Which Venetian editor first put "Divina Comedia" in the poem's printed title in 1555?

The story behind the answer

Lodovico Dolce first put “Divina Comedia” in the poem’s printed title in 1555. His Venetian edition was published by Gabriele Giolito de’ Ferrari and is regarded as the first printed edition to place “divina” in the title.

Dante himself generally called the poem Comedia, or Comedìa. The word “comedy” reflected its movement from a disastrous beginning in Hell toward a blessed ending in Paradise, as well as its use of a less elevated vernacular style than classical tragedy.

The adjective “divina” had earlier been used by Giovanni Boccaccio in praise of Dante’s poem, but it was Dolce’s 1555 title page that helped turn the phrase into the work’s standard name. A common mix-up is to credit Dante with choosing the full title himself; the familiar title became established after his death through commentary and printing.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026

Add question to a list

Choose a list to keep this question in: