The Inferno Flashcards
Why is Virgil so meaningful to Medieval readers?
He has special significance as a pre-Christian prophet, because of his fourth eclogue in which he discusses the birth of a potential savior of Rome. 
Why is the #3 significant to Dante?
Father, Son, Holy Ghost
How is the #3 relevant to the Divine Comedy?
The Divine comedy is the last in a poetic trilogy, its self is composed of three parts, and the verse is composed of 3 lines.
How is purgatory different from Hell?
Purgatory is temporary, hell is forever
What is Dante’s goal in his quest?
Dante is in a midlife crisis and hopes that by completing his quest he will be able to get out of it
What’s an allegory?
The discussion of one subject by disguising it as another.
What does Virgil symbolize?
Human reason
What does Beatrice symbolize?
Spiritual Purity; Love
What does the Sun symbolize?
Divine illumination
What does the #3 symbolize?
The Holy Trinity
What does Darkness symbolize?
World of Error (worldliness)
What does the Leopard symbolize?
Fraud or malice
What does the She-Wolf symbolize?
Avarice (extreme greed) or incontinence
What does the Lion symbolize?
Pride or violence
What does Hell symbolize?
Recognition of sin
What does Purgatory symbolize?
Renunciation of sin
What is the message of the allegory?
We must harden ourselves against sin. Avoiding sun and enhancing love are the only way to salvation.
What does Swooning symbolize?
Dante can’t handle hell
What do Stars symbolize?
Gods shining symbols of hope and virtue
What is a comedy in literature?
A genre that depicts amusing incidents, and in which the characters ultimately triumph over adversity (starts bad, ends good)
What is the time period of the Inferno and why’s that important?
It’s during the medieval period and that’s significance because Christianity was a huge part of their politics and literature and Dante countered some Christian ideas of Hell
How is the Medieval concept of fate/destiny different from the 3 Fates at their spinning wheel in Greek mythology?
Fortune is on guy, whereas the 3 fates are 3 guys
What human emotion is personified and said to have released the She-Wolf into the world?
Greed, gaunt, and craving
What is the purpose of Purgatory, and how are sinners cleansed?
It is to punish people for their sins and have them reflect on their sins. Sinners can be cleansed through fire.