Divine Comedy/ InfernoEssential Questions

Is there a relationship between sin and punishment? (Divine/Just Retribution)How does an allegory function in literature?Is the Divine Comedy the greatest European medieval poem?Is it possible to view good and evil in such a rigid manner—as is done by Dante?What is the most important value in life—faith or reason?We may add to this list…

Dante Alighieri

• Born 1265 in Florence, Italy

• Descended from a well-respected family• Florence—under jurisdiction of Rome•City-States unstable because of violence among political factions.• Ghibillines supported the old aristocracy and favored imperial rule• Guelphs—lesser nobility opposed imperial rule• Pope—Guelfs gained control in 1266

Dante

Dante’s family—GuelfsGuelfs divided—Blacks/WhitesDante member of the Whites who wanted independence from the PopeDante at odds with PopeExiled in 1300—wife and family not exhiledHarsh Sentence—if Dante were to return to Florence at any time, he would be burned at the stake.Divine Comedy—Penned Revenge

Divine Comedy

Written between 1308 and 1321

Imaginary Journey takes Dante through:Hell-Inferno—Purpose to RECOGNIZE Sin

Purgatory-REJECT sin and awaiting redemption

Paradise-REVEIVE Salvation (The Ultimate Goal)

Allegory

A story that works on both a literal and a symbolic level.

Example: Dante is wondering through the woods in the midpoint of his life—literally. This is an allegory for Dante’s personal confusion and lack of direction during his mid-life spiritual crisis.

Epic

An epic is…

A long narrative poem that recounts the deeds of a larger than life hero and represents the beliefs of a certain culture

Vernacular

It is one of the first texts to be written in the local Tuscan dialect instead of Latin.

Comedy

Although the story does not seem “funny” to us—as it deals with such serious subject matter—it does have a happy ending.

Unfortunately, we are not reading that part!

Church vs. State

Dante wanted the church to deal only with spiritual powers and to not be involved in political decisions.

He felt the church was too rich—Christ and his disciples had been poor in their material possessions.

Vision Literature

Vision literature deals with life after death.

Common elementsOne individual—almost always male

Has a guide who interprets and protects

Soul separated from body—body dead and awaiting a final resting place

The vision is a profound religious experience—purges and illuminates

Just Retribution

Based off of the Biblical idea: and eye for an eye.

Just means…

Retributions means…

The result in Dante’s hell…the punishment for sins on earth are equated to their eternal punishments in hell.

Divine Comedy--Structure

Three Divisions

Each contains 33 Cantos (Chapters)

Opening Prologue

100—Perfect Number

Vernacular Italian

Tercets—three-line stanzas

Terza Rima—verse form with three rhymes

Divine Comedy-Structure

Why the number three?

Christian TrinityInferno-God’s power as seen in divine and just retribution

Purgatory-Christ the Son and the hope of salvation

Paridise-Love of Holy Spirit

Divine Comedy-Structure

Journey takes place over three days

Begins on Good Friday and ends on Easter

Three LadiesVirgin Mary—mediates between God and Man

Saint Lucia—patron saint of Dante

Beatrice—Dante’s love who leads him into Paradise

Virgil

Guide through Inferno & PurgatoryVirgil explains and instructs Offers clarity in contrast to Dante’s confusionVirgil—Limbo—died 19 years before Christ’s birthVirgil is the ultimate symbol of what human reason can achieve without faithDante saw reason has limited; it is only through faith that Dante can grasp the truth of Paradise

Beatrice

Dante’s first loveMisunderstanding, never spoke againHer spirit dominates his workDivine Comedy

Symbol of love and faithShe alone can guide him to ParadiseJourney toward truth and grace is only made possible by the woman who first gave him a glimpse of spiritual perfection

Divine Comedy

Deals with mythological, legendary, historical, political, and religious.

It is INTENSELY personal.

Encompasses Dante’s vision of God’s judgment on every significant aspect of human life.

Inferno

Dante’s journey through hell

In Dante’s hell-sins are leveled (9 levels)

As the sins get worse, so do the punishments (Just Retribution)

Dante is guided through hell by his mentor

Dante’s is a journey toward salvation

Homework

Think of some of the most common and some of the worst sins humans can commit.Design your own hell—including 3 sins and 3 punishments (Law of Retribution)What shape might your hell have?Who might be your guide—why?Remember that it is not our job as humans to judge sinners—only sinful behaviors.