Inferno, Canto 1 by Dr. Ralph Wood

Watch as Dr. Ralph Wood of Baylor University discusses the first canto of the Inferno, and provides some overview to the whole of the Divine Comedy.
100 Days of Dante is brought to you by Baylor University in collaboration with the Torrey Honors College at Biola University, University of Dallas, Templeton Honors College at Eastern University, the Gonzaga-in-Florence Program and Gonzaga University, and Whitworth University, with support from the M.J. Murdock Trust. To learn more about our project, and read with us, visit 100daysofdante.com

[@SeekLuminousThings]

I’m reading Dante for the first time and am very grateful for this wonderful channel. What a treasure. Thank you.

[@Nancenotes]

What I've found from years of reading and teaching Dante is that during Inferno we tend to look outward and think of how all the people in our lives and world are reflected in the destructive cycles of behavior in Hell, but once we get to Purgatorio, we begin to look inward and think of how our own problems can be overcome. We laugh at the politicians and leaders who we can easily imagine in different circles, but the deeper we get into Dante, the more we see ourselves and begin to grow.

[@larryrockemann8014]

This was just an excellent introduction to our 100 Days of Dante! Dr. Wood provided such critical insights as to enable me to step into the poem with greater understanding and appreciation. On this end is a 72 year old guy reading the Divine Comedy for the first time, but loving it! I am grateful to all who are working diligently to make this reading and reflection possible. I'm looking forward to continuing this walk together.

[@1950francesca]

71 year old "gal" reading here too! I last read it 55 years ago when in college. Looking forward eagerly to devoting time to this great work day by day!

[@wzardglick]

I have not read this, always figured it was above my literary "level." It is of course, but this video from Dr. Wood makes me believe it is accessible. I'm in.

[@lorimorrison6539]

Yes!!! Me too!!!

[@connienail4013]

Just turned 44 and started reading for the first time! Great to be on the journey together with others!

[@johnjansen5244]

I recently read Decameron and decided to try Dante. First time reader of both and shortly i will also attain 72 years on planet

[@ululi1970]

Nice introduction to the poem. A couple of clarifications: Brunetto Latini dies in 1294, so he's already dead by the time Dante visits Hell. Bonifacio VIII is not in Hell yet, since he dies in 1303, but Dante shows us that a place is already ready for him in Hell .

[@Ricardoricar1]

This 100 Days program allowed me to access new layers of this master work, and for that I'll be forever in debt with the people who put it toghether. Sometimes it is challenging to figure out these imaginatives and philosphical landscapes in English (not in Portuguese), but it is also an opportunity to understand it even more broadly, since different languages often give us different perspectives in translation (not an Italian reader here)... Greetings from Brazil!

[@CarolynStewart]

Brilliant introduction. I've been wanting to read this book my whole life. Purchased a copy at our local book store today and am so happy to join this group.

[@struble90]

I love this guy! Wish he was my grandpa who I could have morning coffee with.

[@martha1spur]

whom I could. . .

[@struble90]

@@martha1spur get behind me satan

[@alanadam718]

@@martha1spur "with whom I could"

[@mathbrandao]

Excelente introdução!

[@johnstfleur3987]

Thank you. Jesus Christ.

[@richleonardi56]

Wonderful intro. and promising kickoff to the series. I especially liked Dr. Wood's emphasis on the necessity of poetry.

[@sylviapatterson-scott8062]

Sylvia1

[@sylviapatterson-scott8062]

I have loved and taught the Trilogy, using Dorothy Sayers’ beautiful poetic translation. Highly recommend it!

[@RosiePerera]

Please fix the subtitles for future videos. This automated subtitling contains errors that make it hard for those of us with hearing loss to understand. For example, Dante shows up variously as "dottie", "donkey", "dothi", "doctor", "qaddafi", "adopting", and "dorothy". Please have a human review the subtitles and edit them for readability. Thanks.

[@texas4197]

Thank you, Dr. Wood, for an excellent introduction to the Divine Comedy.

[@Evenhurst]

6:53 = Strong whistle game

[@blacksho89]

Video can be sped up to 1.25X speed without losing any of Dr. Wood's words.

[@aeoniantanuki9376]

After finishing this series I just realized why you chose Dr. Wood to begin it haha, how fitting :^)

[@Gustolfo]

Wonderful start. Thank you.

[@ferngrows6740]

Fantastic introduction! A presentation for our times.

[@christopherrosado6053]

Excellent. Thanks

[@denisebraganza]

Thank you for such amazing content and speakers and this wonderful journey

[@dspill4010]

a wealth of knowledge

[@hamdinger7145]

Inferno is very good.

[@SuperOnion88]

Is the intention that we read the Cantos ahead of the video drops? Or watch these first then read?

[@Nancenotes]

I don't think it matters.

[@blacksho89]

@@randyaust1010 That is my general rule for study, and it's never been a mistake.

[@timothyrigney1319]

It's easy to see stuff that's not there when you're the one being criticized. Appropriating the criticism, though, now THAT'S a neat trick!

[@jeremylarson6864]

I think that's a bust of Dante behind him. Hard to see, but as I recall, there was a bust of Dante in the Armstrong Browning Library.

[@sriramsridharan01]

what version is Dr. Wood using?

[@seberry1]

Wondering the same thing. Did you find out?

[@rugbymum3]

@@seberry1 Anthony Esolen's

[@PG22_Hello]

😁

[@andresfontanez3016]

I already suspected the Bible as a man made fiction of various authors. After reading the Divine Comedy I was more sure the Bible was constructed by a group of authors trying to teach us of the unseen- that being the psyche.

[@annstrahlendorf2879]

Why the “HELL” did you have to go political👎👎👎

[@PR-NZ]

Dante did - the prof just reminded us of the modern equivalent

[@shresthachatterjee1707]

If you are reading the Divine Comedy without politics in it then my friend you are reading a different book.