In this advanced course, students will journey through Dante Alighieri’s Inferno (Hell), the first part of the classic Italian epic, The Divine Comedy. As we navigate our way through the afterlife, guided by Virgil, we will encounter various lost souls and sinners and analyze the motif of contrapasso – the punishment befitting their crimes. Students will come away with an understanding of symbolism and allegory, the distinction between Dante as writer and as pilgrim, and the historical and theological context of this seminal piece of literature. The class will also have ample opportunity to discuss questions of human nature, morality, and justice that still resonate today. Finally, we will look at how Dante has influenced culture to this day – delving into art, games, music, and other texts. Students can expect to compare and contrast various translations of this epic poem, write an analysis and present on one canto, recite a passage of Dante’s poetry, write a longer essay, and cap the term off with a creative project that draws the various circles in hell in connection to the modern world. 

Departmental approval is required for this course.