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The Divine ComedyThe Divine Comedy by Dante by Dante Alighieri- Alighieri- Only copy the notesOnly copy the notes

Dante’s BackgroundDante’s Background Born in Middle Ages Born in Middle Ages

Florence in 1265Florence in 1265 Married Gemma Donati Married Gemma Donati

and had three childrenand had three children Two boys-exiled; one Two boys-exiled; one

daughter who was sent daughter who was sent to conventto convent

Died in Ravenna in Died in Ravenna in 13211321

Dante’s CareerDante’s Career

Dante’s career started in 1295Dante’s career started in 1295 There were two ruling families in FlorenceThere were two ruling families in Florence The Guelphs—friends of the PopeThe Guelphs—friends of the Pope The Ghibellines—supporters of the The Ghibellines—supporters of the

Germanic emperorGermanic emperor The families battled repeatedly for powerThe families battled repeatedly for power

Dante’s Career 2Dante’s Career 2

The Guelphs were in power; the Ghibellines were The Guelphs were in power; the Ghibellines were exiledexiled

The Gulphs had a major fight from within and split The Gulphs had a major fight from within and split into two groups—the whites and blacksinto two groups—the whites and blacks

The blacks staged a coup sending Dante ad all the The blacks staged a coup sending Dante ad all the whites into permanent exilewhites into permanent exile

Dante remained in exile for the rest of his life for Dante remained in exile for the rest of his life for graft and hostility against the Popegraft and hostility against the Pope

Dante’s fortunes were confiscated—he lived off of Dante’s fortunes were confiscated—he lived off of friends for remainder of his lifefriends for remainder of his life

Writing CareerWriting Career

Was angered over injustices to his lifeWas angered over injustices to his life He wanted it clarified what was good—what He wanted it clarified what was good—what

was evilwas evil He was bored and began to explore concerns He was bored and began to explore concerns

in writingin writing Wrote Wrote The Comedy of Dante Alighieri, The Comedy of Dante Alighieri,

Florentine by Citizenship, Not by Morals.Florentine by Citizenship, Not by Morals.

The CharactersThe Characters

DanteDante Is a sinner who has wandered from the right road and must Is a sinner who has wandered from the right road and must

get backget back Has fallen prey to seven deadly sins: Has fallen prey to seven deadly sins: (don’t need to copy sins)(don’t need to copy sins) PridePride EnvyEnvy WrathWrath Acedia (laziness/sloth)Acedia (laziness/sloth) Avarice (greed)Avarice (greed) GluttonyGluttony LustLust Dante must compensate for laziness.Dante must compensate for laziness. If he can overcome his sin, so can you (his message!)If he can overcome his sin, so can you (his message!)

VirgilVirgil

Why did Dante choose Virgil as his guide through hell?Why did Dante choose Virgil as his guide through hell? Virgil knew hell well as described in his book Virgil knew hell well as described in his book The The

AeneidAeneid.. Virgil foretold the coming of Christ and was seen as a Virgil foretold the coming of Christ and was seen as a

mystic who could predict the future, manipulate spirits.mystic who could predict the future, manipulate spirits. He created the mythology that explained the Roman He created the mythology that explained the Roman

Empire.Empire.

Virgil stands for human reason.Virgil stands for human reason.

BeatriceBeatrice

Dante met her at age 9 and fell in love with herDante met her at age 9 and fell in love with her Beatrice was married to an older manBeatrice was married to an older man Dante only saw her a few timesDante only saw her a few times She was the embodiment of the spiritually pureShe was the embodiment of the spiritually pure She died at a young age and this sent Dante into a She died at a young age and this sent Dante into a

depressiondepression Beatrice sent Virgil to bring Dante out of hell and Beatrice sent Virgil to bring Dante out of hell and

purgatory in hopes that he can reach heavenpurgatory in hopes that he can reach heaven

Dante’s BeliefsDante’s Beliefs

Religion:Religion: Believed in one church, the Roman Catholic Believed in one church, the Roman Catholic

ChurchChurch Believed in heaven, purgatory, and hellBelieved in heaven, purgatory, and hell

Dualities:Dualities:

Believed that two extreme opposites exist in most things.Believed that two extreme opposites exist in most things. Power of church versus power of statePower of church versus power of state Philosophy versus religionPhilosophy versus religion Plato versus Aristotle (look for both in this work)Plato versus Aristotle (look for both in this work) Animals versus man versus angelsAnimals versus man versus angels Realism versus symbolismRealism versus symbolism Common language versus elegant language Common language versus elegant language

Physical world:Physical world:

Believed in Ptolemy’s view of the universe or that the Believed in Ptolemy’s view of the universe or that the planets circle the earth:planets circle the earth:

EarthEarth MoonMoon VenusVenus SunSun MarsMars JupiterJupiter SaturnSaturn Starry HeavenStarry Heaven Crystalline HeavensCrystalline Heavens Home of GodHome of God

EducationEducation

BibleBible and St. Augustine and St. Augustine Classic Greek and MythsClassic Greek and Myths

The PlotThe Plot

This is Dante’s journey through hell in his attempt This is Dante’s journey through hell in his attempt to get to heavento get to heaven

There are three canticles: hell, purgatory, and There are three canticles: hell, purgatory, and heaven.heaven.

See mapSee map

SettingSetting

Hell is a medieval hierarchy, a huge funnel shaped Hell is a medieval hierarchy, a huge funnel shaped pit that occupies the center of the earth.pit that occupies the center of the earth.

Hell is established around Dante’s vision of it. Hell is established around Dante’s vision of it. Dante believes man has free will and gets what he Dante believes man has free will and gets what he has chosenhas chosen

Hell is an individual’s potential for sin Hell is an individual’s potential for sin

FormForm

Comedy- has a positive endingComedy- has a positive ending Epic- long narrative poem of a grand scale Epic- long narrative poem of a grand scale

involving superhuman upon who the world (or a involving superhuman upon who the world (or a nation) dependsnation) depends

A Quest- a journey to achieve a prize or A Quest- a journey to achieve a prize or knowledge-wisdom knowledge-wisdom

Language and StyleLanguage and Style

First to write an epic in Italian, not LatinFirst to write an epic in Italian, not Latin First to combine low, bawdy language with First to combine low, bawdy language with

elevated poetic languageelevated poetic language First to consciously use obscene languageFirst to consciously use obscene language

ThemesThemes

The whole world has meaning, reason, and The whole world has meaning, reason, and orderorder

The source of meaning, reason, and order is The source of meaning, reason, and order is God’s divine plan.God’s divine plan.

The divine order is knowable and achievable The divine order is knowable and achievable by humankind.by humankind.

In sum if you’ll just be good, you can make it In sum if you’ll just be good, you can make it to the top or heaven.to the top or heaven.

HELL:HELL:Vestibule: The uncommittedVestibule: The uncommitted

Neither Good nor evil- only for Neither Good nor evil- only for themselvesthemselves

Living in maggotsLiving in maggots

AcheronAcheron

River

Charon- A monster takes him across

Circle 1 (Limbo): Virtuous Circle 1 (Limbo): Virtuous unbaptizedunbaptized

Not tormentedNot tormented PagansPagans Virgil joins Dante hereVirgil joins Dante here Others include:Others include: HomerHomer HoraceHorace OvidOvid

Circle II: LustfulCircle II: Lustful

You’ll be reading Canto 5 for the You’ll be reading Canto 5 for the punishment in this level.punishment in this level.

Includes:Includes: Helen, Achilles, and ParisHelen, Achilles, and Paris Tristan and IsolteTristan and Isolte Paolo and FrancescaPaolo and Francesca CleopatraCleopatra

Circle III: GluttonousCircle III: Gluttonous

3 headed dog Cerberus chasing souls 3 headed dog Cerberus chasing souls around and eating themaround and eating them

Stinking snow and freezing rain fallStinking snow and freezing rain fall A gigantic garbage dumpA gigantic garbage dump

Circle IV: Prodigal, Circle IV: Prodigal, AvariciousAvaricious

Hoarders vs. wastersHoarders vs. wasters Carrying dead weight that they push Carrying dead weight that they push

back and forth between themselvesback and forth between themselves Plutus- monster who whips themPlutus- monster who whips them

Circle V (Styx): WrathfulCircle V (Styx): Wrathful

The river StyxThe river Styx Constantly fightingConstantly fighting Buried under slimBuried under slim Pop bubbles so they can speakPop bubbles so they can speak

Walls of the City of DisWalls of the City of Dis

FuriesFuries Rebellious AngelsRebellious Angels MedusaMedusa Split between upper and lower HellSplit between upper and lower Hell

Circle VI: HereticsCircle VI: Heretics

Violence to GodViolence to God Vast cemeteryVast cemetery Coffins inflamed by fireCoffins inflamed by fire

Circle VII: Violent against Circle VII: Violent against NeighborsNeighbors

Violent against ThemselvesViolent against ThemselvesViolent against God, Nature, and Violent against God, Nature, and

ArtArt Suicides trapped in trees- branches Suicides trapped in trees- branches broke to speak and bleed- causes painbroke to speak and bleed- causes pain

A river of boiling bloodA river of boiling blood Harpies picking people apartHarpies picking people apart Burning sand- slow rainBurning sand- slow rain Minotaur eating peopleMinotaur eating people

AbyssAbyss

A water fall over a cliffA water fall over a cliff Hell becomes frozen after thisHell becomes frozen after this

Circle VIII: (Malebolge):Circle VIII: (Malebolge):

Evil ditches- or trenches that must be crossedEvil ditches- or trenches that must be crossed Solg’sSolg’s The ten ditches of the Malebolge, in descending The ten ditches of the Malebolge, in descending

order, are listed thus: order, are listed thus: Bolgia One:Bolgia One: Panderers and Panderers and Seducers are punished here. They are forced to Seducers are punished here. They are forced to march, single file around the circumference of their march, single file around the circumference of their circle, constantly lashed by horned demons. circle, constantly lashed by horned demons.

Bolgia Two:Bolgia Two: Sinners guilty of excessive flattery Sinners guilty of excessive flattery are punished in this bolgia, immersed forever in a are punished in this bolgia, immersed forever in a river of human excrement. river of human excrement.

Circle VIII: (Malebolge): continuedCircle VIII: (Malebolge): continued

Bolgia Three:Bolgia Three: Simonists (sinners guilty of selling Simonists (sinners guilty of selling church offices for personal gain) are punished church offices for personal gain) are punished here. They are turned upside down in large here. They are turned upside down in large baptismal fonts cut into the rock, with their feet set baptismal fonts cut into the rock, with their feet set ablaze by oily fires. The heat of the flames burns ablaze by oily fires. The heat of the flames burns according to the guilt of the sinner.according to the guilt of the sinner.

Bolgia Four:Bolgia Four: Astrologists, seers, sorcerers and Astrologists, seers, sorcerers and others who attempted to pervert others who attempted to pervert GodGod’s laws to ’s laws to divine the future are punished here. Their heads divine the future are punished here. Their heads have been twisted around to face backwards, and have been twisted around to face backwards, and thus they are forced to walk backwards around the thus they are forced to walk backwards around the circumference of their circle for all of time.circumference of their circle for all of time.

Circle VIII: (Malebolge): continuedCircle VIII: (Malebolge): continued

Bolgia Five:Bolgia Five: Grafters (peculators, extortionists, blackmailers and Grafters (peculators, extortionists, blackmailers and unscrupulous businessmen: sinners who used their positions in life to unscrupulous businessmen: sinners who used their positions in life to gain personal wealth or other advantages for themselves) are gain personal wealth or other advantages for themselves) are punished by being thrown into a river of boiling pitch and punished by being thrown into a river of boiling pitch and tartar. In . In addition, should any of the grafters try to escape the pitch, a horde of addition, should any of the grafters try to escape the pitch, a horde of demons ("Malebranche", meaning "evil claws") armed with grappling demons ("Malebranche", meaning "evil claws") armed with grappling hooks and barbs stands guard over them, ready to tear them to pieces. hooks and barbs stands guard over them, ready to tear them to pieces.

Bolgia Six:Bolgia Six: Hypocrites are punished in this circle. They are forced to Hypocrites are punished in this circle. They are forced to wear heavy lead robes as they walk around the circumference of their wear heavy lead robes as they walk around the circumference of their circle. The robes are golden and resemble a monk’s cowl but are lined circle. The robes are golden and resemble a monk’s cowl but are lined with heavy lead, symbolically representing hypocrisy. Also, with heavy lead, symbolically representing hypocrisy. Also, CaiphasCaiphas, , the the PhariseePharisee who insisted on the execution of who insisted on the execution of JesusJesus, is crucified in this , is crucified in this circle, staked to the ground so that the ranks of the lead-weighted circle, staked to the ground so that the ranks of the lead-weighted hypocrites march across him.hypocrites march across him.

Circle VIII: (Malebolge): continuedCircle VIII: (Malebolge): continued

Bolgia Seven:Bolgia Seven: This bolgia houses the souls of thieves. The bolgia is This bolgia houses the souls of thieves. The bolgia is also filled with also filled with serpentsserpents, , dragonsdragons and other vengeful reptiles that and other vengeful reptiles that torture the thieves endlessly. The bites of some of the snakes cause torture the thieves endlessly. The bites of some of the snakes cause the thieves to spontaneously combust, only to regenerate their bodies the thieves to spontaneously combust, only to regenerate their bodies for further torment in a few moments. Other thieves are denied human for further torment in a few moments. Other thieves are denied human forms and appear as reptiles themselves, and can only assume their forms and appear as reptiles themselves, and can only assume their true shape if they steal a human shape from another sinner; this true shape if they steal a human shape from another sinner; this involves a very painful transformation for both involves a very painful transformation for both soulssouls involved. involved.

Bolgia Eight:Bolgia Eight: In this trench, the souls of Deceivers who gave false or In this trench, the souls of Deceivers who gave false or corrupted advice to others for personal benefit are punished. They are corrupted advice to others for personal benefit are punished. They are constantly ablaze, appearing as nothing so much as living, speaking constantly ablaze, appearing as nothing so much as living, speaking tongues of flame.tongues of flame.

Circle VIII: (Malebolge): continuedCircle VIII: (Malebolge): continued Bolgia Nine:Bolgia Nine: Sinners who, in life, promoted scandals, schism, and discord Sinners who, in life, promoted scandals, schism, and discord

are punished here; particularly those who caused schism within the are punished here; particularly those who caused schism within the church or within politics. They are forced to walk around the circumference church or within politics. They are forced to walk around the circumference of the circle bearing horrible, disfiguring wounds inflicted on them by a of the circle bearing horrible, disfiguring wounds inflicted on them by a great demon with a sword. The nature of the wound mirrors the sins of the great demon with a sword. The nature of the wound mirrors the sins of the particular soul; while some only have gashes, or fingers and toes cut off, particular soul; while some only have gashes, or fingers and toes cut off, others are decapitated, cut in half (as schismatics), or are completely others are decapitated, cut in half (as schismatics), or are completely disemboweled. In the disemboweled. In the InfernoInferno, , MuslimMuslim prophet prophet MuhammadMuhammad is tortured in is tortured in this ditch. this ditch.

Bolgia Ten:Bolgia Ten: Falsifiers, those who attempted to alter things through lies or Falsifiers, those who attempted to alter things through lies or alchemyalchemy, or those who tried to pass off false things as real things, such as , or those who tried to pass off false things as real things, such as counterfeiters of coins, are punished here. This bolgia has four counterfeiters of coins, are punished here. This bolgia has four subdivisions where specific classes of falsifiers (alchemists, impostors, subdivisions where specific classes of falsifiers (alchemists, impostors, counterfeiters, and liars) endure different degrees of punishment based on counterfeiters, and liars) endure different degrees of punishment based on horrible, consumptive diseases such as horrible, consumptive diseases such as rashesrashes, , dropsydropsy, , leprosyleprosy and and consumptionconsumption. .

The lower edge of Malebolge is guarded by a ring of titans and earth The lower edge of Malebolge is guarded by a ring of titans and earth giants, many of whom are chained in place as punishment for their giants, many of whom are chained in place as punishment for their rebellion against the gods. Beyond and below the giants lies Cocytus, rebellion against the gods. Beyond and below the giants lies Cocytus, hell's final depth. hell's final depth.

Giants WellGiants Well

Frozen and angry Giants who try to kill Frozen and angry Giants who try to kill DanteDante

Circle IX (Cocytus): TraitorsCircle IX (Cocytus): Traitors To kindred, To country, To Guests, To MastersTo kindred, To country, To Guests, To Masters In In InfernoInferno, the first , the first canticacantica of of DanteDante's 's The Divine ComedyThe Divine Comedy, Cocytus is the , Cocytus is the

ninth and lowest circle of ninth and lowest circle of HellHell. Cocytus is referred to as a frozen lake . Cocytus is referred to as a frozen lake rather than a river, although it originates from the same source as the rather than a river, although it originates from the same source as the other infernal rivers. The lake is frozen by the flapping wings of other infernal rivers. The lake is frozen by the flapping wings of LuciferLucifer, or , or SatanSatan; his tears replenish the lake, and are then frozen by his attempts to ; his tears replenish the lake, and are then frozen by his attempts to escape via the wings. It is divided into four descending "rounds," or escape via the wings. It is divided into four descending "rounds," or sections: sections:

CainaCaina, after the Biblical , after the Biblical CainCain; traitors to blood relatives. ; traitors to blood relatives. AntenoraAntenora, after , after AntenorAntenor from the Iliad; traitors to country. from the Iliad; traitors to country. PtolomeaPtolomea, after Ptolemy, governor of Jericho, who murdered his guests (1 , after Ptolemy, governor of Jericho, who murdered his guests (1

Maccabees); traitors to guests. Maccabees); traitors to guests. JudeccaJudecca, after Judas Iscariot; traitors to masters and benefactors., after Judas Iscariot; traitors to masters and benefactors. Lucifer is at the center of the circle, his lower body trapped in ice, and is Lucifer is at the center of the circle, his lower body trapped in ice, and is

depicted with three mouths. One mouth gnaws on Brutus and another on depicted with three mouths. One mouth gnaws on Brutus and another on Cassius, the leading conspirators against Julius Caesar, and both are Cassius, the leading conspirators against Julius Caesar, and both are chewed feet foremost with their heads protruding. The chewed head of chewed feet foremost with their heads protruding. The chewed head of Judas is in the third mouth. Judas is in the third mouth.

Works CitedWorks Cited

Alegheri, Dante. Alegheri, Dante. The Inferno. The Inferno. Trans. John Trans. John Ciardi. New York: Penguin, 1982.Ciardi. New York: Penguin, 1982.

““Inferno.” Inferno.” Encyclopedia ReferenceEncyclopedia Reference. . Ask.com. Keyword: “Inferno.” 30 Oct. Ask.com. Keyword: “Inferno.” 30 Oct. 2008. http://www.reference.com2008. http://www.reference.com