Examine a few instances of the contrapasso—that is, the ironic punishments of Hell. How does Dante’s imagery reveal his philosophical conception of sin? What is sin, in the light of the contrapasso?

Consider the character of Virgil. How does Dante’s relationship with Virgil develop? Why might Dante have chosen Virgil as his guide? What can (and cannot) Virgil see? What (and how) does he teach Dante?

Hell is a disturbing place, and one that might not seem to square with the idea of a loving God. But, as the gates over the door say, “JUSTICE MOVED MY HIGH MAKER” (3.4). How is Hell just—and how does the justice of Hell relate to divine love and to free will?