Dante's Inferno Review

Flashcards covering key concepts, characters, and themes from Dante's Inferno.

Dante Alighieri

Author of Dante's Inferno, born in Florence, Italy; supporter of the Pope’s power.

White Guelphs

Political faction in Florence that supported the Pope’s authority.

La Divina Comedia

Epic poem by Dante, divided into Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso.

Beatrice Portinari

Dante's muse and love, who inspired his works.

Limbo

First circle of Hell, where unbaptized souls reside without suffering.

Lust

Second circle of Hell, punishment involves being swept in an intense storm.

Gluttony

Third circle of Hell, marked by a constant rain and guarded by Cerberus.

Greed

Fourth circle of Hell, characterized by the struggle between avarice and prodigality.

Anger

Fifth circle of Hell, divided into the wrathful and sullen with unique punishments.

Heresy

Sixth circle of Hell, where souls deny the immortality of the soul and are punished by being trapped in tombs.

Division

Seventh circle of Hell, involving violence against others, self, and God.

Fraud

Eighth circle of Hell, containing various types of fraud and specific punishments.

Traitors

Ninth circle of Hell, the worst level, housing the ultimate traitors frozen in ice.

Dante's Journey

Begins on Good Friday and ends on Easter Sunday, illustrating his path to God.

Contrapasso

Punishment that reflects the nature of the sin committed.

Phlegethon

River of blood in the seventh circle, punishing those who are violent.

Cocytus

Frozen lake where the worst traitors are punished in the ninth circle.

Darkwood

Symbolizes Dante's sin and corruption, from which Virgil guides him to salvation.

'Abandon all hope ye who enter here'

Inscription at the gates of Hell, warning the damned souls entering.