InfernoDante Alighieri

Dante Alighieri (1265-1321)Born in Florence, Italy (Tuscany)Attended University of BolognaStudied Tuscan painting, Greek and

Roman mythology, philosophy, music, and poetry, especially that of Homer and Virgil.

Wrote poetry in his vernacular language (Italian) instead of Latin Wanted literature to be experienced by all

Italians, not just the learned class

Marriage and Family

In 1285, Dante entered an arranged marriage with Gemma Donati, a noblewoman

They had two sons, Jacopo and Pietro, and a daughter, Antonia

Dante’s great love was Beatrice Portinari, whom he met as a young boy Beatrice was Dante’s inspiration for writing After her death in 1290, he dedicated a

famous work La Vita Nuova to her

Historical Context

12-13th century Florence was a place of political turbulence

Warring groups Ghibellines wanted Holy Roman Emperor in

power Guelphs wanted the Pope to control politics

Guelphs won, but then split into two factions Black Faction supported the Pope and Church White Faction supported the Emperor

Dante’s Unfortunate Luck Guess which side Dante was on?Dante favored the Guelphs - White Faction

Pope Boniface VIII favored the Guelphs - Black Faction. He excommunicated his opponents

Dante was exiled from Florence in 1302. He would have been burned at the stake if he ever returned to Florence.

Lived in exile for the remainder of his life

Importance of Florence, Italy

Dante took his exile from his beautiful homeland to heart

Embittered by his political experiences in Florence, he took up his pen

Used literature to expose and punish those who had wronged him

The Divine Comedy presents a symbolic view of his life and political situation

The Divine Comedy ( 1321)

The Divine Comedy is a 3-part epic poem written by Dante1. Inferno (Hell) 2. Purgatorio (Purgatory)3. Paradiso (Paradise)

Epic characteristics Elevated style Hero as subject Vast, dangerous setting Supernatural beings

Not exactly hilarious, but fits medieval definition of “comedy” Begins in tragedy (Hell), ends happily (Heaven) Mixed narrative and dialogue in the poem

Themes to consider

Spirituality

Picaresque (an adventurer or rogue figure takes a journey)

Reversal of fortune (character’s situation changes due to events in novel)

Survival of the fittest (character must endure difficulty and challenge)

Literary Terms

Epic – long, narrative poem presenting characters of high positions in series of supernatural adventures in a vast and dangerous setting.Canto – a section or division of a long poemTerza Rima – 3-line stanza form popular with Italian poets.

• Rhyme scheme: aba, bcb, cdc, ded, etc.; usually iambic pentameter

Allusion – a reference in a literary work to another person, place or thing in history or in another work of literature

Imagery – language that affects the five sensesMythology – the myths dealing with gods and goddesses of ancient Rome and GreeceMetaphor – a figure of speech comparing two unlike things without using like or asSimile – a figure of speech comparing two unlike two unlike things using like or asPersonification – a figure of speech in which animals, ideas, and inanimate objects are given human form

Allegory – a narrative or character with meaning other than the literal oneSymbolism – The use of one object to represent another concept, theme, or object

Numerology: The Power of 3The number 3 is central to Dante’s work

Christian concept of the “trinity”Divine Comedy is in 3 partsEach part is made of 33 cantos (chapters) In each canto, stanzas are 3 lines of verse

(terza rima)Dante’s spiritual quest through hell takes

place over 3 days Good Friday to Easter Sunday 1300

Terza Rima

Terza=three, rima=rhyme

Italian form of poetry in sets of 3 lines

Invented by Dante Alighieri and used by many Italian poets

Usually in iambic pentameter (unstressed followed by stressed syllables)

Follows this rhyme scheme: aba bcb cdc

Example from Inferno of Terza Rima

In middle of the journey of our days I found that I was in a darksome wood The right road lost and vanished in the maze

Ah me! how hard to make it understood How rough that wood was, wild, and terrible; By the mere thought my terror is renewed.

More bitter scarce were death. But ere I tell At large of good which there by me was foundI will relate what other things befell

Example from Inferno of Terza Rima

In middle of the journey of our days AI found that I was in a darksome wood BThe right road lost and vanished in the maze A

Ah me! how hard to make it understood BHow rough that wood was, wild, and terrible; CBy the mere thought my terror is renewed. B

More bitter scarce were death. But ere I tell CAt large of good which there by me was found DI will relate what other things befell C

Allusions

Allusions, or references the author makes to other people, characters, and literary works, will be made throughout Inferno to Political leaders Religious leaders Literary works and authors Bible Mythology – Greek and Roman Dante’s personal life, including his great

love, Beatrice, and favorite poet, Virgil

Allegory

An allegory is the discussion of one subject by disguising it as another, which resembles the first in a striking way e.g., school as prison

Allegories teach moral lessonsUse of the visible, physical reality to

explain the invisible or intangible e.g., Greek gods

Inferno: Basic Premise

Surface Story: On Good Friday, Dante, age 35, finds himself lost and

directionless in a dark forest At the request of Beatrice ( “Divine Love” who resides in

heaven), the ancient Roman poet Virgil ( “Reason” who inhabits a blameless region of hell as an unbaptized virtuous pagan) searches for the lost Dante.

On Good Friday 1300, Virgil finds Dante and they undertakes a quest for belonging and salvation (hell paradise)

Symbolic Story (allegory): Journey begins in despairing world not yet redeemed by

Christ and ends with the poet’s return, having seen the divine grace of God

Important Characters

Dante: Author and ProtagonistVirgil: Dante’s guide through hell and

purgatory Real Virgil died in 19 BCE: admired by

Dante and held significance as pre-Christian prophet

Allegorically represents REASONBeatrice: Dante’s star-crossed love and

guide through Paradise Allegorically represents DIVINE LOVE

Dante’s Master Plan of Hell

Essential Questions

How can literature be used as a tool for social change?

How does allegory help explain the intangible?

Which traits, or “sins,” are part of our universal human experience?

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