January 23

Dante (Inferno IX-XV)

Read one Canto per day aloud.

1. How are each of the following a "Medusa"?   9.11.01, pornography, money, anger, fear, incontinence, desire.

2. Why is heresy between incontinence and violence?

3. Dante undergoes a major transition as he crosses each body of water or liquid. Trace these transitions in the work thus far.

4. What is the root problem common to all of the sins of incontinence?

5. Why are the beasts half and half in Canto XII?

6. Explain the contrapasso of the wood of suicides.

7. Explicate each contrapasso in circle 7.

8. Why is sodomy a sin of violence?

1. How is sin the same as suffering?
2. Must sin precede praise as confession?
3. Identify all things that may precede praise and how they come about. Draw a picture.
4. Describe the influence of each of Augustine's mentors on his spiritual journey.