The Inferno
Reading and Writing Workshop: Dante’s Inferno and Epic Allegory
Overview
This workshop explores Inferno as both an epic and a moral allegory, examining recurring motifs of sin, justice, and redemption in world literature. Students will engage in close reading, analytical writing, and creative responses inspired by Dante’s vivid imagery and symbolic structure.
Session 1: The Dark Wood and the Lost Path
Focus: The journey’s beginning as a metaphor for spiritual confusion and moral awakening
Primary Reading: Inferno, Canto I – “Midway upon the journey of our life…”
🔗 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8800
Comparative Reading: The Odyssey – Book IX (Odysseus recounts his wanderings and loss of direction)
🔗 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1727
Writing Prompt: Write a narrative opening in which a character realizes they have “lost the way” — literally or figuratively — and must decide how to find meaning again.
Session 2: The Descent and the Guide
Focus: The relationship between Dante and Virgil; reason guiding the soul toward understanding
Primary Reading: Inferno, Cantos II–III (Virgil’s appearance; the Gate of Hell)
🔗 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8800
Comparative Reading: The Aeneid by Virgil – Book VI (Aeneas’ descent into the Underworld)
🔗 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/228
Writing Prompt: Compose a dialogue between a mentor and a lost soul where reason and emotion conflict over the path forward.
Session 3: Circles of Sin
Focus: The moral order of Hell and the concept of contrapasso (punishment mirroring sin)
Primary Reading: Inferno, Cantos V–VII (The Lustful, The Gluttonous, and The Avaricious)
🔗 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8800
Comparative Reading: Paradise Lost by John Milton – Book I (Satan’s defiance and self-justification)
🔗 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/20
Writing Prompt: Invent a modern “circle of sin” — describe its inhabitants and fitting punishments in Dantean style.
Session 4: The Power of Language and Deception
Focus: The misuse of rhetoric and persuasion as moral failure
Primary Reading: Inferno, Canto XXVI (Ulysses and the dangers of overreaching knowledge)
🔗 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8800
Comparative Reading: Faust by Goethe – Part I (Faust’s bargain for limitless knowledge)
🔗 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14591
Writing Prompt: Write a monologue from a character who justifies deception in pursuit of truth or power.
Session 5: Divine Justice and Human Compassion
Focus: The emotional complexity of pity, judgment, and redemption
Primary Reading: Inferno, Canto XXXIII (Count Ugolino’s tragic tale)
🔗 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8800
Comparative Reading: The Oresteia by Aeschylus – Eumenides (Justice transformed from vengeance to mercy)
🔗 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1645
Writing Prompt: Write a reflective journal entry from a judge, priest, or teacher torn between compassion and justice.
Session 6: Symbolism and Allegory
Focus: Reading Inferno as a layered allegory — political, spiritual, and psychological
Primary Reading: Inferno, Cantos VIII–IX (The City of Dis; symbols of corruption and pride)
🔗 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8800
Comparative Reading: Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan – “The Slough of Despond”
🔗 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/131
Writing Prompt: Create your own allegorical setting (e.g., “The Valley of Distraction” or “The Tower of Pride”) and describe its meaning.
Session 7: The Frozen Depths and Betrayal
Focus: The final circle of treachery and Dante’s encounter with Lucifer
Primary Reading: Inferno, Cantos XXXIV (Lucifer frozen in ice)
🔗 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8800
Comparative Reading: Beowulf – final battle and Beowulf’s death (heroic betrayal and fate)
🔗 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/16328
Writing Prompt: Write a short narrative or poem about betrayal from the perspective of the betrayer.
Session 8: The Journey Upward
Focus: Transformation and hope — emerging from Hell into the stars
Primary Reading: Inferno, final lines (“and we came forth to see again the stars”)
🔗 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8800
Comparative Readings:
Overview
This workshop explores Inferno as both an epic and a moral allegory, examining recurring motifs of sin, justice, and redemption in world literature. Students will engage in close reading, analytical writing, and creative responses inspired by Dante’s vivid imagery and symbolic structure.
Session 1: The Dark Wood and the Lost Path
Focus: The journey’s beginning as a metaphor for spiritual confusion and moral awakening
Primary Reading: Inferno, Canto I – “Midway upon the journey of our life…”
🔗 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8800
Comparative Reading: The Odyssey – Book IX (Odysseus recounts his wanderings and loss of direction)
🔗 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1727
Writing Prompt: Write a narrative opening in which a character realizes they have “lost the way” — literally or figuratively — and must decide how to find meaning again.
Session 2: The Descent and the Guide
Focus: The relationship between Dante and Virgil; reason guiding the soul toward understanding
Primary Reading: Inferno, Cantos II–III (Virgil’s appearance; the Gate of Hell)
🔗 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8800
Comparative Reading: The Aeneid by Virgil – Book VI (Aeneas’ descent into the Underworld)
🔗 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/228
Writing Prompt: Compose a dialogue between a mentor and a lost soul where reason and emotion conflict over the path forward.
Session 3: Circles of Sin
Focus: The moral order of Hell and the concept of contrapasso (punishment mirroring sin)
Primary Reading: Inferno, Cantos V–VII (The Lustful, The Gluttonous, and The Avaricious)
🔗 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8800
Comparative Reading: Paradise Lost by John Milton – Book I (Satan’s defiance and self-justification)
🔗 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/20
Writing Prompt: Invent a modern “circle of sin” — describe its inhabitants and fitting punishments in Dantean style.
Session 4: The Power of Language and Deception
Focus: The misuse of rhetoric and persuasion as moral failure
Primary Reading: Inferno, Canto XXVI (Ulysses and the dangers of overreaching knowledge)
🔗 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8800
Comparative Reading: Faust by Goethe – Part I (Faust’s bargain for limitless knowledge)
🔗 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14591
Writing Prompt: Write a monologue from a character who justifies deception in pursuit of truth or power.
Session 5: Divine Justice and Human Compassion
Focus: The emotional complexity of pity, judgment, and redemption
Primary Reading: Inferno, Canto XXXIII (Count Ugolino’s tragic tale)
🔗 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8800
Comparative Reading: The Oresteia by Aeschylus – Eumenides (Justice transformed from vengeance to mercy)
🔗 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1645
Writing Prompt: Write a reflective journal entry from a judge, priest, or teacher torn between compassion and justice.
Session 6: Symbolism and Allegory
Focus: Reading Inferno as a layered allegory — political, spiritual, and psychological
Primary Reading: Inferno, Cantos VIII–IX (The City of Dis; symbols of corruption and pride)
🔗 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8800
Comparative Reading: Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan – “The Slough of Despond”
🔗 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/131
Writing Prompt: Create your own allegorical setting (e.g., “The Valley of Distraction” or “The Tower of Pride”) and describe its meaning.
Session 7: The Frozen Depths and Betrayal
Focus: The final circle of treachery and Dante’s encounter with Lucifer
Primary Reading: Inferno, Cantos XXXIV (Lucifer frozen in ice)
🔗 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8800
Comparative Reading: Beowulf – final battle and Beowulf’s death (heroic betrayal and fate)
🔗 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/16328
Writing Prompt: Write a short narrative or poem about betrayal from the perspective of the betrayer.
Session 8: The Journey Upward
Focus: Transformation and hope — emerging from Hell into the stars
Primary Reading: Inferno, final lines (“and we came forth to see again the stars”)
🔗 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8800
Comparative Readings:
- Purgatorio, Canto I – Dante’s renewal at dawn
🔗 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8811 - The Divine Comedy: Paradiso, Canto XXXIII – The vision of divine love
🔗 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8813
Writing Prompt: Compose an ending for your own symbolic journey — how does your traveler reemerge changed?