As we readers continue with Dante and Virgil further through the depths of Hell, moving now from the Seventh Circle into the Eight Circle, we notice a distinct change within the poem, the structure of the underworld and its once-human captives, and indeed within the traveling poets themselves. We enter the Eight Circle, which is appropriately named Malebolge (the evil ditches or well-pits), in Canto XVIII and are immediately confronted with a new reality of sinners and punishments unlike any other we have seen before. In this journal I want you to discuss this dramatic shift and provide textual evidence to support your observations. Here are some prompts to get you started:
-- Whereas the first seven circles were dominated by the lost souls seeking fame (via Dante's writing) in the living world above, these darkened wraiths in Malebolge only wish to hide and be forgotten; as one whom Dante encounters is described, "that flayed spirit, seeing me turn around, / thought to hide his face" (XVIII.46f). Discuss this change in the sinners' demeanor and explain why they have no desire for worldly remembrance.
-- A.T. MacAllister mentions in the Introduction to our edition of the Inferno that Dante's language is coarse and purposely so; he writes, "Dante had established a basic rule that the poet must make his style match his material. In accordance with this we should expect the style of the Inferno to be lower than that of the other divisions [Purgatorio and Paradiso]--and that is exactly what we find" (xxiii). Discuss how the vulgarity of some of the language and words that Dante uses are there simply to expound upon the fact that he is dealing with a vulgar and debased topic, i.e. the sins, sinners, and punishments of Hell. Recall that Hell is a parody or perversion or reversal of all things...
-- Discuss the emotional (or even, physical) responses of Dante and/or Virgil while they travel through Malebolge. Compare and/or contrast these to earlier responses in this Canticle of Pain, as Dante terms it in Canto XX.
-- Discuss the developmental changes within the poem in conjunction with the development within Dante the Poet. Recall our discussion on Wednesday about Dante's conception of his poetic "project" and the "message" he need deliver to his readership; such recollection should help concretize an answer to this prompt.
Here is a funny article from the Onion (seriously... I include this for humor only). It deals with the many circles of Hell and an added "new" one. Take a glance should you be interested in a good laugh... and gathering a sense of the impact on culture that Dante's text has truly had!
Important information regarding The Tempest.
(1) The reading schedule has been posted! Please check the schedule of readings and written assignments page as soon as possible so that you are aware of what segments of this Shakespearean play we will be reading and when. In order to prepare for the field trip I've required that we (especially those of you who have never encountered Shakespeare before) read some prefatory material from our edition of The Tempest.
(2) Remember that we, as a class, are all going to see this play performed live, on the stage, at BAM (the Brooklyn Academy of Music) on Friday, March 12th, 2010!!! Follow this link to see BAM's webpage dedicated to the production, for subway/travel info, and so on. We are lucky to have this opportunity for two reasons. One, the timing of this production is incredible! Not only are we reading this play for our CC 10.02 class, but moreover this is the production's WORLD PREMIERE! Two, we have been granted these expensive tickets for free!!! Therefore, we should not waste this opportunity. To encourage your attendance and goad you even further... I am offering an extra journal credit to those who attend the performance and complete the subsequent "thank you" writing assignment (indeed, we must thank those who have provided us these tickets).
