth as his “Beatrice.”
Sidse Babett Knudsen
Sidse Babett Knudsen is a Danish actress best known for her leading role in the Danish television series “Borgen.” Knudsen now plays Theresa Cullin on the new HBO show Westworld.
‘Inferno’ opens today
What makes Inferno so entertaining is that it’s not only a high-stakes mystery that deals with contemporary themes of global sustainability, it’s also a complicated love story thanks to Dante and his unrequited love for Beatrice. Inferno, directed by Ron Howard, opens in theaters today.
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