Dante’s Hell: A Deep Dive into The Divine Comedy | Part 1. Introduction

[@AMoniqueOcampo]

My time has finally come! I studied The Divine Comedy in college. Dante is seriously one of my favorite authors because he got away with creating self-insert fanfiction and criticizing everyone he hates while also getting the girl he never got to have in real life. He also redefined the Italian language. Consider myself seated!

[@lllivivien56]

Had the pleasure to visit his home in Florence! It was amazing

[@BoZoiD57]

Going off on a tangent while you're already halfway through a tangent is my favorite part of analyzing and discussing literature.

[@Soilfood365]

Yes! There are just a handful of KZbinrs I've seen who are happy to nest tangents, and it is one of the most reliable ways of holding my attention.

[@MrGadfly772]

I can think of nobody more charming to take me through hell than Cinzia.

[@Computra]

Thanks! Galileo! Galileo! Figaro magnifico!

[@CinziaDuBois]

Thank you SO much!

[@ethankaryadi37]

This was history’s first ever self-insert story and it inspired two of the most iconic devil hunters in gaming.

[@Elvertaw]

Love your enthusiasm!! Thank you for this. I always wondered about this book😮

[@MisterCynic18]

Galilieo Galilei is absolutely a nursery rhyme name 😂

[@SarastistheSerpent]

1:10 yep, I am ethnically Italian from Calabria (the toe of the boot in the far south) and my parents and grandparents don’t speak Italian, but instead speak the regional “dialect” of Calabrese. The only person in my family who speaks actual Italian is my mother.

[@michaelsommers2356]

You might be interested in _Journeys to Heaven and Hell: Tours of the Afterlife in the Early Christian Tradition_ by Bart Ehrman. It recounts the development of the genre from its apparent beginning with the apocryphal gospel of Nicodemus in the 4th or 5th century.

[@ashleymcgee3536]

You can see the inspiration Milton took for the “structure” of heaven and hell in Paradise Lost.

[@RocketKirchner]

Yes - but there is one HUGE difference in book 2 of Paradise Lost - it’s not a place but a state of mind / will

[@robloggia]

What I like the most about Dante's hell is that the worst sin isn't murder, it's betrayal. It's not something people will openly state, but through their actions I find it is often true.

[@patreekotime4578]

What I find interesting about that is that Betrayal and it's earthly punishment of hanging by one foot is portrayed in tarocchi cards as The Hanged Man. Many virtues are portrayed, but no other sins are directly portrayed!

[@robloggia]

@@patreekotime4578 I never thought about it like that before. Looks like I'm going to have to dig out my tarrot deck again.

[@ProtossWannabe1984]

Agreed. Though I think one oversight is that adultery could easily be considered a sin not only of sexual appetite but also of betrayal (namely of one’s spouse) and therefore adulterers also belong on that lower level

[@chaoticneutralprofile5988]

I'd rather be betrayed than murdered but that's just like my opinion

[@robloggia]

@@chaoticneutralprofile5988 Certainly, as an individual you rather not die, but in groups you'll see far more willingness to forgive someone who has killed than a traitor. Some times even for a perceived betrayal. I'm not saying it's right but once you notice it you'll start to see it more and more.

[@michaelcosgrove5654]

I read this when I was younger but didn't get most of the references. Now, Chinzia, you are here to help me and guide me through the levels of hell. You're much nicer that Virgil anyway!

[@ChristopherSadlowski]

Girl, you cannot be running my ass down all these amazing rabbit holes without telling me to pack a thermos of coffee first! We're now knee deep in this and we don't have a hot beverage...or snacks! We're going to starve down here! J/K I'm looking forward to the rest of this series!

[@AllTheHappySquirrels]

Right? I made the mistake of starting this as I sat down with my first cup of coffee and now I'm looking forward to watching it a few more times after the caffeine kicks in.

[@libbylee9722]

You are an absolute delight to listen to and learn from

[@sammykat2hb]

Our Lady has returned!! And so is her face!! (I love all your work regardless of camera/no camera, but this feels like seeing a friend again) My bags are packed, let's go to hell!

[@Kaiyanwang82]

It was just "Commedia". "Divina" was added by Giovanni Boccaccio. BTW for a period the standard "Italian" could have been Sicilian, due to the influence of the Sicilian School, gathered around emperor Frederick II, which would merit a video on his own. Later in the 1800s, Manzoni (author of the iconic Promessi Sposi) also pushed for Florentine Tuscan as the base for standard Italian. The 1951 date you see is due to the fact that what finally made Italian the standard was the all-powerful use of public television. I am SO going to see this series, very excited!

[@jeremiahbok9028]

HELLyes, let's go! One of my favorite booktubers going in-depth about one of the most fascinating to analyze books.

[@прилкануя]

I don’t think I have ever been entertained by something SO much. Thank you for this video!! It really made me want to check “The Divine Comedy” out!! Can’t wait to watch part 2!!🤭

[@boredgrass]

Reasons for reading The Divine Comedy: Dante offers us to follow one of the most profound relationships humans can have: Two travelling together. Sharing the experience of the unfamiliar away from home, and not arrived at a destination they are in an "in-between world". Without recourse to their possessions they are thrown back to their essence, to who they are. Now, that applies strictly only to Dante, given Virgil's role as guide and the fact that this was his second journey through the underworld. But he shares "literally", with Dante the experience of this extreme and so colourful world! Then there are the life stories of the sinners which are part of their salvation journey to purgatory and to heaven! That's what I love about this book: Its a place where people have time to talk. Every sinner gets to tell her or his story. Dante's hell, as graphic as the punishments of it's "inhabitants" are is also a world in which people have time to talk. ;-)

[@shadow81818]

I am so excited for this! The Divine Comedy is one of those works that has had kind of been mythologized itself, and I'm looking forward to hearing about all the real world inspirations for various aspects. Give me all the rabbit holes!

[@valentinazaninetti5218]

Thank you for this video and those to come! As many Italians, I love the Divine Comedy and I am proud of it as if I had written it myself, I studied it over three years in highschool, I remember Hell well because of its "horror" tones, remember a few penances from Purgatory and I forgot everything about Heaven but "Vergine Madre figlia di Tuo Figlio" 😅

[@DrustZapat]

I really appreciate the attempts at the Italian long consonants. Lovely attention to detail.

[@AlejandroNunez-3378]

I CAN LISTEN TO YOUR VOICE ALL DAY .

[@kernira]

The Divine Comedy is my favorite book and I reread it every Easter. I am so looking forward to this. The other fun piece about Celestine V is that he was canonized not long after Dante wrote Inferno, which is probably why some commentators like to assume that the figure is supposed to be Pilate.

[@ThaetusZain]

eagerly awaiting further videos in this series!

[@rafaelas.380]

Thank you so much for this video! You do such an amazing job in your channel! Thank you for sharing with us! 🤎🤎

[@TTalapia]

I love this channel cinzia always giving me new things to look into and read, plus the insight you bring on topics is refreshing😇

[@kristiw.1823]

A thoroughly enjoyable start to a series I'm so happy you are doing! I only read "The Divine Comedy" and never had the privilege of someone teaching it, with enthusiasm and historical context... this is going to be a treat!

[@RocketKirchner]

Harold Bloom said it was the shift from the Theocratic Age of literature to the Aristocratic Age .

[@adrianodrika]

The Hell is the ultimate diss track. And I love this poem. Edit: yeah, Galileu Galilei is a very funny name. Especially in Portuguese, because it ends in a U sound, that crashes beautifully with the soft I of Galilei.

[@gggthsb]

oh I can't wait for this whole series, The Divine Comedy is so fascinating! 😃

[@AllTheHappySquirrels]

I now feel validated that those games of capture the flag were, in fact, hell. Thanks, Cinzia!

[@fearlesssfcappuccino]

I love that it's such a perfect springboard for learning so many things!!! XD well-presented!!

[@plamiguha4263]

You inspire me to be a history professor, thank you!

[@LordDragon1965]

By the way, I love the modernization of the Inferno from Niven and Pournelle. Hope it at least merits a mention in this series, my special favorite in that version is Benny in the Virgil role. The identity of Benny is a major reveal so I shant spoil it, but it's fun.

[@krosst1]

Thank you, I really appreciate this channel.

[@EyeLean5280]

Oh, I am SO excited for this!!! Thank you!

[@winterburden]

Thanks for this fascinating dive into Hell Cinzia!

[@maddief775]

I’m so happy!! I think I requested this!!!

[@revolead]

Super excited about your take on this. Divine Comedy is one of my favorites, so much to learn and interpret in it.

[@petert93]

I am so happy this will be a series, I look forward to it

[@judystrano8344]

I am so glad I stumbled on your video. I LOVED it. Thank you!

[@mezmarionybarra]

Wonderful ❣️ Fascinating ❤ Thank you Cinzia ✨️

[@robcreel4257]

Awesome! Looking forward to this series. Keep em coming!

[@MasterManGod]

The Divine Comedy is one of two literary bodies of work my younger brother has ever read, the other being Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot books. Beyond my personal connection, I have always loved that the Dante completely codified fantasy heaven, purgatory, and hell with The Divine Comedy. Dungeons and Dragons has used the basic descriptions of the levels of hell (and the heavens to some extent) practically since it's establishment.

[@stephengrahn9361]

That was great 👍

[@JimGallant]

I read Inferno for the first time in High School. Fun stuff. I have since read the whole thing including Purgatorio and Paradiso several times. I love the way you tell your stories. I do the same exact thing. You are so cool.

[@philosophyoftrucking]

I’m carrying you around the house as I do laundry.

[@stephenjackson4968]

I loved this, and the energy you brought to it. It really made my day. Thank you.

[@dungeonsanddobbers2683]

It's really great to see you excited and full of energy! Especially in contrast to the video you put out not too long ago about how the KZbin grind was getting to you!

[@KarlWitsman]

Good to see you back!

[@ArykSapien]

So stoked for this!

[@lafemmeluna]

Ohhhhh, I am so sat for this series! Gonna need to keep some snacks lined up. 🥹

[@comicdog5097]

Great video, love your channel. Thank you for all that you do

[@42ndLife]

Great video. I look forward to the next

[@Jld1021]

Wow! I just finished reading the entire epic poem a few days ago! I'm SO looking forward to re-experiencing this incredible journey through your lens! ❤

[@elessar8057]

This was a great video. I am excited for the rest of the series

[@raymondwarth2359]

I love your voice it helps me to relax. Thank you for your videos.

[@koston_varjo3536]

This comment was purely made to boost engagement, looking forward to the next part.

[@LazyCB]

this is about to do numbers

[@margaret9209]

Your videos are always so interesting, they must take you so much time

[@questprotector]

here's hoping that you cover the entire divine comedy in-depth. 🙂

[@jennyjumpjump]

He sought his revenge in poetry as all good villains do 👏👏👏

[@RocketKirchner]

As Kerrigan said - Inferno is Dante’s revenge tragedy .

[@torioffline]

i could sit for hours and listen to you talk through the entire story in one sitting! great video (:

[@latronqui]

Omg omg omg so excited for this

[@Eric.Taylor.1962]

Great work! I'm looking forward to the whole series👍.

[@LauPineda]

Please! I love this this!!!

[@vapniitinerant2829]

This video reminded me of the time I did a school paper comparing the devils in both Dante’s Inferno and Paradise Lost. I need to find it!

[@TheEr910]

Hello. Looking forward to this series.

[@SamByAllMeans]

Good to see you again! 😊

[@lesliemoiseauthor]

"I go to coffee shops for my first dates.". 😂

[@RafaelGarcia022]

It's easy to forget, because of the common and popular narrative that floats around about The Divine Comedy being "bible fanfic", how delightful it really is. I myself am guilty of saying it! So I thank you for this video. It's good to indulge in the work of two people I admire - Dante, and you!

[@murtazaarif6507]

Very interesting series. I briefly read about Dante's concept of hell in a book about historical literature. I find Dante's concept of the intermediary purgatory hell as a place of cleansing ones sins and punishment of suffering the pain one inflicts on others similar to catholic and Islamic religions. I believe in these concepts too. Its also interesting that Antonio Minette expressed the idea of the sun panning from right to left in the 14th century when it was Nicolaus Copernicus later in 16th century that established the sun revolves around the earth. I know its a bit of a far stretch but still it would have been fascinating if Antonio had suggested that the sun moves from east to west rather than west to east. I am looking forward to the rest of this interesting series.

[@allpau6199]

I love your enthusiasm and energy in this video! ❤ your utter joy in learning about this and sharing it makes me smile 😊

[@ziggle314]

Excellent work. Your storytelling on this topic is far superior to what I had in Catholic school. Thank you!

[@noizeemama3697]

I like that you are covering this differently than another KZbinr did. Learned so much from him about it now I'm learning more. Thank you.

[@lesliemoiseauthor]

The man who taught the humanities class where I first encountered The Inferno laughed on day one. "I always ask students which part of The Divine Comedy they want to read. No student has ever chosen anything but The Inferno. I guess students want to read about where they expect to go " 😂😂😂

[@lethalchicken1173]

Wow, what a roast😂

[@TheLinguistsLibrary]

I'm simple gal, I see Dante I click.

[@ChixieMary]

I do love the way you just give everybody hell Cinzia. Looking forward to you continuing to do just that. ❤❤

[@jimbrittain402]

So much detail! Stick with it, Cinzia, your delight is infectious. I look forward to ALL the parts of the Inferno!

[@nayrusalgado5233]

Great video. Thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@Strider_Shinryu]

Great video and can't wait to see the rest of the series! Done some study and reading on the Comedy before but it's very interesting to hear about it in a more historical context

[@bellepohl6004]

A wonderful introduction into a fascinating subject. I've heard of people using Dante's literature in conversation but have not read it myself. I am intrigued to hear and learn more from your teachings.

[@mjkluck]

Good stuff.

[@hannahsolo27]

Oh yay, a new video! I haven’t read the Divine Comedy since college about 15 years ago (and now I feel ancient holy cow) and I’m excited to get back into it with you! And as a side note, I love the outfit. Very dark academia!

[@kadinmay]

Oh yesssss

[@A_GdeA]

I'm so ready for your coverage of such a rich deep piece of work

[@robertmkorte]

Already watched this 3 times 😊 I‘m looking forward to the next parts 💛

[@CinziaDuBois]

That's so incredibly generous of you, Robert, thank you!

[@williamterry8316]

An excellent idea going forward. I will await each installment.

[@thehomeschoolinglibrarian]

This is going to be a fun series. I can't wait and what a great video from an amazing creator.

[@krystiek1297]

Yes, yes, yes! I’m obsessed🖤 love your analysis. Would you ever do a deep dive into paradise lost as well?

[@RavynAli]

I just love your videos on classic literature. Your voice and energy are a delight, your tangents are insightful as well as entertaining, and your obvious enthusiasm is infectious. I love the in-depth research you present and I learn so much from you. These videos are my favorites from you ❤

[@SkillTree]

I am loving your content. Great work!

[@Hyacsho]

MORE PLEASE!

[@ThePixiixiq]

I love these little pops and gems of your opinions and little things you find fun

[@pyreflei]

I love the Divine Comedy! I'm so excited to see further installments in this series.

[@jjcandelabra6164]

the best version of Hell

[@Mulambdaline1]

Great video! Can’t wait for the rest of the series!

[@Draca151]

Amazing. I love the video and I'll be here for the whole series.

[@reniasva]

In my head you're one of my best friends and this video reminded me of why that is. I can feel the passion one feels when sharing knowledge and trying to make the other person feel what one felt when learning about the given topic. I hope you know what I'm trying to say. Anyway, this video made me happy and I'm grateful for every second. Looking forward to the next.

[@kmcg959]

Loved studying this at uni. Such a seminal piece of literature in so many ways! It was a tie between the Divine Comedy and Paradise Lost as to the work that hooked me the most... I think Dante just edges it, maybe...