Inferno

Cantos Covered on Test

1-15 and 34

CANTO 1: The Dark Forest

Dante is lost in a dark forest — it represents confusion and sin.

Dante's journey begins

on Good Friday

Three beasts

block his way: the leopard (fraud), the lion (violence), and the she-wolf (incontinence).

Virgil

appears to guide him through Hell and says Beatrice sent him.

CANTO 3: Gate of Hell / Vestibule

The sign above the gate says: 'Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.'

Opportunists

people who took no side in life.

Punishment of Opportunists

endlessly chase a blank banner while being stung by insects.

River Acheron

Charon ferries souls across it.

CANTO 4: Limbo (Circle 1)

For unbaptized people and virtuous non-Christians (like Homer, Socrates, etc.).

Limbo punishment

They are not physically tormented, but live in sadness without hope of Heaven.

CANTO 5: Lust (Circle 2)

Minos judges the souls by wrapping his tail around himself to assign their place.

Lustful punishment

The lustful are blown around in a violent storm forever.

Famous sinners in Circle 2

Francesca and Paolo — they read a love story and sinned.

Dante's reaction

Dante faints when he hears Francesca's story.

CANTO 6: Gluttony (Circle 3)

Sinners lie in disgusting cold rain and filth.

Cerberus

the three-headed dog, guards them and rips at the souls.

CANTO 7: Greed (Circle 4)

Hoarders and wasters roll heavy weights into each other and yell.

Plutus

a god of wealth who speaks nonsense.

CANTO 8: Wrath (Circle 5)

The angry fight on the surface of the river Styx.

Sullen punishment

The sullen lie gurgling beneath the water.

CANTO 9-10: City of Dis / Heretics (Circle 6)

The city of Dis is guarded by demons and Furies.

Heretics punishment

trapped in burning tombs.

CANTO 12-13: Violence (Circle 7)

Divided into 3 parts: Violence against others, self, and God/Nature/Art.

Violence against others

Souls boil in a river of blood (Phlegethon); Centaurs shoot arrows at them.

Violence against self

Souls become trees and are torn by harpies.

Souls who committed suicide

are punished here.

Violence against God/Nature/Art

Burn forever on burning sand with fire raining down.

CANTO 15: Violence Against Nature

Dante meets Brunetto Latini, his old teacher, among the souls of those violent against nature.

CANTO 34: Bottom of Hell (Circle 9: Treachery)

This area is frozen, not hot!

Satan

has wings that create icy winds; he has three faces, each chewing a traitor.

Worst sin in Hell

betrayal.

KEY CHARACTERS TO REMEMBER

Dante, Virgil, Beatrice, Minos, Charon, Francesca, Cerberus, Plutus, Filippo Argenti, Capaneus, Satan, Harpies, Minotaur, Nessus, Furies, Centaurs.

Acheron

First river of Hell.

Styx

River of wrath.

Phlegethon

River of boiling blood.

Limbo

First circle, no physical pain.

Dis

Capital city of Hell.

Incontinence

A lack of self-control, especially over desires or appetites.

Contrapasso

The law of divine punishment in Inferno — the punishment fits the sin.