Designing Nine Circles

In Dante's Inferno, he described nine distinct levels of hell, each worse in his perception of the offenses committed. For this assignment, students are to design their own nine circles (or levels) of offenses ranging from the least to greatest offense. Then they are to write a thirty line essay outlining their rationale for setting it up the way they did.

Canto VI Vocabulary and Study Guide

For this assignment, students need to look up the vocabulary taken from Canto VI and answer the questions that follow pertaining to the notes taken in class.

If you are missing a grade for this item, you may print out another sheet HERE.

Canto III Vocabulary Assessment

Students are allowed to use their Canto III notes to match answers. If this assessment is missing, print HERE and turn in as soon as possible.

Cantos I and III Open Note Quiz

In class, we took notes on Dante's Cantos I and III (skipping II). THIS SHORT ESSAY QUIZ was given afterward, and students were allowed to use their notes.

Lamentations Mini Essay

At the beginning of Canto III, Dante says the people in line at the gates of hell are “lamenting” or having regrets. Why?

Describe regrets you’ve had at some point in your own life.

What did you learn from these regrets?

Guide Diagram

As an addendum to the Mount of Joy project, we are analyzing special traits about our guides that prompted us to pick them as our "ghosts."

Draw three boxes and fill in with the attributes this person has that push you in the direction of your goal.

List three examples of each that directly pertain to you reaching your goal.

Mount of Joy Project

In Canto I, Dante awoke to find himself off of the "path of life" and  lost in a depressing forest. He had no hope until the sun rose, and then he could see the Mount of Joy, representing his life long goal. He headed toward it, only to thwarted by three beasts (a panther, lion and wolf), representing his obstacles. He retreated backward and ran into a ghost, Virgil, who became his guide.

For the Mount of Joy project, you will draw and label the following:

Mountain - Label according to YOUR goal
Beasts - Label according to YOUR obstacles
Sun - What gives you hope?
Forest - What depresses you?
Ghost - Who is your guide?

Gates of Hell - Mini Essay

As Dante approaches the gates of hell, much of his prose becomes symbolic. Relate this to your own life using the following prompt:

Write about how doors and doorways can be symbolic as well as literal. The act of standing outside, or going through a door can represent much more than the simple movement. What doors have opened or closed for you thus far in your life? Use examples and evidence to support your writing.

Cantos I and III

We will not have time to study every Canto of Dante's Inferno, so we will begin with I, then jump to III.

These cantos should be read and annotated with unfamiliar words and plot points that are discussed in class.

If you have misplace your copies, you may get them here: Canto I and Canto III

What is hell?

In preparation for Dante's Inferno, we are collecting our preconceived notions of what hell is like using sensory language.

If you are missing this, you may use your own paper to recreate the assignment. Begin by writing what you might see, hear, smell, touch or taste there. Then, write a story as though you are the one visiting (rather than Dante).

Sensory Language Practice

We are beginning semester two by studying Dante's Inferno. Dante uses quite a bit of sensory language in his prose. In this assignment, students practice writing a sensory paragraph using various prompts.

If you are missing this assignment, you may choose one of the prompts from THIS link and turn it in. (You do not need to print all of the prompts, only one.)

Narrative Visual Comprehension

We started back after the break with a fun assignment. The students read a story entitled "Snow Day," and they colored the details in the picture to match the details in the narrative.

If you are missing the grade for this assignment, you may make it up by printing HERE.