The document summarizes key aspects of Dante Alighieri's 'The Divine Comedy', which is an epic poem divided into three parts: Inferno (hell), Purgatorio (purgatory), and Paradiso (paradise). It discusses the structure of the poem, the significance of its characters like Virgil and Beatrice, and the symbolism of the nine circles of hell and sins represented within them. Furthermore, it highlights major themes, the purpose of purgatory, and the allegorical nature of the work, conveying deeper moral lessons through its narrative.

1. Answer the following
Answer the following
questions about The
questions about The
Divine Comedy by Dante
Divine Comedy by Dante
Alighieri.
Alighieri.

2. 1.
1. What is the overall structure of
What is the overall structure of
The Divine Comedy, and how is
The Divine Comedy, and how is
it divided?
it divided?
2.
2. Who is the main character and
Who is the main character and
narrator of the poem?
narrator of the poem?

3. 3. What role does Virgil play in
3. What role does Virgil play in
Dante’s journey?
Dante’s journey?
4. What are the nine circles of Hell,
4. What are the nine circles of Hell,
and what sins do they represent?
and what sins do they represent?

4. 5. What is the purpose of Purgatory
5. What is the purpose of Purgatory
in The Divine Comedy?
in The Divine Comedy?
6. How does the structure of
6. How does the structure of
Purgatory differ from that of
Purgatory differ from that of
Hell?
Hell?

5. 7. What are the seven deadly sins
7. What are the seven deadly sins
addressed in Purgatory, and how
addressed in Purgatory, and how
are the souls punished?
are the souls punished?
8.What are the major themes
8.What are the major themes
explored in The Divine Comedy?
explored in The Divine Comedy?

6. 9. What is the significance of
9. What is the significance of
the title The Divine
the title The Divine
Comedy?
Comedy?
10. Why is Beatrice important
10. Why is Beatrice important
in The Divine Comedy?
in The Divine Comedy?

7. Abandon all hope ye who enter here.
Abandon all hope ye who enter here.
How would you feel if these
How would you feel if these
words were inscribed above
words were inscribed above
the classroom door on your
the classroom door on your
first day of classes next year?
first day of classes next year?

9. Dante’s Inferno
Dante’s Inferno
The Details of
The Details of
Hell
Hell

10. Dante Alighieri
Dante Alighieri

Excommunicated from the
Excommunicated from the
Roman Catholic Church.
Roman Catholic Church.

Exiled from his home,
Exiled from his home,
Florence, Italy.
Florence, Italy.

11. Dante Alighieri
Dante Alighieri

Authored The Divine Comedy, an
Authored The Divine Comedy, an
epic poem split into three parts:
epic poem split into three parts:
The
The Inferno
Inferno (Hell),
(Hell), Purgatorio
Purgatorio
(Purgatory), and
(Purgatory), and Paradiso
Paradiso
(Paradise)
(Paradise)
 The Divine Comedy is a Religious
The Divine Comedy is a Religious
Allegory
Allegory

12. Allegory
Allegory

“
“Is the discussion of one
Is the discussion of one
subject by disguising it
subject by disguising it
as another which
as another which
resembles the first in
resembles the first in
some striking way.”
some striking way.”

13. Allegory
Allegory

Allegory is a way of
Allegory is a way of
discussing or telling a story
discussing or telling a story
about one thing by
about one thing by
presenting it as something
presenting it as something
else, which has a strong
else, which has a strong
similarity.
similarity.

14. 
It's like telling a hidden message or
It's like telling a hidden message or
deeper meaning by using characters,
deeper meaning by using characters,
events, or situations that resemble the
events, or situations that resemble the
real subject. For example, a story
real subject. For example, a story
about animals might really be about
about animals might really be about
human behavior or society. The
human behavior or society. The
surface story helps represent
surface story helps represent
something more complex or abstract.
something more complex or abstract.

15. 
Derived from Dante’s last name
Derived from Dante’s last name
(Alighieri)
(Alighieri)

In an allegory the characters, setting
In an allegory the characters, setting
and plot have a hidden or symbolic
and plot have a hidden or symbolic
meaning beyond their literal
meaning beyond their literal
meaning.
meaning.

An Allegory teaches a moral lesson.
An Allegory teaches a moral lesson.

16. Virgil
Virgil

Roman author of
Roman author of The
The
Aeneid
Aeneid, the national epic
, the national epic
of Rome.
of Rome.

Virgil is Dante’s guide
Virgil is Dante’s guide
through Hell.
through Hell.

17. Virgil
Virgil

“
“forbids me to come there…”
forbids me to come there…”
Virgil lived and died before
Virgil lived and died before
the establishment of Christ’s
the establishment of Christ’s
teachings in Rome and
teachings in Rome and
cannot therefore enter
cannot therefore enter
Heaven.
Heaven.

18. The Inferno
The Inferno

Dante is the main character
Dante is the main character
in The Divine Comedy.
in The Divine Comedy.

The Inferno is a telling of
The Inferno is a telling of
Dante’s journey through the
Dante’s journey through the
nine circles of Hell.
nine circles of Hell.

19. The Inferno
The Inferno

Dante begins his journey through
Dante begins his journey through
Hell on Good Friday and ends on
Hell on Good Friday and ends on
Easter Sunday.
Easter Sunday.

This symbolizes the journey of
This symbolizes the journey of
Jesus, crucified on Good Friday,
Jesus, crucified on Good Friday,
descended into Hell and was
descended into Hell and was
resurrected to live again on Easter
resurrected to live again on Easter
Sunday.
Sunday.

20. The Nine Circles of Hell
The Nine Circles of Hell

Circle 1- LIMBO
Circle 1- LIMBO
 Circle 2- The Lustful
Circle 2- The Lustful

Circle 3- The Gluttonous
Circle 3- The Gluttonous

Circle 4- Misers and Spendthrifts
Circle 4- Misers and Spendthrifts
 Circle 5- Wrathful and Sullen
Circle 5- Wrathful and Sullen

Circle 6- Heretics
Circle 6- Heretics

Circle 7- The Violent (Murder & Suicide)
Circle 7- The Violent (Murder & Suicide)

Circle 8- The Fraudulent
Circle 8- The Fraudulent
 Circle 9- Traitors
Circle 9- Traitors
Circles 2-5 are
Sins without
Malice.
They do not hurt
others.

21. Canto I- Chapter 1
Canto I- Chapter 1
 The Dark Wood of Error: When Dante
The Dark Wood of Error: When Dante
wrote The Divine Comedy he was
wrote The Divine Comedy he was
going through his own mid-life crisis.
going through his own mid-life crisis.

He had been abandoned and tossed
He had been abandoned and tossed
aside by both church and country and
aside by both church and country and
was now “lost,” experiencing a crisis of
was now “lost,” experiencing a crisis of
faith.
faith.

22. “
“Midway in our life’s journey, I went
Midway in our life’s journey, I went
astray from the straight road and woke
astray from the straight road and woke
to find myself alone in a dark wood.”
to find myself alone in a dark wood.”
Canto I, lines 1-3
Canto I, lines 1-3
 The Dark Wood of Error is symbolic of Dante’s
The Dark Wood of Error is symbolic of Dante’s
“lost faith,” and the three beasts chasing him are
“lost faith,” and the three beasts chasing him are
manifestations of Dante’s sin.
manifestations of Dante’s sin.
 His sins are quite literally chasing him to the
His sins are quite literally chasing him to the
entrance of Hell.
entrance of Hell.
 The Leopard of Malice and Fraud
The Leopard of Malice and Fraud
 The Lion of Violence and Ambition
The Lion of Violence and Ambition
 The She-wolf of Incontinence
The She-wolf of Incontinence
(Lack of self-restraint, especially with regard to sexual activity)
(Lack of self-restraint, especially with regard to sexual activity)

23. Canto III- Chapter 3
Canto III- Chapter 3

Virgil leads Dante through the Gates of
Virgil leads Dante through the Gates of
Hell.
Hell.

As they pass under them Dante reads the
As they pass under them Dante reads the
inscription on the threshold:
inscription on the threshold:
I am the way into the City of Woe.
I am the way into the City of Woe.
I am the way to a Forsaken People.
I am the way to a Forsaken People.
I am the way into eternal sorrow.
I am the way into eternal sorrow.

Who do you think wrote this inscription?
Who do you think wrote this inscription?

24. Abandon all hope ye who enter here.
Abandon all hope ye who enter here.

This is the end of the fateful inscription
This is the end of the fateful inscription
each of the damned would read as they
each of the damned would read as they
entered into the gates of Hell.
entered into the gates of Hell.

How would you feel if these words were
How would you feel if these words were
inscribed above the classroom door on
inscribed above the classroom door on
your first day of classes next year?
your first day of classes next year?

25. The Ferryman
The Ferryman

In the entrance to Circle 1
In the entrance to Circle 1 the
the
dead must pay the Ferryman,
dead must pay the Ferryman,
Charon
Charon, to cross the
, to cross the River
River
Acheron
Acheron. The souls of the
. The souls of the
damned are in a hurry to cross the
damned are in a hurry to cross the
river and appear before
river and appear before Minos
Minos for
for
judgment. This is the beginning
judgment. This is the beginning
of their punishment, the desperate
of their punishment, the desperate
need to be punished despite their
need to be punished despite their
despair at being in Hell.
despair at being in Hell.

26. 
Minos
Minos is a mythological figure who
is a mythological figure who
serves as the judge of the souls entering
serves as the judge of the souls entering
Hell. He is depicted as a monstrous figure
Hell. He is depicted as a monstrous figure
with a serpent-like tail. Minos' role is to
with a serpent-like tail. Minos' role is to
determine the appropriate circle of Hell
determine the appropriate circle of Hell
for each soul based on the sins they
for each soul based on the sins they
committed during their lifetime.
committed during their lifetime.

Charon
Charon does not want to let Dante Pass
does not want to let Dante Pass
because he is alive and does not belong in
because he is alive and does not belong in
Hell.
Hell.

27. Circle I- LIMBO
Circle I- LIMBO

Fallen Angels- race endlessly after a
Fallen Angels- race endlessly after a
blank flag; These are the fallen angels
blank flag; These are the fallen angels
who took no stand for or against the
who took no stand for or against the
rebellious angels during the War in
rebellious angels during the War in
Heaven between Lucifer and God.
Heaven between Lucifer and God.

They are now forced to run after a black
They are now forced to run after a black
banner or flag because they chose no
banner or flag because they chose no
banner to support in the war of Heaven.
banner to support in the war of Heaven.
The race after the flag without stopping
The race after the flag without stopping
for eternity.
for eternity.

28. Also in Circle I
Also in Circle I
THE INNOCENT SOULS
THE INNOCENT SOULS:
:

Blameless but un-baptized babies
Blameless but un-baptized babies

Great Pagan and Roman poets and
Great Pagan and Roman poets and
philosophers comfortable (living in a castle)
philosophers comfortable (living in a castle)
but separate forever from God.
but separate forever from God.

Though they are in Hell, these souls live in
Though they are in Hell, these souls live in
relative comfort. The only sin they
relative comfort. The only sin they
committed was not being baptized as a
committed was not being baptized as a
Christian.
Christian.

29.  Virgil and Dante leave Limbo and moves into the
Virgil and Dante leave Limbo and moves into the
2
2nd
nd
Circle.
Circle.
Here is where Dante encounters those who suffer the Sins of
LUST and PHYSICAL PLEASURE
•Dante sees many historically famous
lovers during his time here.
Dante even gets to speak with a
couple who had recently died in his
time and went to hell for their sins.
•Francesca and Paolo tell Dante that
they were seduced by reading the
story of Lancelot and Guinevere, and
became lovers. Subsequently they
were surprised and murdered by
Francesca’s husband before they were
able to repent.

30. Circle II- The Lustful
Circle II- The Lustful

The second circle is the real beginning of hell.
The second circle is the real beginning of hell.
Here we see a giant tornado, sinners are whirled
Here we see a giant tornado, sinners are whirled
by winds as in life they were helpless in
by winds as in life they were helpless in
tempests of passion.
tempests of passion.

Paolo and Francesca go swirling by in Canto 5.
Paolo and Francesca go swirling by in Canto 5.
They were murdered before they could repent
They were murdered before they could repent
carnal courtly love as sin. (Dido, Cleopatra,
carnal courtly love as sin. (Dido, Cleopatra,
Anthony and Achilles are all also here)
Anthony and Achilles are all also here)

These are all sinners of LUST and
These are all sinners of LUST and
CARNAL/SEXUAL LOVE
CARNAL/SEXUAL LOVE

31. Other Historic Lovers in Circle 2
Other Historic Lovers in Circle 2

Dido – Queen of Carthage/Lover of Aeneas
Dido – Queen of Carthage/Lover of Aeneas

Cleopatra- Queen of Egypt/Lover of Mark
Cleopatra- Queen of Egypt/Lover of Mark
Anthony
Anthony

Helen- Princess of Greece/Troy/Lover of Paris
Helen- Princess of Greece/Troy/Lover of Paris
 Isolde- Princess of Ireland/Lover of Tristan
Isolde- Princess of Ireland/Lover of Tristan
These lovers and more have been swept up in the
Tornado of their passion endlessly reaching for each
other, yet eternally kept apart by the winds of Hell.

32. Circle III- The Gluttonous
Circle III- The Gluttonous
 These are the sinners of EXCESS.
These are the sinners of EXCESS.
 People who eat too much, take too many drugs,
People who eat too much, take too many drugs,
drink too much…
drink too much…
 This circle is guarded by Cerberus (from Greek
This circle is guarded by Cerberus (from Greek
Mythology, he is the 3 headed dog who guarded the
Mythology, he is the 3 headed dog who guarded the
entrance to the Greek Underworld)
entrance to the Greek Underworld)
 In Dante’s Inferno the 3 headed dog continuously
In Dante’s Inferno the 3 headed dog continuously
chews on the sinners who are stuck in clumps of
chews on the sinners who are stuck in clumps of
mud.
mud.
 Gluttons who feasted away their lives now lie like
Gluttons who feasted away their lives now lie like
pigs in the mud while the three headed dog takes
pigs in the mud while the three headed dog takes
him time eating them- forever.
him time eating them- forever.

33. Circle III- The Gluttonous
Circle III- The Gluttonous
 These are the sinners of EXCESS.
These are the sinners of EXCESS.
 People who eat too much, take too
People who eat too much, take too
many drugs, drink too much…
many drugs, drink too much…
 This circle is guarded by
This circle is guarded by
Cerberus
Cerberus (from Greek
(from Greek
Mythology, he is the 3 headed dog
Mythology, he is the 3 headed dog
who guarded the entrance to the
who guarded the entrance to the
Greek Underworld)
Greek Underworld)

35. Circle IV- Misers and Spendthrifts
Circle IV- Misers and Spendthrifts

Misers are generally cheap old men who
Misers are generally cheap old men who
hoard their money, like Ebenezer Scrooge.
hoard their money, like Ebenezer Scrooge.

Spendthrifts are people who spend too
Spendthrifts are people who spend too
much money.
much money.

Pluto, Roman god of riches, guards the
Pluto, Roman god of riches, guards the
entrance to the fourth circle.
entrance to the fourth circle.

Sinners take turns rolling stones at each
Sinners take turns rolling stones at each
other to crash against one another-
other to crash against one another-
FOREVER.
FOREVER.

37. Circle V- Wrathful and Sullen
Circle V- Wrathful and Sullen
 The Wrathful sought Revenge in life
The Wrathful sought Revenge in life
while the Sullen were silently angry and
while the Sullen were silently angry and
made others miserable with that anger.
made others miserable with that anger.
 The Styx (river of hate) forms a swamp
The Styx (river of hate) forms a swamp
holding the openly wrathful who strike
holding the openly wrathful who strike
and bite one another; the sullen lie
and bite one another; the sullen lie
under the surface of the marsh, just as
under the surface of the marsh, just as
their silent anger lay hidden during their
their silent anger lay hidden during their
lives.
lives.

39. Dante wrote
Dante wrote The Divine
The Divine
Comedy
Comedy as a form of revenge
as a form of revenge
against those that would send
against those that would send
him into exile; this was his sin,
him into exile; this was his sin,
which is why revenge is not
which is why revenge is not
one of the more extremely
one of the more extremely
punished sins.
punished sins.

40. Circle VI- The Heretics
Circle VI- The Heretics

Heretics choose their own opinions instead
Heretics choose their own opinions instead
of following the teachings of the Church.
of following the teachings of the Church.

Heretics are anyone who commits any
Heretics are anyone who commits any
crime against the church. They get to
crime against the church. They get to
spend eternity set on fire and then buried
spend eternity set on fire and then buried
alive. Their bodies forever burning in their
alive. Their bodies forever burning in their
graves.
graves.

Atheists, or those who don’t believe in
Atheists, or those who don’t believe in
God, are also here.
God, are also here.

42. Circle VII- Violence
Circle VII- Violence

Violent Sinners are divided
Violent Sinners are divided
into 3 sub-circles:
into 3 sub-circles:

Violent against Neighbors
Violent against Neighbors

Violent against Self
Violent against Self

Violent against God
Violent against God

43. Circle VII- Violence
Circle VII- Violence

First Ring: Violence against others
First Ring: Violence against others;
;
includes murderers and robbers - NOTE:
includes murderers and robbers - NOTE:
Dante does not really distinguish between
Dante does not really distinguish between
lives and property; stealing a life is the
lives and property; stealing a life is the
same to Dante as stealing someone’s
same to Dante as stealing someone’s
property. The damned are submerged in the
property. The damned are submerged in the
Phlegethon – the river of blood, drowning
Phlegethon – the river of blood, drowning
in the blood of all of Hell’s sinners.
in the blood of all of Hell’s sinners.

44. 
Second Ring: Violence against
Second Ring: Violence against
themselves
themselves - suicides (wasted their
- suicides (wasted their
bodies) and squanderers (wasted their
bodies) and squanderers (wasted their
goods)
goods)

Suicides (with harpies) - Harpies in
Suicides (with harpies) - Harpies in
Greek Mythology steal anything, so
Greek Mythology steal anything, so
here they symbolize stealing away of
here they symbolize stealing away of
the souls by suicides, they puck out the
the souls by suicides, they puck out the
eyes of their victims. Eyes are the
eyes of their victims. Eyes are the
gateway to the soul.
gateway to the soul.

45. 
Third Ring: Violence against God
Third Ring: Violence against God
- blasphemy and denial; the worst
- blasphemy and denial; the worst
kind of violence in Dante's world-
kind of violence in Dante's world-
view. Blasphemy can be anything-
view. Blasphemy can be anything-
from denouncing God before a
from denouncing God before a
crowd of people to saying the
crowd of people to saying the
Lord’s name in vain.
Lord’s name in vain.

46. 
Blasphemy:
Blasphemy: Saying bad
Saying bad
things about God or
things about God or
showing disrespect. It can
showing disrespect. It can
be things like publicly
be things like publicly
denying God or using God's
denying God or using God's
name in a disrespectful
name in a disrespectful
way.
way.

47. Monsters as Guards
Monsters as Guards

Yet another Greek Mythological
Yet another Greek Mythological
reference mentioned in The Inferno is the
reference mentioned in The Inferno is the
character of Chiron – the centaur teacher
character of Chiron – the centaur teacher
of Hercules.
of Hercules.

Warrior-centaurs patrol this entire circle;
Warrior-centaurs patrol this entire circle;
they are half man, half horse and easily
they are half man, half horse and easily
angered; they patrol & torture those who
angered; they patrol & torture those who
killed others violently.
killed others violently.

49. Circle VIII- Fraud
Circle VIII- Fraud

There are ten different sub-circles of Fraud
There are ten different sub-circles of Fraud.
.

1.Panderers/Seducers (those who tell you what you want
1.Panderers/Seducers (those who tell you what you want
to hear to get something from you)
to hear to get something from you)
 2.Flatterers
2.Flatterers

3.Simoniacs (sell church favor)
3.Simoniacs (sell church favor)
 4.Fortunetellers
4.Fortunetellers
 5.Grafters (sell political favor)
5.Grafters (sell political favor)

6.Hypocrites
6.Hypocrites
 7.Thieves
7.Thieves
 8.Evil Counselors
8.Evil Counselors

9.Sowers of Discord
9.Sowers of Discord
 10.Falsifiers (Alchemists & Counterfeiters)
10.Falsifiers (Alchemists & Counterfeiters)

50. The Fraud Monster- a reference to
The Fraud Monster- a reference to
the Serpent Archetype
the Serpent Archetype

The Circle of Fraud starts at the
The Circle of Fraud starts at the
base of an abyss, so Dante and
base of an abyss, so Dante and
Virgil must descend on the back of
Virgil must descend on the back of
the Fraud Monster, Geryon.
the Fraud Monster, Geryon.

.
.

51. 
Geryon has a pleasant face and a
Geryon has a pleasant face and a
snake-like body, to symbolize the
snake-like body, to symbolize the
pleasant first appearance of fraud and
pleasant first appearance of fraud and
its twisted snake-like dealings.
its twisted snake-like dealings.

This is very much like the pleasant
This is very much like the pleasant
first appearance of the snake in the
first appearance of the snake in the
Garden of Eden as the friend and
Garden of Eden as the friend and
advisor of Eve. The snake gives a false
advisor of Eve. The snake gives a false
appearance in order to trick Eve into
appearance in order to trick Eve into
eating the apple.
eating the apple.

52. Circle IX- Traitors
Circle IX- Traitors

Dante was betrayed by his
Dante was betrayed by his
countrymen and fellow
countrymen and fellow
politicians. This betrayal sent
politicians. This betrayal sent
him into exile which is why
him into exile which is why
betrayal is considered the most
betrayal is considered the most
serious sin in Dante’s version
serious sin in Dante’s version
of Hell.
of Hell.

53. 
The 9
The 9th
th
Circle of hell consists of a
Circle of hell consists of a
frozen lake of ice; Satan is frozen
frozen lake of ice; Satan is frozen
from the shoulders down at the center.
from the shoulders down at the center.
Satan’s wings continuously flap as he
Satan’s wings continuously flap as he
tries to get free from his frozen jail.
tries to get free from his frozen jail.
The wind created by his wings is what
The wind created by his wings is what
actually freezes the lake and makes
actually freezes the lake and makes
the rest of the circle cold.
the rest of the circle cold.

In essence, he is trapping himself.
In essence, he is trapping himself.

54. Canto XXXIV (34)
Canto XXXIV (34)

“
“On march the banners of the King of
On march the banners of the King of
Hell,” my Master said. “Torward us.
Hell,” my Master said. “Torward us.
Look straight ahead: can you make him
Look straight ahead: can you make him
out at the core of the frozen shell?”
out at the core of the frozen shell?”

As Canto XXXIV begins Virgil is
As Canto XXXIV begins Virgil is
leading Dante down into the very last
leading Dante down into the very last
circle of Hell.
circle of Hell.

55. Satan
Satan
 Satan has three faces.
Satan has three faces.

In each mouth is a historic betrayer eternally
In each mouth is a historic betrayer eternally
being chewed on.
being chewed on.
 In mouth 1 and mouth 2 are Brutus and Cassius
In mouth 1 and mouth 2 are Brutus and Cassius
the assassinators of Julius Caesar (considered the
the assassinators of Julius Caesar (considered the
greatest Roman leader who sacrificed his life for
greatest Roman leader who sacrificed his life for
his country.)
his country.)
 In Mouth 3 is Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus
In Mouth 3 is Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus
Christ to his enemies. Christ was put to death
Christ to his enemies. Christ was put to death
sacrificing his life for his people.
sacrificing his life for his people.

56. 
They observe that Satan has three faces.
They observe that Satan has three faces.
This is a gross parody of the Catholic
This is a gross parody of the Catholic
Holy Trinity.
Holy Trinity.
 Dante and Virgil have to actually climb
Dante and Virgil have to actually climb
around Satan in order to reach the exit of
around Satan in order to reach the exit of
Hell.
Hell.

This is the end of Dante’s journey
This is the end of Dante’s journey
through Hell. Virgil must leave him at the
through Hell. Virgil must leave him at the
bottom of the mountain of Purgatory to
bottom of the mountain of Purgatory to
climb up and out of Hell alone.
climb up and out of Hell alone.

57. The final Circle of Hell is divided
The final Circle of Hell is divided
into 4 sub circles:
into 4 sub circles:
 Traitors to Kindred
Traitors to Kindred or family- Caina named after
or family- Caina named after
Cain, the first murderer of a kinsman
Cain, the first murderer of a kinsman
 Traitors to Country
Traitors to Country - Antenora; named after the
- Antenora; named after the
Trojan Antenor who in the Middle Ages was
Trojan Antenor who in the Middle Ages was
believed to have betrayed Troy to the Greeks.
believed to have betrayed Troy to the Greeks.

Traitors to Guests
Traitors to Guests - Ptolomea, named after Ptolemy,
- Ptolomea, named after Ptolemy,
a captain of Jericho who invited guests to a banquet
a captain of Jericho who invited guests to a banquet
and then murdered them while they were eating.
and then murdered them while they were eating.

58. Traitors to Masters
Traitors to Masters (or benefactors)
(or benefactors)
 - Judecca is where Satan is munching on Judas,
- Judecca is where Satan is munching on Judas,
Cassius and Brutus
Cassius and Brutus
 Judecca is named for Judas Iscariot who betrayed
Judecca is named for Judas Iscariot who betrayed
Christ. Also includes Cassius and Brutus who
Christ. Also includes Cassius and Brutus who
betrayed Julius Caesar. This puts together the
betrayed Julius Caesar. This puts together the
betrayal of masters of
betrayal of masters of Church and State.
Church and State.
 The frozen center contains Satan - total absence of
The frozen center contains Satan - total absence of
goodness; absolute distance from God; Virgil and
goodness; absolute distance from God; Virgil and
Dante climb down Satan's side to the center of the
Dante climb down Satan's side to the center of the
earth; exit Hell, and start climbing up toward
earth; exit Hell, and start climbing up toward
Purgatory, but that's another story.
Purgatory, but that's another story.

59. The Image of Stars
The Image of Stars
 As a part of the epic’s symbolism, Dante ends each of
As a part of the epic’s symbolism, Dante ends each of
the three parts of
the three parts of The Divine Comedy
The Divine Comedy with the word
with the word
“stars.”
“stars.”
 Every conclusion of the upward soul is toward the
Every conclusion of the upward soul is toward the
stars, God’s shining symbols of hope and virtue.
stars, God’s shining symbols of hope and virtue.
 At the end of each part in
At the end of each part in The Divine Comedy
The Divine Comedy Dante
Dante
also travels upward in pursuit of his journey to
also travels upward in pursuit of his journey to
salvation.
salvation.
 Further symbolism can be found in the mythological
Further symbolism can be found in the mythological
names of the constellations. Further emphasizing the
names of the constellations. Further emphasizing the
Greek/Roman mythological influences in the work.
Greek/Roman mythological influences in the work.