The Inferno

The InfernoPart 1 of Dantes Masterpiece: The Divine Comedy1ArgumentsChurch is source of SinReduce church control of faithInterpret the divine with both logic and faithIndependent thought can be positiveItaly is consumed by sin that needs correctingPursue solutions to problemsDante in The Inferno, argues that the Roman Catholic Church is a corrupt institution that promotes and is filled with sin, thus the power of the church must be lowered to allow for an individual interpretation of the divine using logic, and independent thought so that the people will recognize the problems and sins consuming Italy and pursue solutions to those problem.2Historical ContextThe framework of argumentsDantes arguments are derived directly from the history of Italy and the experiences of his life. 3AuthorDante Alighieri (1265-1321)Philosopher, politician, poetLived in Florence, Italy White Guelph = reduction of church powerExiled by Pope Boniface VIIIWrote The Divine Comedy in 1315

Dante AlighieriDante was a philosopher, politician, and poet in Florence who was also took part in the Guelph-Ghibellines civil in which Guelphs supported the papacy and the Ghibellines supported the Holy Roman Emperor (Wetherbee). Having won the civil war, Dantes faction split into two groups: The White Guelphs and the Black Guelphs (Wetherbee). Originally, the differences in these factions were based on family, but later the divisions were ideological in nature (Wetherbee). Dantes faction, the white Guelphs, favored a reduction in the power of the papacy and the Black Guelphs supported a strengthening of the papacy (Wetherbee). Being a white Guelph dramatically changes the content of The Inferno, because Dantes faction favors a reduction of church control and thus Dante argues for a world with less church control of faith and more of an individual interpretation of faith based on logic and reason. Initially, the Whites were victorious but later the Blacks were able to regain control of Florence when Dante and several delegates were sent to Rome under the guise of a meeting with the Pope (Academy of American Poets). Dante was then falsely charged with the crimes of simony and grafting and was exiled (Microsoft Corporation). This exile directly affects Dantes work, written during the exile in 1315, as he sees the church as home to great corruptions and because of his personal grudge against a pope who he hates for his exile and despises politically for heading a hypocritical institution (Microsoft Corporation). Throughout his poem, Dante criticizes both church practices and individuals in the church because of his exile, and the deceitful methods through which he was unjustly punished. In this way, his juvenalian satire acts as a call to action against the church and sin.4Properties of the PoemLiterary Devices and Themes5Attributes of the PoemSatireIronyWritten In ItalianVivid ImageryIdiomsSimiles/MetaphorsAllegorySymbolismBeatriceThe attributes of the poem reflect Dantes experiences, arguments, and purpose. The Inferno, as the series name divine Comedy suggests is satirical, humorous but with a serious call to action in a juvenalian fashion. Dantes poem is hilarious, the irony created through paradoxes and the dichotomy of faith and logic make the work funny. Yet with the call to action to end, church control of Italy and faith and apply logic on an individual level to divine so as to recognize the evils of the secular world to accomplish the goal securing a better future. Unlike most serious works written in Latin at the time, Dante wrote his book in the Italian language and using relatively simple diction. Dante wrote in Italian and as simply as possible to ensure that the common person could read his masterpiece and act to limit the church. In addition, to enhance the impact of his arguments Dante employs vivid and at times grotesque imagery and idioms within similes and metaphors in an allegory that is entertaining to read and not likely to incur the wrath of the church. By doing, this Dante makes his complex argument of a reduction in church power, easy to understand by the audience of common people he is writing for. Furthermore, defying standards by writing in Italian and calling the average Italian to action is a metaphor for his argument to defy the standard of blindly following the church. Another element present within the poem that is evident in all of Dantes poems is Beatrice, a woman Dante claims to have fallen in love with at first sight (Academy of American Poets). Every literary element used in The Inferno applies to Dantes goal of explaining his complex arguments in a simple manner that common people can understand.

6ThemesAnimal nature of sinJusticeGuiltItalian politicsLogic v. Faith

To make his arguments Dante uses several themes in his poem, the first theme being the animal nature of sin. Dante uses this idea that sin is an attribute of animals, to not only create a negative connotation of the sins he describes but also to give an image that his readers understand. In addition, the use of this theme relates to his argument of recognizing the problems of society to move towards a better future as he degrades the sinful practices he describes. Another of Dantes themes is the immutable law of justice in the afterlife. Dantes usage of this theme works to shock he readers and make them fear the consequences of the sinful behavior that Dante describes. The theme of Italian politics in the poem brings Dantes arguments a secular level, as using concepts that every Italian is aware of, relates the arguments to the worldly issues of the time. Demonstrated throughout the poem through prophecies and characters, politics play a pivotal role in expounding arguments. The last major theme of the novel is the conflict of logic and faith. Dante argues that both logic and faith are necessary for an accurate understanding of the divine, so in the poem Dante uses the conflict of the two ideas to demonstrate how they can work together. In Dantes interpretation of Hell he shows that the organization of the divine is logical, but not without faith.7Culture3 Cultures in One Poem82 Real CulturesChristianityBiblical ReferencesThe culture of the ItalyReaders know the culture

PaganMythical creaturesMythsBiblical referencesCain and AbelJudasSatanHaving a culture that the audience knows makes the content more relatableUse of both cultures is used to criticize the originality of the church and the denial of logic when they applied logic in adapting the Greek culture9Manufactured Culture: LogicBelief in a logical order of the divineContradicts the churchIndividual interaction with faithDante creates his own culture which emphasizes a logical interpretation of faith, a belief system not like the other two in the poemThe culture exists to demonstrate that logic can be applied to the divine without losing the element of faithThe combination of the three cultures creates humor because they are all contradictory yet work together10We The People of HellSociety11Absolute rule of GodLaw of HellManagement by guilt

HellSociety of Hell features Christianity, Greek Myth, and LogicHell is built on Christian teachings, populated by Greek monsters, and organized logicallyGod rules all of Hell through the use of guilt symbolized by the Greek monstersEverything conforms to the Law of Hell meaning that everything is bound by its guilt and punished logically12Plot and Literary DevicesEvidence Supporting DanteDantes arguments are supported and displayed in his poem13Start of the JourneyLost in woods half way through lifeStopped on way to eternal happinessSymbols of sin: she-wolf, lion, leopardSymbol of logic: VirgilReassuranceSimile Pattern

Lost in the woods

Humanity lost in woods of ignorance that is blind faith to the churchAnimal symbols indicate that sin brings humans down to an animal level animal nature of sinLeopard: incontinenceLion: violenceShe-wolf: fraudClassification of animals demonstrates that logic is applied to divinityTaken from JeremiahWherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, and a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increasedVirgil as a guide shows that logic needs to guide humanity towards salvationVirgil having been sent from heaven through Beatrice establishes that reason is a divine gift used with faithSimile Partern is used to logically define the divineRiver AcheronOpportunistsIdiom: Fallen AnglesIdiom: Pope Celestine VLaw of HellSymbol: CharonMetaphor: Fainting

Opportunists suffering in Hell indicates that a stance is necessaryNeed to recognize the problemsLaw of Hell is logical interpretation of the divinePope in Hell shows that the church is the source of Sin as well as showing that the church is a problem in societyFallen angles are evidence of a cultureCharon is evidence of a culture and a symbol of justiceFainting is an element of structure used to transition and also to mirror the type of sin and its severity in societyStarts with not being able to tolerate sin/ignoring sin1st Circle: LimboUnbaptized good pagansEternity without hopeFamous ancients brighter than othersSome ascended into heaven

Unbaptized but good and yet in Hell is Dantes satire against the churchAs if the mortal world could really interpret the divineIndicates hypocrisyThe fact that some a brighter and better off is satireGod picking a few is lampoon of church giving salvation to only the eliteSymbolic of the hypocrisy of the churchSimony and nepotism2nd Circle: Carnal SinMinosPeople swept by passion forever caught in the windSimile patternLovers taleMetaphor: Fainting

Minos as a mythical creature of pagan faiths is satirizing the origins of ChristianityPeople swept in winds as their passions swept them from reason is the law of hell and is very logicalPattern of similes used to describe the divine with idioms is logical and against church preachings, but is yet the only way for the audience to full grasp the content of the scene The lovers tale demonstrates that sin is animal is nature, and that most sins are concentrated in Italy3rd Circle: GluttonsDirty snowCerberusSwollen and fat soulsCiaccos prophecy

Living in the slush created by a dirty snow is punishment for having created nothing of useCerberus slobbers over and devours souls like they slobbered over and devoured foodSouls are swollen and fat because in life they ate until they were swollen and fatCerberuses presences is evidence of the Greek cultureCiacco makes a prophecy that the whites will be exiled from Florence because of deceit by the PopeTheme of Italian Politics Attack on the churchDisplay of faith184th Circle: Hoarders and WastersIdiom: PlutusSymbol: souls pushing rocksClergySymbol: Dame Fortune

Plutus of Greek mythology is evidence of the cultureSymbol of guilt as only those who are guilty can be controlledSouls pushing rocks indicate the logical punishment for those who were single minded and greedyMost of the damned being the clergy shows that the church is not a reliable source and the people need to interpret the divineDame Fortune is evidence of the logic/divine cultureshows that even with logic there is room for the dinvine195th Circle: Wrathful and SullenMarsh of StyxSullen entombed bellow mudWrathful tear each other apartPhlegyasMetaphor: FilIippo Argenti

Marsh of Styx evidence of Greek cultureSullen entombed bellow the mud logical punishment for turning away from GodHaving to sing parody of hymn is the same as always violently cursing GodWrathful tearing each other apart being forced to violently tear each other to pieces and have themselves torn to pieces is logical and just punishment for violently attacking people in lifePhlegyas demonstrates Greek cultureMonster that can only control those who feel guiltyVirgil able to convince to let go to other side of Styx shows that guilt only applies to people who feel guiltyDante wishing Fillippo Argenti to be punished further is evidence of recognition of the problem as Dante has no remorse or compassion for a sinner that harmed people in life206th Circle: HereticsSymbol: Gates of DisSymbol: MosquesSymbol: MedusaSymbol: Heavenly MessengerHereticsFarinata Degli UbertiPope Anastasius

Gates of Dis filled with angles that chose Satans side in the war represent the Christian cultureShows a division in Hell that is logicalDivision of Upper and Lower Hell where the Upper Hell is the sins of the Leopard (incontinence) and Lower Hell is sins of the Lion (violence) and the She-Wolf (fraud), this shows that Dante views the sins that require greater thought to be the most egregious this is also an attack on the church as many specific members of the church are in the lower portions of Hell. Greater time in terms of the length of the novel is spent here because Dante emphasizes the real evils of the Chruch.Dis is also a symbol of the opposite of paradiseMosques symbolic of evil in historical context of Jerusalem being controlled by MuslimsCall to action for people to recognize the real problem of other religions, not different opinions within ChristianityMedusa evidence of Greek culture working with logic and ChristianitySymbolic of the divide of Hell as Medusa is the first real mythical beast that is malicious and not just acting by instinct. Also she is the first creature in Hell that tries to harm DanteHeavenly Messenger saving Dante and Virgil is Dantes demonstration that logic alone cannot be used to interpret faith and that people need faith to understand the divine and go through lifeShows the society of Hell because Gods power is still supremeHeretics in the Inferno are those who say that the soul dies with the body, being punished by forever having to lay in an iron coffin that is being heated by flames is logical punishment for saying that the soul doesnt exist because now the soul rests in coffinFarinatas appearance is one derived from Italian politics as he is a GhibellineProphecy about being exiled is also Italian politicsExplanation of ability to prophesize is evidence of the Christian culture as it is by Gods light that sinners can see the future through far sighted eyesPope Anastasius historical context of allowing the church to deny the divine paternity of ChristAttack on the church as a pope is in HellPope doesn't know what is right217th Circle: Violence Part 1: Violence Against NeighborsSymbol: River of boiling bloodAncient conquersCentaurs

River of boiling blood a symbol of the blood spilt by the sinners (logical culture)(Christian culture)Ancient conquers are historical context as everyone knew themCentaurs are mythical creatures of Greek cultureDont let sinners raise above the water because they represent guilt preventing people from moving onAlso show embodiment of violence227th Circle: Violence Part 2: Violence Against SelfForest of suicidesMetaphor: Accidental painHarpiesMetaphor: speaking through bloodDogs

Those who kill themselves are not given a body in death (logical culture)(Christian culture)Causing pain on accident is a metaphor for the stage of solving and recognizing a problem that is beginning to do something and having to learn the consequencesShows that change is not easyHarpies are Greek culture for destruction of allTrees only being to speak through blood is symbolic of people only being able to speak through their deathsCaused pain to othersCost others moneyDogs tearing apart suicides is logical punishmentin life they cast off their bodies and now their bodies are worth only thefood of dogs

237th Circle: Violence Part 3: Violence Against God Part 1: BlasphemySymbol: desert of fireSymbol: rain of fireBlasphemersSymbol: Old Man of Crete

Desert of file is metaphor for the barren world without GodRain of fire symbol of a world without the refreshing influence of GodBlasphemers are laying on the sand so that they receive the most of the barren waste they promoted and can enjoy the world fullyVirgil explains that the rivers come from the Old Man of Crete who lives under Crete, the rivers are his blood coming from the different ages of man starting after the Golden AgeLogical culture because it is logical explanation of rivers but mixed with Christian and Greek faith247th Circle Part 3: Violence Against God Part 2: Violence Against NatureSodomitesSymbol: Brunetto LatinoRunning Off

Sodmomites are punished because their unnatural sexual practices are crimes against nature and nature is the Child of GodDante shows great respect for Brunetto Latino to demonstrate that solving problems involves accepting that people your revere and like are part of the problemThe fact that the sinners run while in Hell suggests that just like there sexual practices, their punishment is also unnaturalRunning off by divine compulsion shows that in this society God controls everything257th Circle Part 3: Violence Against God Part 3: Violence Against ArtUsuryCoat of ArmsGeryon

Last sinners against God are those who commit crimes against art, that is anything made by man from the earthUsury is a sin because it makes money from money and thus damages artAttack on the wealthy of Italy and church as the sinners look at coats of arms that correspond to Italian familiesGreyon is a symbol of logical culture as it combines many elementsLogical display of fraud as the thing has a face of an honest man but a body that betrays that ideaHair on arms is like a wolfs peltBeaver references are historical context as people used to think that beavers fished by putting their tails in the watter

268th Circle: Fraud Part 1: Panderers and SeducersGoaded by demons to run in endless circleSymbol: demonsSymbol: hornsVenedico CacciamicoJason

Demons goading the sinners is symbolic of the sinners goading their targets in lifeDemons symbolize the guilt of the sinnersHorns of the demons are symbols of adulteryVenedico Cacciamico demonstrates the argument that sin is in Italy as this man is ItalianBoniface reference in the description of how the sinners are runningJason and Madea sinned by seducing people for an illicit advantage278th Circle: Fraud Part 2: False FlattersFalse flatters forever domed to wallow in boiling human excrementAlessio InterminelliThais

Logical punishment of speaking falsely and now damned to wallow in the falsehoodsAlessio Interminelli ans Italian in Hell reinforces argument that Italy is full of sin

288th Circle: Fraud Part 3: SimonacsSymbol: Simonacs upside down in holesSymbol: fire burns the soles of the sinnersSymbol: Pope Nicholas IIIProphecy

Holes symbolize the fonts used in baptisms, thus the sinners lampooned church practices by selling favorsAttack in the church as the source of sinFire is symbolic of the water used in baptisms and the parody of church practices that the sinners promotedPope Nicholas symbolizes church corruption as he was a huge simonac in Dantes timeAttack on the churchProphecy indicates that Pope Boniface VIII will be in hell in 1303 (historical context) followed by Pope Clement V (historical context)Attack on the church as the church is corrupt298th Circle: Fraud Part 4: Fortune TellersSymbol: twisted bodies of sinnersEyes blinded with tearsWalking backwardsItalian and Greek fortune tellersThe twisted body of the sinners symbolizes the distortion of Gods law as they are backwardEyes being blinded is logical punishment for trying to see the futureSinners walk backwards because of logical punishment of trying to move aheadEntire punishment logical because it punishes sinners with their own crimeItalian and Greek fortune tellers show their respective cultures308th Circle: Fraud Part 5: GraftersGrafters stuck in tarDemons attack sinners who show themselvesSenator of LuccaDante's fearSymbol: demonsNavarrese man

Grafters being stuck in tar is logical punishment as they are now hidden as their sins were hidden in lifeSinners being attacked when out of darkness is symbolic iof the punishment they would have received if they had shown themselves and their sins in lifePresence of the senator supports Dantes argument that Italy is filled with sinDantes fear is historical context as he was exiled on charges of graftingDemons symbolize everything disgusting and coarse and embody the coarseness of the sinnersThe grafter of Navarre tricks the demons into letting him go by offering him other sinners to gain an advantageDemons fall in the tar as well as they were willing to give the man his life to get other sinners

318th Circle: Fraud Part 6: HypocritesSymbol: lead clothing of the sinnersIdiom: CaiaphasJovial friars

The lead clothing of the sinners is a symbol of the their own guilt and the guilt of every person they lead astray by their hypocrisyCaiaphas in historical context is the Jewish leader who ordered the execution of ChristHe must not only wear lead clothes and be crucified but also be walked on by other hypocrites in a parody of absorbing of sin of ChristFriars being in hell is Dantes evidence that the church is corrupt and should take a backseat to interpreting faith

328th Circle: Fraud Part 7: ThievesThieves in the dark bitten by snakesSymbol: snakeHands tiedSinners bursting into flamesVanni FucciProphecyFigsNoble Thieves of Florence

The snakes symbolize all deceit in the world and show evidence of the Christian cultureHands of sinners are tied because logically the weapons by which thieves steal substance is forever denied to themSinners burst into flames to show that their substance is denied to them as they stole substanceVanni Fucci as an Italian shows Dantes argument that Italy is filled with sinProphecy is sign of Italian politicsThe fig is an idiom that attracts the common person and the fact that the man is punished shows that God rules HellThe Noble Thieves have to steal a body from other sinners as they stole substance from othersUltimate punishment in being slave to sin

338th Circle: Fraud Part 8: Evil CounselorsFlames hiding sinnersSymbol: flameUlysses and DiomedeCount GuidoThe flames hide the sinners who used dark ways of intelligence to sin so logical punishmentThe flame is a symbol of guilt and also the tounge as it acts as oneUlysses and Diomede represent the Greek culture and their sin of creating the Roman line from defeating Troy using the deceptive horseGuidos punishment is a warning to Italians that they cannot wait until the end of life or repent before they sin, they must repent and truly mean it after they sinGuido's punishment is against the pope as Dante shows that the Pope is evil by holding salvation over peopleShows that the church is full of sin

34ReligiousPolitical and Kin8th Circle: Fraud Part 9: Sowers of DiscordVivid Imagery Those who broke things apart are ripped apartMuhammad and Ali

Historical politiciansMan who started the Guelph-Ghibelline warBerntrand de Borne

Vivid imagery is disturbing warning to Italians about those who area against peaceLogical punishment of those who create divisions is to be torn apart over and over to feel the effects of divisionsMuhammad and Ali being in Hell is Dantes bias from historical context of being anti-islamicHumor because Dante says that people need to accept different interpretations of faithPolitical discord is punished by splitting a person apart because their sin was to split political peaceMosca who started the war is there because he started a bloody conflict and is an idiom as well as a direct warning to ItaliansBerntrand de Borne split a family and thus he must now be split as well from the head358th Circle: Fraud Part 10: Falsifiers Division 1: AlchemistsDiseased, immobile, and blindIdiom: Griffolino DarezzoIdiom: CapocchioThe state of the sinners is logical punishment for falsifying thus the senses are falseShows a life when everything is falsifiedDantes warning to ItaliansGriffolino Darezzo and Capooccio are known for promising people favors of alchemy but never following throughLogical punishment because they made false claims for their own benefit and are now punished by having their sense lie to themItalian man serves to further Dantes argument that Italy is filled with sin368th Circle: Fraud Part 10: Falsifiers Division 2: ImpersonatorsImpersonators running around attacking other sinnersIdiom: Gianni SchicchiIdiom: MyrrhaImpersonators have to continually destroy others so that they can impersonate themNow impersonating animalsGianni Schicchi known for having impersonating his friends dead father to make a will favoring himselfCorrupt and sinful Italian societyMyrrha is evidence of Greek culture working in the Christian culture and the logical culture378th Circle: Fraud Part 10: Falsifiers Division 3: CounterfeitersIdiom: Master AdamThirstMaster Adam as an idiom and a well known figure to Italians is a warning to Italians about their crimes in a way that they can all understandCounterfeiters must also suffer thirst because logically, in life they had an over abundance of what the needed and now they are deprived of everything388th Circle: Fraud Part 10: Falsifiers Division 4: LiarsFeversIdiom: Potiphars WifeIdiom: SinonAdam v. SinonDantes repentanceSinners are punished with fevers as logical punishment for lying so now they must suffer the lies of hallucinations Potiphars wife is an idiom telling woman not to try to seduce menSinon is evidence of Greek culture and is warning to smooth talkers who lie to people to gain an illicit advantageAdam and Sinons fighting and Virgils scolding of Dante is a warning to Italians about being petty and blaming others when there is a need to handle larger problemsDantes repentance is used to show that there is always forgiveness and that when people make mistakes, they can still find salvation by being genuinely sorry

39GiantsIdiom: NimrodIdioms: Ephilaties, Briareus, Tityos, TyphonAntaeus

Nimrod is evidence of Christian culture and is punished for having created multiple languages and causing confusion by having his own speech garbledEphilaties, Briareus, Tityos, Typhon giants who in roman culture rose against the Gods, thus they must be chained to prevent them from rising against GodAnataus reveals that the giants are in Hell because they lack any and all love in life and this is Dantes argument for trying to solve problems by acknowledgement

409th Circle: Serious Fraud Part 1: FamilyIceCainaPunishmentAlessandro and Napoleone Degli Alberti

Sinners being bound in ice is logical punishment for those who would deny the warmth of God and loveFrist round being named Caina is evidence of the Christian culture for the Able and Cain storyThe level at which the sinner is submerged and ability to move head corresponds to Dantes idea of what the greatest sin isAlessandro and Napoleone Degli Alberti are evidence of the historical context of the wars and show the sin of Italy

419th Circle: Serious Fraud Part 2: CountryAntenoraIdiom: Bocca Delgi AbbatiMetaphor: beating Bocca Delgi AbbatiCount Ugolino and Archbishop Ruggieri

Named for Antenor the man believed to have betrayed the Trojans to the Greeks, demonstrates elements of Greek cultureBocca Delgi Abbati is historical context and supports the Italy is full of sin argumentBeating the man is part of Dantes structure as it serves as a metaphor for accepting a problem and beginning to do something aboutStory of the two traitors is first an attack on the church as an archbishop was able to commit great atrocities and secondly evidence for Dantes Italy is full of sin argumentLogical punishment for starvation is to be eaten429th Circle: Serious Fraud Part 3: GuestsPtolomeaIdiom: Friar AlberigoIdiom: Branca DoriaSeverity of sinRing of Hell named for Ptolomaeus of Maccabees who killed his father at a banquetFriar Alberigo is historical context for the state of Italy, statement against the Church, and argument that Italy is full of sinProverb for AlberigoBranca Doria is historical contextSin so severe that the sinners are denied tears and so severe that their souls are cast into Hell before they die

439th Circle: Serious Fraud Part 4: MastersJudeccaNot visiblePeople who betray their masters are so evil that they are denied every bit of Gods light44SatanThree ugly headsTrapped in iceGenerates cold windsIdiom: JudasIdiom: BrutusIdiom: CassiusMetaphor: Embracing Satan

Satan is a parody of the trinity, with each face representing the three beasts of sinThe fact that he is ugly is because he is the opposite of God and therefore has no beautyBeing trapped in ice powerless to do anything shows that God rules not SatanCold winds are the opposite of Gods warmthThree sinners are well known and are arguably evilEmbracing lucifer shows embracing sin altogether and accepting the issue then rising above it 45RepetitionBeating a Dead Horse in a Creative Way46Repetition of PatternsDivision of hell (Christian culture) monster/sinner (Greek culture) punishment (logic culture)ClergyPoliticsShock the most peopleThe repeating and logical structure of The Inferno reinforces Dantes argument for a logical interpretation of faith. In Canto VI Dante writes of the 3rd circle of hell in which dirty snow forms a dirty slush that punishes the swollen logs of gluttons, who are devoured and tortured by the Greek mythological creature Cerberus. The pattern observed here and repeated throughout the poem is that of an introduction to a sin of Christian culture, punished according to the logical culture, with the elements of Greek culture. Dante uses this harmony in hell as a demonstration of the harmony of logic in bringing multiple contradictory cultures together under the similar theme of justice for evil acts. The repetition of this pattern further serves Dantes purpose in making a poem that promotes his ideas to the common person of Italy. Repeating this same idea throughout the compelling story ensures that readers will not miss the point of Dantes work.47StructureGreat Meaning Applied Subtlety48Solving ProblemsFainting in the first third circles of hell (sins of the she-wolf)Wishing a soul greater punishmentAccidentally hurting a soul in the second third of Hell (sins of the lion)Purposefully harming a soul in the finally third of Hell (sins of the leopard)Climbing LuciferThe more thought involved, the greater the sinRelates to the progression of humanity49Making ProgressUnderstanding the severity of sinUnderstanding the source of sinIdentifying the people who sinCorrecting sinBetter FutureHell = Italy, Sin = ProblemsInfernoPurgatoryParadise50ComedyIts Funny it Really is!51Comedy in ContextThe church holds to keys to heaven, yet many sinners are the clergyChurch says to not interpret the divine, yet the church is mortal and interprets the divineIf Christianity is so original then why do older cultures have the same ideas?52Comedy TodayDantes contradictionsHumanitys contradictionsHumanity is contradictory because we want everyone to be equal in theory but dont practice equalityDante knew that humanity cant just accept things and that it takes time53Reading RecommendationAnd reasons for it54READ THIS POEMInsightful investigation of humanityFunnyIdeas are seen everywhere"All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit." Thomas Paine55SourcesAcademy of American Poets. Dante Alighieri. n.d. HTML Document. 5 November 2011. .Alighieri, Dante. The Inferno. Trans. John Ciardi. Dante Alighieri, 1308. Book. 24 October 2011.Ciardi, John. The Inferno. Trans. John Ciardi. New York: Signet Classics, 1954. Book. 24 October 2010.LibriVox. The Divine Comedy. 20 January 2010. Sound. 6 November 2011. .Meyers, Rick. E-Sword. Franklin, 2012. Program. 6 November 2011.Microsoft Corporation. Dante Alighieri. Redmond, 2009. DVD. 5 November 2011.Paine, Thomas. The Age of Reason; Being an Investigation of True and Fabulous Theology. Thomas Paine, 1794. Pamphlet. 12 November 2011. .Wetherbee, Winthrop. Dante Alighieri. Ed. Edward N. Zalta. 18 December 2009. Stanford University. Web Encyclopedia. 5 November 2011. .

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