Dante's Inferno: The Original Midlife Crisis
Dante Alighieri's 'Inferno,' written in the early 1300s, is highlighted as the earliest literary depiction of a midlife crisis, centuries before psychologist Elliott Jaques coined the term in the late 1950s. Jaques, inspired by Dante's work, described the crisis as arriving at age 35, the 'summit of life.' The article, originally from Quartz's Obsession newsletter, connects this historical perspective to modern millennials experiencing their own version of the 'dark wood.' The piece underscores the timeless nature of existential reflection at midlife, using Dante's famous opening line as a touchstone.
Key facts
- Dante Alighieri wrote the opening of 'Inferno' in the early 1300s.
- Dante was 35 when he wrote the famous first line.
- The line is: 'Midway upon the journey of our life, I found myself within a forest dark, for the straightforward pathway had been lost.'
- Psychologist Elliott Jaques identified the 'midlife crisis' in the late 1950s.
- Jaques used Dante's 'Inferno' as a model for the crisis.
- Jaques described the crisis as arriving at age 35.
- The article was originally published in Quartz's Obsession newsletter.
- The article connects Dante's work to modern millennials' experiences.
Entities
Artists
Institutions
- Quartz
Sources
- Quartz —