2. Dante’s Inferno Student Edition Prepared By: Dr. Kay Picart Assistant Professor of English & Humanities

3. Biography/Historical Backdrop l Who was Dante l Alighieri? l What country was l He from? l During what period l Did he live?

4. Key Question l In what way/s l is Dante’s l Divine Comedy l an allegory?

5. Key Themes l The symbolisms of light and darkness in the Inferno mean ___________________________________ ___________________________________ __________________________________?

6. Key Question: l Why is Virgil l the appropriate l guide of Dante l through hell?

7. The Divine Comedy is an Allegory l Of: l ___________________________________ ___________________________________ __________________________________.

8. Dante and Virgil Crossing the River Styx

10. Key Themes l The symbolism of the animals: leopard lion she-wolf

11. Key Themes l Leopard:______________________ l Lion:__________________________ l She-Wolf:_____________________

12. The patronage of the three Blessed Ladies l Beatrice l St. Lucy l Blessed l Virgin Mary

14. The Journey to Hell l Justice means_____________ (to Dante) l Explain the punishments of: The Indifferents Charon and the sinners l What is the nature of sin according to Dante?

15. First Circle of Hell l Describe the first circle of hell.

16. The Second Circle of Hell

17. Second Circle of Hell l Describe the second circle of hell.

18. Paolo and Francesca: Ingres

19. Paolo and Francesca: Delacroix

20. Paolo and Francesca: Rossetti

21. Key Question l What is the nature of Francesca and Paolo’s crime? l Note: Pay attention to Francesca’s rhetoric.

22. Why does Dante Faint? l ______________

23. Looking Ahead: l --Dante Alighieri, “The Banquet” and “Letter to Can Grande Della Scala” (CTSP, pp. 120-122)