Assignment 1 – Canto 5

William Blake – “Dante Faints”

http://danteworlds.laits.utexas.edu/gallery04.html

I found this image from the resource site Danteworlds (UTexas). It is found in the site’s Circle 2 Gallery.  The art is by William Blake and it is entitled “Dante Faints” referring to the end of Canto 5.

Dante entered the Gate of Hell with his guide, Virgil, and passed through the first circle. This painting refers to Dante’s presence in the second circle, where lovers guilty of lust are in an “infernal whirlwind which never rests” (31) that endlessly punishes and tortures them. The painting displays souls trapped in this hellish wind. Dante encounters many famous historical and mythical women being blown in the wind including Cleopatra, Helen of Troy, and Francesca. Love, lust, and desire all led these women to their demise and suffering in the second circle of hell.

The painting refers to the entire canto but most specifically to lines 31-43 and lines 115-142. Lines 31-43 describe the restless wind that these sinners are stuck in. As Dante and Virgil encounter the women, Virgil explains to Dante what acts of love brought them to hell. Dante is especially interested in Francesca’s romance. Francesca had an affair with her husband’s younger brother Paolo and Francesca’s husband murdered them. Dante tells Francesca that her sufferings make him “sad and piteous to tears” (115-116). Dante was so moved by Francesca that he fainted as he says “so that for pity I fainted as if I were dying” (139-140). On the right side of the painting, Dante is pictured having fainted flat on his back as Virgil stands over him.

“To do before class #2”

http://danteworlds.laits.utexas.edu/prologue.html

This image was found from the databases provided, I first scanned the list and clicked on the Danteworlds (UTexas) I then clicked on the Inferno circle/ image provided and then I clicked on the tab “Dark Wood” and this painting is from is from Canto 1. The artist is Gustave Doré and this painting is called “The Leopard.” The database to me seems like it’s a research website that was produced from other websites and other networks. I don’t believe it’s in the public domain. This image refers to lines “And almost where the hillside starts to rise— look there!—a leopard, very quick and lithe, a leopard covered with a spotted hide.”

This image clearly shows and demonstrates the lines above because it’s Dante’s encounter with the leopard. He is looking at the leopard but his head is titled downwards in the image therefore he seems to be on a small hill surrounded by rocks. It seems in the image as if Dante has one leg lifted and another leg down therefore it seems to me how he may be trying to step forward, however, the leopard seems to be trying to lure its way forward trying to get closer to Dante and out of fear Dante is hesitating to move forward.

Divine Comedy, Canto 1 (first assignement)

 

Image by Doré, Gustave, 1890

http://www.worldofdante.org/pop_up_query.php?dbid=I008&show=more

I found this image browsing through the resources available at https://divinecomedy19.commons.gc.cuny.edu

This image presents Dante and Virgil walking together in a dark wood and being followed by a she wolf who is the allegory of greed. This image is very interesting because it symbolizes the beginning of Dante’s journey through Hell, Purgatory and then Heaven. Virgil, the ancient poet, will be his guide and protector.

“Thus for your good I think and judge that you

shall follow me, and I shall be your guide, and I will

lead you from here through an eternal place,”

(112-114)

 

 

Dante, a thirty five year old man (“In the middle of the journey of our life” where life expectancy at that time was about seventy years) finds himself in the middle of a dark, gloomy wood. Half asleep, he is confused about how it happened but soon enough he realizes that he is lost because of his own actions and wrong choices. Dark wood is the allegory of the world dominated by sin and wrong doings. Dante wakes up in this scary and hopeless place because of his bad choices in life and going down the wrong path, away from God. Disoriented and fearful, he starts walking and looking for the exit. He notices the hill and the sun rising above it (the Sun symbolizes God, which lightens the deep darkness that Dante is surrounded with. It also gives him hope). The main character is trying to attempt to climb the hill but unfortunately three beasts that appear out of nowhere make it impossible. These three beasts – a leopard, lion and she wolf, represent deadly sins which are obstacles in real life to getting through to God. A she wolf, the allegory of greed, seems to be the most dangerous and aggressive. She is trying to push Dante into dark abyss but unexpectedly he is saved by his master – Virgil. The Roman poet offers his help and is willing to lead Dante to God. In other words, he will be Dante’s guide in a difficult journey. Dante is also informed that the only way to get to God is grueling and leads through Hell, Purgatory and then Heaven where he will meet his new guide, his beloved Beatrice.

 

 

 

 

 

To do before class 2

Read canto 1-5 (even though I said 1-6, we’ll have plenty to discuss already with 5!).

Take the plagiarism quiz under Tutorials.

Write your first post by Feb. 4:

  • Find one image in the databases under resources that refer to canto 1 or 2 or 5.
  • Write a post including the image (try to understand if it’s in the public domain) or a link to the website.
  • Include: the name of the artist and work of art. The verses it refers to if you can locate them. A small description. Say how you found it.
  • Your post should look like a narration. Don’t give just the information.
  • You can also engage with the text if you feel like. This is mandatory starting next week, but your first post is to become familiar with this tool.

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