World Literature: The Inferno Essay 

	For this paper, you will need to choose one of the following topics. 
You will write an introduction with a thesis statement. You must give a 
synopsis of the comedy as well as background information about Dante. From 
there, you will transition into the essay in which you will discuss the topic 
you have chosen. This paper will be three pages in length and you will cite 
the quotes from the book that you used. You must use a minimum of three quotes
from the text. The entire paper must be in MLA format and you must use formal 
voice and third person in the past tense. All typing will be done at school. 
No excuses. Remember paper must be a minimum of three pages. 

Option 1: Dante attempts to create a place of divine justice and love 
conveying God’s perfect justice. Do you agree with this statement or does 
Dante create a picture of a cruel God that encourages torture as punishment? 

Option 2: Dante presents a ranking of moral failures. Discuss why sins are 
ranked accordingly and if you agree with the order of sins. 

Option 3: Discuss Dante’s journey as one of self-discovery and a necessary 
journey in order to attain spiritual insight and balance. What does he learn 
about himself and the world in which he lives? 

Option 4: Discuss three examples of the allegories used in the Cantos. Discuss 
the imagery used and the message and purpose of each allegory. 

Option 5: Discuss the allegory of Canto 1 and Dante’s internal struggle in 
the woods. Make a personal and/or cultural comparison to today’s society. 

Rubric: 
Intro with thesis and conclusion:                   20 points 
No errors in formal voice/third person:             20 points 
Background information complete:                    20 points 
Three quotes used with three well-stated examples:  20 points 
Quote set-up and quote context explained:           20 points 
Quote connected thoroughly to thesis:               20 points 
MLA format and citations used error-free:           20 points 
Title page complete and error-free:                 10 points 
                      Points deducted per day late: _________ 
                                       Final Grade: __________