Into the InfernoInto the Inferno

FeracoFeracoMyth to Science FictionMyth to Science Fiction

21 October 200921 October 2009

HistoryHistory• Dante was born in late May or early Dante was born in late May or early

June of 1265, under the constellation June of 1265, under the constellation GeminiGemini

• His mother would pass away five His mother would pass away five years later, with his father following years later, with his father following roughly a decade laterroughly a decade later– Dante was parentless before he reached Dante was parentless before he reached

what we consider the age of adulthoodwhat we consider the age of adulthood

HungerHunger• When one reads When one reads The InfernoThe Inferno, Dante clearly , Dante clearly

wants the reader to avoid the misery of wants the reader to avoid the misery of isolationisolation– He believed very strongly in the idea of He believed very strongly in the idea of

belonging to something larger (i.e., society) belonging to something larger (i.e., society) and drew comfort from thatand drew comfort from that

• One wonders if his familial history One wonders if his familial history contributes to his ideascontributes to his ideas

• Fortunately, his father remarried before he Fortunately, his father remarried before he died, providing Dante with both additional died, providing Dante with both additional company and educational opportunitiescompany and educational opportunities

Scholarly MentorsScholarly Mentors• Dante’s literary studies as a youth brought him Dante’s literary studies as a youth brought him

into close contact with many significant writers, into close contact with many significant writers, although scholars differ vociferously as to who although scholars differ vociferously as to who actually influenced Danteactually influenced Dante

• Brunetto Latini (who we find in the third round of Brunetto Latini (who we find in the third round of the seventh circle) taught Dante the seventh circle) taught Dante “how man “how man becomes eternal” – i.e. how man can live on becomes eternal” – i.e. how man can live on forever through his impact on the world, such as forever through his impact on the world, such as through writingthrough writing

• Dante also met Guido Cavalcanti, another poet of Dante also met Guido Cavalcanti, another poet of renown, at this time; Cavalcanti would play a renown, at this time; Cavalcanti would play a pivotal role in the futurepivotal role in the future

First LoveFirst Love• As a boy, Dante also encountered a girl As a boy, Dante also encountered a girl

named Beatrice Portinarinamed Beatrice Portinari• He first met her at the age of nine, and He first met her at the age of nine, and

instantly fell in love; he did not see her instantly fell in love; he did not see her again until she was 18again until she was 18

• Beatrice married – and died – young, Beatrice married – and died – young, passing away at 25passing away at 25

• She appears in Dante’s works alternately She appears in Dante’s works alternately as the object of his love and as the as the object of his love and as the inspiration for his artinspiration for his art

The World Around HimThe World Around Him• Dante entered a world – medieval Florence, Italy – Dante entered a world – medieval Florence, Italy –

that was coming apart at the seamsthat was coming apart at the seams• We see Florentine society divide along factional We see Florentine society divide along factional

fault lines time and again during the 13fault lines time and again during the 13thth and 14 and 14thth centuries, like a cell that continues dividing centuries, like a cell that continues dividing without properly replacing the substance it’s lostwithout properly replacing the substance it’s lost

• The first divides appeared – as they always seem The first divides appeared – as they always seem to – between those who craved change and those to – between those who craved change and those who wished to preserve the status quowho wished to preserve the status quo

Society ShiftsSociety Shifts• Prior to Dante’s birth, Florence operated as a Prior to Dante’s birth, Florence operated as a

largely feudal – and stratified – societylargely feudal – and stratified – society• As Florence’s trade market boomed, the feudal As Florence’s trade market boomed, the feudal

underclass grew wealthier, and the city’s cultural underclass grew wealthier, and the city’s cultural makeup began shifting as they integrated makeup began shifting as they integrated themselves into the Florentine economythemselves into the Florentine economy

• There were forces that wished to see society fall There were forces that wished to see society fall under even more direct church control (the under even more direct church control (the Guelfs) and landed aristocrats who swore to Guelfs) and landed aristocrats who swore to uphold the principles of feudalism and service to uphold the principles of feudalism and service to an emperor (the Ghibellines)an emperor (the Ghibellines)

Old vs. NewOld vs. New• The Ghibellines supported the old The Ghibellines supported the old

order, while the Guelfs supported the order, while the Guelfs supported the newnew

• As these things often go, new As these things often go, new supplanted old, old tried to re-supplanted old, old tried to re-supplant new and failed, and new supplant new and failed, and new proceeded to try establishing a death proceeded to try establishing a death grip on the power it just obtainedgrip on the power it just obtained

Out, Ghibellines!Out, Ghibellines!• The Guelfs eventually drove the The Guelfs eventually drove the

Ghibellines from power, and successfully Ghibellines from power, and successfully repelled counterattacks over the next few repelled counterattacks over the next few years – including a particularly effective years – including a particularly effective one a year after Dante entered the worldone a year after Dante entered the world– This was led by Farinata degli Uberti, who This was led by Farinata degli Uberti, who

Dante will see in HellDante will see in Hell• As the years passed, Florence became an As the years passed, Florence became an

almost-uniformly Guelf cityalmost-uniformly Guelf city

Dante’s AscentDante’s Ascent• Dante’s family, while nominally composed Dante’s family, while nominally composed

of Guelfs, wasn’t very politically activeof Guelfs, wasn’t very politically active– Dante, however, wasDante, however, was

• We see him enroll in the Guild of We see him enroll in the Guild of Physicians and Apothecaries – one had to Physicians and Apothecaries – one had to be a Guild member in order to serve in be a Guild member in order to serve in government – and quickly ascend the government – and quickly ascend the political ladderpolitical ladder

• He even marries Gemma Donati and He even marries Gemma Donati and begins fathering childrenbegins fathering children

Neri vs. BianchiNeri vs. Bianchi• In the meantime, the dominant Guelfs, In the meantime, the dominant Guelfs,

having grown complacent after thirty having grown complacent after thirty years of unchallenged power, began to years of unchallenged power, began to split into factionssplit into factions

• By the time Dante had moved from an By the time Dante had moved from an ambassadorial position to a spot as a ambassadorial position to a spot as a supreme magistrate (a.k.a. “prior”) in supreme magistrate (a.k.a. “prior”) in 1300, Guelf unity had given way to the 1300, Guelf unity had given way to the Neri (“Blacks”) and Bianchi (“Whites”) Neri (“Blacks”) and Bianchi (“Whites”) factionsfactions

• Corso Donati – Gemma’s brother – led the Corso Donati – Gemma’s brother – led the Blacks, while Guido Cavalcanti led the Blacks, while Guido Cavalcanti led the WhitesWhites

The CompromiseThe Compromise• Dante only needed to serve as a prior for Dante only needed to serve as a prior for

two months; the role, although extremely two months; the role, although extremely elite (only six men served as priors at any elite (only six men served as priors at any given moment), was a short-lived one if given moment), was a short-lived one if one proved ineffectiveone proved ineffective

• He was a moderate White, a member of He was a moderate White, a member of the dominant factionthe dominant faction

• When the priors moved to dispel some of When the priors moved to dispel some of the tensions by banishing Corso and the tensions by banishing Corso and Guido, Dante went along with themGuido, Dante went along with them

The Church Seeks Earthly The Church Seeks Earthly PowerPower

• Having lost a great deal of influence Having lost a great deal of influence during this particular period, the Blacks during this particular period, the Blacks decided to make a power playdecided to make a power play

• They were more loyal to Pope Boniface VIII They were more loyal to Pope Boniface VIII – a man who would become Dante’s arch-– a man who would become Dante’s arch-nemesis – and begged him for interventionnemesis – and begged him for intervention

• Boniface, as well as the larger church, Boniface, as well as the larger church, craved more control over Florence and its craved more control over Florence and its politicspolitics

Charles Takes OverCharles Takes Over• To achieve this end, Boniface sent a To achieve this end, Boniface sent a

“peacemaker”, Charles of Valois, who “peacemaker”, Charles of Valois, who assumed direct control in the Pope’s nameassumed direct control in the Pope’s name

• He allowed the Blacks to take power once He allowed the Blacks to take power once he situated himself in Florence (over the he situated himself in Florence (over the Whites’ vociferous objections)Whites’ vociferous objections)

• This power shift quickly gave way to a This power shift quickly gave way to a series of trials meant to purge remaining series of trials meant to purge remaining White elements from the systemWhite elements from the system

Convicted in AbsentiaConvicted in Absentia• When the trials began, Dante had already When the trials began, Dante had already

traveled outside of Florence as part of a traveled outside of Florence as part of a group intending to “group intending to “appeal for a change in appeal for a change in papal policy towards the city and to papal policy towards the city and to protest the machinations of the Neri”protest the machinations of the Neri”

• He was convicted of crimes in absentia – He was convicted of crimes in absentia – graft (essentially skimming money he was graft (essentially skimming money he was supposed to allot for other purposes) and supposed to allot for other purposes) and corruption (fraudulent activity in office) – corruption (fraudulent activity in office) – that pop up again in Malebolgethat pop up again in Malebolge

I Am In ExileI Am In Exile• At first, Dante stayed away voluntarily, At first, Dante stayed away voluntarily,

apparently hoping that things would blow over apparently hoping that things would blow over (an unrealistic hope, considering that the Pope (an unrealistic hope, considering that the Pope silently backed Charles’s moves)silently backed Charles’s moves)

• When he was sentenced to immolation in 1302, When he was sentenced to immolation in 1302, his exile became mandatoryhis exile became mandatory

• ““To [Dante], a penniless exile convicted of a To [Dante], a penniless exile convicted of a felony, separated under pain of death from home, felony, separated under pain of death from home, family, and friends, his life seemed to have been family, and friends, his life seemed to have been cut off in the middle.”cut off in the middle.”

Away from HereAway from Here• Between the time of his exile and his Between the time of his exile and his

death in 1321, Dante traveled all over death in 1321, Dante traveled all over Italy, staying with patrons, studying Italy, staying with patrons, studying philosophy, and writing while eying philosophy, and writing while eying Florence’s still-turbulent politicsFlorence’s still-turbulent politics

• Other exiles pinned their hopes on the Other exiles pinned their hopes on the various fights that still broke out between various fights that still broke out between the Ghibellines and the dominant Blacksthe Ghibellines and the dominant Blacks

• Dante refused to turn on his city, choosing Dante refused to turn on his city, choosing instead to reject all party designations and instead to reject all party designations and become “a party by himself”become “a party by himself”

The Ghibellines ReturnThe Ghibellines Return• Even in exile, Dante could not be “a party by Even in exile, Dante could not be “a party by

himself”himself”• In 1315, the Ghibellines had gathered their In 1315, the Ghibellines had gathered their

strength and attacked the Guelfs once more; this strength and attacked the Guelfs once more; this led to Dante’s branding as a Ghibelline and a led to Dante’s branding as a Ghibelline and a rebel (this was also true of many other rebel (this was also true of many other “enemies”), which was punishable by “enemies”), which was punishable by decapitationdecapitation

• While his sons had previously been spared While his sons had previously been spared punishment, they were also included in the punishment, they were also included in the sentence – even though they never saw Dante sentence – even though they never saw Dante after 1302after 1302

Come Back HomeCome Back Home• Yet one year later – 1316 – Dante Yet one year later – 1316 – Dante

was offered a chance to return to was offered a chance to return to FlorenceFlorence

• All he had to do was meet certain All he had to do was meet certain conditions, conditions which conditions, conditions which happened to be designed to happened to be designed to humiliate him (the public payment of humiliate him (the public payment of a heavy fine, the public performance a heavy fine, the public performance of penance, etc.)of penance, etc.)

• Dante refusedDante refused

I Burn My BridgesI Burn My Bridges• Is this, then, the glorious recall of Dante Alighieri Is this, then, the glorious recall of Dante Alighieri

to his native city, after the miseries of nearly to his native city, after the miseries of nearly fifteen years of exile?...No! This is not the way for fifteen years of exile?...No! This is not the way for me to return to my country. If another can be me to return to my country. If another can be found that does not derogate from the fame and found that does not derogate from the fame and honor of Dante, that will I take with no lagging honor of Dante, that will I take with no lagging steps. But if by no such way Florence may be steps. But if by no such way Florence may be entered, then will I enter Florence never. What! entered, then will I enter Florence never. What! Can I not everywhere behold the sun and stars? Can I not everywhere behold the sun and stars? Can I not under any sky meditate on the most Can I not under any sky meditate on the most precious truths, without first rendering myself precious truths, without first rendering myself inglorious, nay ignominious, in the eyes of the inglorious, nay ignominious, in the eyes of the people and city of Florence? people and city of Florence?

The Bitter EndThe Bitter End• Dante’s time with his patrons (most Dante’s time with his patrons (most

notably Cangrande della Scala, a man notably Cangrande della Scala, a man Dante greatly admired and hoped would Dante greatly admired and hoped would lead Florence out of its darkness) came to lead Florence out of its darkness) came to an end when he grew sick and died at the an end when he grew sick and died at the age of 56 of malariaage of 56 of malaria– He didn’t quite make it through his “alloted” 70 He didn’t quite make it through his “alloted” 70

years (although, in all fairness, he couldn’t years (although, in all fairness, he couldn’t have foreseen such a thing while writing have foreseen such a thing while writing The The InfernoInferno))

What You Leave BehindWhat You Leave Behind• Dante embodies Latini’s lesson; our Dante embodies Latini’s lesson; our

fascination with him is greater than fascination with him is greater than with any other figure from his erawith any other figure from his era

• He left a philosophical, linguistic, and He left a philosophical, linguistic, and literary legacy that would be the literary legacy that would be the envy of any man – a legacy we’ll envy of any man – a legacy we’ll study in greater detail as we study in greater detail as we continue examining his most continue examining his most enduring workenduring work

Into HellInto Hell• Dante doesn’t invent Hell so much as Dante doesn’t invent Hell so much as

remix itremix it• He takes the general idea of an He takes the general idea of an

afterlife reserved for those who afterlife reserved for those who deserved punishment and fused it deserved punishment and fused it with both old ideas and his own with both old ideas and his own concepts regarding justice and concepts regarding justice and moralitymorality

Leopards and LionsLeopards and Lions• Aristotle, for example, inspired Dante’s hierarchy Aristotle, for example, inspired Dante’s hierarchy

of incontinence, viciousness (“brutishness”), and of incontinence, viciousness (“brutishness”), and malice; we have the She-Wolf, the Lion, and the malice; we have the She-Wolf, the Lion, and the LeopardLeopard– In some translations, the Leopard represents In some translations, the Leopard represents

incontinence, and the she-wolf represents fraudincontinence, and the she-wolf represents fraud– This may explain the apparent inconsistency between This may explain the apparent inconsistency between

how greatly Dante fears the she-wolf and how “mildly” how greatly Dante fears the she-wolf and how “mildly” his Hell treats sins of incontinencehis Hell treats sins of incontinence

• Sins of incontinence or desire are punished in Sins of incontinence or desire are punished in circles two through five, those whose sins circles two through five, those whose sins involved violence occupy circle seven, and involved violence occupy circle seven, and perpetrators of fraud are consigned to circles perpetrators of fraud are consigned to circles eight and nine.eight and nine.

The DoctrineThe Doctrine• Having established fairly Aristotlean Having established fairly Aristotlean

foundations for his Hell, Dante turns to foundations for his Hell, Dante turns to medieval Christian doctrine in order to medieval Christian doctrine in order to identify both which sins should be identify both which sins should be cataloged and where each belongscataloged and where each belongs

• This is why we see most of the Seven This is why we see most of the Seven Deadly Sins, and why even the Virtuous Deadly Sins, and why even the Virtuous Pagans – those who were good people, but Pagans – those who were good people, but who lacked faith – end up in Limbo, the who lacked faith – end up in Limbo, the first circlefirst circle

Creativity!Creativity!• That said, Dante does add his own touches That said, Dante does add his own touches

to Hellto Hell• Limbo, for example, had been pre-Limbo, for example, had been pre-

established within doctrine – but it was established within doctrine – but it was meant for the souls of, say, unbaptized meant for the souls of, say, unbaptized childrenchildren

• Dante’s placement of the great artists Dante’s placement of the great artists who’d lived and died before Christ’s birth who’d lived and died before Christ’s birth in the same circle represents some fairly in the same circle represents some fairly significant editorializing on his partsignificant editorializing on his part

Ripped and BanishedRipped and Banished• Another one of Dante’s touches is more chilling; Another one of Dante’s touches is more chilling;

he argues that those who betray their guests he argues that those who betray their guests have their souls ripped from their bodies at the have their souls ripped from their bodies at the moment of betrayal, and that demons inhabit moment of betrayal, and that demons inhabit their empty shells from then on their empty shells from then on

• Finally, Dante’s “vestibule” – the place just Finally, Dante’s “vestibule” – the place just outside of Hell reserved for cowards, as well as outside of Hell reserved for cowards, as well as the angels who did not side with God – is his own the angels who did not side with God – is his own inventioninvention

• Given the events of Dante’s life, it’s not surprising Given the events of Dante’s life, it’s not surprising that he’s disgusted with those whose morals are that he’s disgusted with those whose morals are defined by their opportunism, and who refuse to defined by their opportunism, and who refuse to choose between good and evilchoose between good and evil

Physical vs. MentalPhysical vs. Mental• Dante now has a conceptual framework of Hell, Dante now has a conceptual framework of Hell,

rationale for its organization, and an idea of rationale for its organization, and an idea of where he’ll go over the course of his journey. where he’ll go over the course of his journey.

• But what goes But what goes inin Hell? Even though it’s an Hell? Even though it’s an allegory, we can only buy into it if we believe in allegory, we can only buy into it if we believe in the physical experiences Dante presentsthe physical experiences Dante presents

• The Inferno documents a spiritual journey The Inferno documents a spiritual journey exclusively in physical metaphor, so Hell can’t exclusively in physical metaphor, so Hell can’t just be a conceptual place – it needs to be just be a conceptual place – it needs to be populatedpopulated

ConnectionConnection• We have to sense things – see great We have to sense things – see great

beasts, confront monsters, witness beasts, confront monsters, witness torments – and shudder at the horrors we torments – and shudder at the horrors we experience; then, and only then, can we experience; then, and only then, can we begin unpacking what each thing “really begin unpacking what each thing “really means”means”

• This was a book born of anguish, an This was a book born of anguish, an attempt by a single man to resolve the attempt by a single man to resolve the questions that harried him; unless we questions that harried him; unless we engage with engage with The InfernoThe Inferno at an emotional at an emotional (as well as intellectual) level, we can never (as well as intellectual) level, we can never connect with Dante at hisconnect with Dante at his

Back to VirgilBack to Virgil• In order to fill his empty Hell, Dante In order to fill his empty Hell, Dante

reaches back into mythology, religious reaches back into mythology, religious texts, and epicstexts, and epics

• Virgil’s Virgil’s AeneidAeneid, which features a , which features a protagonist’s visit to the Land of the Dead, protagonist’s visit to the Land of the Dead, provides both a point of comparison and provides both a point of comparison and contrast; while Virgil’s underworld was contrast; while Virgil’s underworld was much less physically realistic than Dante’s, much less physically realistic than Dante’s, the various creatures, rivers, and the various creatures, rivers, and geographical features the former geographical features the former employed serve much the same purpose employed serve much the same purpose in in The InfernoThe Inferno

Shared CharactersShared Characters• Raffa notes that Dante and Virgil both use Raffa notes that Dante and Virgil both use

Charon, Minos, Cerberus, Plutus, Phlegys, Charon, Minos, Cerberus, Plutus, Phlegys, the Furies, the Minotaur, the Centaurs, the the Furies, the Minotaur, the Centaurs, the Harpies, Geryon, and the GiantsHarpies, Geryon, and the Giants

• Each serves both as allusion and as Each serves both as allusion and as metaphor within Dante’s allegorymetaphor within Dante’s allegory

• Clearly, Dante’s choice of Virgil as his Clearly, Dante’s choice of Virgil as his guide through Hell isn’t arbitrary; who guide through Hell isn’t arbitrary; who better to know how to deal with the better to know how to deal with the monsters we find than the man who monsters we find than the man who documented them over a millennium ago?documented them over a millennium ago?

The Inferno: Fire & IceThe Inferno: Fire & Ice• To summarize, Dante’s Hell is both To summarize, Dante’s Hell is both

his own and not his own, a fusion of his own and not his own, a fusion of original thought and respect for the original thought and respect for the stories of the paststories of the past

• Dante’s journey through it, however, Dante’s journey through it, however, is his own – and it’s that journey is his own – and it’s that journey through fire and ice that we’ll study through fire and ice that we’ll study for the next few weeks!for the next few weeks!