Literature Quiz: Inferno Cantos I-III
1. About how old is the pilgrim, Dante when he finds himself lost in the wood?
a. school age b. young adult c. middle aged d. elderly
2. All of these animals block Dante’s way through the wood EXCEPT:
a. a leopard b. a dragon c. a lion d. a wolf
3. Who helps Dante, and agrees to guide him through Hell and Purgatory, and to Paradise? a. Virgil b.
Homer c. Odysseus d. Beatrice
4. In Canto II, how does Dante first feel about being taken on this journey?
a. afraid b. angry c. excited d. unworthy
5. Why was Dante’s guide sent to take him on this journey?
a. Dante had devoutly prayed for help. c. Saints in Heaven took pity on him.
b. His guide saw him as a worthy successor. d. The guide was sent as a punishment.
6. Where was Dante’s guide, just before being sent to help Dante?
a. Heaven b. Hell c. Rome d. Athens
7. In Canto III, Dante and his guide approach the entrance to Hell. They see the words, “I AM THE WAY
TO THE DOLEFUL CITY...ABANDON HOPE, ALL YOU WHO ENTER.” Where are these words written?
a. Inscribed on a gate c. painted on a huge door
b. tattooed on a demon d. sewn into a filthy tapestry
8. Dante and his guide see a group of souls rushing around, chasing a flag and being stung by hornets
and flies. Why does Dante’s guide say they are being punished this way?
a. They entered Hell but tried to escape c. They were neutral; neither faithful nor unfaithful in life
b. They were extremely greedy in life d. They were too attached to the flags of their nations in life
9. Dante and his guide see many souls who must cross the River Acheron into Hell. How do these souls
approach the ferry boat?
a. they rush to it c. they crawl toward it
b. they have to be prodded to it by demons d. in a slow, solemn line
10. How does Charon, the demon who drives the boat, treat Dante and his guide?
a. He doesn’t notice them. c. He tells them to find another way across. b. He is oddly polite. d. He mocks
them.