Dante’s InfernoDante’s Inferno

“Midway on our life’s journey, I found myself

In dark woods, the right road lost.”Canto I

“Midway on our life’s journey, I found myself

In dark woods, the right road lost.”Canto I

Dante: The ManDante: The Man

Born in 1265 in the Italian city-state, Florence.

Middle Class (Royal Ties)At age 20 he wed through an arranged marriage--Gemma Donati

At age 35, Dante had an important government post--magistrate.

Born in 1265 in the Italian city-state, Florence.

Middle Class (Royal Ties)At age 20 he wed through an arranged marriage--Gemma Donati

At age 35, Dante had an important government post--magistrate.

Politics and Civil Strife

Politics and Civil Strife

Two political parties in the 13th century dominated Florence.Guelfs and GhibellinesOnly the Guelfs survived. In the 1290’s they split into the White Guelfs (associated with the old Ghibellines--Composed of merchants and traders) and the Black Guelfs (led by old banking families)

Two political parties in the 13th century dominated Florence.Guelfs and GhibellinesOnly the Guelfs survived. In the 1290’s they split into the White Guelfs (associated with the old Ghibellines--Composed of merchants and traders) and the Black Guelfs (led by old banking families)

Political Strife Continued

Political Strife Continued

Dante was affiliated with the White Guelf party.

Pope Boniface VIII sides with the banking interests, Black Guelfs

In 1300 Boniface plans to have the Catholic Church control the economies of Florence and Tuscany. Boniface moves to have all opposition ex-communicated.

Dante was affiliated with the White Guelf party.

Pope Boniface VIII sides with the banking interests, Black Guelfs

In 1300 Boniface plans to have the Catholic Church control the economies of Florence and Tuscany. Boniface moves to have all opposition ex-communicated.

Political Strife Continued

Political Strife Continued

In 1301 Dante leaves Florence on a mission to gain support the opposition to the Black Guelfs.

While he is away the Black Guelfs take over Florence completely. He is exiled from his native city and sentenced to be burned alive if he ever returns. He never does.

In 1301 Dante leaves Florence on a mission to gain support the opposition to the Black Guelfs.

While he is away the Black Guelfs take over Florence completely. He is exiled from his native city and sentenced to be burned alive if he ever returns. He never does.

Facts To RememberFacts To Remember

Dante made himself the main character of the Divine Comedy.

He was the first to write in the vernacular (the language of the people).

Dante made himself the main character of the Divine Comedy.

He was the first to write in the vernacular (the language of the people).

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The Significance of the Number Three

The Significance of the Number Three

The number three is prominent throughout the Divine Comedy, most specifically the “Inferno.”

The Trinity provides one possible reason for the frequency of the number three: Dante, obviously, wrote the Comedia as a deeply Christian work, and would have understood three to be a deeply theological number.

The number three is prominent throughout the Divine Comedy, most specifically the “Inferno.”

The Trinity provides one possible reason for the frequency of the number three: Dante, obviously, wrote the Comedia as a deeply Christian work, and would have understood three to be a deeply theological number.

Uses of 3Uses of 3

Three Books: Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso

Each book has thirty three cantos. (not counting the introduction in the Inferno)

Terza Rima Rhyme Scheme: the poem also employs a unique, interlocking terza rima rhyme scheme (aba bcb cdc...) that seems to be Dante's own invention.

In Canto One Dante encounters 3 beasts Satan is represented as being a 3 headed creature.

Three Books: Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso

Each book has thirty three cantos. (not counting the introduction in the Inferno)

Terza Rima Rhyme Scheme: the poem also employs a unique, interlocking terza rima rhyme scheme (aba bcb cdc...) that seems to be Dante's own invention.

In Canto One Dante encounters 3 beasts Satan is represented as being a 3 headed creature.