Dante's portrayal of the excommunicated within medieval ideas about excommunication.

This paper examines Dante’s portrayal of the excommunicated in Canto III of Purgatorio, contextualising it within medieval ideas about excommunication. Dante's depiction reflects a complex interplay of traditional theological teachings, evolving canon law, and his own critique of Church authority. Medieval excommunication, often seen as both a spiritual and social severance, is mirrored in Dante's portrayal of the excommunicates as a wandering, ostracised group, denied entry into Purgatory proper and forced into extended penance. Influenced by canonical developments that emphasised excommunication as a remedial rather than purely punitive measure, Dante diverges by offering excommunicated souls eventual salvation through repentance, bypassing the Church’s role as an intermediary. The character of Manfred, in particular, challenges papal authority by finding direct reconciliation with God, thereby critiquing the Church’s political use of excommunication. Yet, Dante paradoxically reinforces Church judgement by branding Manfred with a symbolic wound, likening him to the schismatics in Inferno. This paper explores how Dante's portrayal simultaneously aligns with and critiques medieval views, revealing his nuanced position on the limits of ecclesiastical authority over the afterlife.