A study of Dante’s Inferno and its influence on later art and literature. Inferno describes a journey through the nine circles of hell, where figures from history, myth, and literature undergo elaborate punishments. Dante’s poem has inspired writers and artists since its composition, from Jorge Luis Borges to Gloria Naylor to Neil Gaiman. In this course, we will read Inferno together with a selection of 19th, 20th, and 21st century works based on Dante. Throughout, we will explore how Dante’s poem informs and inspires poetic creativity, social commentary, and political critique. No prior knowledge of Dante or Inferno is necessary; we will encounter the text together.

Pre-1900 course.