1. 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…

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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)

5. 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.

6. 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

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

8. 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!

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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.

18. 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

19. 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.