但丁在《神曲》裡將天堂分成十層,按照當時的天文學,地球在中心,再來是各行星及太陽。他穿過地獄和煉獄,最後來到天堂,天堂的最外層,一個超越時間和空間的地方,即為上帝所在。他描寫自己來到上帝面前抬頭看到的景象,也是〈天堂篇〉的最後一句: Here vigour failed the lofty fantasy: But now was turning my desire and will, Even as a wheel that equally is moved, The Love which moves the sun and the other stars.