This document contains 9 discussion questions about Canto 3 of Dante's Divine Comedy. The questions probe Virgil's advice to Dante, the souls punished in the vestibule of Hell, Dante's repugnance toward the indecisive, the description of recently deceased souls, Charon's reaction to Dante crossing the river Acheron, how Virgil silences Charon, the message about those without commitment to God, the symbolism of souls depicted as fallen leaves, and what happens to Dante at the end of the canto. The questions analyze various events, characters, and themes from Canto 3.
This document contains 9 discussion questions about Canto 3 of Dante's Divine Comedy. The questions probe Virgil's advice to Dante, the souls punished in the vestibule of Hell, Dante's repugnance toward the indecisive, the description of recently deceased souls, Charon's reaction to Dante crossing the river Acheron, how Virgil silences Charon, the message about those without commitment to God, the symbolism of souls depicted as fallen leaves, and what happens to Dante at the end of the canto. The questions analyze various events, characters, and themes from Canto 3.
This document contains 9 discussion questions about Canto 3 of Dante's Divine Comedy. The questions probe Virgil's advice to Dante, the souls punished in the vestibule of Hell, Dante's repugnance toward the indecisive, the description of recently deceased souls, Charon's reaction to Dante crossing the river Acheron, how Virgil silences Charon, the message about those without commitment to God, the symbolism of souls depicted as fallen leaves, and what happens to Dante at the end of the canto. The questions analyze various events, characters, and themes from Canto 3.
1.) What is Virgil’s advice to Dante, spoken at the Gate of Hell?
2.) Who are the souls tortured in this canto in the vestibule of Hell? What is their punishment? How is this symbolic? 3.) Based on what you know of his life, why might Dante harbor special repugnance toward the indecisive? 4.) Describe the recently deceased souls. Find evidence from the text for this description. 5.) What is Charon’s reaction to Dante’s attempt to cross the river Acheron? Why? 6.) How does Virgil silence Charon? 7.) What message does this canto provide about those who cannot or will not make a commitment to God? 8.) Does the image of souls as fallen leaves merely convey a sense of great numbers, or does it contribute to the despairing tone of this canto? 9.) What happens to Dante at the end of the canto? Find textual evidence to support this.
Canto 3 Questions for Discussion
1.) What is Virgil’s advice to Dante, spoken at the Gate of Hell?
2.) Who are the souls tortured in this canto in the vestibule of Hell? What is their punishment? How is this symbolic? 3.) Based on what you know of his life, why might Dante harbor special repugnance toward the indecisive? 4.) Describe the recently deceased souls. Find evidence from the text for this description. 5.) What is Charon’s reaction to Dante’s attempt to cross the river Acheron? Why? 6.) How does Virgil silence Charon? 7.) What message does this canto provide about those who cannot or will not make a commitment to God? 8.) Does the image of souls as fallen leaves merely convey a sense of great numbers, or does it contribute to the despairing tone of this canto? 9.) What happens to Dante at the end of the canto? Find textual evidence to support this.