Collective Notes for Dante's Inferno

I did not take full summary notes, it is best to check the back of each Canto for the meaning of things or Sparknotes. 

THINGS MENTIONED IN CLASS:

-There are 3 Dantes... the characters, the future narrator and the writer. The character Dante tends to be more sympathetic/wishy washy. [Mentioned in Cantos XIII]

[XIV]:

"The left leg of the statue, made of iron, can be seen to represent the Roman Empire, strong and willfully led, while the right leg, made of clay, could be the Catholic Church—cracked by its corruption."

-Sparknotes 

[XX]: Passion is a human emotion, God is not supposed to be "human"

[XXIII]:
-Alchemy [using lead as gold]
-counterfeit - golden cloaks [beauty outside, but weighed down on the inside]

[XXIV]:
Beginning:
-Snow's sister
Aquarius= January

[XXXIII]:
-Dante does not fulfill promise in scarping the ice off for the sinner. [fraud?]

[XXXIV]:
Satan has three heads= alludes to the Holy Trinity


-after reaching the center of gravity- it seems as though they're going back down when flying up [they must go "down" in order to go up]

-Dante is either is more prophetic than he thinks, or he's super confident [thinks he can make it amongst the best poets]
  -TRUE: Two best ones are: Homer and Dante

[DI] Canto XXXII: The Ninth Circle

Canto XXXII: The Ninth Circle

[1-15]: Dante mentions how his words cannot describe the treachery of this circle. Describing this part in hell will be difficult since he is still an “infant”- he is still “immature”: his language is childish and inadequate to fully grasp the horrors of the last circle. Dante calls upon the Muses to make his words accurate descriptions of this place.

:  Dante and Virgil are currently under the foot of The Giant Antaeus. Dante hears a voice that warns them to be careful, or they’d step on people’s heads.

[22-39]: Describes the general scenery on what Dante sees in Circle 7. Under Dante’s feet he sees a frozen lake [The River of Cocytus]. It is ice is so thick, that if a mountain were to drop on it, it would not crack, not even at the edge.

[Mountains: Tambernic and Pietrapana]

Dante describes the people as frogs- the sinners are trapped in the ice, with only their heads out.

[73-111]: Dante kicks a head by accident—the person yelps out and speaks of revenge for Montaperti. Since Dante is alive, he asks the person to give him his name so he can give him fame in the living world. However the sinner only wishes to be left alone. Dante becomes aggressive; he grabs the person’s neck and demands him to give his name. Dante twists the hair and even pulls out a few tufts.

Bocca- betrays his own party at the Battle of Montaperti. [fought by Florence with the Guelphs—Ghibelline at heart]- he cut off the flag-carrier’s [standard-bearer] hand, which caused panic and eventual loss in the battle. The flag carrier is very important because the soldiers had no uniforms so they looked to the flag so see where their army and leader is, if the flag falls, it indicates that the troop leader is no longer safe and in command.

Another sinner cries out to tell Bocca, to quiet down, so Dante learns of his name. Since he was not cooperative, Dante says he’ll only bring the truth of the sinner [slander his reputation] to the living world. The sinner does not mind, he only wants the other traitors to be named as well.

[124-139]: Dante leaves Bocca behind and finds two souls frozen in a single hole. One was on top [which is described as the other’s hat] and was eating out the second’s head, brains and all.

Dante asks why the sinner is eating the other person and that he’d bring the story to the living world as long as he has a good justification for it. [offers Ugolino a deal]

Alludes to:[Tydeus gnawed at Melanippus]

[DI] Canto XII: Circle 7

52-60:

[Circle 7] First ring or the three rings for Violence = Violence to others

Describes the place they are approaching. [A place circled by a river of blood ]– centaurs armed with arrows stood on the edge

Precipice = A very steep rock face or cliff [edge of abyss]

 [Centaurs see Dante + Virgil and stopped]

-Three Centaurs departed from troop – readying their weapons [The Three are Chiron, Nessus and Pholus(?)]

Centaurs are half men half horse = They are known as violent and uncouth creatures

73-75:

They shoot anyone that tries to swim up beyond their level of depth they are submerged in.

The river of boiling blood has varying depths, the deeper someone is submerged, the greater their sin.

[103: Murderous tyrants - eyebrows] [116: Murders -throats] [121: plunderers- waists] [125: unspecified-feet]

97-132:

Virgil requests that a centaur take Dante to cross over the river of blood on their back.

Chiron tells Nessus to guide them past the river of blood.

Dante and Virgil are toured around the ring of Violence—Nessus points out the sinners being punished here.

Alexander and Dionysius submerged to the eyebrows by their sin [of tyranny perhaps. Both Dionysius and Ezzelino are known for the tyranny. Alexander might be Alexander the Great—Obizzo’Este – unsure]

[People mentioned: Alexander [the Great?], Dinoysius, Ezzelino, Obizzo d’Este]

When they finally reach the shallow end the river [Dante notices that some people has their heads of out the water, some even had their chests out. Eventually people were only cooked to their feet], Nessus leaves Dante and Virgil who continue on to the second ring.

Oedipus the King: Terms (pages 5-14)

Oedipus the King: Terms

Pages 5-14

Book: The Oedipus Plays of Sophocles (a revised and updated translation by Paul Roche)

(A list of terms and definitions during the reading I found useful in looking up):

TERMS

Scions: a descendant

Thronging: a multitude of people crowded or assembled together

Elegiac:

1) Used in, suitable for, or resembling an elegy

2) Expressing sorrow or lamentation: elegiac strains

Elegy: a mournful, melancholy, or plaintive poem, especially a funeral song or a lament for the dead.

Lamentation: The act of expressing sorrow or grief.

Palls:

1) A cloth, often velvet, for spreading over a coffin/tomb

2) A coffin

3) Anything that covers, shrouds, or overspreads, especially with darkness or gloom

Petitioners: a request made for something desired, especially a respectful or humble request, as to a superior or to one of those in authority; a supplication or prayer: a petition for aid; a petition to God for courage and strength

Sovereign: Supreme ruler (a person or a group of people)

Fledglings:

1) A young bird just fledged

2) an inexperienced person

Fledge: to bring up (a young bird) until it is able to fly

Essaying:

1) to make an attempt at; try

2) an initial attempt or endeavour, especially a tentative attempt

Stripling: an adolescent youth

Oracles:(especially in ancient Greece) an utterance, often ambiguous or obscure, given by a priest or priestess 
at a shrine as the response of a god to an inquiry.

Prow:

1) the forepart of a ship or boat; bow

2) Literary: a ship

Ineffectual: powerless, impotent, futile

Omnipotent:

1) Almighty or infinite in power, as God

2) Having very great of unlimited authority or power

Suppliants: a person that supplicates; petitioner

Supplicate: to pray humbly; make humble and earnest entreaty or petition

Consummate: to bring to a state or perfection; fulfill

Disenthralled: to free from bondage; liberate: to be disenthralled from morbid fantasies.

Prowess:

1) exceptional valour, bravery, or ability, especially in combat or battle.

2) exceptional or superior ability, skill, or strength: his prowess as a public speaker.

Buoyancy: the power to float or rise in a fluid; relative lightness.

Treble:

1) threefold; triple.

2) high in pitch; shrill.

Covenant: an agreement, usually formal, between two or more persons to do or not do something specified.

Effulgent: shining forth brilliantly; radiant.

Chaplets: a wreath or garland for the head/a string of beads.

Battens:

1) to thrive by feeding; grow fat.

2) to feed gluttonously or greedily; glut oneself.

Brigands: a bandit, especially one of a band of robbers in mountain or forest regions.

Dactylic: of, containing, or characterized by dactyls: dactylic hexameter; a dactylic line.

Dactyl:

1) Prosody. a foot of three syllables, one long followed by two short in quantitative meter, or one stressed followed by two unstressed in accentual meter, as in gently and humanly.

2) a finger or toe.

Trochees: a foot of two syllables, a long followed by a short in quantitative meter, or a stressed followed by an unstressed in accentualmeter.a foot of two syllables, a long followed by a short in quantitative meter, or a stressed followed by an unstressed in accentual meter.

Iambs: a foot of two syllables, a short followed by a long in quantitative meter, or an unstressed followed by a stressed in accentual meter, as in Come live / with me / and be / my love.

Clinch: to settle (a matter) decisively

Tremulous:

1) (of persons, the body, etc.) characterized by trembling, asfrom fear, nervousness, or weakness.

2) timid; timorous; fearful.

3) (of things) vibratory, shaking, or quivering.

4) (of writing) done with a trembling hand.

Cipher:

1) zero

2) a person of no influence; nonentity

3) something of no value/importance

Matrons:

1) a married woman, especially one who is mature and staid or dignified and has an established social position.

2) a woman who has charge of the domestic affairs of a hospital, prison, or other institution.

3) a woman serving as a guard, warden, or attendant for women or girls, as in a prison.

Headlong:

1) with the head foremost; headfirst: to plunge headlong into the water.

2) without delay; hastily: to plunge headlong into work.

3) without deliberation; rashly: to rush headlong into battle.

Xanthic: of or pertaining to a yellow or yellowish color.

Succor:

1) help; relief; aid; assistance.

2) a person or thing that gives help, relief, aid, etc.

The Dead

Typed notes (To be added)

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Cat Scratch Notes: (Yet to be completed)

Grace

Typed notes (To be added)

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Cat Scratch Notes:

A Mother

Typed notes (To be added)

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Cat Scratch Notes:

Ivy Day in the Committee Room

Presentation Notes:

Ivy Day in the Committee Room

Starting off with the title: Ivy day is the day to remember and honour Charles Stewart Parnell, he is a very important figure for the Irish and many people looked to him to change Ireland and help them break free from British rule. (Home Rule) October 6^th (1891)is the day that Parnell died, and also the date of when this story takes place as a day of remembrance for Parnell.

It starts off with Old Jack and Mr. O’Connor, one of the canvasses (people that go out and try to get votes from people).

O’Connor is supposed to be out working to get votes but instead he stay insides the committee room. O’Connor does not really take his job seriously, when the tries to light his cigarette, the uses the (old jack offered match) pasteboard card that advertises the Municipal election, which kind of shows he doesn’t really care at all in supporting the new Nationalist candidate, Tierney.

The room is dark with only light from the hearth (fireplace).Overall it shows just how dismal and dark things seem with Parnell’s death. The weather outside was also inclement meaning a rough storm, and Ireland is kind of going through a stormy weather as well under the rule of Britain.

Jack and O’Connor are joined by Mr. Hynes, another canvass. Jack then lights a few candles to brighten up the room.

The candle lit up the denuded (bare, empty) room, the fire lost all cheerful colour in sense it seems hopeless, the fire could represent nationalism (which would be burning throughout the story) is lighting an empty ambition, the people are unwilling to fight for the country. Just like the people in the Committee room, instead of going out and getting votes, they stay inside and worrying about pay (once again MONEY) and gossiping behind each other’s backs. Throughout the men will be constantly talking about each other and being suspicious if they were British spies.

They talk about having to welcome the King Edward the Seventh which is a monarch of German descent, and will be visiting, and Tierney although a Nationalist will greet him. 

Tierney may not be the best nationalist candidate. He never shows up and he’s only talk about, but his name is “Tierney” which sounds a lot like tyranny. His first name is also Richard, which derives from German and English and French (ruler and strong) it might symbolize he’d be more willing to support the British. Not the best to change and help Ireland.

"Our man won't vote for the address," said Mr. O'Connor. "He goes in on the Nationalist ticket."

They say Tierney is a NATIONALIST, it could be referring to “After the Race” where the father was once a Nationalist, and not really devoted to Ireland anymore. (Shoneen)

At one point Jack rakes the coal then, and it probably symbolizes him not wanting to talk of unpleasant things in the past. There is an idiom “rake over the coals” meaning such. (passing of Parnell and Ireland’s bad history and oppression.)

Later they discuss about welcoming Edward again. Parnell lost due to the fact that he divorced his wife and had a long term relationship with another woman. Divorce back then was looked down upon and not accepted ((Catholic) immoral—bad due to religion.). He did divorce and eventually remarried, the divorce eventually led to his downfall. He died soon after. It is funny how Parnell was shamed while King Edward himself had a lot of affairs, but suffered little.

At the very end Mr. Hyne reads recites a piece. It basically talks about how Parnell which is like the Uncrowned King of Ireland, Ireland or “Erin” in this case will mourn with him gone; If he was still here he’d lead Ireland into glory. It mentions near the end about the Phoenix, which mean rebirth/being reborn. So until he is reborn Ireland will not get better. But he’s dead so basically they’re waiting for something that won’t come back.

They all drink from their bottles; the bottle embodies the principles of containing and enclosure. In a sense they are enclose inside Ireland and they are contained and separated from their fellow people, they aren’t acting TOGETHER. People in the committee, supposed to be working together, help Tierney, but instead they spend gossiping about each other. (Not trusting own people, the Irish. Just like the committee members.)

Throughout the story the fire from the hearth remains lit throughout.  Fire could mean warmth, pain or death. It could also mean inspiration. The fire could represent Irish Nationalism. Throughout the story the men in the Committee room would interact with the fire. They’d gaze into the fire, sometime approach it and at one point Mr. Henchy went up to the fire “rubbing his hands as if he intended to produce a spark from them.” Maybe it meant he wanted to fuel the fire of Nationalism. He also spits at the fire nearly putting it out, perhaps showing that he doesn’t want to fight for Ireland anymore.

At some point a priest shows up. The priest goes nowhere near the fire. The priest merely enters and leaves. He also mentions he couldn’t see because it was so dark when he was leaving, it was Mr. Henchy that helped light the way with the candle, a small fragment (Nationalism) to light the way. He may have lost his sense of nationalism, without it it’s too dark for him to see and he’s lost. Perhaps it means the loss of devotion since Father Keon, the priest is a religious person, if he seems uncertain about himself (looking like a poor clergyman or actor=mean false/deceit) perhaps he is hiding something. Loss of Devotion in Nationalism. (Unsure of which religion to support, Protestant or Catholic. –Uncertain, doorway in or out.

-Earlier, when Jack mentions the drunk the son, he says how can sons speak in such a rude way to their fathers. It could mean in the loss of faith with the new generation and how they’re not supporting the father anymore, maybe father in a sense that they stopped supporting Parnell, or the old generation.(GAVE UP)

Jack is the one that paid close attention to the fire; he always sat close to it and tended it with coal. Maybe he could have done something to help Ireland, but sadly he’s was a mere caretaker and had little power to change things, while the canvasses in charge of political matters did nothing.

At the end after reciting the poem about how things would have worked if Parnell was not shamed by his people, it shows that their hopes are all on Parnell, but they are waiting for a hope that will never come. They sit there merely talking but never doing. They are stuck, paralyzed in this timeframe.

They’re wearing the Ivy and keep the memory of Parnell. Just remembering , not striving for what he did.

Crofton says it was a fine piece, agreeing that it’s right and good. They don’t really reach and epiphany, they just kind of agree things would have gone well it Parnell was here.

BELOW HIM. Doesn’t want to explain or say anything and simply agrees. Mean he’s willing to go with the flow, he doesn’t want to try. He’s too above, the people who are above aren’t willing to “drop lower” and help out.

Judiciously: evenly

Falsetto: a high=pitched, artificial way of speaking

P.L.G: Welfare officials were given the title of Poor Law Guardians

Solicits: asks, requests

Canvass: examine

Cocks him up: boosts his ego

Impudence: arrogant rudeness

A sup taken: had a drink

Bowsy: a troublemaker, a deceitful person

Denuded: naked; empty

In the lurch: in an embarrassing difficult situation

Tinker: [Irish; Scottish] a gypsy

Publican: a tavern keeper

Shooneens: and Irish man who imitates the English, both in custom and behaviour.

Hunker-sliding: [slang] neglect, disregard, shirking

German Monarch:

Kowtowing: submitting to someone in authority

Spondulics: [slang] money, cash

Rake: a person who acts without self-control or restraint

Publican       

Chiefly British . a person who owns or manages a tavern; thekeeper of a pub.

2.

Roman History . a person who collected public taxes.

3.

any collector of taxes, tolls, tribute, or the like.

A Painful Case

Typed notes (To be added)

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Cat Scratch Notes:

Clay

Typed notes (To be added)

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Cat Scratch Notes:

Counterparts

Typed notes (To be added)

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Cat Scratch Notes:

A Little Cloud

Typed notes (To be added)

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Cat Scratch Notes:

The Boarding House

The Boarding House

-“The Madame”- more than just a boarding house

-Polly: perverse Madam, sinful Mary?

Green= Ireland in her eyes

Basically the story revolves around Mrs. Mooney, Polly and Mr. Doran. Mr. Doran is forced into marriage because he has a relationship with Polly. He is at the mercy of social opinion, he is afraid if he does not marry Polly he will lose his job. He is religious as well (his job as well is for the church). Mrs. Mooney knows he cannot refuse the marriage; he is weak and cares too much about public opinion so she easily manipulates him. Polly is just a manipulative, she seduces his and she clearly knows she has won. Around the end she dreams about the future with Mr. Doran and she does not seem very worried, meaning she knows she is going to get what she wants (marriage). It’s about money and security, not love.

OTHER:

-The are clues throughout the story that Polly might be pregnant, hence the need of marriage

-Mr. Doran is controlled by fear. Before he meets Mrs. Mooney he sees Jack, Polly’s brother, which is a great fighter, big and scary. Mr. Doran knows if he refuses the marriage he’ll get beat up by her brother.

-The story switches points of views throughout

“Three days' reddish beard fringed his jaws and every two or three minutes a mist gathered on his glasses so that he had to take them off and polish them with his pocket-handkerchief. “

-could symbolise blindness, nervousness, fear that paralyzes him.

-The gilt clock symbolizes: time, money and the church

-Mrs. Mooney is paralyzed due to her husband’s abusive behaviour, Mr. Doran is paralyzed due to the fact he’s stuck in an unwanted marriage.

Cat Scratch Notes:

Two Gallants

Two Gallants

-Irony because the two characters are far from gallant

-Lenehan is more reflective while Corley is not

àL wants money but also stability

-2 friends represent Ireland—they so not trust each other, just like how the Irish are against each other instead of the oppressor, Britain.

Harp= national symbol of Ireland (pg 57)—harpist

“Not far from the porch of the club a harpist stood in the roadway, playing to a little ring of listeners. He plucked at the wires heedlessly, glancing quickly from time to time at the face of each new-comer and from time to time, wearily also, at the sky. His harp, too, heedless that her coverings had fallen about her knees, seemed weary alike of the eyes of strangers and of her master's hands. One hand played in the bass the melody of Silent, O Moyle, while the other hand careered in the treble after each group of notes. The notes of the air sounded deep and full.”

Silent O Moyle is an Irish song of patriotism. (The plucking of the harp could be interpreted as a rape scene.)

Gold coin= greed/the ultimate prize

Cat Scratch Notes: