The Renaissance

Questions? Comments? Observations?

Inferno Review Blog

Just post whatever y'all want that you think is important to remember for the inferno test (who is in what level and why, symbolic retribution, monsters etc.)

"That's right, fawn on him, like the silly bitch you are. Grovel and cringe!"

What about love and attraction in this play?
I really think Sartre make a lot of good points on the fickle nature of human desire and attraction. Why does attraction get sparked? Can people control their attractions? Can they ignore their attractions? What causes people to "settle" for others?

Some quotes I liked concerning this topoic are :

"I shan't love you; I know you too well."

"Come to me Estelle. You shall be whatever you like... and deep down in my eyes you'll see yourself just as you want to be."

"If you'll only will it hard enough, I dare say we can really love each other"

"Love's a grand solace, isn't it, my friend?"

Are any of these comments true? Are all of these comments true?

Has any body seen the movie "Rules of Attraction"? No Exit reminded me a lot in some ways of that movie

"Hell is-- other people!"

What does everyone think of No Exit?

Where Would YOU be in Hell?

Here's the link to the Inferno quiz, which will place you in a circle of Dante's hell.

http://www.4degreez.com/misc/dante-inferno-test.mv

Where did you end up?

Symbolism & Allegory

So I know we have a thread about The Inferno, but I thought perhaps another thread with a narrower topic would be fun as well.

Ciardi (the translator) and Scandizzledazzle have suggested that Dante's work can be seen in an allegorical light. To quote Ciardi in his introduction to the first Canto: "First [Dante] must ascend through Hell (The Recognition of Sin), then he must ascend through Purgatory (The Renunciation of Sin), and only then may he reach the pinnacle of joy and come to the Light of God. Virgil offers to guide Dante, but only as far as Human Reason can go. Another guide (Beatrice, symbol of Divine Love) must take over for the final ascent, for Human reason is self-limited" (1017-1018).

I was hoping we could use this topic to expound on this idea of allegory and symbolism in The Inferno-- how, for example, does Dante represent this Catholic process of repentence and divine forgiveness? How does he use symbolism in general?

How many 4-year-olds could you take in a fight?

We've all wondered about it at some point.

Should Someone Start a Thread about the Inferno?

yes, I think so.

Does love exist?

Your mom exists

Tristan and Iseult

First impressions? Interesting observations?

Here's a starter topic: Do you think Iseult makes good sandwiches? Why or why not?

Greek vs. Romaneque Architecture & Art

Which do you prefer?

Top 3 Movies, Songs, and Books

Omg omg omg this is so much fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!