THE INFERNO – Study Guide
Name___________________
Canto IV
1. What causes Dante to wake from his collapse? What is the cause of this sound?
2. Who dwells in the First Circle of Hell? What is their punishment?
3. Who are the four mighty shades? How does recognition/remembrance play a part
in their fate?
4. How do the great poets respond to Dante?
5. Why is the first circle called “Limbo”?
Canto V
1. Who assigns each sinner to a particular circle of Hell? How is he symbolic of a
sinner’s own conscience?
2. What was the sin of the first people Dante encounters? Why is their punishment
appropriate?
3. Name three of the famous people found within this circle.
4. What are Dante’s feelings about Paolo and Francesca? Why does he feel this way
about their fate?
5. What happens to Dante at the end of the Canto? Compare it to a similar event at
the end of Canto III.
Canto VI
1. How does Dante describe the atmosphere in Circle Three?
2. Of what crimes were the souls in Circle Three guilty?
3. Who is the beast in this Circle? Compare him to Cerberus. How is each beast
appropriate for his location?
4. How does Virgil overcome Cerberus? What is the significance of this action?
5. What is Ciacco’s nationality? Why is this important?
*What does the word “Ciacco” mean? ________________
6. Summarize the brief discussion between Dante and Virgil at the end of the Canto.
Canto VII
1. Who guards the Fourth Circle? How does Virgil respond to this beast?
2. What sins have been committed by those in the Fourth Circle? Describe how
these souls are punished.
3. What is the name of the marsh in this Circle?
4. How does the size of the population of this Circle compare to that of the
population of the previous Circle? What do you think is the symbolic reason for
this?
5. What particular group makes up a large portion of this circle? Why is this not
surprising to Dante?
6. The Fourth circle is the last of the circles of Incontinence. What is
“incontinence”?
7. Virgil warns, “The stars that marked our starting fall away.” (VII.97) What is the
date and time he says this? Why is it significant?
Canto VIII
1. Who rows the boat for Dante and Virgil? How is he like or unlike Charon?
2. Why is the oarsman angry when he sees who has come for a ride?
3. Why does Dante describe the boat sinking into the water?
4. What is Dante’s reaction to Filippo Argenti? What are some possible reasons for
this?
5. How is Virgil received at the gates of the City of Dis?
6. What does Virgil have to do to gain admittance? Why do you think the
Rebellious Angels encourage Virgil to abandon Dante in the Underworld?
Canto IX
1. From where did Virgil hope to get help?
2. Why had Virgil been in Hell before? Who insisted that he go?
3. Who are the furies?
4. Who was the queen whom the three goddesses served? Describe her.
5. What are the tombs like near the City of Dis?
6. Why do you think the heavenly messenger spent so little time with Dante and
Virgil?
7. Who are the heretics? How are they punished?