Gilbert, Allan H. “Had Dante Read the Politics of Aristotle?” PMLA 43, no. 3 (1928): 602–13.

Excerpt:

In his prose writings Dante refers to the Politics of Aristotle in such a way as to make natural the assumption that he was well-acquainted with the work.’ Further examination, however, suggests that this opinion has but a slight foundation; in fact, it is not impossible that Dante never saw a manuscript of the Politics. Dante’s method of referring to the Politics when apparently quoting is unusual. In no instance does he give the number of the book from which the passage he cites is taken, though in quoting from other works of Aristotle he normally does so. For example, in a large number of references to the Ethics by name, he fails to indicate the book but once; the same is true of the Physics; in referring to the Metaphysics he fails to give the number of the book four times. But among seven references by name to the Politics there is not one in which the number of the book appears. It is curious that in the same work, the Convivio or De Monarchia, Dante should follow one practice for the Politics and another for the other works of Aristotle. Moreover, the number of apparent references to the Politics without the name of the work, but merely with the remark that the Philosopher says a certain thing, is dis- proportionately large, four in all. If Dante had been familiar with the work or had referred to a manuscript when writing, it seems likely that he would have given the number of the book at least once.

Online:
JSTOR