Dante Alighiere, Inferno, Session 4 of 7, Cantos 15 - 19 [Violence, Circles 7-8]

Session 4 of 7
Our band of Danteans has succeeded in our climb through Purgatorio and Paradiso, so now it's time to once again slog through Limbo and Hell... it's more fun anyway.

Dante Alighieri's Inferno, the first part of his epic poem Divine Comedy, stands as one of the most influential works in Western literature. Written in the early 14th century, it takes readers on a vivid journey through Hell, where Dante, guided by the Roman poet Virgil, encounters the damned souls of history, myth, and fiction. The poem's structure, divided into 34 cantos, reveals Dante's complex vision of sin, justice, and divine retribution, as each circle of Hell represents different types of sinners and their corresponding punishments.

Inferno remains relevant today for several reasons. First, its exploration of human nature and morality continues to resonate. Dante's portrayal of the consequences of sin offers a timeless reflection on personal choices and accountability, asking readers to consider the repercussions of their actions in life. Moreover, Dante's work engages with universal themes such as justice, redemption, and the quest for meaning, subjects that transcend time and culture.

Additionally, Dante's Inferno is a mirror for society, offering pointed critiques of the political and religious institutions of his day. His depictions of corrupt clergy, dishonest politicians, and misled leaders invite reflection on the ethics of authority and governance. In an age marked by political unrest and corruption, the poem's insights into power dynamics and societal flaws continue to spark conversation.

Finally, the vivid imagery, rich symbolism, and intricate structure of Inferno offer a wealth of literary merit, making it a treasure trove for scholars and readers alike. Its impact on literature, art, and philosophy is undeniable, ensuring its place as a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the human condition and the complexities of morality. [ChatGPT, 3-23-25]

Pre-Reading for each session:
April 20 2025: Inferno, Cantos 1 - 4 [Prologue - Limbo]
May 4, 2025: Cantos 5 - 9 [Lust - Anger, Circles 2-5]
May 18, 2025: Cantos 10 - 14 [Heresy - Violence, Circles 6-7]
June 1, 2025: Cantos 15 - 19 [Violence - Simoniacs, Circles 7-8]
June 15, 2025: Cantos 20 - 25 [Diviners - Thieves, Circles 8]
June 29, 2025: Cantos 26 - 30 [False Advisors - Counterfeiters]
July 13, 2025: Cantos 31 - 34 [Cocytus - Satan, Circle 9]

To review our prior sessions:
Download the Zoom A.I. Summary
Also, summaries of our prior Paradiso sessions

Recommended editions (available from libraries or online$)
Review this upload on Google Drive to help choose an edition.

Jean and Robert Hollander, 2002, The Inferno. Anchor Books. ISBN: 9780385496988 [It/En, 694 pp.] Used: $7+
Robert M. Durling, 1997, Inferno. Oxford Univ. Press.
ISBN: 9780195087444. [It/En, 672 pp.] Used: $14+
Michael Palma, 2007, Inferno. Norton Critical Edition
ISBN: 9780393977967. [En in terza rima, 368 pp.] Used $12+

Outside sources are welcome if they help us understand the poems, here are four academic websites plus the national Dante society (100 podcasts available on YouTube):
https://digitaldante.columbia.edu
http://dantelab.dartmouth.edu
https://dante.princeton.edu
https://www.dantesociety.org
YaleCourses on Dante
Walking with Dante podcasts
Dante Video with Catherine Illingworth

ONLINE
Please RSVP, join us via broadcast link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86447148571

Our 2025 Schedule (subject to change):
-Paradiso by Dante Alighiere
-Inferno by Dante Alighiere
-The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer
-The Four Quartets by T.S. Eliot
-Norton Anthology of Poetry. Edited by Marilyn Ferguson, et al. Fifth Ed, 2005, pages: 1424. ISBN: 9780393979213, Used $6+
-Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism [Third Ed. 2018] Ed. by Cain, et al. pp. 2848. ISBN: 9780393602951
Or:
-Second Edition, 2010, pp. 2758. ISBN: 9780393932928. Used: $10+
-First Edition, 2001, pp. 2624. ISBN: 9780393974294. Used: $7+

Here are links to the other book groups I host on Meetup:
Reading Proust's In Search of Lost Time in French and English:
www.meetup.com/proust/
Reading the most influential Non-Ficton works of the last 3K yrs:
www.meetup.com/history-of-ideas/