Final answer:
Beatrice Portinari is widely recognized as the great love of Dante Alighieri's life and the inspiration for his poetic heroines, especially in 'La Vita Nuova' and 'The Divine Comedy.'
Step-by-step explanation:
The great love of Dante's life and a frequent muse in many of his works was Beatrice Portinari, known simply as Beatrice in Dante's writings. Although there is very little historical information about her life, Beatrice is traditionally considered to be the person behind the poetic symbol that appears in Dante Alighieri's major works, most notably in 'La Vita Nuova' and 'The Divine Comedy.' In these texts, Beatrice is the epitome of heavenly grace, guiding Dante through Paradise in 'The Divine Comedy,' and she represents a transformative force in Dante's life, inspiring love, virtue, and ultimately, his artistic expression.