Mr. Partain’s Project from Hell
Circle 1 of the hell project (Analysis)
Working in pairs you will be assigned one or two Cantos from Dante’s Inferno. Using the Ciardi translation from our class, annotate your cantos as you read them. You will turn the following information in on a piece of paper. Pay special attention to…
(1) The geography of the region
(2) The sinners that appear in this section of hell (include what sin is being punished)
Explain the sinners’ historical, Biblical, fictional, or personal (to Dante) significance.
(3) The punishments that the sinners must endure.
(4) How the punishments fit the sins (explain the symbolism of the punishment)
(5) The impact of this section on Dante
Use the following on-line resources to help better understand your cantos:
· http://www.englishare.net/literature/POL-DC-TEXT-Inferno.htm#_Toc488903672
(This version is a paraphrased and easy to read)
· http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/d/dante/d19he/
(This poetic translation is challenging to read. The magnificent illustrations by Gustov
Dore are at this site.)
Below are interactive sites that will help you comprehend your canto on a deeper level
http://people.eku.edu/kingt/inferno/ (A virtual tour of hell by Todd King)
http://danteworlds.laits.utexas.edu/index2.html (DantesWorld – Interactive Site)
http://foxtwin.com/inferno/ (Another great interactive Inferno Tour)
Circle 2 of the hell project (Presentation)
Using Powerpoint, Photostory, or a prop such as a poster or diorama, summarize and analyze your Cantos in front of the class. Include the following:
· A visual depiction of this region of hell. (You may either draw an original piece of art, or you may use images from the internet.)
· A discussion of the 5 topics listed above.
· A musical element—Lyrics or music that relate to the canto you are analyzing.
Circle 3 of the hell project (Contemporary connections)
Create a contemporary version of the place in hell that your Cantos describe. Imagine that you and a guide visit this particular region of hell. What would this spot in hell look like in our world (a ride on an amusement park? A room in a school building? A ward in a nursing home or hospital? A particular run at a ski slope? A section of seats in a concert or a football game?)
· Draw this place on a piece of poster board or create it on the computer.
· People this section of hell with at least three modern people who are guilty of the sins your Cantos explore
· Create a modern punishment for these sinners. Be sure that the punishment fits the crime.
· Select a modern-day guide who would lead you in and out of this place in hell. Why is this guide appropriate or symbolic?
· Write three brief paragraphs explaining why you depicted this location, why you chose these three sinners and their punishments, and the reason for selecting your guide