How does Dante's Divine Comedy relate to the concept of redemption?

Dante's Divine Comedy relates to the theme of redemption in that Dante's character in the trilogy of poems is seeking to redeem himself after falling into a life of sin. The poem is an allegory because Dante's actions in the three sections of The Divine Comedy—Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso—represent a journey Dante makes from sinner, who has fallen off of "the path" to heaven and salvation, to redeemed Christian. He travels through...

Dante's Divine Comedy relates to the theme of redemption in that Dante's character in the trilogy of poems is seeking to redeem himself after falling into a life of sin. The poem is an allegory because Dante's actions in the three sections of The Divine Comedy—Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso—represent a journey Dante makes from sinner, who has fallen off of "the path" to heaven and salvation, to redeemed Christian. He travels through these three possible "after-lives" and witnesses what happens to souls sent to each of these places. 

The Inferno is like a warning to Dante: if he does not straighten up, he will end up in one of these circles of hell being tortured for eternity. Purgatory is a place where souls can be purified and eventually earn their way into heaven, while Paradise is for those who have lived by God's principles and believe in Jesus Christ (Dante did not believe that those who did not accept Christ or even those who lived before Christ could achieve salvation).

Dante also chooses to set the three parts of his Divine Comedy on the symbolically significant Easter weekend: Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday. Dante travels to hell on Good Friday, the day Jesus was crucified. On Saturday, he goes to Purgatory; the Saturday between the crucifixion and resurrection is an important waiting time, similar to what souls experience in Purgatory. Dante is guided to heaven by Beatrice on Easter Sunday, the day of Christ's resurrection. This three-day cycle in the Christian churches represents Jesus's salvation of mankind, as he earns eternal life for believers through his suffering and death. Jesus's sacrifice offers the opportunity for redemption to sinners like Dante who can recognize Christ as their savior and live as he did.