Activity Overview
When studying allegorical texts, it is important that students understand the concept as a foundation for the reading. An allegory is like an extended metaphor, where elements of the story are symbolic of a deeper meaning. Since allegories are works that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning (usually moral or political), it is important that students engage not only with the surface details, but with this deeper level as well.
In Inferno, Dante uses the allegory of his own journey through Hell to reflect the spiritual journey that leads to better understanding and acceptance of one’s own situation in life. Dante chooses a revered poet to represent Human Reason and bring him away from Error caused by Worldliness, through Hell (the representation of the Recognition of Sin), and as far into Purgatory (the representation of Christian Life), as he can go. Virgil leads Dante to Beatrice, who represents Divine Love, which is the only virtue that can finally unite the eternal soul with God.
As a lesson, teachers can ask students to create a storyboard that highlights these important symbolic people and places throughout Dante’s journey.
Example Allegory in Inferno
| Dark Wood of Error | The mistakes that lead Dante and every person into a bad choice, or a bad situation in life. |
|---|---|
| Mount of Joy | Represents Heaven and the pinnacle for the spirit’s journey; this is where God is, and the Mountain is the spiritual journey to reach Him. |
| Three Beasts of Worldliness | These three beasts represent worldly sins that have blocked Dante on his path of a righteous life: malice, fraud, violence, ambition, and lack of carnal self-restraint (incontinence). |
| Hell | Hell is an allegory for Sin and its consequences. For Dante, it is the understanding that sin begets suffering, and if he continues on his path of Worldliness, his eternal separation from God will be inevitable. |
Other allegorical symbols to include: Virgil, Beatrice, Dante himself.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows examples of allegory in Dante's Inferno.
- Identify instances of allegory in the text.
- Depict and describe the example of allegory from the text on the left side.
- Depict and describe the reference to the larger issue or event on the right side.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 20 Points | Emerging 17 Points | Beginning 13 Points | Try Again 10 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allegory Identification and Completion | The allegories identified are correct, and all major/important allegories in the text have been addressed. There is a quote or summary provided with each allegory. | Most of the allegories identified are correct, and all major/important allegories in the text have been addressed. There is a quote or summary provided with each allegory. | Most of the allegories identified are incorrect, or some of the major/important allegories in the text are not addressed. Quotes or summaries may not be provided for all of the identified allegories. | Most of the allegories identified are incorrect, or the major/important allegories may be missing, or the allegories provided are too limited to score. Quotes or summaries may be missing or too limited to score. |
| Real-World Examples Identification and Completion | The real-world examples connected to each allegory are correct, showing a thoughtful correlation between the two. | Most of the real-world examples connected to each allegory are correct, and show a correlation between the two. | Most of the real-world examples connected to each allegory are incorrect. | Most of the real-world examples connected to the allegories are missing or too limited to score. |
| Analysis of Allegory and Real-World Example | Analysis of allegories and real-world examples explores a connection between the two that adds insight to the understanding of the text as a whole. | Analysis of allegories and real-world examples shows a connection between the two. There is a basic discussion of how the allegory adds to the understanding of the text as a whole. | Some analysis of allegories and the real-world examples is minimal, unclear, or incorrect. There is an attempt of discussion of how the allegory adds to the understanding of the text as a whole. | Most of the analysis of the allegories and the real-world examples is minimal, unclear, incorrect, or too limited to score. There is no attempt of discussion of how the allegory adds to the understanding of the text as a whole. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the allegories and the real-world examples are historically appropriate to both the allegory, the work of literature, and the real-world example. It is evident that the student spent a lot of time, creativity, and effort into carefully crafting each artistic depiction. | The art chosen to depict the allegories and the real-world examples should be historically appropriate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. It is evident that the student stayed on task and put time and effort into crafting each artistic depiction. | Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate, but there are serious deviations that cause confusion or inaccuracies. The student may not have paid much attention to detail in crafting each depiction, and there may be evidence of rushing or limited effort. | Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically inappropriate, missing, or too limited to score. It is evident that the student did not put a lot of time, effort, and creativity into crafting each artistic depiction. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. Displays control of grammar, usage, and mechanics. Shows careful proofreading. | Ideas are organized. Contains few errors in grammar, usage and mechanics. Shows some proofreading. | Ideas are organized. Contains errors in grammar, usage and mechanics which interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading. | Contains too many errors in grammar, usage and mechanics; (and/or) errors seriously interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading. |
Activity Overview
When studying allegorical texts, it is important that students understand the concept as a foundation for the reading. An allegory is like an extended metaphor, where elements of the story are symbolic of a deeper meaning. Since allegories are works that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning (usually moral or political), it is important that students engage not only with the surface details, but with this deeper level as well.
In Inferno, Dante uses the allegory of his own journey through Hell to reflect the spiritual journey that leads to better understanding and acceptance of one’s own situation in life. Dante chooses a revered poet to represent Human Reason and bring him away from Error caused by Worldliness, through Hell (the representation of the Recognition of Sin), and as far into Purgatory (the representation of Christian Life), as he can go. Virgil leads Dante to Beatrice, who represents Divine Love, which is the only virtue that can finally unite the eternal soul with God.
As a lesson, teachers can ask students to create a storyboard that highlights these important symbolic people and places throughout Dante’s journey.
Example Allegory in Inferno
| Dark Wood of Error | The mistakes that lead Dante and every person into a bad choice, or a bad situation in life. |
|---|---|
| Mount of Joy | Represents Heaven and the pinnacle for the spirit’s journey; this is where God is, and the Mountain is the spiritual journey to reach Him. |
| Three Beasts of Worldliness | These three beasts represent worldly sins that have blocked Dante on his path of a righteous life: malice, fraud, violence, ambition, and lack of carnal self-restraint (incontinence). |
| Hell | Hell is an allegory for Sin and its consequences. For Dante, it is the understanding that sin begets suffering, and if he continues on his path of Worldliness, his eternal separation from God will be inevitable. |
Other allegorical symbols to include: Virgil, Beatrice, Dante himself.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows examples of allegory in Dante's Inferno.
- Identify instances of allegory in the text.
- Depict and describe the example of allegory from the text on the left side.
- Depict and describe the reference to the larger issue or event on the right side.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 20 Points | Emerging 17 Points | Beginning 13 Points | Try Again 10 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allegory Identification and Completion | The allegories identified are correct, and all major/important allegories in the text have been addressed. There is a quote or summary provided with each allegory. | Most of the allegories identified are correct, and all major/important allegories in the text have been addressed. There is a quote or summary provided with each allegory. | Most of the allegories identified are incorrect, or some of the major/important allegories in the text are not addressed. Quotes or summaries may not be provided for all of the identified allegories. | Most of the allegories identified are incorrect, or the major/important allegories may be missing, or the allegories provided are too limited to score. Quotes or summaries may be missing or too limited to score. |
| Real-World Examples Identification and Completion | The real-world examples connected to each allegory are correct, showing a thoughtful correlation between the two. | Most of the real-world examples connected to each allegory are correct, and show a correlation between the two. | Most of the real-world examples connected to each allegory are incorrect. | Most of the real-world examples connected to the allegories are missing or too limited to score. |
| Analysis of Allegory and Real-World Example | Analysis of allegories and real-world examples explores a connection between the two that adds insight to the understanding of the text as a whole. | Analysis of allegories and real-world examples shows a connection between the two. There is a basic discussion of how the allegory adds to the understanding of the text as a whole. | Some analysis of allegories and the real-world examples is minimal, unclear, or incorrect. There is an attempt of discussion of how the allegory adds to the understanding of the text as a whole. | Most of the analysis of the allegories and the real-world examples is minimal, unclear, incorrect, or too limited to score. There is no attempt of discussion of how the allegory adds to the understanding of the text as a whole. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the allegories and the real-world examples are historically appropriate to both the allegory, the work of literature, and the real-world example. It is evident that the student spent a lot of time, creativity, and effort into carefully crafting each artistic depiction. | The art chosen to depict the allegories and the real-world examples should be historically appropriate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. It is evident that the student stayed on task and put time and effort into crafting each artistic depiction. | Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate, but there are serious deviations that cause confusion or inaccuracies. The student may not have paid much attention to detail in crafting each depiction, and there may be evidence of rushing or limited effort. | Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically inappropriate, missing, or too limited to score. It is evident that the student did not put a lot of time, effort, and creativity into crafting each artistic depiction. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. Displays control of grammar, usage, and mechanics. Shows careful proofreading. | Ideas are organized. Contains few errors in grammar, usage and mechanics. Shows some proofreading. | Ideas are organized. Contains errors in grammar, usage and mechanics which interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading. | Contains too many errors in grammar, usage and mechanics; (and/or) errors seriously interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading. |
How Tos about Recognizing Allegory in Inferno
Incorporate Allegory Discussions into Socratic Seminars
Engage students in thoughtful, student-led dialogue by integrating allegory-focused questions into your Socratic seminars. Prompt learners to explore and debate the symbolic meanings in Dante's Inferno to deepen their understanding and critical thinking skills.
Select key allegorical passages for analysis
Choose short, powerful excerpts from Inferno that clearly demonstrate allegorical elements. Focusing on pivotal scenes helps students identify and interpret symbolic references with confidence.
Prepare open-ended, guiding questions
Create questions that encourage multiple interpretations and require evidence from the text. Well-crafted prompts spark student curiosity and richer classroom discussions.
Assign student roles to foster participation
Designate roles such as questioner, responder, and summarizer so every student has a voice in the seminar. This makes the conversation more inclusive and structured.
Facilitate respectful, text-based dialogue
Guide the seminar by encouraging students to support their ideas with textual evidence and to listen actively to their peers. This approach helps students connect allegorical themes to broader contexts while practicing academic discourse.
Frequently Asked Questions about Recognizing Allegory in Inferno
What is an allegory in Dante's Inferno?
An allegory in Dante's Inferno is a symbolic story where characters, places, and events represent deeper moral or spiritual meanings. Dante’s journey through Hell stands for the soul’s journey to self-understanding and redemption.
How can students identify examples of allegory in Inferno?
Students can identify allegory in Inferno by looking for characters and settings that symbolize abstract ideas, such as the Dark Wood of Error representing confusion or sin, and Virgil symbolizing human reason.
What are some symbolic characters and places in Dante's Inferno?
Key symbolic figures include Dante (the everyman), Virgil (human reason), Beatrice (divine love), the Dark Wood (sin/mistakes), and Hell itself (the consequences of sin).
How do you create a storyboard to teach allegory in Dante’s Inferno?
To create a storyboard, have students illustrate and describe scenes that show allegorical elements from Inferno on one side, and explain their deeper meanings on the other, linking story details to larger moral or spiritual ideas.
Why is understanding allegory important when teaching Dante’s Inferno to high school students?
Understanding allegory helps students grasp the complex moral and spiritual lessons in Inferno, encouraging deeper analysis and critical thinking about symbolism and the text’s real-world messages.
More Storyboard That Activities
Dante's Inferno
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- Holy Cross at Sunrise • Sean MacEntee • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
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