Dante - Opening

Dante’s Inferno
and A Quick Review of the Infernal Subjects
of Grammar, Usage and Sentence Structure
as Encountered in the SAT II
Developed for TeachersFirst by Brenda Walton, Ed.D.

Rationale:

Dante’s Inferno from the Divine Comedy has always been one of the cornerstones of the canon. This work – with all its erudition and complexity - can be made accessible to high school students who are working at almost all skill levels. This unit is designed to help the teacher introduce students to the rich and varied elements of The Inferno. Based on John Ciardi’s translation, this curriculum packet provides a compact and comprehensive guide through the work.; In addition, the unit furnishes the teacher with specific grammar and usage reviews connected directly with the literary material. These skills have been deliberately selected since many appear on the SAT II standardized test which many high school students take in their senior year. It is hoped that this "in context" approach, while reviewing specific literary content and terminology, will reinforce essential usage skills. Pairing the "hellish" topic of grammar with Dante’s tour of the bottomless pit of perdition will perhaps seem a fitting coupling for many students! Perhaps too this rather light-hearted combination of Dante’s vivid imagery of the terrifying abyss paired with the often terror-inducing topics of grammar, usage and sentence structure will serve to present both topics in a fashion that is both enjoyable and memorable!
: A Note on the translation: This unit is based on the John Ciardi translation. This edition has long been the popular choice in high school classrooms for several reasons. Ciardi’s detailed summaries at the beginnings of each canto can give students a clear and detailed overview of each section of the poem. Ciardi’s endnotes also provide a wealth of information and detail.

Text: The Inferno translated by John Ciardi ISBN 0-451-62804-7

Teacher’s Caution: As often is the case with the great works of the canon, Dante’s Inferno requires the sensitive presentation of material that is controversial and perhaps troubling to students. The scenes involving the Suicides, the Sodomites and the Sowers of Religious Discord (the punishment of Muhammad) are particularly difficult and shocking for some students. It is important to remind students that Dante is presenting his own (perhaps very slanted) interpretation of medieval theology. It is good to ask students if they think Dante’s grudges and personal issues sometimes take precedence over sound theology. Interesting discussions can ensue from these difficult passages, and positive messages of enlightened modern tolerance and understanding can ironically emerge from the bleak medieval world of the Inferno.

Options for presentation:

This unit is designed to be used in several different ways depending upon the teacher's needs and goals. It can serve as the basis for a full unit on The Inferno; students should use the summaries provided here as supplementary aids as they read the text of the poem. The unit can also be taught with a "cultural literacy" format. For teachers who do not have access to a class set of the books, these handouts can serve as the "text" of the unit to provide an introduction to Dante's work and a grammar review. (On the Internet the text can be accessed at several sites.) Finally, these materials could also profitably be used as a totally self-directed independent study unit. (Hint: It would be best to view or print out the entire guide before beginning!)

On to the Instructional Goals