Dante's Inferno Cantos I–VII Review

Vocabulary and key concept flashcards covering literary terms, structure, setting, characterization, and plot points from Dante's Inferno Cantos I through VII.

Which of the following is incorrect about an epic poem? A) There is dialogue, like a play. B) They switch around from scene to scene. C) There are long lists called an epic catalogue. D) The main character is the antagonist. E) The setting is vast.

The main character is the antagonist.

Which of the following is the best way to describe Dante? A) Physically in his 30s, emotionally upset because his political party betrayed him, psychologically looking for revenge on the people who betrayed him B) Physically in his 50s, emotionally upset because his wife cheated on him, psychologically looking for revenge on the people who betrayed him C) Physically looking for revenge on the people who betrayed him

Physically in his 30s, emotionally upset because his political party betrayed him, psychologically looking for revenge on the people who betrayed him

When Dante begins his story, he wakes up, admittedly has strayed off the path of life's journey, and finds himself in: A) Hell B) Heaven C) Purgatory D) A dark wood E) Virgiltown

A dark wood

Which best describes the tone of Dante's story in the beginning? A) He is perplexed by where he is and decides he must turn around and go back to where he came. B) He is ready to fight the beasts and is angry that he woke up from his nap. C) He is eager to see Beatrice and thinks it is intriguing that Virgil is there to guide him. D) He expresses the setting and situation he is in with fear, confusion, and apprehension. E) He sees the dark woods and feels like he must be dreaming.

He expresses the setting and situation he is in with fear, confusion, and apprehension.

The plot structure of this poem begins in the middle of the action, which is known as: A) Linear B) Frame C) Circular D) Non-linear E) En medias res

En medias res

The sinners in the vestibule are called the opportunists because they: A) Took no sides and therefore are given no place in hell B) Did not listen to Christ and therefore had no religious beliefs C) Took everything they needed without consequence D) Had many opportunities to do the right thing, but failed by always doing the wrong thing E) Chose to wander the world without goals or dreams for their lives

Took no sides and therefore are given no place in hell

What does the inscription on the gate to hell say? A) 'Come on in, we have missed you' B) 'Turn around and go back' C) 'Abandon all love and enter at will' D) 'Do not enter' E) 'Abandon all hope ye who enter here'

'Abandon all hope ye who enter here'

The sinners in limbo were only in hell because of which of the following? (I. They were born before Christ | II. They did not believe in any religion | III. They were not baptized) A) I and II B) I and III C) Only II D) Only III

I and III

Which of the following is correct regarding the Inferno? A) Form = epic poem, allegory; Structure = 3-line rhyming stanzas B) Form = 3rd person limited; Structure = 3-line rhyming stanzas C) Form = 3-line stanzas; Structure = epic poem D) Form = 9 circles, poem; Structure = 34 cantos E) Form = narrative story; Structure = epic

Form = epic poem, allegory; Structure = 3-line rhyming stanzas

In Dante's opinion, a person's punishment should reflect the crime. This divine or symbolic retribution is known as: A) Symbolism B) The right path C) Martial Law D) Contrapasso E) Karma

Contrapasso

'I saw Camilla, and the Queen Amazon across the field' (IV 53) references historical or mythical figures unfamiliar to the average reader. This literary device is a(n): A) Alliteration B) Allusion C) Archetype D) Assonance E) Allegory

Allusion

Fill in the blanks: 'A _____ of hell is that it is a scary fire-filled place. Dante's _____ is to use hell as an example to the world of what happens when you get betrayed by your homeland.' A) Common meaning, complex thoughts B) Complex interpretation, common idea C) Complex perspective, common perspective D) Common perspective, complex perspective E) Common interpretation, complex interpretation

Common perspective, complex perspective

The setting of Hell as Dante has created it can best be described as: A) An upside-down funnel-shaped series of rings with many ditches and holes, leading to a burning center B) A snake-like hole in the ground with caves and lakes, leading to purgatory at the end C) A funnel-shaped series of rings with many ditches and holes, leading to a frozen center D) A snake-like hole in the ground with caves and lakes, leading to a dead end center E) A funnel-shaped series of rings with many ditches and holes, leading to a burning center

A funnel-shaped series of rings with many ditches and holes, leading to a frozen center

In Canto IV, Dante writes: 'A monstrous clap of thunder broke apart the swoon that stuffed my head; like one awakened by violent hands, I leaped up with a start.' What literary device is used to describe the abrupt way he regained consciousness? A) Metaphor B) Simile C) Caesura D) Allusion E) Personification

Simile

When Ciacco says, 'Your citizens nicknamed me Ciacco, the Hog: gluttony was my offense, and for it I lie here rotting like a swollen log' (VI, 49-51), what type of figurative language is he using to describe himself? A) Simile: 'I lie here rotting like a swollen log' B) Personification: 'gluttony was my offense' C) Metaphor: 'I lie here rotting like a swollen log' D) Hyperbole: 'gluttony was my offense'

Simile: 'I lie here rotting like a swollen log'

In Circle 3, Dante meets Ciacco the Hog who is a glutton from Dante's real life. This inclusion of a real-life acquaintance unknown to the general reader is an example of a(n): A) Simile B) Archetype C) Personification D) Allusion

Allusion