Inferno Vocabulary

1. Disdain - a feeling of contempt for someone or something regarded as unworthy or inferior

  • Dante expresses disdain towards the people who are trapped in Hell.

2. Cleave -to adhere firmly and closely or loyally and unwaveringly

  • Dante’s heart is cleaved by the sight of suffering souls in hell.

3. Precede -  to surpass in rank, dignity, or importance 

  • In Canto One, the events preceding Dante’s journey through the depths of hell are described. 

4. Abyss -  an immeasurably deep gulf or great space

  • Dante encounters a Shewolf that is blocking his path and pushing him towards the abyss. 

5. Discern - to recognize or identify as separate and distinct

  • Dante encounters a beast that makes it even harder for him to discern the right way to go. 

6. Doleful -  full of grief

  • Dante and Virgil enter Hell and witness a scene filled with doleful souls.

7. Engender - to cause to exist or to develop

  • The atmosphere of the forest engenders a sense of fear and uncertainty for Dante.

8. Malicious - having or showing a desire to cause harm to someone: given to, marked by, or arising from malice

  • The forest and beasts have a malicious presence of danger and hostility. 

9. Wrath - strong vengeful anger or indignation

  • Throughout the journey through Hell Dante will witness the wrath of the deadly punishments. 

10. Novel (adj) - new and not resembling something formerly known or used

  • Going through the passages of Hell is a novel experience for Dante.

11. Adapted - suited by nature, character, or design to a particular use, purpose, or situation —used with to or for

  • Dante adapted to the chaotic scenes with the lost souls because he was with Virgil.

12. Heed - to give consideration or attention to the mind

  • Dante urges the audience to heed the warning and learn from the fates of the souls in Hell. 

13. Fraudulent - characterized by, based on, or done by fraud / deceitful

  • Dante and Virgil enter Hell and come across the souls of the fraudulent.

14. Vengeance -  punishment inflicted in retaliation for an injury or offense

  • The fraudulent souls’ punishment is a form of vengeance for their deceitful actions.

15. Attain - to reach an end

  • The souls punished for their deceitful actions are unable to attain redemption or escape their punishment. 

16. Entreat - to plead with especially to persuade: ask urgently

  • The souls entreat Dante and Virgil to help alleviate their suffering. 

17. Discord -  lack of agreement or harmony (as between persons, things, or ideas)

  • The souls experience a state of discord, as they are separated into different groups based on the nature of their deceitful actions 

18. Malevolent -  having, showing, or arising from intense often vicious ill will, spite, or hatred

  • The souls’ malevolent actions have led to their eternal punishment in Hell.

19. Countervail -to compensate for

  • The souls’ punishments countervail the earthly sins they committed. 

20. Dismal - showing or causing gloom

  • Dante witnesses the dismal condition of the souls receiving their punishments.