Great Books III Study Questions for Assignment 16, Dante, The Divine Comedy; "Hell", cantos 18 – 34
- Canto 19. What are "simoniacs", Why are they called that, and why are they punished as they are?
- Canto 20, lines 28-30. Who do these lines mean? Line 40ff – Why is Tiresias here?
- Cantos 21, 22. Why does Dante employ such a humorous tone here?
- Canto 24, lines 43-60. What is the purpose of these lines? 97-105 – What is happening to these sinners?
- Canto 26. What is Dante’s attitude toward Ulysses (Odysseus)? Why does he put into Ulysses mouth such a beautiful passage about his final days?
- Canto 30, lines 130-148. Why are these lines in here?
- Cantos 32-34. Why are the lowest regions made of ice? What kind of sins are punished here?
- Canto 34. Why are Brutus and Cassius here?
- Canto 34, lines 121-12 How and when was Mount Purgatory made?
- Canto 34, lines 136-13 How does Dante feel as he sees the stars? How has he changed since the opening lines of the first Canto?
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