In 1274, at the age of nine, he was introduced to Bic e, or Beatrice, Portinari; they met again nine years later, and Dante became profoundly affected by her consummate beauty and grace. As a result of Beatrice's untimely death in 1290, Dante was inspired to commemorate her in several works, most notably as the ideal lady who leads him to redemption in
The Divine Comedy. During his teens, Dante demonstrated a keen interest in literature and undertook an apprenticeship with Brunetto Latini, a celebrated poet and prose writer who wro te in the Italian vernacular. Through Latini's instruction, Dante expanded his knowledge of literature and rhetoric and began to interact with a circle of respected Florentine poets. Through this association, Dante befriended Guido Cavalcanti sometime aro und 1283, and the poet helped Dante refine his literary skills into a cohesive, albeit still immature, style. The same year, having reached his eighteenth birthday, Dante inherited a modest family fortune from his parents, both of whom had died during his upbringing. Two years later, he married Gemma Donati, a union arranged by his father as early as 1277. In 1287 Dante enrolled in the University of Bologna and completed at least one course, but two years later, he enlisted in the Florentine army and took part in the Battle of Campaldino.
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