Dantes Inferno: Zur Geschichte der Hollenvermessung und des Hollentrichtermotivs

by Henrik Engel

Genres: Classics, Fantasy, School, Fiction

Hardcover

Published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Meemie E · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read Dante’s Inferno per AP English Class reading and I decided to write a review about since my overall opinion of the book seems to be in very stark contrast to everyone else’s view and I’ve never seen my point of view being expressed by any other person.


So, Dante’s Inferno is about Dante the Poet and his journey through the circles of Hell to find his lover, Beatrice. He is led by a great once-alive-now-dead poet named Virgil. For each sin, there is a cruel punishment that every soul that committed that sin must face for all eternity from being torn to bits by Cerberus or burned flesh from boiling blood. And what did I think of this tale of woes, human faults, and graphic ordeals?


It was absolutely adorable.


You think I am kidding? I’m not. It’s cute! Dante is like Jack Skellington going “What’s this? What’s this?” and Virgil is just trying to drag him along, hand to forehead, going “This is what happens when you bring a complete noob to Hell.” All the spirits that talk to Dante are there trying to gain some sympathy for their plight like it will make any difference and Dante is eating it up! Are we sure Dante was a wise poet on earth because here he’s portrayed like a curious little child that just falls for everything and wants so much for his teacher, Virgil, to give him a gold star. Then, there’s Virgil that makes a complete mockery of all the monsters of Hell. Look, I know what this book is trying to be. It’s trying to highlight the faults of humans, especially what Dante thinks are human’s greatest faults. But, I just see a perfect parody here. I’m seeing comedic potential everywhere I turn in this tale. I can really see a Tom and Jerry bit going on with Virgil and the beasts, Dante doing something adorable and everyone reacting to it. Has anyone else thought of this? I know that, despite being called The Divine Comedy, it’s not supposed to be funny. For all those that may be raging at my nonchalance regarding this piece of literature, acknowledge this: if everyone in the world was stone-cold serious, we never would have had Looney Toons. Sometimes it takes a true poet to see the divine comedy in The Divine Comedy.

[Zacchaeus Abbiati · Rating 1 out of 5]

Watch as even the slightest historical context reveals Dante to be the man he truly is. A shallow, arrogant, spiteful author whose work, if written today, would be disregarded as the worst sort of egotistical fanfiction.

[Josh Hovde · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was truly the longest poem I've ever read, but was fantastic, amazing, and also relatable to the video game of Dante's Inferno. I would recommend this to any that like Fantasy, Classic, Poetic, Adventure.

[Jade · Rating 3 out of 5]

**MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS**

I want to start this review by saying I am an amateur when it comes to the classics, not having read any outside of your typical high school English books, so maybe my understanding of Dantes work is very shallow.
Pros:
A very interesting read about a mans journey through hell, with vivid descriptions of those suffering and the demons that torment them. This classic also provides a deeper understanding of religion and those who might appear to be saintly objectively can end up in the deepest circles of hell. I also enjoyed the relationship that Dante (protagonist himself) and his guide develop throughout the poem and how each circle they enter affects them both.
Cons:
Its very hard to look past the old poetic writing style if you're reading this casually as I was; meaning that its difficult to follow the progression of the plot at times and it feels like there was no proper introduction or ending for that matter. Speaking of there was no grand ending I was hoping of nor was there really any twists or hardships the protagonist had to face (which us amusing within itself considering they're in hell).

In conclusion, if you're looking for a short, straight forward read (in terms of the plot) or just want to check this work off your list then I would recommend Inferno. But if you're looking for a revelation out of this work you'll be looking for a long time.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would definitely recommend this book to friends, but I will warn you that it is very descriptive/graphic and includes violence so it’s not for the faint of heart. Before I read this book, I was a little bit intimidated by the age and style of Dante’s Inferno but I was pleasantly surprised. Not only was the book interesting but it was also so much easier to understand than I thought it would be. Dante’s Inferno follows a pilgrim’s journey through hell and all of his emotions, feelings, and experiences. Some of these topics aren’t appropriate for all ages or all people so before you read this book I would suggest looking into what it is about just to make sure that you can handle it. I give this book 5 out 5 stars.

[Madi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had to read it for school, definitely not my personal fun reading choice, but I enjoyed it, especially the greek mythology characters and the way they mixed with a Christian worldview in this fiction. easy enough to read, cantos summaries were very helpful. also appreciated the explanations at the ends of cantos. enjoyed the pope drama, confused by Florentine politics.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best plays i’ve read. It was very interesting and I was so intrigued to keep on reading because new things kept coming up. I didnt expect half the things that had popped up but it kept pulling my attention too because of the things it described like where they went after death.

[Stefin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't a copy of the book I read, but the story is quite the same. It's about the journey that all humans must follow to the finial destination, on the way there must be atonement for all the misdeeds they committed while alive.

[Darcy Halloran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure if this is the right version that I read, but since it is a classic... I loved it even with how dark and twisted the punishements of hell ate,

[Gabe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure how to rate this... it is a classic piece of literature, yet I didn't really enjoy it.

[Lexi · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars. I found it interesting but just isn’t something I would read again.

[Sybiee Colvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will read again and again

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a intresting take on the Christian view of the underworld, I like it but it had some hard English

[madeleine wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

read it for class, but honesty really enjoyed certain parts

[Kim]

Read some version of this back in college, I paralleled it to Paradise Lost, stationary and figurative hell. The prof loved the paper, a good memory.

[Jamie Flick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was very interesting to find that there were different levels of hell that people had to pass through and to find that there were the most hellish things as the least, meaning the ones who did the most damage to other people are left on the higher levels. It was a very intriguing point of view.

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not unlike watching DT's SOTU address.

[NunicanGamer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dante’s Inferno was an amazing book with an interesting plot line and overall was just a well written piece of literature. The author Dante Alighieri, does a remarkable job of describing the afterlife more specifically hell. Dante is the main character in his own story, who finds himself lost in a dark woods after traveling for an unspecified length of time. After encountering the ghost of Virgil, Dante sets out to find his beloved Beatrice by traveling through hell and eventually arriving at heaven. In the book, there are nine circles of hell through which Dante must journey.

I liked this book and I respect the quality of it however, I only gave it three stars due to to the fact that it was hard to follow(for me at least). This is most likely because it was translated from Italian and was already somewhat of a poem, making it difficult to understand at times. I would not recommend this book to many of my peers however if you are looking for a challenge then I suggest you check it out.

[Cody S. Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book certainly isn't for everyone, but if you find the idea of the afterlife interesting, I would highly recommend it. If you are unfamiliar with the older style of the English language, this poem may be a bit difficult for you to follow, as it uses many metaphors and analogies in its own ways. I do plan to read "Purgatorio" and "Paradiso" as well, simply because I not only enjoyed this book, but it taught me quite a bit about the human interpretation of hell.

[Nacona Carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently read Dantes Inferno and thought it was very good. In the book famous historical figures are mentioned such as cleopatra being in the circle of lust. I enjoy this because I enjoy certain parts of history. Another thing I like about this book is the fact that there is so many translations of the book that are different. One more thing I like about the book is that there is a game made after the book. The game is very different from the book but I do like the game.

[1sk8boy]

It was a little bit hard to get through, but I appreciated all of the similes and metaphors. My older brother said it was one of the best books he ever read. That may be his opinion, but I don't see it. To me it is not much more then Catholic principles of the afterlife. Well he Illustrated it beautifully it is not really my thing.

[Marcus Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was a good read a little bit hard to follow at times due to the language used. overall was very deep and insightful story that brought along a deeper train of thought. once you get past the begin and get into the story line and change your way of reading its a true delight

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found it dark and sometimes confusing. Wouldn't read it again, that's for sure.

[First Name · Rating 3 out of 5]

Confusing rambling bollocks.

[Sgt Roman Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

IVE READ SEVERAL ORIGINAL VERSIONS OF THIS. READ THIS IF YOU BELIVE IN HELL.

[Lori Taylor]

Didn't finish reading this book. Will try to read it at another time.

[William Purdie]

The whole concept of Dante's inferno was genius. The plot was very creative and the author did a wonderful job creating a way for Dante's journey.

[Sharon Stine · Rating 4 out of 5]

How do you rate a 14th century classic...Impossible. Read this for a class amazing book

[Donny · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of best books I have read.

[Eunice Pinkard · Rating 5 out of 5]

So enlightening. I cannot begin to describe where my mind has been evolved to.