1. Goals:   Understand social and historical values as reflected and embodied in a literary work.   Make connections between the historical and cultural events of the 14 th century, and Dante’s inspiration for The Inferno.

2. The Inferno By Dante Alighieri

3. Dante Alighieri Biography Born May of 1265 in Florence, ItalyBorn May of 1265 in Florence, Italy Received early education in FlorenceReceived early education in Florence Attended the University of BolognaAttended the University of Bologna Experiences included a tour in the Florence ArmyExperiences included a tour in the Florence Army

4. Dante Alighieri Biography His great love seems to have been Beatrice Portinari.His great love seems to have been Beatrice Portinari. They met when they were children; Dante worshipped her his entire life.They met when they were children; Dante worshipped her his entire life. Beatrice was Dante’s inspiration for The Divine Comedy.Beatrice was Dante’s inspiration for The Divine Comedy. After her death in 1290, he dedicated a memorial “The New Life” (La Vita Nuova) to her.After her death in 1290, he dedicated a memorial “The New Life” (La Vita Nuova) to her.

5. Dante Alighieri Biography Dante entered an arranged marriage in 1291 with Gemma Donati, a noblewoman.Dante entered an arranged marriage in 1291 with Gemma Donati, a noblewoman. They had two sons and either one or two daughters.They had two sons and either one or two daughters.

6. Dante Alighieri Biography By 1302, Dante was a political exile from Florence.By 1302, Dante was a political exile from Florence. Most likely began The Divine Comedy after this exile.Most likely began The Divine Comedy after this exile.

7. Dante Alighieri Biography Dante finished The Divine Comedy just before his death on September 14, 1321.Dante finished The Divine Comedy just before his death on September 14, 1321. He was still in exileHe was still in exile Perhaps still bitter about his expulsion from Florence, Dante wrote on the title page of The Divine Comedy that he was “a Florentine by birth, but not in manner” (Bergin 444).Perhaps still bitter about his expulsion from Florence, Dante wrote on the title page of The Divine Comedy that he was “a Florentine by birth, but not in manner” (Bergin 444).

8. Dante’s Inferno: Historical Background End of the Middle Ages: God- centered; lived on earth to get into HeavenEnd of the Middle Ages: God- centered; lived on earth to get into Heaven Beginning of Renaissance: Man- centered; rebirth of learningBeginning of Renaissance: Man- centered; rebirth of learning

9. Dante’s Inferno: Historical Background The Renaissance influenced all of western civilization.The Renaissance influenced all of western civilization. Trade flourished and prosperity thrived throughout much of the country.Trade flourished and prosperity thrived throughout much of the country. Florence became the richest of the Italian city-states.Florence became the richest of the Italian city-states. Italy had a wealth of conflicts during this time.Italy had a wealth of conflicts during this time.

10. Dante’s Inferno: Historical Background Multiple political units existed as a result of internal struggles for power and European states vying for influence.Multiple political units existed as a result of internal struggles for power and European states vying for influence. The Guelph Political party (which favored independence & the Popes) and the Ghibelline Political party (which favored control by the Holy Roman Empire) were two such rival factions.The Guelph Political party (which favored independence & the Popes) and the Ghibelline Political party (which favored control by the Holy Roman Empire) were two such rival factions.

11. The French Kings supported the Popes The Holy Roman Empire was controlled by the Germans; the French Kings were afraid of the Germans becoming too powerful so they supported the Popes. Basically, Holy Roman Empire (Germans) vs. Independent city-states (Pope). Dante’s Inferno: Historical Background

12. Dante’s birth in 1265 came at a time when the Guelph party (Independence) was in control of Florence.Dante’s birth in 1265 came at a time when the Guelph party (Independence) was in control of Florence. Dante turned away from his Guelph heritage to embrace the imperial philosophy of the Ghibellines (H.R.E.)Dante turned away from his Guelph heritage to embrace the imperial philosophy of the Ghibellines (H.R.E.) His change in politics is best summed up in his treatise De Monarchia in which Dante states his belief in the separation of church and state.His change in politics is best summed up in his treatise De Monarchia in which Dante states his belief in the separation of church and state. The Ghibellines, however, were pushed from power by the Guelphs during Dante’s adulthood and confined to northern Tuscany.The Ghibellines, however, were pushed from power by the Guelphs during Dante’s adulthood and confined to northern Tuscany.

13. Dante’s Inferno: Historical Background The Guelph political party eventually divided into two groups:The Guelph political party eventually divided into two groups: The Whites (led by the Cerchi family)The Whites (led by the Cerchi family) The Blacks (led by the Donati family and later by Pope Boniface VIII).The Blacks (led by the Donati family and later by Pope Boniface VIII). Dante became a member of the Whites and served as an ambassador to talk with the Pope in Rome about conditions in Florence.Dante became a member of the Whites and served as an ambassador to talk with the Pope in Rome about conditions in Florence.

14. Dante’s Inferno: Historical Background While Dante was out of town, the Blacks took over Florence.While Dante was out of town, the Blacks took over Florence. The Blacks sentenced Dante to banishment from the city.The Blacks sentenced Dante to banishment from the city. His punishment for return would be death.His punishment for return would be death. His wanderings gave him time to write and to study the Scriptures.His wanderings gave him time to write and to study the Scriptures. This banishment also gave Dante his perspective on corruption of the fourteenth century papacy, a view that he would clearly describe in The Inferno.This banishment also gave Dante his perspective on corruption of the fourteenth century papacy, a view that he would clearly describe in The Inferno.

15. Dante’s Inferno: Historical Background In the year 1310, Henry VII became Holy Roman Emperor.In the year 1310, Henry VII became Holy Roman Emperor. Dante believed that this German Prince would bring peace.Dante believed that this German Prince would bring peace. Henry VII died in 1313 and his Italian campaign collapsed.Henry VII died in 1313 and his Italian campaign collapsed. Dante became disillusioned and left the political lifeDante became disillusioned and left the political life He ceased work on other materials he had begun and concentrated on The Divine Comedy.He ceased work on other materials he had begun and concentrated on The Divine Comedy.

16. Dante’s Inferno: Introduction The Divine Comedy was not titled as such by Dante; his title for the work was simply Commedia or Comedy.The Divine Comedy was not titled as such by Dante; his title for the work was simply Commedia or Comedy. Dante’s use of the word “comedy” is medieval by definition and meant ‘a tale with a happy ending,’ not a funny story as the word has since come to mean.Dante’s use of the word “comedy” is medieval by definition and meant ‘a tale with a happy ending,’ not a funny story as the word has since come to mean.

17. The work was a major departure from the literature of the day since it was written in Italian, not the Latin of most other important writing. Political beliefs = Unity He felt a universal language would help unify the country Dante’s Inferno: Introduction

18. Dante felt the church of his time was no longer serving God Allegory of the process of the individual’s search for God Politics, history, mythology, religious leaders, and prominent people of the time, of literature, of the past, and of Dante’s personal life –including Beatrice – appear throughout The Divine Comedy. Dante’s Inferno: Introduction

19. The Divine Comedy is made up of three parts, corresponding with Dante’s three journeys: Inferno (or Hell); Purgatorio (or Purgatory); and Paridisio (or Paradise).The Divine Comedy is made up of three parts, corresponding with Dante’s three journeys: Inferno (or Hell); Purgatorio (or Purgatory); and Paridisio (or Paradise). Each part consists of a prologue and approximately 33 cantos.Each part consists of a prologue and approximately 33 cantos. Since the narrative poem is in an exalted form with a hero as its subject, it is an epic poem.Since the narrative poem is in an exalted form with a hero as its subject, it is an epic poem.

20. Dante’s Inferno: Introduction The Divine Comedy describes Dante’s imaginary journey.The Divine Comedy describes Dante’s imaginary journey. Midway on his journey through life, Dante realizes he has taken the wrong path.Midway on his journey through life, Dante realizes he has taken the wrong path. The Roman poet Virgil searches for the lost Dante at the request of Beatrice.The Roman poet Virgil searches for the lost Dante at the request of Beatrice. He finds Dante in the woods on the evening of Good Friday in the year 1300 and serves as a guide as Dante begins his religious pilgrimage to find God.He finds Dante in the woods on the evening of Good Friday in the year 1300 and serves as a guide as Dante begins his religious pilgrimage to find God. To reach his goal, Dante passes through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise.To reach his goal, Dante passes through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise.

21. Dante’s Inferno Dante and Virgil enter the wide gates of Hell and descend through the nine circles of Hell.Dante and Virgil enter the wide gates of Hell and descend through the nine circles of Hell. In each circle they see sinners being punished for their sins on Earth; Dante sees the torture as Divine justice.In each circle they see sinners being punished for their sins on Earth; Dante sees the torture as Divine justice.

22. Dante’s Inferno The sinners in the circles include:The sinners in the circles include: Circle One – Those in limboCircle One – Those in limbo Circle Two – The lustfulCircle Two – The lustful Circle Three – The gluttonousCircle Three – The gluttonous Circle Four – The hoardersCircle Four – The hoarders Circle Five – The wrathfulCircle Five – The wrathful Circle Six – The hereticsCircle Six – The heretics Circle Seven – The violentCircle Seven – The violent Ring 1: Murderers, robbers, and plunderersRing 1: Murderers, robbers, and plunderers Ring 2: Suicides and those harmful to the worldRing 2: Suicides and those harmful to the world Ring 3: Those harmful against God, nature, art, as well as usurersRing 3: Those harmful against God, nature, art, as well as usurers

23. Dante’s Inferno: Introduction On Easter Sunday, Dante emerges from Hell.On Easter Sunday, Dante emerges from Hell. Through his travels, he has found his way to God and is able, once more, to look upon the stars.Through his travels, he has found his way to God and is able, once more, to look upon the stars.

24. The Inferno: Themes Primitivity Man and the Natural World Lies and Deceit Justice Language and Communication Wisdom and Knowledge Compassion and Forgiveness Love Time Respect and Reputation

27. http://vimeo.com/13785406