Create Your Own Inferno Activity

After reading Dante’s Inferno, with all of its gruesome imagery, many students will wonder what point Dante was trying to make. Was he trying to scare all of his readers into making sure they led Christian lives? Was he trying to attack the political opponents who exiled him in a passive-aggressive manner?

Help students focus on the universal journey Dante is trying to explain here, by pointing out that there are many times in life where we might be headed down a wrong path, and there are lessons that need to be learned in order to straighten us out. This is especially true for many teenagers, who may be faced with peer pressure and the responsibilities that come with increased freedoms.

Have students create their own personal Inferno journeys. Stress that it should not be religious, but it should reflect a real-life situation they may have faced or might face, that highlights a time when guidance might be needed to reach a better understanding. Have them choose a guide into their Inferno, and have them explain why they have chosen this guide. An 8-cell sample storyboard of this assignment can be found below.

Example Inferno Journey

Objective: Create a 6-8 cell storyboard that illustrates and describes your own personal Inferno journey.

Student Instructions:

1. Click “Start Assignment”.
2. In the title of the first cell, write, "Introduction". In the description box, write a very brief summary of your experience.
3. In the title of the second cell, write, "Guide". In the description, be sure to include who the guide is and why you chose this person to be your guide.
4. Illustrate and describe your example in parts, using the titles and descriptions for words, and the cells to illustrate each scene.
5. Click "Save and Exit" when you are done.