La Divina Commedia Practice Flashcards

This set of 100 flashcards covers Dante Alighieri's Divina Commedia, including its structural composition, philological background, metric systems, and detailed analysis of Inferno Cantos 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 26, and 32 based on the lecture transcript.

In which letter does Dante explicitly define his work as 'Commedia'?

Epistola XIII

To whom was Dante's Epistola XIII dedicated?

Cangrande della Scala

When and where was the adjective 'Divina' first added to a printed edition of the work?

Venice in $1555$

According to the notes, which author first defined the work as 'Divina' due to its poetic excellence and supernatural themes?

Giovanni Boccaccio

According to medieval poetics based on Aristotle, which style was considered 'high style'?

Tragedy

In the medieval poetic hierarchy, what level of style did 'Commedia' represent?

Medium or mediocre style

In the medieval poetic hierarchy, what level of style did 'Elegia' represent?

Low style

What term is used to describe Dante's use of multiple styles, breaking rigid medieval categories?

Pluristilismo

What style of language does Dante use specifically in the 'Inferno'?

Low style, which is crude and sometimes vulgar

What style of language does Dante use in the 'Paradiso'?

High style, which is aulic and sublime

In what language did Dante write the entire 'Divina Commedia'?

Volgare fiorentino (Florentine vernacular)

Under what life circumstances was the entire work written?

During Dante's exile

Between which years was the 'Inferno' composed?

Between $1302$ and $1308/1309$

During which years was the 'Purgatorio' written?

Between $1308/1309$ and $1312/1314$

When did Dante compose the 'Paradiso'?

Between $1316$ and $1321$

Why do we not have the 'testo autografo' of the Divine Comedy?

Because we only possess manuscript copies that contain errors or modifications by scribes

What is 'Filologia' (Philology) as defined in the notes?

The discipline that aims to reconstruct and reproduce the original copy closest to the author's intention

What specific meter does Dante use in his verses?

Endecasillabo

How many syllables are in an 'endecasillabo' verse?

$$11$$

What is the rimic scheme of the 'terzina incatenata' (interlocking terza rima)?

ABA BCB CDC

What is the primary function of the 'terzina incatenata' in the narrative?

To create a continuous, uninterrupted rhythm ideal for a long journey without breaking narrative tension

What was the 'letterale' (literal) level of meaning in the Commedia?

The immediate meaning of the words, specifically the journey in the afterlife

What does the 'allegorico' (allegorical) level represent in the Divine Comedy?

The hidden meaning, such as the Exodus representing salvation and freedom through God

What is the 'morale' (moral) level of meaning according to Dante?

The educational purpose for the reader

What is the 'trascendente' or 'anagogico' level of meaning?

The spiritual level aimed at leading the soul toward the vision of God

Define 'Dante Personaggio' (Dante the Character).

The 'viator' (traveler) who performs the journey, feels fear, and is unaware of what will happen

Define 'Dante Autore' (Dante the Author).

The one who has already experienced the journey and tells it with superior awareness

In which year does the journey of the Divine Comedy take place?

$1300$, the year of the first Jubilee

How long does Dante's journey approximately last?

$$7-8 ext{ days}$$

Across which dates in April does the journey occur?

From April $7-8$ to April $13$

Which literary figure from the 'Aeneid' inspired Dante's journey into the underworld?

Enea (Aeneas)

Which spiritual figure, who rose to Paradise to consolidate faith, inspired Dante?

San Paolo (Saint Paul)

Who represents 'humana ratio' (human reason) and the will of God as Dante's guide?

Virgilio (Virgil)

What event caused the creation of the pit of the 'Inferno'?

The fall of Lucifer from heaven to Earth

How many circles or 'gironi' is the 'Inferno' divided into?

$$9$$

What is the 'Contrappasso per opposizione'?

A punishment that is the opposite of the soul's sin

What is the 'Contrappasso per analogia'?

A punishment that is similar to the soul's sin

How do Dante and Virgil exit the Inferno?

They climb onto Lucifer and rise toward the other hemisphere

Where is the mountain of 'Purgatorio' located?

On an island at the center of the 'emisfero acquatico' (water hemisphere)

What is the 'Antipurgatorio'?

The base of the mountain of Purgatory

How many cornices (cornici) represent the capital vices in Purgatory?

$$7$$

What sits on the summit of the mountain of Purgatory?

The Paradiso Terrestre (Terrestrial Paradise)

How many concentric heavens rotate around the Earth in Dante's 'Paradiso'?

$$9$$

What is the 'Empireo'?

A non-physical, spiritual heaven beyond the $9$ physical heavens where God resides

How is the number $3$ symbolized in the structure of the poem?

Through the $3$ Cantiche: Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso

What is the total number of 'canti' in the entire work?

$$100$$

How are the cantos distributed across the cantiche?

$33 ext{ each}$, plus $1$ introductory canto in the Inferno

Approximately how many verses are in each canto?

$$140-150$$

In Canto 1, what is the 'selva oscura' an allegory for?

Sin and spiritual confusion

What does the sun-lit hill in Canto 1 symbolize?

Divine Grace and salvation

What does 'La Lonza' (the leopard) represent in Canto 1?

Lust (Lussuria) and the city of Florence

What does 'Il Leone' (the lion) represent in Canto 1?

Pride (Superbia) and the House of France (Carlo di Valois)

What does 'La Lupa' (the she-wolf) represent in Canto 1?

Avarice/Cupidity (Avarizia/Cupidigia) and the Roman Curia/Pope Bonifacio VIII

Who is the 'Veltro' mentioned by Virgil?

A hunting dog (allegory for a reformer or emperor) that will defeat the she-wolf

Which figure represents 'Fede' (Faith) and guides Dante in Paradise?

Beatrice

Which three 'donne benedette' (blessed women) intervene to help Dante?

The Virgin Mary, Santa Lucia, and Beatrice

What is the famous phrase inscribed on the Gate of Hell in Canto 3?

'Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate'

Who are the 'Ignavi'?

Souls who lived without infamy and without praise, choosing neither good nor evil

Who is the shadow believed to have made 'il gran rifiuto' in Canto 3?

Papa Celestino V (Pope Celestine V)

What is the contrappasso for the 'Ignavi'?

Being naked and perpetually stung by wasps and flies while chasing a flag

To what does Dante compare the tumult of the souls in Canto 3?

Sand lifted by a 'turbine di vento' (whirlwind)

Who is the pilot who transports souls across the Acheron?

Caronte (Charon)

Which formula does Virgil use to silence Charon?

'Vuolsi così colà dove si puote ciò che si vuole, e più non dimandare'

Which souls reside in the Limbo (Canto 4)?

Unbaptized children and the 'giusti' born before Christ

Who are the four great poets Dante meets in Limbo?

Omero, Orazio, Ovidio, and Lucano

How does Dante describe his place among the great poets in Limbo?

As 'sesto tra cotanto senno' (sixth among so much wisdom)

What was the 'Anastasis' mentioned in the Limbo notes?

The descent of Christ to rescue the Patriarchs (Abraham, Moses, etc.) from Limbo

Who is the judge of the underworld in Canto 5?

Minosse (Minos)

How does Minos indicate the circle to which a soul is assigned?

By wrapping his tail around his body a specific number of times

What is the punishment for the 'Lussuriosi' (Lustful) in Canto 5?

Being swept away by an eternal, incessant storm ('bufera infernale')

In Canto 5, which bird species is used as a simile for the lurching lussuriosi souls?

Stornelli (Starlings)

In Canto 5, which bird species is used as a simile for the souls emitting laments?

Gru (Cranes)

Which two famous lovers does Dante speak to in the circle of the Lustful?

Paolo and Francesca

Which book were Paolo and Francesca reading when they fell in love?

The cycle of Lancillotto and Ginevra

Who is the victim of 'violenza matrimoniale' mentioned alongside the female figures like Francesca?

Pia de' Tolomei

How are the 'Golosi' (the Gluttonous) punished in Canto 6?

Submerged in foul-smelling mud under eternal rain, hail, and snow

Which multi-headed beast torments the gluttonous souls?

Cerbero (Cerberus)

According to the notes, what are the three ways 'Gola' (gluttony) is defined?

Quality, quantity, and continuity

Who is the Florentine who provides a 'profezia post-eventum' to Dante in Canto 6?

Ciacco

In Ciacco's prophecy, which faction is described as the 'parte selvaggia'?

The Bianchi (Whites)

According to Ciacco, how many 'giusti' (just men) remain in Florence?

'Giusti son due' ($2$)

What are the 'tre faville' (three sparks) that Ciacco says caused the discord in Florence?

Superbia, invidia, and avarizia (Pride, envy, and greed)

What do the three heads of Cerberus represent on a social level?

Popolo grasso, popolo vinto, and the magnates

How does Virgil silence Cerberus in Canto 6?

By throwing mud into its mouths

What is the opening 'invettiva' (reproach) in Canto 26?

'Godi, Fiorenza…'

In which Bolgia of the Eighth Circle are the 'Consiglieri Fraudolenti' located?

VIII Bolgia

What is the literal punishment of the 'Consiglieri Fraudolenti'?

They are completely hidden inside a flame

What two similes does Dante use for the flames in the Eighth Bolgia?

Lucciole (Fireflies) and the Carro di Elia (Chariot of Elijah)

Which two figures share a single 'fiamma biforcuta' (bifurcated flame)?

Ulisse and Diomede (Ulysses and Diomedes)

What were the three frauds committed by Ulysses and Diomedes during the Trojan War?

The Trojan Horse, the ruse of Achilles, and the theft of the Palladium

Why does Virgil insist on speaking to Ulysses and Diomedes instead of Dante?

Because they are Greeks and might be disdainful of a modern language

In Ulysses' speech, what is the 'orazione picciola' intended to do?

To convince his companions to sail beyond the known world

Recall the famous phrasing of Ulysses' address to his crew.

'Fatti non foste a viver come bruti, ma per seguir virtute e canoscenza'

What is the 'Folle Volo' (Mad Flight)?

Ulysses' journey beyond the Pillars of Hercules without divine consent

Where does Ulysses' ship finally sink?

In front of the mountain of Purgatory

In Canto 10, what is the 'ipermetropia' (farsightedness) of the damned?

The ability to see the future clearly but ignorance of the present

Which two souls in Canto 10 exhibit different ways of suffering?

Farinata (politics/magnanimity) and Cavalcante (fatherly grief)

What lake of ice is at the very bottom of the Inferno?

Cocito (Cocytus)

Who is the traitor Dante encounters and treats with unexpected cruelty in Canto 32?

Bocca degli Abati

What betrayal did Bocca degli Abati commit during the battle of Montaperti?

He cut off the hand of the Guelf standard-bearer, causing panic and defeat