Medieval Comedy Flashcards
What was Florence like in Dante’s time?
This Italian city was a vibrant, powerful city. It was a big military and economic power. Dante considered Florence to be the new Rome.
Why is the Divine Comedy called the Divine Comedy?
Divine because it has three parts: heaven, purgatory, and hell. Comedy because of the rejection of social order, language, authority, culture, etc
What is dulce stil nuovo?
Sweet new comedy. Sweet refers to the language used. New refers to the content.
What is numerology?
the belief that numbers have a sacred meaning, beyond the mathematical
What is a canto?
poetic chapter; short verse chapter
What is terza rima?
3 part rhyme scheme
What is Jubilee Year?
1300 a.d; 1000 years of Christianity. Christianity used to be frowned upon until Constantine converted to Christianity in 300
Who is Dante?
The protagonist in Dante’s Inferno
Who is Virgil?
Dante’s guide. He was a famous Roman author that was generous and pure. He lived and died before Christ and because of this, he’ll never go to heaven
Who is Beatrice?
She is a holy character in Dante’s Inferno. In Dante’s real life, she was the love of his life
Who is Charon?
A person from Greek mythology. He rows people down the River Styx to the Underworld for a fee.
What is the meaning of Decameron?
10 days [of work]
What is a frame tale?
stories being told within a story
Who was Boccaccio’s main audience?
Female audience
Who is Prince Galeotto?
the author’s surname; fictional character that was King Arthur’s enemy; patron saint of good intentions gone wrong
