Dante’s Inferno
By Anthony Esolen, Ph.D. · Published by TAN Books
Course Trailer
Overview
Dante’s Divine Comedy has been called the greatest poem ever written. Praised by writers, scholars, and popes across the centuries, it stands as one of the supreme achievements of Christian imagination, poetic genius, and Catholic theology. Yet modern readers often struggle to enter Dante’s world, especially the dark and terrifying journey of the Inferno.
In Dante’s Inferno, acclaimed translator and scholar Anthony Esolen, Ph.D., serves as your guide through the first canticle of the Divine Comedy. Like Virgil leading Dante through the depths of Hell, Dr. Esolen leads students canto by canto through the drama, symbolism, theology, and poetic power of this immortal work.
This course reveals the horror of sin, the relationship between love and knowledge, the unity of body and soul, and the destiny of man. More than satisfying curiosity about Hell, Dante’s Inferno awakens a longing for divine love and a deeper desire to escape the wilderness of sin.
What This Course Offers:
- Expert Guidance: Study Dante with Dr. Anthony Esolen, one of the preeminent modern translators of the Divine Comedy.
- Canto-by-Canto Interpretation: Journey through the Inferno in order, from the dark wood to the frozen pit of Hell.
- Catholic Literary Formation: Discover the deep theological, moral, and spiritual meaning of Dante’s poem.
- A Clear Vision of Sin: Understand how Dante reveals the destructive nature of sin and the human need for grace.
- Enter the Greatest Christian Epic: Discover why Dante’s Divine Comedy has shaped Catholic culture for centuries.
- Understand Hell’s Structure: Learn how Dante arranges the sins, punishments, and moral logic of the Inferno.
- Read with Confidence: Gain the background and interpretation needed to understand this challenging masterpiece.
- See the Horror of Sin: Recognize how sin distorts love, intellect, community, and the soul itself.
- Awaken Desire for Heaven: Let Dante’s descent into Hell deepen your longing for divine love and redemption.
Course Curriculum
- Cantos 1–3: Where Are You Going, Traveler?
- Cantos 4–8: Loving Good Things in an Evil Way
- Cantos 9–12: Intellectual Terror
- Cantos 13–17: A World of Violence
- Cantos 18–22: Liars and All Such Filth
- Cantos 23–27: The Fire of a Perverted Mind
- Cantos 28–31: Destroying the Community of Man
- Cantos 32–34: When Hell Freezes Over
Lecture Sample
From the Course
“Dante’s descent into Hell reveals in all its starkness the horror of sin and awakens in the heart a longing for divine love.”
Your Expert Guide
Just as Dante needed Virgil to lead him through the depths of Hell, modern readers need a trustworthy guide to enter the world of the Inferno. Dr. Anthony Esolen brings decades of teaching, translation, and literary scholarship to this course, helping students understand not only what Dante says, but why it matters.
With Professor Esolen, students progress through each level of Hell and encounter Dante’s astonishing insights into the destiny of man, the wilderness of sin, the relationship between love and knowledge, and the inseparable unity of body and soul.
Meet Your Professor
Dr. Anthony Esolen is a writer, social commentator, translator of classical poetry, and Writer-in-Residence at Magdalen College of the Liberal Arts. He has taught at Furman University, Providence College, Thomas More College of Liberal Arts, and Magdalen College.
Dr. Esolen has translated Dante’s Divine Comedy, Lucretius’s On the Nature of Things, and Torquato Tasso’s Jerusalem Delivered. He is the author of numerous books and articles published in Modern Age, Catholic World Report, Chronicles, First Things, Crisis Magazine, The Catholic Thing, and Touchstone, where he serves as a senior editor.
Intended Audience
This course is ideal for Catholics interested in classical literature, Dante, the Divine Comedy, Catholic theology, moral philosophy, poetry, and the great works of Western civilization. It is especially valuable for homeschool families, literature students, teachers, book clubs, and anyone who wants to understand the Inferno through a faithful Catholic lens.
FAQs
Does this course cover the entire Divine Comedy?
This course focuses on the Inferno, the first canticle of Dante’s Divine Comedy.
Do I need to have read Dante before taking this course?
No. Dr. Esolen guides students through the poem canto by canto, making it accessible for first-time readers while still rewarding for those already familiar with Dante.
Is this course appropriate for homeschool use?
Yes. The Homeschooling Set includes a Course Guide with lesson plans, quizzes, lecture notes, a final essay, and an answer key.
Homeschool Components
- Lesson Plans: Structured guidance for completing the course.
- Quizzes: Reinforce comprehension of each canto grouping.
- Lecture Notes: Helpful summaries and literary insights.
- Final Essay: Comprehensive written assessment.
- Answer Key: Complete instructor resources included.
Key Themes
- The Horror of Sin: Seeing how sin deforms the soul, intellect, and will.
- Divine Justice: Understanding the moral order behind Dante’s vision of Hell.
- Love and Knowledge: Exploring the relationship between desire, truth, and salvation.
- The Human Journey: Following Dante from confusion toward conversion and divine longing.
- Catholic Imagination: Encountering one of the greatest works of Christian poetry ever written.
- Author:
- Anthony Esolen, PhD
- Imprint:
- TAN Courses
- Publication Date:
- 1/1/2012
- Wistia Name:
- CCI: Dante's Inferno
- Wistia Url:
- https://www.tanbooks.com/cci-dantes-inferno-mkp-2019/
- Wistia Hash:
- biu7wfoyin
6 Reviews
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Inferno
So far, my favorite class that I have participated in was Anthony Esolenās course of Danteās Inferno, though I had to take it online. His explanations of Dante and Vergilās journey through the fires of Hell and up to the mountain of Purgatory, along with the great poetās choice of words, makes you feel like youāre on the journey with the two poets, braving monsters and punishments until you finally reach the end. Esolen also gave detailed reviews on the original text of The Divine Comedy, fitting the Italian text into every scene and explaining the connection between it and the situation at hand. The adventure in the Inferno coupled with the point of view the course brings to those who watch it will leave you with a sense of wonder when it comes to morals, faith, and maybe even ideology. Moreover, the professor never let up in making you feel anticipation for the next major connection between a scene and what we experience today. He encourages you to take a look at your life and put yourself in the shoes of a character in the story. Are you acting like a suffering soul and not noticing it, instead of a beloved child of God? Does Danteās mood in a scene represent you sometimes, even when you donāt want to admit it? You never know unless you look deep into yourself and pray for advice from God. It feels like he is Vergil himself, guiding you down the paths of danger with confidence in what heās doing. On another hand of the class, Esolen puts into detail as to how the people in Hell got there, even those who were thought to have gone up to Heaven or Purgatory. His analysis on the subject, without spoiling too much of the course for other people, even covered how a Pope went to Hell, even when he was thought to have ascended. Some souls went repentant too late in their lives, and fell down, some were bitter enemies of the Church, others were bloodthirsty conquerors now forced into the boiling blood of their enemies. Nevertheless, they all share the same resting place: The pit of eternal flames. Finally, we reach the end of the lectures. The professor ties the last canto of the story that he stops at with today, and lets you think about what connections you yourself can make. And with all his wisdom for the recording shared, he takes his leave. In all honesty, I recommend the class to any student that wants the truth about poetry, as this class on the TAN Books website.
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My Trusted Guide for the Divine Comedy!
I read The Divine Comedy earlier this year solo. When Tan Books offered The Inferno Video Course with Dr. Esolen I decided to sign up. WOW! The Inferno went from black and white to COLOR! Thank you Dr. Esolen for a truly enlightening and entertaining journey thru hell. :D Best regards and warmest thanks. Mary Jo
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Useful.
Useful.
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REALLY GREAT!!
I used this book for my senior Theology class! I found it to be a very helpful resource from how I presented the material to how I lead my discussions. Thank you!
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Dantes Inferno
This is a great companion to focus the study of this mighty work and provides questions for meditation.
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If you have ever wanted
If you have ever wanted to read Dante;s Divine Comedy, this is the study for you. Dr. Anthony Esolen is an excellent and engaging teacher. My husband and I have watched it together and have gotten so much out of this course. Watch the trailer and then go for it!
