The Divine Comedy

Italian literature · Dante Alighieri · 1320

Beatrice, Dante's idealized beloved, guides him through Paradise after Virgil (the Wise Old Man) guides him through Hell and Purgatory. Beatrice IS the Anima as Sophia: the feminine soul-image that leads to the divine.

The Anima develops: Virgil (intellect/Wise Old Man) can only take you so far. The final ascent requires Beatrice (soul/Anima at her highest development).

The pattern underneath: The Anima / Animus. The qualities you've assigned to 'the other' rather than owning as part of yourself.