Divine Comedy/ Inferno Essential Questions Is there a relationship between sin and punishment? (Divine/Just Retribution) How does an allegory function in literature? Is the Divine Comedy the greatest European medieval poem? Is it possible to view good and evil in such a rigid manner—as is done by Dante? What is the most important value in life—faith or reason? We may add to this list…

Dante Alighieri Born 1265 in Florence, Italy Descended from a well-respected family Florence—under jurisdiction of Rome City-States unstable because of violence among political factions. Ghibillines supported the old aristocracy and favored imperial rule Guelphs—lesser nobility opposed imperial rule Pope—Guelfs gained control in 1266

Dante Dante’s family—Guelfs Guelfs divided—Blacks/Whites Dante member of the Whites who wanted independence from the Pope Dante at odds with Pope Exiled in 1300—wife and family not exhiled Harsh Sentence—if Dante were to return to Florence at any time, he would be burned at the stake. Divine Comedy—Penned Revenge

Divine Comedy Written between 1308 and 1321 Imaginary Journey takes Dante through: Hell-Inferno—Purpose to RECOGNIZE Sin Purgatory-REJECT sin and awaiting redemption Paradise-REVEIVE Salvation (The Ultimate Goal)

Allegory A story that works on both a literal and a symbolic level. Example: Dante is wondering through the woods in the midpoint of his life—literally. This is an allegory for Dante’s personal confusion and lack of direction during his mid-life spiritual crisis.

Epic An epic is… A long narrative poem that recounts the deeds of a larger than life hero and represents the beliefs of a certain culture

Vernacular It is one of the first texts to be written in the local Tuscan dialect instead of Latin.

Comedy Although the story does not seem “funny” to us—as it deals with such serious subject matter—it does have a happy ending. Unfortunately, we are not reading that part!

Church vs. State Dante wanted the church to deal only with spiritual powers and to not be involved in political decisions. He felt the church was too rich—Christ and his disciples had been poor in their material possessions.

Vision Literature Vision literature deals with life after death. Common elements One individual—almost always male Has a guide who interprets and protects Soul separated from body—body dead and awaiting a final resting place The vision is a profound religious experience—purges and illuminates

Just Retribution Based off of the Biblical idea: and eye for an eye. Just means… Retributions means… The result in Dante’s hell…the punishment for sins on earth are equated to their eternal punishments in hell.

Divine Comedy--Structure Three Divisions Each contains 33 Cantos (Chapters) Opening Prologue 100—Perfect Number Vernacular Italian Tercets—three-line stanzas Terza Rima—verse form with three rhymes

Divine Comedy-Structure Why the number three? Christian Trinity Inferno-God’s power as seen in divine and just retribution Purgatory-Christ the Son and the hope of salvation Paridise-Love of Holy Spirit

Divine Comedy-Structure Journey takes place over three days Begins on Good Friday and ends on Easter Three Ladies Virgin Mary—mediates between God and Man Saint Lucia—patron saint of Dante Beatrice—Dante’s love who leads him into Paradise

Virgil Guide through Inferno & Purgatory Virgil explains and instructs Offers clarity in contrast to Dante’s confusion Virgil—Limbo—died 19 years before Christ’s birth Virgil is the ultimate symbol of what human reason can achieve without faith Dante saw reason has limited; it is only through faith that Dante can grasp the truth of Paradise

Beatrice Dante’s first love Misunderstanding, never spoke again Her spirit dominates his work Divine Comedy Symbol of love and faith She alone can guide him to Paradise Journey toward truth and grace is only made possible by the woman who first gave him a glimpse of spiritual perfection

Divine Comedy Deals with mythological, legendary, historical, political, and religious. It is INTENSELY personal. Encompasses Dante’s vision of God’s judgment on every significant aspect of human life.

Inferno Dante’s journey through hell In Dante’s hell-sins are leveled (9 levels) As the sins get worse, so do the punishments (Just Retribution) Dante is guided through hell by his mentor Dante’s is a journey toward salvation

Homework Think of some of the most common and some of the worst sins humans can commit. Design your own hell—including 3 sins and 3 punishments (Law of Retribution) What shape might your hell have? Who might be your guide—why? Remember that it is not our job as humans to judge sinners—only sinful behaviors.