Analysis On Dante's Political Thought

Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) is the greatest national poet of Italy in the transitional period from Middle Ages to Renaissance. Dante was born in a family Florentine of declining noble aristocracy, advocating popular sovereignty, and was exiled resulting from the political conflicts. The main masterpieces, written by Dante, are La Divine Commedia, La Vita Nova, Monarch, and Il Convivial and so on, which reflect the thoughts of humanism, truth—loving, and reunion of nation. Dante is "both the last poet of the Middle Ages and the first poet of modern times."Not only an exponent of his theory Dante is, he is also a practitioner of politics. In this process, Dante grabs his opportunities to surpass himself and some limitations of his times. This thesis demonstrates Dantes political thoughts by analyzing the Dantes life and books. Ante was affected by the traditional Christian and new thoughts. Referring to the national consciousness, Dante developed the theory of nation, which is a challenge to the traditional theory of nation coming from the medieval. Dante asserted that nation was not an evil and there was a reason for its existence. At the same time, the division of Italy and the misfortune of Dante made the poet understand the situation of Italy clearly. He believed that the before-mentioned reason could trace to the interference from the Pope, so he advocated separation of the church from the state. He believed that the management of the secular state came directly from God and not from the Holy See, and the right to rule belonged to the emperor, not the pope. The responsibility of the pope should focus on the faith of people and lead people to the paradise. So Dante firmly opposed to interference from the Pope in political power. Dantes ideal on secular state is to create a worldwide empire. Dante thought that the monarch of worldwide empire had the least lust, so they could achieve justice as possible as they can. Although it had fabulist, it contained many modern features. First, he emphasized the importance of the legal. Secondly, Dante argued that peace is particularly important. He believed human beings only in a peaceful environment could make a difference. Finally, he raised the importance of freedom. Human in freedom can be able to play their intelligence and potential. Dantes theory develops the concept of earlier religion reformers, and charts the schema of modern country. From this point of view, we can regard Dante as a political commentator of new era.