Canto 2

INFERNO

CANTO 2

By: Derek Frauendorfer

Summary:

            The canto begins with Dante wondering if he has the strength to go through Hell.  He then realizes, as he is talking to Virgil, that a man of intelligence also has the ability to accomplish great things.  Then, shortly after, he wonders if he is destined to make this journey, or whether this journey is futile.  After Dante states his thoughts, Virgil accuses him of cowardice, believing Dante is just making excuses.  In an attempt to comfort Dante, Virgil speaks about why he came to Dante.  Virgil says that a woman of great beauty (Beatrice) spoke to him and request that he go to Dante because he was afraid of the journey ahead of him.  Virgil agrees, but then asks why Beatrice does not shrink in fear when coming from beautiful Heaven and arriving in terrifying Hell.  Beatrice says that she does not fear that which can not hurt her, for she was made in Heaven.  Beatrice then continues and says that she was sent by Lucia to have Virgil help Dante, because Lucia knew that Dante loved Beatrice and that Beatrice should help Dante in his endeavor.  Virgil then turns and asks Dante why he should be scared when there are women in Heaven that care deeply for him.  Dante’s hope and bravery is restored and he is ready to continue on.

Characters:

Dante:  Tempted to refuse his call to learn of Hell.

Virgil:  Spoke of why he was sent and why Dante should continue his journey.

Lucia:  Convinces Beatrice to help Dante because he loved her.

Beatrice:  Realizes Lucia is right and seeks Virgil to help Dante.

Discussion Questions:

1. Would knowing that there were beautiful women in heaven that cared about you be enough for you to continue your journey through hell?

2. Do you think Dante will ever doubt himself again sometime during his journey through Hell? Why or why not?

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Who doubts himself early in the canto?

A. Dante

B. Virgil

C. Beatrice

D. Lucia

2. What does Virgil accuse Dante of having early in the chapter?

A. Greediness

B. Cowardice

C. Lust

D. Anger

3. How does Virgil Describe Beatrice?

A. Beautiful

B. Ugly

C. Fat

4. Why does Beatrice not fear Hell?

A. Because she knows she was made in Heaven

B. Because she is made of ice

C. Because she has armor

D. Because she is old

5. Who convinces Beatrice to help Dante?

A. Virgil

B. Rachel

C. Homer

D. Lucia

6. How did Dante feel about Beatrice on Earth?

A. He hated her

B. He had never even seen her

C. He loved her

D. They went out once, but he broke up with her

7. Why did Beatrice choose Virgil to help Dante?

A. His great strength

B. His ability to speak well

C. His Agility

D. His Beauty

8. Who sat with Beatrice as Lucia was convincing Beatrice to help Dante?

A. Sydney

B. Virgil

C. Zeus

D. Rachel

9. What greatly touched Virgil about Beatrice’s plea?

A. Beatrice shed a tear

B. Beatrice died after making the plea

C. Beatrice vanished

D. Beatrice did a back flip

10. What was the result of Virgil’s story?

A. Dante went all the way home

B. Dante buried himself in the ground

C. Dante was filled with a new confidence

D. Dante killed Virgil