Prayer, Participation, and Perfection in Dante's <i>Commedia</i>

Abstract This article stands at the intersection of two theological moments: one recognizing the theological authority of Dante Alighieri, especially in his Commedia , the other examining the relation of the doctrine of prayer to the doctrine of God. It argues that Dante can inform modern theological reflection on this relation in a profound way. Dante figures intercessory prayer in his Commedia as a form of participation in divine perfection, and his figuration of prayer provides a theological locus for reflection on the nature of divine perfection. The article proceeds in three parts. In the first part it establishes prayer, participation, and perfection as coordinates of the theological poetics of the Commedia . In the second part it analyzes Dante's figuration of intercessory prayer in the Commedia and shows through its associations with virtuous activity how intercessory prayer can be said to participate in divine perfection. In the third part it examines in more detail Dante's treatment of divine perfection and prayer in Paradiso 19‐20, and it develops a theologically useful image of perfection in terms of beneficence, that is, of divine welldoing in consideration of created wellbeing. The article thus makes an important new contribution to the joint study of Dante and theology.