Conduct an analysis of the structure of Dante's Inferno. Describe how the structure relates to the author's purpose. What specific effect, for example, was Dante hoping to achieve by organizing the story the way he does? Then find and describe an artistic interpretation of the Inferno that aligns with the author's purpose. Explain what makes this interpretation a better fit than other interpretations. The interpretation may be a series of illustrations, like Gustave Doré's or William Blake's, or it may be a reimagining of the work in some other medium.
How you go about this project is up to you, but consider one of the following options:
Option 1: Write an essay that analyzes the structure of Dante's Inferno. In your essay, argue which artistic interpretation — Blake's, Doré's, or someone else's — best captures Dante's purpose in organizing the Inferno the way he does. Explain why the interpretation you chose is better than at least one other. Finally, support your analysis with quotes, paraphrases, and examples from the poem and the artistic interpretation.
Option 2: Give a presentation that visually compares scenes from the Inferno to at least two other artistic interpretations, such as Blake's and Doré's. Comment on which interpretation best aligns with Dante's intentions based on how he structures his story. Note that, in this case, the artistic interpretations should be visual, although they do not necessarily have to be drawings or paintings. Your presentation may be a video or a live performance using a slide show.
Option 3: Create your own artistic interpretation of some part of Dante's Inferno. Then, in writing, compare your interpretation to someone else's interpretation (such as Blake's or Doré's) and explain how yours better captures Dante's purpose — as revealed by the structure of the story. The written portion of your assignment will require detailed analysis of the Inferno's structure with quotes, paraphrases, and other references to the text.
If none of the options described appeal to you, feel free to take a custom approach as you fulfill all the requirements of the assignment. You are free to work individually or in a group, depending on your classroom situation and your instructor's preferences.
