# Dante — Marius the Epicurean character guide

> Dante in Marius the Epicurean by Walter Pater.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0032-part-iv-xxviii-anima-naturaliter-christiana

## Who they are

The Italian poet, whose Divine Comedy is alluded to in discussions of the afterlife.

## In the story

### [Euphuism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/chapters/part-i-vi-euphuism)

Dante is referenced in comparison to the transformed Cupid, who becomes like the 'Lord, of terrible aspect' who stood at Dante's bedside.

### [IX: New Cyrenaicism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/chapters/part-ii-ix-new-cyrenaicism)

Referenced for the figure of Ciacco, the glutton, to contrast base hedonism with Marius's refined pursuit of experience.

### [XXII: "The Minor Peace of the Church"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/chapters/part-iv-xxii-the-minor-peace-of-the-church)

Dante is mentioned as part of the later Christian artistic tradition that gives visible form to the regenerate race.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/characters/dante
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/characters