Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
1<br />
Name____________________<br />
Period____________________<br />
DANTE’S INFERNO<br />
Identify the following characters:<br />
Dante<br />
Leopard of Malice<br />
Lion of Ambition<br />
Shewolf of<br />
Incontinence<br />
Virgil<br />
Beatrice<br />
The Emperor Who<br />
Reigns Above<br />
Charon<br />
The Neutrals<br />
Minos<br />
Lucifer
CANTO I<br />
THE DARK WOOD OF ERROR<br />
2<br />
1. When Dante tries to travel upward toward the beautiful mountain and leave the dark valley<br />
behind, what animal blocks his path at first<br />
2. When Dante tries to go around the beast, what second animal appears and blocks his path<br />
3. When he tries to get around that second beast, what third animal blocks his path<br />
4. Dante then sees a spirit in the desert, and asks this spirit for help. This spirit offers to <strong>guide</strong> him<br />
through Hell. Who is Dante’s <strong>guide</strong> through Hell Why does he make a suitable <strong>guide</strong> for<br />
Dante<br />
5. Where have we seen this spirit-<strong>guide</strong> character before as a historical figure<br />
6. Virgil claims that he has been exiled in this location because he was rebellious to the laws of<br />
“That Emperor who reigns above.” Of whom is Virgil speaking<br />
7. What similes, metaphors, symbols, or figures does Dante employ in this canto and what<br />
allegorical meanings might these have<br />
Use this space to compose a summary of Canto I. Write in complete sentences.
CANTO III<br />
The Gate of Hell<br />
4<br />
1. How does Dante the pilgrim react initially to his surroundings Are the impressions he receives<br />
visual or auditory<br />
2. Why is the punishment – blindness, cacophony, etc. – appropriate to those refused to take a moral<br />
stand as Christians How is the punishment of such souls another instance of God’s “poetic<br />
justices” rather than a strict, dull, “eye for an eye” kind of punishment In other words, how is<br />
God an “artist” of sorts – not merely a strict judge – in handing out the punishments that he does<br />
3. What relationship is becoming established between the narrator and Virgil in this canto<br />
Describe how they interact and talk to each other (think archetypes!).<br />
4. What do you make of the Neutrals Why is their fate important<br />
Use this space to compose a summary of Canto III. Write in complete sentences.
CANTO V<br />
Circle 2 - Lust<br />
5<br />
1. In Canto V, they meet the judge who assigns sinners to various places in Hell. What is this<br />
judge’s name What does this judge do with his tail to indicate how far down in Hell the sinners<br />
must go<br />
2. What does Virgil say to Minos in order to convince him to let Virgil and Dante pass<br />
3. How are illicit lovers (“carnal malefactors”) punished in their circle of Hell Who are some of<br />
these famous lovers<br />
4. According to Franchesca, what was she reading when she first gave into desire<br />
5. What is the most common image/symbol in this Canto<br />
6. In Dante’s scheme, lust – being higher in the levels of hell – is considered a lesser sin than<br />
gluttony. Do you consider it worse to guzzle beer and pizza or gorge oneself on banana splits<br />
than to make love to your neighbor’s spouse Why might Dante think so<br />
Use this space to compose a summary of Canto V. Write in complete sentences.
CANTO XXXIV<br />
Circle 9 – The Treacherous<br />
6<br />
1. What is the temperature like in the center of hell<br />
2. When they cross over past the fog of freezing mist, Dante sees something he first thinks is a<br />
giant windmill. What is this windmill in reality<br />
3. What is the source of the cold winds in hell that rhythmically blow outward from the center<br />
ring<br />
4. Describe Satan’s body and appearance. What are some of his distinctive features in Dante’s<br />
account of The <strong>Inferno</strong><br />
5. What three things does Satan snack on<br />
6. When Virgil and Dante run between Satan’s beating wings, Virgil stops and puts his feet on the<br />
ceiling and appears to turn upside down. What happened that allowed him to do this<br />
astonishing feat, and how is this connected to their location at the center of the earth<br />
7. When Dante looks upward/downward to gaze at Satan, what does he see that horrifies him<br />
Why is this funny<br />
8. What is the significance of the change in perspective that Virgil and Dante go through when<br />
they travel Satan’s body and find that the way down has become the way up How might this<br />
perspective change amount to a comment on the necessary path to salvation (Think also<br />
Hero’s Journey)
Use this space to compose a summary of Canto XXXIV. Write in complete sentences.<br />
7
Change language