Dantes Inferno

In what city was Dante born?

Florence

Who is Dante’s muse/inspiration?

Beatrice

What major event in Dante’s life inspired him to write The Divine Comedy?

Exiled from Florence

Define Allegory

Literal and Figurative Meaning

Define Realism

Adding real people into the work so the reader could understand better

Define Comedy

A story with a happy or uplifting ending after starting sorrow

Define Law of Retribution

Punishment fits the sin

What Catholic holiday does Dante’s journey begin?

Good Friday

Give an example of how the #3 is incorporated into The Divine Comedy

3-Line Stanzas

What role does Virgil play in “The Inferno”

Dante’s guide

How many circles of hell are there?

9

When Dante says, “midway on our life’s journey” who is the “our” he is referencing?

Everyone

What does the “dark woods” symbolize?

Lost, Life of Sin

What does the “true path” symbolize?

Life of good

What does the “brillant planet” symbolize?

Heaven

What are the 3 beasts that block Dante’s path?

Leopard, Lion, She-wolf

What do the 3 beasts symbolize?

3 Levels of the Inferno, hell

What does Dante mean when he states, “...So did I fret while that restless beast turned me about/And drove me back toward where the sun is inaudible”

He was overwhelmed by sin and chooses a life of sin

The following lines are describing which character: “Sub Julio was I born, though it was late, /And lived at Rome under the good Augustus, /During the time of false and lying gods”.

Virgil

What place (Heaven, Hell, or Purgatory) are the following lines describing, “Later you’ll see those to whom the raging fire’s cure/Brings contentment, for by such cleansing they hope one day/To enter the ranks of the blessed and pure.”

Purgatory

Who resides in Heaven and is worried about Dante’s life of sin? (Hint: it’s the same answer as question 2)

Beatrice

In what circle of Hell has Virgil been assigned?

Limbo

Who are the three women that are guiding Dante on his journey? (Hint: One of them is Beatrice)

Beatrice, Virgin Mary, Saint Lucia

What is significant about the fact that the inscription on the Gates of Hell is carved in stone?

Unchangable

Why do the souls of the uncommitted “leer at every other fate enviously”?

Jealous of souls because souls have place in hell and the uncommited do not

What does Virgil mean when he tells Dante that the souls of the Uncommitted, “no longer have/ The intellectual benefits of the mind” ?

They lost their free will - No choice in how punished or where they go

Describe the punishment of the souls of the uncommitted.

Forced to walk forever and get stung by wasps and hornets.

How is the punishment of the souls of the uncommitted an example of the Law of Retribution?

Because they were not moved in life, they are forced to move for the rest of eternity

What does Virgil mean when he tells Charon “Our journey has been willed by one up there Who does what he wills, and wills what he may."

Journey has been approved by God

What does Virgil mean when he tells Dante, “No good soul has ever come here before,

So if Charon seems to complain, you know he's just grumbling and nothing more.”

Virgil tells Dante he has a chance for redemption

Who is Plutus

God of Wealth in Greek Mythology

In Lines 1-11, explain how Virgil is a protector to Dante.

Virgil tells Plutus that Dante’s journey is willed by God

What is the punishment of Hoarders and Wasters?

They push weights until they crash forever.

How does the punishment of these sinners demonstrate the Law of Retribution?

Their obsession with money is pointless and leads to a everlasting cycle of pointless greed.

What is the marsh that Dante and Virgil cross called? Ln 89-115

Styx

How does Virgil describe these sinners in the marsh? (Wrathful) What sin have the sinners committed?

They gave into rage and anger in life. They are violent.

How does the punishment of the Wrathful connect to Divine Retribution?

They raged in life so they rage in a mire

How does the punishment of the Sullen connect to Divine Retribution?

They hid in life, so now they hide in a mire