Completely a man of his age, Dante incorporates into the Divine Comedy all its science and learning, its theology, philosophy, astronomy, use of classical authors, way of looking at the insignificance of the present life in comparison with the life to come. All these things have still a distinct medieval stamp. Yet Dante is at the same time the most original of poets. It is his mighty individuality which, rising above the conventionality of his age and country, has made him a world-poet, as true to-day as ever in his depiction of the human heart in all its sin and sorrow, virtue, and vice, in its love and hate and its inextinguishable aspiration toward a better and happier existence in the world beyond the grave. SUMMARY AND QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW Visionary journeys to the unseen world in the Middle Ages--How Dante differs from them--The Ptolemaic system--Year of Dante's supposed journey--Entrance to Hell--Souls of the Ignoble--Limbo and the Unbaptized--Circle II and the Licentious--III and IV, Gluttons and Misers--V, The Styx--VI, Heretics--VII, The Violent: River of blood, Wood of Suicides, Sandy Plain--VIII, The Fraudulent--IX, The Traitors. Purgatory and its seven terraces--The Earthly Paradise--The Supreme Vision--Characteristic features of the Divine Comedy--Its beauty and greatness. 1. Did Dante invent the framework of the Divine Comedy? 2. Give briefly the Ptolemaic system of the universe. 3. How old was Dante when he is supposed to have begun his journey? 4. Give the various sins punished in the nine circles of Hell. 5. Who was Francesca da Rimini? 6. Mention some of the most famous passages in Dante's Hell. 7. Describe the scene before the gates of Dis. 8. What was the shape of Malebolge, and what kinds of sin were there punished? 9. Tell the story of the last voyage of Ulysses. 10. Describe the lowest circle of Hell. 11. Story of Ugolino and the Tower of Hunger. 12. Describe the appearance of Lucifer and the three arch-traitors. 13. Where is Purgatory situated? 14. Describe the scene on the seashore. 15. Who were Cato, Casella, Manfred, and Buonconte? 16. What souls are punished in Ante-Purgatory? 17. Describe the scene in the Valley of the Princes. 18. How does Dante reach the gate of Purgatory? 19. Name the various sins punished in the seven terraces of Purgatory. 20. Describe the Earthly Paradise. 21. What happens to Dante there? 22. Name the various heavens in their order. 23. In which of these heavens does Dante see the souls of Piccarda, St. Thomas Aquinas, Cacciaguida, and St. Peter? 24. How does the Divine Comedy end? 25. What is your idea of the greatness and beauty of the Divine Comedy? BIBLIOGRAPHY (See Chapter II.) FOOTNOTES: [7] Hell, 4,720; Purgatory, 4,755; Paradise, 4,758.