Finished Inferno
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Jeremy Jernigan
Jul 3, 2010, 2:23:43 PM7/3/10
to Summer Reading AZ
I'm done with part 1 of 3 and I am really enjoying the read. I’m not
very familiar with Dante’s theology or spiritual belief, but there are
a few themes that he develops in the Inferno that are interesting to
think about.
1. Dante is encouraged not to feel pity for the souls in Hell that God
has damned. It would be illogical and heretical to do so. This doesn’t
imply that God made them be there, but that they chose it and God is
enforcing it. Their punishment in Hell is the just response by God.
2. The souls in Hell are punished, rather ironically, with the
counterbalance to their greatest sins. For example, when Dante comes
to the area for souls who commit suicide, they don’t have bodies but
are instead trees. In addition, they can only speak when a branch is
broken or maimed and they are “bleeding.” As one of them tells Dante,
“…it is not just that a man be given what he throws away.” Canto XIII,
Inferno. In another example, we learn that “as they tore others apart,
so are they torn.” Canto XXVIII
I’m not sure how he does it, since it is an English translation from
Italian, but most of Ciardi’s lines rhyme. Here are a couple of
snippets from the book that stood out to me:
“ABANDON ALL HOPE YE WHO ENTER HERE.”
“But all together they drew to that grim shore
where all must come who lose the fear of God.”
“That king whose perfect wisdom transcends all,
made the heavens and posted angels on them
to guide the eternal light that it might fall
from every sphere to every sphere the same.”
“Now tell me how much cash
our Lord required of Peter in guarantee
before he put the keys into his keeping?
Surely he asked nothing but ‘Follow me!’”
On a random side note, I was in Best Buy the other day and I noticed
that a video game has been made about this story. It looks like it
takes a slightly different twist, but it is interesting to see
classical literature’s effects across the board.
very familiar with Dante’s theology or spiritual belief, but there are
a few themes that he develops in the Inferno that are interesting to
think about.
1. Dante is encouraged not to feel pity for the souls in Hell that God
has damned. It would be illogical and heretical to do so. This doesn’t
imply that God made them be there, but that they chose it and God is
enforcing it. Their punishment in Hell is the just response by God.
2. The souls in Hell are punished, rather ironically, with the
counterbalance to their greatest sins. For example, when Dante comes
to the area for souls who commit suicide, they don’t have bodies but
are instead trees. In addition, they can only speak when a branch is
broken or maimed and they are “bleeding.” As one of them tells Dante,
“…it is not just that a man be given what he throws away.” Canto XIII,
Inferno. In another example, we learn that “as they tore others apart,
so are they torn.” Canto XXVIII
I’m not sure how he does it, since it is an English translation from
Italian, but most of Ciardi’s lines rhyme. Here are a couple of
snippets from the book that stood out to me:
“ABANDON ALL HOPE YE WHO ENTER HERE.”
“But all together they drew to that grim shore
where all must come who lose the fear of God.”
“That king whose perfect wisdom transcends all,
made the heavens and posted angels on them
to guide the eternal light that it might fall
from every sphere to every sphere the same.”
“Now tell me how much cash
our Lord required of Peter in guarantee
before he put the keys into his keeping?
Surely he asked nothing but ‘Follow me!’”
On a random side note, I was in Best Buy the other day and I noticed
that a video game has been made about this story. It looks like it
takes a slightly different twist, but it is interesting to see
classical literature’s effects across the board.
Dani
Jul 13, 2010, 12:42:14 AM7/13/10
to Summer Reading AZ
I learned that Dante was educated through the Franciscan School of
Philosophy. I'm not sure what their specific theology is, other than
a branch of Catholicism, but maybe someone else is more familiar?
I agree, I think his perspective of people getting their just reward
is pretty solid.
Jeremy, just out of curiosity, are all of Clardi's lines in quatrains
(four lines) like that? Because I remember my college professor
making a huge deal about the terza rima (three line) structure of the
Divine Comedy and of Dante's obsession with the number 3.
I'm hoping someone reviews the Dante video game... probably the only
way I could get my husband interested in literature is through his
PS3! =)
Philosophy. I'm not sure what their specific theology is, other than
a branch of Catholicism, but maybe someone else is more familiar?
I agree, I think his perspective of people getting their just reward
is pretty solid.
Jeremy, just out of curiosity, are all of Clardi's lines in quatrains
(four lines) like that? Because I remember my college professor
making a huge deal about the terza rima (three line) structure of the
Divine Comedy and of Dante's obsession with the number 3.
I'm hoping someone reviews the Dante video game... probably the only
way I could get my husband interested in literature is through his
PS3! =)
Jeremy Jernigan
Jul 19, 2010, 7:48:23 PM7/19/10
to Summer Reading AZ
Most of Ciardi's breaks are in 3 lines (even though none of them that
I quoted were!)
I might have to take it upon myself to review the video game as
well... not because I want to of course, but for the good of others!
Jeremy
I quoted were!)
I might have to take it upon myself to review the video game as
well... not because I want to of course, but for the good of others!
Jeremy
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