CANTO 32

CANTO 32 

By: Zahra Syed

SUMMARY: 

Still in the Ninth Circle, Dante finds himself unable to express the horror this circle shows. As Dante and Virgil continue to walk, below the giant’s feet, Dante hears someone say, “Watch how you step!...” (Dante 499). Dante sees the frozen lake which looked like glass. He also notices that the sinners are frozen with their heads down but their teeth are chattering from the cold while they curse the icy water. Dante compares this sight to a frog sitting and croaking. When Dante approaches two sinners to question them of their sin, they must bend their necks back to look up at Dante. However, they have been crying and their mouths have been frozen shut. A nearby sinner identifies the twins as the Bisenzio brothers who killed each other over politics. As Dante and Virgil proceed, Dante accidentally kicked a sinner who turned out to be Bocca delgi Abati, an Italian traitor. Because Bocca was not identifying himself to Dante, Dante rips his hair off. As Dante and Vigil leave and enter the Second Ring, Antenora, which contains those who betrayed their homeland or party, Dante sees two sinners so close together that one’s head rears over the others, chewing it. Dante tells the soul he will bring word of him back to the real world if he he tells him why he is chewing on another person. 

SIN: 

First Ring of the Ninth Circle is called Caina (Cain killed his brother Abel)

Traitors to their kin reside here 

Sinners are frozen in a lake with their mouths shut 

They are constantly butting their heads against each other in rage 

CHARACTERS: 

The frozen lake can be compared to the River Cocytus which was the “river of wailing” according to Greek mythology. It flows in the underworld. 

Bisenzio Brothers- Napoleone and Alessandro fought over their inheritance and killed each other 

Arthur- killed his nephew who was actually his son by his sister Morgan le Fay; he betraed Arthur by attempting a strike while Arthur was in France 

Focaccia-said to have murdered his father or uncle 

Sassol Mascheroni- murdered his cousin to gain inheritance. He was punished by being rolled through the city in a barrel full of nails, and then was beheaded

Camiscion de’ Pazzi- famous Ghibelline who killed his kinsman for his castles

Bocca delgli Abati- Florentine nobleman who betrayed the Guelfs during the Battle of Montraperti by  cutting off the hand of the standard-bearer

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 

Why was Dante so abusive towards Bocca without actually realizing who he was at first? 

How has going through the different Circles changed Dante, emotionally? 

CANTO 29

CANTO 29 

By: Zahra Syed

SUMMARY: 

As Virgil and Dante leave the Ninth Pouch, Virgil realizes that Dante continues to stare at the sinners. Virgil then condemns him for doing so because there is not enough time and still much left to see. Dante believes that he saw an ancestor of his crying because of his guilt, “...I think a spirit of my blood is weeping for the guilt that costs so much down there.” (Dante 451). As Virgil and Dante carry on, they are struck by arrows “...whose iron heads were made of pity...” (Dante 453).  A strong stench that smelled like “...rotting limbs.” (Dante 453) came from the upcoming Tenth Pouch. This stench is compared to the hospitals of Valdichiana, Maremma, and Sardinia which were made for  malaria victims in these cities. They learn that the Tenth Pouch has four zones for the different types of Falsifiers ( alchemists, impostors, counterfeiters, and liars). The sinners were piled on top of each other and covered from head to toe with scabs. They are forced to stay awake, scratching the itchy scabs which have no cure, “...their nails tore off the scabs like knives...” (Dante 455). Dante then speaks to two Italians, Griffolino and Capocchio. Griffolino was burned at the stake for committing heresy but was in the Tenth Pouch because of his practice of the art of Alchemy. Capocchio was in this Pouch because he “...falsified metals with alchemy...” (Dante 457. 

SIN: 

Falsifiers-attempted to alter things through lies

Alchemy- the claim that holy objects possessed powers including the ability to turn base metals into noble metals like gold or silver. Also known as the ancestor of chemistry (effort to discover the substance common to all metals and change them to make base metals into gold). 

CHARACTERS: 

Geri del Bello- Dante’s father cousin. Known to instigate violence. He was killed by a member of the Sacchetti family 

Griffolino da Arezzo- burned at stake in Siena for heresy. He obtained money from Albero of Siena by pretending he could teach him to fly. “I did not make him Daedalus” (Dante 457). 

Capocchio- a Florentine well-known for being able to mimic others and nature. He and Dante studied natural science together. Capocchio was burned at the stake in Siena in 1293. 

Caccianemico, Brtolommeo, Nicholas- “Except for Stricca...Nicholas...Caccia...” (Dante 457) were rich men from Siena who put their fortunes into one fund and spent it all in twenty months by partying 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 

How does the metaphor, “I did not make him Daedalus” (Dante 457), relate to the sin Griffolino committed? 

Why do you think Dante’s own family member was giving him threatening gestures such as a stabbing motion? 

CANTO 16

SUMMARY: 

As Dante and Virgil enter into the eighth circle, they hear a loud noise of what seems to be a waterfall. As they carry on, three souls whose faces have been destroyed by the flames, recognize Dante being from Florence because of his clothing. Their names are Iacopo, Guido and Tegghiaio. They are interested in any news of Florence but all Dante says is that the people are too full of pride now, “The new people and the rapid gains have generated pride and excess...” (Dante 251). Before leaving, Virgil strangely asks Dante for a cord, or belt around his waist. After Virgil throws it into a gulf of dark water, he saw “...a figure come swimming upward, fearful to the most confident heart...” (Dante 253). 

CHARACTERS:

Iacopo Rusticucci- was a wealthy Guelph Florentine politician. Apparently his wife caused them to live apart and made him hate women.

Guido Guerra- Ciacco’s son (Canto 6), leader of the Guelphs, his sin was being enveloped in sodomy. 

Tegghiaio Aldobrandi- also a member of the Guelphs, he advised the Guelphs against engaging with the Ghibellines and exiled Farinata during the battle at Montaperti. 

Guiglielmo Borsiere- died before Dante’s journey, Iacopo hints that he was a nobleman. His last name means “purse-holder”. 

SIN: 

Sodomy- In Dante’s day sexual relations between males were common in Florence. Penalties could include confiscation of property and even capital punishment. 

Punishment- To reside in a desert with flaming sand and fiery flakes raining from the sky. 

**According to the Torah, Sodom and Gomorrah were two cities that were completely consumed by fire because the people of these cities were homosexuals. 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 

What do you think the cord symbolizes?

Dante says, “The new people and the rapid gains have generated pride and excess...” (Dante 251). Do you think this is the main reason why he wrote The Inferno? 

Target

Target

I cannot believe I am stuck in this Target all by myself! Why didn't Aeliya come with me?! She knows I HATE going by myself to run errands. That's okay, I'll just hold this against her for the rest of her life! Since we're locked down, might as well check out the other twenty people here. It's kind of hard to notice anyone because there are NO Target employees here! Everyone is trying to steal as many expensive things as possible! Some blond girl and her weird looking boyfriend just stole a Tom Tom GPS. She said, 'Now we can finally runaway, baby!'...UGH. I hate girls like that! There's a small little boy who is snacking on a bunch of chips and cookies while his mom tries to grab some low-fat vanilla yogurt! I'm activating iTunes prepaid cards. I love those things! Anyways, I better be able to use those iTunes cards in less than four hours! That's how long I'll be stuck here for. They say it takes 24 hours for them to be activated. But, I'll be mad if they're not ready. OH MY GOD, tonight is the wedding! I have to curl my hair! It takes like two hours! The whole reason why I came here was to get hairspray! I have a great idea. I'll go in the hair section, get a curler! Hopefully there are outlets in the bathroom. I'll kill two birds in one stone and just get my hair done here! I'm so smart. Which curler should I pick?! I have the Conair Wand at home. Should I get a different one?! Might as well since I have time to kill. The Revlon Magic Heat cutlet looks great! Let's see how it looks!
....Two hours later:
WOW, I love this Revlon! I'm going to sneak it in my bag and take it home with me!! My hair looks amazing.
OH MY GOD, I just heard the announcement! I can leave! We can leave! YAY, wedding time! Holllluhhhhh

CASTING CANTERBURY TALES

Jennifer Hudson as the Prioress

 Hudson would be fit for this character due to the fact that she shares many characteristics of the Prioress. “At meat well y-taught was she withal: She let no morsel from her lippes fall, Nor wet her fingers in her sauce deep.” (Chaucer 7, lines 126-129). Here we acknowledge that the Prioress is very well-mannered. This character is also defined as, “…she was not undergrow.” (Chaucer 8, line 156). Jennifer Hudson has always seen as being a very classy celebrity. When we see her on any award functions, she is dressed very elegantly, similar to the Prioress.  Hudson has most recently become the face of Jenny Craig and lost a lot of weight. The Prioress is known to be very cheerful and as we saw a few years ago, Hudson unfortunately lost her nephew. Regardless of this tragedy in her life, she has come above and stayed positive. 

Jake Gyllenhaal as the Squire 

The Squire is described as being a very sexual human being. He supposedly engages in sexual activity with numerous amount of women which means he may be an attractive fellow, “A lover and a lusty bachelor” (Chaucer 5, line 80). This character is also described to wear very nice clothing. Jake Gyllenhaal appeared in the movie, Love and Other Drugs. His role in this movie would prove him to be fit for this casting because of his part in Love and Other Drugs. Gyllenhaal plays a very attractive womanizer, similar to the type of person the Squire is. The Squire is described as, “So hot he loved that by nightertale, He slept no more than does a nightingale.” (Chaucer 6, lines 97-98). Not only is Gyllenhaal hot and steamy in movies, but in 2009, he was given the title of “Sexiest Man Alive” by the very famous, People Magazine. 

Justin Timberlake as the Franklin 

The Franklin is portrayed as a wealthy landowner. “Of his complexion he was sanguine.” (Chaucer 16, line 333). This allows the reader to think that the Franklin was often cheerful and optimistic, “For he was Epicurus's own son…” (Chaucer 16, line 334). Justin Timberlake is known for his very positive influences on society. He is one of the very few celebrities who have been able to maintain a respectful manner all over the world. Timberlake has a key physical characteristic that fits the Franklin’s appearance, his beard, “His bread, his ale, was always after one.” (Chaucer 16, line 341). The philosophy of Epicurus is to live with pleasure, always happy with friends around. Timberlake demonstrates this, as does the Franklin. Because the Franklin is wealthy, one may assume that he is handsome, as is Timberlake, being voted “Sexiest Man Alive” in 2006. In the movie, The Social Network, Timberlake played an important contributor to Facebook, presenting ideas clearly and taking control. Because the Franklin owns land, we see him of being somewhat dominant. Timberlake would have no problem playing this part. 

Chance Writing Prompt

There was once a chance I didn't take when I was in the ninth grade and I went to Chicago for the summer. My older sister took me to the mall and we went to H&M. My sister found the prettiest blouse ever and asked me if I wanted the same blouse. I hesitated but I really did want this shirt. No matter how high my desire for this shirt was, I said no. I didn't want my sister to pay for a blouse for me. It was kind of expensive and I'd feel so guilty if I didn't get it.

Now that I look back and see my sister wear this blouse that could have been mine, I wish I had it. My sister looks so pretty in it and I could totally wear at a dinner or a party. Oh well. I'm sure there will be plenty other blouses but I really did like that one. I'm sure whenever I go up there, she'll let me wear it whenever I want!

Guide to Hell Writing Assignment 11/7

If I were to go to Hell and pick a guide, I would choose Dante. Because Dante has been through the same process I would be going through, he would be able to sympathize with me and understand my reactions. Dante would already be knowledgable about the levels of Hell because of his guide which means he is well educated about what goes on and what type of people are being punished. Along the way through the circles of hell, Dante and I could have a good conversation. I actually have a lot of questions I would like to ask Dante about his novel. I want to know what was going through his head while he was writing his novel, as well as what he was thinking when he first experienced walking through Hell. Not only will having Dante as a guide be educational, but would also be VERY entertaining!