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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Abandon all hope, ye who enter in.
Well, it seems like Dante really knew what he was doing. This book was honestly beautiful. The poetry flows wonderfully when read aloud.
As to the story, who isn’t interested in Hell?
Well, it seems like Dante really knew what he was doing. This book was honestly beautiful. The poetry flows wonderfully when read aloud.
As to the story, who isn’t interested in Hell?
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read a shortened version of this book solely because it had pictures, which gave me a better understanding as to what was going on. As much as I praise Dante for using common language Italian instead of the formal version of Latin, the common language is still hard to understand. I tried my best, but I’m sure I got at least one interpretation wrong. Might have to revisit the introduction that was present in my copy, as it explained everything that happened in the story fairly well.
I found it interesting that the nine layers of Hell are ranked based off how much someone wronged God. Atheists and members of different faiths (along with scientists and philosophical believers) are on the top layer while known Biblical traitors like Brutus and Judas are at the bottom being fed to demonic monsters with three heads.
I also found the inclusion of Greek myths to be extremely funny. Centaurs, dragons, giants, harpies, etc. can all be found in some capacity inside Hell, along with then-known figures like Attila the Hun and the guy who stuck the first knife into Caesar’s back. Oh yeah, and Alexander the Great is down there, as is Ulysses and Paris.
The one thing I could not be able to interpret was the exact reasoning as to why Dante took this journey. It feels like it was forced upon him by Virgil, but it also begs the question as to why Virgil wanted to take Dante down there. Maybe I zoned out or missed some things, but for most of the story, Dante doesn’t want to take this journey and refuses countless times to continue forth. But Virgil urges him to go on. But why? Why does Virgil wanna show Dante Hell? What does he gain from that? I’m sure there’s a reason, but I couldn’t figure it out and I’m too lazy right now to read the introduction and find out.
Anyways, Inferno isn’t really a concrete story: It’s a series of poems (or cantos) that describes Dante’s journey through Hell. Each canto goes as follows: Dante and Virgil arrive at place in Hell. They describe what place in Hell looks like and how the sinners there are punished. Sometimes they talk to a sinner, who describes their crime. But oftentimes, they talk to a devil, or some otherworldly creature that happens to be in the domain. Once they get enough of their stay, Dante and Virgil move on to the next thing. And it’s just that plot repeated over all the cantos. If you want to see a piece of work that is nothing but world-building, I’d suggest this book. It’s really interesting to see Dante’s interpretation of certain punishments and where each person in history would land. I found myself predicting where certain historical figures that precede the publishing of this book would go and how they would be punished. Make guesses in the comments if you want. If you can reply on here lol.
I found it interesting that the nine layers of Hell are ranked based off how much someone wronged God. Atheists and members of different faiths (along with scientists and philosophical believers) are on the top layer while known Biblical traitors like Brutus and Judas are at the bottom being fed to demonic monsters with three heads.
I also found the inclusion of Greek myths to be extremely funny. Centaurs, dragons, giants, harpies, etc. can all be found in some capacity inside Hell, along with then-known figures like Attila the Hun and the guy who stuck the first knife into Caesar’s back. Oh yeah, and Alexander the Great is down there, as is Ulysses and Paris.
The one thing I could not be able to interpret was the exact reasoning as to why Dante took this journey. It feels like it was forced upon him by Virgil, but it also begs the question as to why Virgil wanted to take Dante down there. Maybe I zoned out or missed some things, but for most of the story, Dante doesn’t want to take this journey and refuses countless times to continue forth. But Virgil urges him to go on. But why? Why does Virgil wanna show Dante Hell? What does he gain from that? I’m sure there’s a reason, but I couldn’t figure it out and I’m too lazy right now to read the introduction and find out.
Anyways, Inferno isn’t really a concrete story: It’s a series of poems (or cantos) that describes Dante’s journey through Hell. Each canto goes as follows: Dante and Virgil arrive at place in Hell. They describe what place in Hell looks like and how the sinners there are punished. Sometimes they talk to a sinner, who describes their crime. But oftentimes, they talk to a devil, or some otherworldly creature that happens to be in the domain. Once they get enough of their stay, Dante and Virgil move on to the next thing. And it’s just that plot repeated over all the cantos. If you want to see a piece of work that is nothing but world-building, I’d suggest this book. It’s really interesting to see Dante’s interpretation of certain punishments and where each person in history would land. I found myself predicting where certain historical figures that precede the publishing of this book would go and how they would be punished. Make guesses in the comments if you want. If you can reply on here lol.
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Brought some points to perspective.
I think a lot of it is lost on me due to not knowing many of the references and
allusions. Otherwise it is well written and packed with imagery.
allusions. Otherwise it is well written and packed with imagery.
slow-paced