Dante's Inferno: Cantos IV-VII - Lust, Gluttony, and Avarice

Explore a detailed lecture on Dante's Inferno Cantos IV-VII from Yale University's "Dante in Translation" course. Delve into the complexities of Dante's Limbo, the circle of lust featuring Francesca da Rimini, and the political implications of gluttony in Florence. Examine the dangers of poetic hubris, the power of literature, and the concept of Fortune within divine providence. Gain insights into Dante's critique of the "body politic" and his political understanding through expert analysis of these pivotal cantos. Benefit from a comprehensive breakdown of key themes, characters, and literary devices used in this section of the Divine Comedy.

- Chapter 1. The Ambiguities of Gardens
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- Chapter 2. Canto V: The Second Circle
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- Chapter 3. The Lustful in the Second Circle
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- Chapter 4. Overwhelmed by Pity, Dante Faints Like a Dead Body
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- Chapter 5. A Story of Reading; References to Time
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- Chapter 6. Canto VI: The Third Circle; Ciacco
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- Chapter 7. Dante's Political Understanding
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- Chapter 8. Canto VII: The Avaricious in the Fourth Circle
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- Chapter 9. Question and Answer
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