Dante's Inferno Questions and Answers - eNotes.com

Dante's Inferno Questions and Answers

What is the moral lesson of Inferno?

Why is Dante's work entitled Divine Comedy when there's not even a hint of funny stuff in it?

What do you think was Dante's purpose in writing Inferno?

Why do you think Dante has chosen to encase Satan in ice instead of a lake of lava? What is the symbolism in that?

In Dante's Inferno, how are the lustful being punished in the second circle of hell? Why is that punishment appropriate for this sin? Some critics believe that Francesca and Paolo have triumphed, because they are in love and are together for all eternity. Is this interpretation correct? Why or why not?

In Dante's Inferno, why does Dante have to go to Hell first before going to Heaven, rather than the other way around?

In the Inferno, why are Brutus, Cassius, and Judas Dante's picks to be in the mouths of Lucifer?

What Are The 7 Levels Of Purgatory?

How are hypocrites punished in the Inferno?

Which artist, William Blake or Gustave Doré, would Dante have chosen to illustrate the Inferno?

What does the greyhound in Dante's Inferno symbolize?

What is the message of Dante's Inferno?

What are the nine circles of Dante's Inferno?

How or why is Dante sympathetic to some sinners and not others?

What is the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution for Dante's Inferno?

Explain Dante’s use of allusion in canto 5 of the Inferno. What purposes do the references to Minos and the lustful figures from mythology serve?

Discuss allusions used in Dante's Inferno.

How does Dante criticize the Church? If you could draw on three or four points, that would be great.

What is the punishment for the sodomites in Cantos 15-16 of Inferno?

How many levels of hell are there in Dante's The Inferno? What does Dante see on each?

What is Virgil's advice to Dante as spoken at the gate of Hell?

Why was the poet Homer in hell in Dante’s Inferno? Which level of hell is he in? What is his eternal punishment? What was his sin? Why is this surprising?

In Dante's Inferno, Dante meets three obstacles: the leopard, the lion, and the she-wolf. What do they symbolize? Which animal poses the greatest problem for Dante? Why? How are they encountered in real life?

What are the rivers of hell and their ferrymen in Dante's Inferno?

In Canto 18 of Dante's Inferno, why is the priest in hell?

What sins did Dante commit?

Why is Virgil Dante's guide?

Who does Francesca blame for her adultery in Dante's Inferno?

Why does Dante use the number "3" multiple times in "Dante's Inferno"?

What are the punishments for the sins in the 7th circle? Specifically, the sinners in the third ring, and the suicides. I understand that they are on a bed of burning sand or trapped in a tree, but what makes each different?

In Dante's vision of good and evil, why is fraud considered a more harmful behavior than violence?

Who are the souls tortured in Canto III of Dante's Inferno?

Analyze the character of Ulysses as a "fraudulent counselor" in canto 26 of Dante's Inferno.

What are the three categories of sin and their meanings, according to Dante in his Inferno?

In the Inferno, why are Brutus, Cassius, and Judas Dante’s picks to be in the mouths of Lucifer?

In Dante's Inferno,gluttony is the third circle of Hell. Do you think the punishment fits the crime? Why or why not.

What role does disillusion play in Inferno, canto XXXIV, in Dante's Divine Comedy? What role does disillusion play in "The Explosion" by Larkins? Find two or three examples in which the authors include the themes of vision and disillusion in both poems. Write one paragraph on both poems.

How does Dante portray Satan's body and appearance?

What does contrapasso mean?

Explain the story of Paolo and Francesca in the second circle in canto V of Dante's Inferno. How is their fall related to romantic or courtly love? How is it not? Why does Dante sympathize with them?

At the end of canto III and at other times in Dante's Inferno, Dante swoons. What is the significance of his fainting at these times?

How many cantos are in the Inferno?

What is the relationship between Dante the Author and Dante the Pilgrim from Dante's Inferno?

In the Inferno, why does Dante use so many Greek characters as guardians of hell?

In Dante's Inferno, by Dante Alighieri, why is the false counselors' punishment to be encased in a tongue of flame?

Symbolic Retribution

How did the Divine Comedy influence the world?

In the Dante's Inferno canto I, it speaks about "those who are happy and in fire." What does that mean?

Who are the characters in Canto 3 of Dante's Inferno?

What do the sinners in Dante's Inferno all have in common? Why can't we take what the sinners say at face value?