Inferno, Dante

We will be reading the first of three books, Inferno, in Dante's The Divine Comedy. Depending on interest, we will read the next book, Purgatory, after.

Disclaimer: the book was written in the early 1300s and is poetry; as such, it can be tricky to understand. It can be a very rewarding experience delving into the historical references - there is no shortage of complex, abstract concepts or rabbit holes you can go down. I recommend following up with commentary/Chat GPT/videos to help aid in understanding. Read a sample first and see if the novel still interests before committing.

Find a modern translation: Mandelbaum, Hollander, Ciardi, James, Esolen are all great choices.

We will focus on a high level, structural understanding of the monumental work and go with the flow of the conversation; this is not a history quiz or a course.

Dante creates an ontology of Hell. The poem follows Dante’s journey through Hell, guided by Virgil, where sinners are punished according to the logic of their sins. Inferno is historically significant for combining classical philosophy, Christian theology, politics, and psychology into a unified moral vision of human nature. Key concepts include contrapasso (punishment symbolically reflecting sin), disordered desire, fraud, pride, and the misuse of reason and power. As Dante descends deeper into Hell, sins become increasingly intellectual and destructive, culminating in treachery and isolation. The poem has profoundly influenced literature, theology, political thought, psychology, and modern depictions of Hell.

Venue TBD. I may find something outside if it is nice.