Engels's evaluation of Dante: the last poet of the Middle Ages and the first poet of the new era

Understanding

Engels's "** The Communist Manifesto (preface to the Italian version) points out: "The end of the feudal Middle Ages and the beginning of the modern capitalist era are marked by a great figure. This figure is the Italian Dante, who was the last figure of the Middle Ages. A poet, and at the same time the first poet of the new era." Engels's evaluation accurately shows that Dante and his creations have cross-epochal significance.

Dante and his creations are a symbol of the transition from medieval literature to modern literature. They have both the imprint of the old medieval era and the advanced consciousness of the new capitalist era. Dante lived in Italy in the late 13th century and the early 14th century, a time when the Italian feudal system began to disintegrate and capitalism gradually emerged. Dante's creations extensively and profoundly reflect the real life of Italy in the alternating era between the old and the new. In his youth, Dante actively participated in the political activities of the city-state and stood on the side of the progressive forces in the party struggles in Florence. He advocated the autonomy of city-states and opposed the Pope's interference in the internal affairs of city-states. He believed that disputes between city-states harmed Italy's progress and that Italy should follow the path of peaceful reunification; however, he pinned his hope of unifying the country on the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. His early poetry collection "Rebirth" not only expresses the ideological tendency of getting rid of asceticism and pursuing pure love, but also has a religious mystery. In his political treatise "On the Empire", he advocated the establishment of a unified country with separation of politics and religion, and opposed the Pope's interference in secular politics; but he also beautified the royal power and placed his hope in the Holy Roman Empire. His masterpiece "The Divine Comedy" more prominently reflects the sharp contradiction between old and new ideas. All these show that Dante is a great poet in the transition between the old and the new era.