What literary form is "The Divine Comedy" primarily considered?

"The Divine Comedy" is primarily considered an epic poem, a genre characterized by its extensive narrative that often details the heroic adventures or moral journeys of its protagonists. This particular work, written by Dante Alighieri in the early 14th century, consists of three parts: Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. Each section delves into the themes of sin, redemption, and the divine, showcasing Dante's intricate use of allegory and symbolism.

The epic nature of "The Divine Comedy" is evident through its grand scope, as it explores the entirety of the afterlife and reflects the human experience in relation to divine justice. Additionally, it employs a structured verse form, utilizing terza rima, which is typical of epic poetry. The combination of its narrative depth, thematic complexity, and artistic form solidifies its classification as an epic poem rather than a novel, short story, or stage play, which possess different structural conventions and thematic focuses.