However, they both married others, and never enjoyed marriage to each other. Dante was forced into an arranged marriage with Gemma Donati in 1291. Donati was a noblewoman like Dante. Little documentation remains about their union except they did have two sons and one or two daughters. Beatrice died in 1290, and Dante dedicated one of his works to her shortly thereafter. His wife remained in Florence after his banishment.

             In 1300, Dante rose to become a high-ranking official in Florence, but his influence did not last long. There were two ruling factions in the city - the "Blacks" and the "Whites." Dante (and his family before him) was a high-ranking member of the Whites, and traveled to Rome as an emissary of the faction. While he was away, the Blacks took over the city and banished Dante from Florence. His punishment if he returned would be death. He lived in exile from the city the rest of his life. Most people believe he began the "Divine Comedy" after his banishment. It was not finished until 1321, and it appeared shortly before Dante's death in September of that year. The book chronicles his own life, including his love for Beatrice (who awaits him in Paradise), his wanderings throughout Italy after his banishment, and even the poverty he faced after he left is homeland. .

             One biographer believes he had the chance to return to Florence in 1316, but refused because his pride would not allow it. Translator and biographer Henry Francis Cary notes, "It would appear from one of his Epistles that about the year 1316 he had the option given him of returning to Florence, on the ignominious terms of paying a fine, and of making a public avowal of his offence" (Alighieri xii). Thus, Dante died in exile. While he was a prolific author, the "Divine Comedy" is his most well known and respected work. That it has lasted for hundreds of years is testimony to the importance it has played in history and in education.