Discussion Questions and Topics for Dante's Inferno

What does the structure of the Divine Comedy as a whole and the Inferno in particular suggest about Dante's "worldview"?

Discuss the ways in which Dante uses the numbers 3 (and multiples like 9 and 33) and 10 (100).  How does the number scheme reiforce the meaning of the Divine Comedy?

Check out  one of the following biographies of Dante:  Bio. 1 or Bio. 2  What elements of Dante's life may have influenced the Inferno?

Discuss Dante's use of classical Greek and Roman figures in a text that is otherwise Christian.

Why does pilgrim/Dante have so much respect for Virgil?

What is a pilgrim?  Give  some examples of real as well as literary pilgimages.

What is allegory?  What other allegories have you read?

Discuss examples of allegorical sequences of action in the Inferno.

Why does Dante emphasize Rome and the Vatican in connection with pilgrim's journey.

Pilgrim refers to Virgil as "My Guide!  My Lord!  My Master!"  Explain.

Who would be modern examples of the Opportunists of Canto III?

Discuss/Interpret the sign over the gates of Hell (Canto III).

Who are some modern virtuous pagans (Canto IV)?

How do you read pilgim/Dante's warm welcome by the five great poets (IV)?

Why do you think the episode of Paolo and Francesca (V) has so captured the imagination of painters?

Canto V mentions Dido, Queen of Carthage.  Virgil wrote of her in the Aeneid.  If you know her story, explain why Dante would bring her up at this point in the Inferno.

Explain the point of the punishment of the gluttons in Canto VI.

Give some contemporary examples of the wasters and hoarders of Canto VII.

Give some modern examples of the wrathful and the sullen of Canto VIII.

Discuss the difficulty pilgrim and Virgil have entering the City of Dis and Lower Hell. (IX)

What is "heresy"?  What would be some contemporary examples of people you would consider heretics?

Explain the classification system of Lower Hell as explained in Canto XI

Why in the Minotaur an appropriate moster to symbolize Circle VII (Canto XII)?

Explain the appropriateness of the punisment of suicides in Canto XIII.

Discuss the statue of the Old Man of Crete in Canto XIV.  

Explain the significance of the burning plain in Cantos XIV and XV.

What did sodomy mean to the ancient Hebrews and Christians?  What did sodomy mean to Dante and his world?  What does sodomy mean today?  Is the concept of sodomy culturally relative?

What is usury and why is it a sin?  Can you think of contemporary examples of usurers?

Why do you think Dante disliked fortunetellers and divines? (XX)

Why is the punishment for grafters appropriate?  (XXI)

Cantos XXIV-XXV exhibit the punishment for thieves: hideous reptilian "metamorphoses."  How is this punishment appropriate to their crimes?

Dante is going out of his way to beat the Roman poet Ovid at his own game.  Any ideas what that means?