1. Dante’s “Inferno” from The Divine Comedy
ENG 273: World Literature

2. History Written by Dante Alighieri (1265-1321)
Italian Poet
Part of the poem The Divine Comedy (c )
Includes Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradisio
Grapples with theology and the culture of Medieval Christianity
Legacy of Rome
Greek Philosophy and Literature
Augustine’s Theology (Confessions)

3. Plot Dante awakes in a dark wood and is terrified
Virgil joins him and says that he will lead him on a journey
They travel through the different rings of Hell, seeing sinners punished for their wrongdoing

4. Characters Dante – the pilgrim Virgil – the guide Beatrice
Charon – the boatman
Minos – guardian of the second circle of Hell
Francesca and Paolo - sinners

5. Key Themes Divine Justice Nature of:
Each sinner is punished appropriately according to his or her sin
Nature of:
God
Sin
Punishment