Background Notes on InfernoInferno

CantoCanto – Italian word for “song.” Divine Comedy is divided into – Italian word for “song.” Divine Comedy is divided into 3 3 cantitascantitas of 33 cantos each (plus one introductory canto = of 33 cantos each (plus one introductory canto = 100 total).100 total).

StanzaStanza – a poetic “paragraph.” The division of lines in poetry.– a poetic “paragraph.” The division of lines in poetry.

VirgilVirgil – Roman poet – lived during Caesar’s time – the father – Roman poet – lived during Caesar’s time – the father of drama. Virgil guides Dante through hell in the of drama. Virgil guides Dante through hell in the InfernoInferno. . DanteDante acknowledges that Virgil is his mentor, or hero.acknowledges that Virgil is his mentor, or hero.

Terza RimaTerza Rima – a rhyming poetic form that consists of an – a rhyming poetic form that consists of an interlocking 3-line rhyme scheme: A-B-A, B-C-B, C-D-C, D-E-interlocking 3-line rhyme scheme: A-B-A, B-C-B, C-D-C, D-E-D.D.Difficult to translate.Difficult to translate.

The Divine Comedy

Widely considered the central epic poem of Italian literature, Widely considered the central epic poem of Italian literature, Dante’s Dante’s Divine ComedyDivine Comedy is seen as one of the greatest is seen as one of the greatest works of world literature.works of world literature.

The The Divine ComedyDivine Comedy is composed of over is composed of over 14,000 lines that are divided into three 14,000 lines that are divided into three canticas — canticas — InfernoInferno (Hell) (Hell) PurgatorioPurgatorio (Purgatory), and (Purgatory), and ParadisoParadiso (Paradise). (Paradise).                             

The poem is written in the first person, and The poem is written in the first person, and tells of Dante's journey through the three tells of Dante's journey through the three realms of the dead, lasting during the realms of the dead, lasting during the Easter Triduum in the spring of 1300. The Easter Triduum in the spring of 1300. The Roman poet Virgil guides him through Roman poet Virgil guides him through Hell and Purgatory; Beatrice, Dante's Hell and Purgatory; Beatrice, Dante's ideal woman, guides him through ideal woman, guides him through Heaven.Heaven.

Themes of InfernoInferno

Dante Alighieri, claims that before achieving Dante Alighieri, claims that before achieving moral redemption, an individual must take moral redemption, an individual must take a hard look at evil both in the world and in a hard look at evil both in the world and in himself. Only by confronting inner evil can himself. Only by confronting inner evil can people achieve self-knowledge, which is people achieve self-knowledge, which is the first step toward redemption.the first step toward redemption.

Dante also says that people should not be Dante also says that people should not be expected to make their journey alone; expected to make their journey alone; they need a guide to help themthey need a guide to help them (for him, (for him, Virgil and Beatrice)Virgil and Beatrice)

SymbolSymbol – a concrete object that represents an idea or – a concrete object that represents an idea or emotion.emotion.

Ex: 3 = Christian symbol: Father, son, holy spirit (God Ex: 3 = Christian symbol: Father, son, holy spirit (God

is 3 people)is 3 people)

AllegoryAllegory – symbolic representation throughout an entire – symbolic representation throughout an entire literary work (the whole thing is a symbol) – everything literary work (the whole thing is a symbol) – everything can be read on 2 levels – literal and figurative.can be read on 2 levels – literal and figurative.

Literary Techniques in InfernoInferno

The poem begins in the middle …

in medias resin medias res – Latin literary and artistic – Latin literary and artistic technique where the narrative starts in the technique where the narrative starts in the middle of the story instead of from its middle of the story instead of from its beginning.beginning.

The characters, setting, and conflict are The characters, setting, and conflict are often introduced through a series of often introduced through a series of flashbacks or through characters relating flashbacks or through characters relating past events to each other. past events to each other.

Probably originating from an oral tradition, Probably originating from an oral tradition, the technique is a convention of epic the technique is a convention of epic poetry.poetry.

Pre-reading for Dante’s InfernoInferno1.1. Consider the saying, “You reap what you Consider the saying, “You reap what you

sow.”. Does a person get what he/she sow.”. Does a person get what he/she deserves?deserves?

2.2. If a person repents immediately before If a person repents immediately before death, does that make a difference in death, does that make a difference in where they end up?where they end up?

3.3. 3. 3. In Hell, what kind of punishments In Hell, what kind of punishments do you envision for:do you envision for:

• A thiefA thief• A liarA liar• A cheaterA cheater• A traitorA traitor• A murdererA murderer• A ?A ?