Dante's Purgatorio
Questions and Answers
- 1.
Dante and his guide, Virgil, arrive on the shores of the Purgatory on what day?
Explanation
Dante and his guide, Virgil, arrive on the shores of the Purgatory, located in the southern hemisphere, on Easter morning, 1300.Rate this question:
- 2.
Dante and Virgil, arrive on the shores of the Purgatory in what year?
Explanation
Dante and Virgil arrive on the shores of Purgatory in the year 1300.Rate this question:
- 3.
How long does the journey through Purgatory take?
Explanation
The journey through Purgatory takes three days.Rate this question:
- 4.
The first five Cantos of Purgatory deal with what part of Purgatory?
Explanation
The first five Cantos of Purgatory deal with the section of Purgatory known as Ante-purgatory. This is the area where souls who have not fully repented for their sins reside before they can enter the actual realm of Purgatory. It is a transitional space where souls undergo purification and prepare themselves for the journey towards redemption. The term "Ante purgatory" is another way of referring to this same section of Purgatory.Rate this question:
- 5.
Which Muse in particular does Dante call on in the 1st Canto?
Explanation
To prepare himself, Dante calls upon the Muses including Calliope.Rate this question:
- 6.
What is Calliope the Muse of?
Explanation
Calliope is one of the nine Muses in Greek mythology, and she is specifically associated with poetry. In Greek culture, the Muses were believed to be the goddesses who inspired various forms of art and creativity. Calliope, in particular, was considered the Muse of epic poetry and eloquence. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is poetry.Rate this question:
- 7.
What does Dante see in Canto 1 that has not been seen by humans since Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden?
Explanation
in Canto 1, Dante notices a constellation of four stars that have not been seen by humans since Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of EdenRate this question:
- 8.
Who is the guardian of Purgatory?
Explanation
Cato is the guardian of Purgatory. In Dante's "Purgatory," Cato is depicted as a wise and just figure who oversees the souls in Purgatory. He is responsible for maintaining order and ensuring that the souls undergo the necessary purification before progressing to Heaven. Cato's role as the guardian of Purgatory is significant as he represents the ideals of righteousness and moral virtue, guiding the souls towards redemption and salvation.Rate this question:
- 9.
What is Cato's face illuminated by?
Explanation
Cato's face is illuminated by starlight.Rate this question:
- 10.
Who is Cato?
- A.
The guardian of Purgatory
- B.
The guardian of Hell
- C.
The first soul they meet in Hell
Correct Answer
A. The guardian of PurgatoryExplanation
Cato is the guardian of Purgatory. In Dante's Divine Comedy, Cato is portrayed as a wise and just figure who oversees the souls in Purgatory. He ensures that they undergo the necessary purification before they can ascend to Heaven. Cato's role as the guardian of Purgatory is significant in the narrative as he represents the importance of repentance and the opportunity for redemption.Rate this question:
-
- 11.
What does Cato demand to know?
Correct Answer
How Dante escaped from HellExplanation
Cato demands to know how Dante escaped from Hell.Rate this question:
- 12.
Cato's role is similar to whose role in Hell?
Correct Answer
CharonExplanation
Cato's role is similar to Charon's role in Hell. Charon is a mythological figure in Greek and Roman mythology who is responsible for ferrying souls across the river Styx to the underworld. Similarly, Cato is a character in Dante's Inferno who guides Dante through Hell. Both Charon and Cato play the role of guides or escorts in their respective realms, helping individuals navigate through the afterlife.Rate this question:
- 13.
How did Cato (in life) so value freedom?
Correct Answer
He chose suicide over submission to tyranny after he was defeated in the civil war against Julius CaesarExplanation
Cato's decision to choose suicide over submission to tyranny after being defeated in the civil war against Julius Caesar demonstrates his strong belief in the value of freedom. Rather than living under the rule of a tyrant, Cato believed that it was better to die fighting for his principles and maintaining his freedom. This decision showcases his unwavering commitment to the ideals of liberty and his refusal to compromise on his beliefs, even in the face of defeat.Rate this question:
- 14.
Why does Virgil instructs Dante to kneel and fold his hands at the beginning of Canto II?
Correct Answer
An angel is guiding a ship towards themExplanation
The reason Virgil instructs Dante to kneel and fold his hands at the beginning of Canto II is because an angel is guiding a ship towards them. Kneeling and folding hands is a sign of reverence and respect, and in this case, it is a response to the divine presence of the angel. It shows humility and readiness to receive guidance and instruction from the angel.Rate this question:
- 15.
What must Dante do before he is allowed to continue past Cato?
- A.
He must wash the dirt from his face and pluck a reed
- B.
He must pray
- C.
He must beg for forgiveness for being prideful
Correct Answer
A. He must wash the dirt from his face and pluck a reed -
- 16.
Why can't Dante look at the Angel?
Correct Answer
The angel's face blinds himExplanation
Dante is unable to look at the angel because the angel's face is so radiant and bright that it blinds him. The intensity of the angel's divine presence is overwhelming for Dante, causing him to be unable to directly gaze upon the angel.Rate this question:
- 17.
How does the Angel in Canto II propel the boat?
Correct Answer
With its wingsExplanation
The Angel in Canto II propels the boat with its wings. This suggests that the Angel has the ability to create a strong wind or force with the movement of its wings, which in turn moves the boat forward. The wings act as a source of power and energy, allowing the Angel to control and navigate the boat through the use of its wings.Rate this question:
- 18.
What are the souls aboard the ship doing?
Correct Answer
SingingExplanation
The souls aboard the ship are engaged in singing.Rate this question:
- 19.
What do the spirits in Canto II ask Virgil and Dante for?
Correct Answer
DirectionsExplanation
In Canto II, the spirits ask Virgil and Dante for directions. This can be inferred from the context of the poem, where the spirits are lost and seeking guidance. They look to Virgil, who is their guide, and Dante, who is also on a journey of self-discovery, for help in finding their way. The request for directions shows their reliance on Virgil and Dante as knowledgeable figures in this spiritual realm.Rate this question:
- 20.
How do the spirits in Canto II know that Dante is alive?
Correct Answer
He is breathingExplanation
The spirits in Canto II know that Dante is alive because he is breathing.Rate this question:
- 21.
Who is the spirit in Canto II that recognizes Dante?
Correct Answer
CasellaExplanation
In Canto II of Dante's Divine Comedy, the spirit that recognizes Dante is Casella. Casella is a musician and a friend of Dante who passed away. When Dante arrives in the afterlife, he is initially unsure of his surroundings. However, when he hears the sound of a familiar song, he is drawn towards it and discovers that it is Casella playing the song. This recognition brings comfort to Dante and strengthens their bond as friends.Rate this question:
- 22.
Who was Casella in life?
Correct Answer
Casella was a singer and composer from Florence
A singer and composerExplanation
Casella was a singer and composer from Florence. This implies that Casella had a career in music and was known for both singing and composing. The mention of Florence suggests that he may have been associated with the music scene in this city. Overall, this answer provides a clear and concise explanation of who Casella was in life.Rate this question:
- 23.
What does Casella do that pleases Dante?
Correct Answer
He puts Dante's poems to musicExplanation
Casella pleases Dante by putting his poems to music. This means that Casella takes Dante's written poems and sets them to a musical composition, creating a harmonious blend of words and melodies. This act of transforming Dante's poetry into music shows Casella's appreciation and admiration for Dante's work, as well as his ability to enhance the emotional impact of the poems through the power of music.Rate this question:
- 24.
Dante tries three times to hug Casella. Why can't he?
Correct Answer
Casella has no body massExplanation
Casella not having any body mass means that he does not have a physical form or substance. Therefore, Dante cannot hug him because there is nothing tangible to hold onto or embrace.Rate this question:
- 25.
Who interrupts Casella's singing?
Correct Answer
Cato - 26.
Why does Cato interrupt Casella's singing?
Correct Answer
Their mission to climb the mountain is urgentExplanation
Cato interrupts Casella's singing because their mission to climb the mountain is urgent.Rate this question:
- 27.
What do the poets enter in Canto III?
Correct Answer
Ante-purgatory
Ante purgatoryExplanation
In Canto III, the poets enter Ante-purgatory. This is a transitional space between the earthly world and the actual Purgatory. It is a place where souls who were not able to fully repent for their sins in life reside. The term "Ante-purgatory" and "Ante purgatory" both refer to the same concept, which is the area before the actual Purgatory.Rate this question:
- 28.
Why does Dante have a moment of fear in Canto III?
Correct Answer
He is the only one that casts a shadowExplanation
Dante has a moment of fear in Canto III because he is the only one that casts a shadow. This suggests that he is different from the other souls in the area, possibly indicating that he is still alive while the others are not. This realization may cause fear in Dante as he confronts the idea of his own mortality and the possibility of being in the presence of the dead.Rate this question:
- 29.
Which spirit does Dante speak to in Canto III?
Correct Answer
ManfredExplanation
Dante speaks to Manfred in Canto III. Manfred was a historical figure who was the illegitimate son of Emperor Frederick II. He was excommunicated by the Catholic Church but repented before his death. In the Divine Comedy, he is depicted as a sinner who is in Purgatory, waiting to be cleansed of his sins. Dante encounters him and learns about his story and repentance. This encounter serves as a reminder of the power of repentance and the possibility of redemption even for those who have committed grave sins.Rate this question:
- 30.
Who was Manfred?
Correct Answer
The illegitimate son of Fredrick IIExplanation
Manfred was the illegitimate son of Fredrick II. This means that he was born out of wedlock and did not have the same legal rights or status as a legitimate child. Being the illegitimate son of Fredrick II would have had significant implications for Manfred's life, including his inheritance rights and social standing.Rate this question:
- 31.
What does Manfred beg Dante to tell his daughter?
Correct Answer
That he repented before he diedExplanation
Manfred begs Dante to tell his daughter that he repented before he died. This suggests that Manfred wants his daughter to know that he had remorse for his past actions and sought redemption before his death. It implies that Manfred wants to leave behind a positive legacy for his daughter and hopes that she will remember him in a more forgiving light.Rate this question:
- 32.
What does Manfred regret?
Correct Answer
That his body did not get a proper burialExplanation
Manfred regrets that his body did not receive a proper burial. This implies that he feels remorse or sorrow for the fact that his body was not given the appropriate funeral rites or burial ceremonies. This suggests that Manfred may have had certain cultural or personal beliefs regarding the importance of a proper burial, and he feels regretful that this did not happen.Rate this question:
- 33.
People who repent at the last minute are granted salvation.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
According to the given statement, people who repent at the last minute are granted salvation. This implies that if someone realizes their mistakes and seeks forgiveness just before it is too late, they will be saved from the consequences of their actions. This suggests that there is a belief or understanding that repentance has the power to absolve one's sins and secure salvation. Therefore, the correct answer is true.Rate this question:
-
- 34.
What happens to the souls who repented at the last minute?
Correct Answer
They must stay in Purgatory thirty times as long as the length of their rebellion against the ChurchExplanation
The correct answer states that souls who repented at the last minute must stay in Purgatory thirty times longer than the length of their rebellion against the Church. This implies that their time in Purgatory is directly proportional to the duration of their rebellion. Therefore, the longer they resisted the Church, the longer they will have to spend in Purgatory to atone for their sins.Rate this question:
- 35.
Why does Manfred want his daughter to pray for him?
Correct Answer
Prayers take time off of PurgatoryExplanation
Manfred wants his daughter to pray for him because prayers have the power to reduce the time he spends in Purgatory. Purgatory is believed to be a temporary state of purification for souls before they can enter Heaven. By praying for him, Manfred hopes that his daughter's prayers will help alleviate his suffering and shorten his time in Purgatory, bringing him closer to salvation and eternal bliss in Heaven.Rate this question:
- 36.
What makes Dante lose track of time in Canto IV?
Correct Answer
His conversation with ManfredExplanation
Dante loses track of time in Canto IV because of his conversation with Manfred. The conversation is engaging and captivating, causing Dante to become so absorbed in it that he becomes unaware of the passage of time.Rate this question:
- 37.
In what Canto do Virgil and Dante begin their climb?
- A.
Canto I
- B.
Canto IV
- C.
Canto III
- D.
Canto II
Correct Answer
B. Canto IVExplanation
In Canto IV, Virgil and Dante begin their climb in the Purgatory. This canto marks the start of their journey through the seven terraces of Purgatory, where souls are purified of their sins. In this canto, they leave behind the darkness of Hell and enter the realm of Purgatory, guided by the poet Virgil. It sets the stage for the moral and spiritual growth that Dante will experience as he ascends through the levels of Purgatory.Rate this question:
-
- 38.
Does the climb up Mount Purgatory get easier or harder?
Correct Answer
EasierExplanation
The climb up Mount Purgatory gets easier.Rate this question:
- 39.
Who resides on the First Spur?
Correct Answer
The Late-Repentant due to negligence - 40.
What does Dante notice while they are resting on the First Spur?
Correct Answer
That although they face the sun, the sun appears on his leftExplanation
Dante notices that even though they are facing the sun, the sun appears on his left. This observation suggests that Dante and his companions are in a different realm or dimension where the natural laws do not apply as they normally would. It indicates a disorientation and a sense of being in an unfamiliar and supernatural environment.Rate this question:
- 41.
Purgatory is the opposite hemisphere of __________.
Correct Answer
JerusalemExplanation
Purgatory is often associated with the afterlife and is believed to be a place or state where souls undergo purification before entering heaven. In Christianity, Jerusalem holds significant religious importance as the holy city where Jesus was crucified and resurrected. Therefore, the opposite hemisphere of Purgatory is Jerusalem, as one represents a spiritual realm and the other a physical location on Earth.Rate this question:
- 42.
How does Virgil comfort Dante in Canto IV?
- A.
By telling him that the climb will become increasingly easier as they approach the summit
- B.
By telling him he will see Beatrice soon
- C.
By telling him that God will not let him come to harm
Correct Answer
A. By telling him that the climb will become increasingly easier as they approach the summitExplanation
Virgil comforts Dante in Canto IV by assuring him that the difficulty of the climb will diminish as they get closer to the summit. This reassurance gives Dante hope and encourages him to continue on his journey. Virgil's words provide comfort by suggesting that the challenges they face now are temporary and that there is a brighter future ahead.Rate this question:
-
- 43.
Who does Dante encounter in Canto IV?
Correct Answer
BelaquaExplanation
In Canto IV of Dante's Inferno, the protagonist encounters Belaqua. Belaqua is a character who was a famous Florentine poet during his lifetime. In the Divine Comedy, he is depicted as being in the circle of the lustful in the second circle of Hell. Belaqua is seen as a symbol of the consequences of indulging in excessive passion and desire during one's life.Rate this question:
- 44.
Which souls must now wait in Ante-Purgatory for as long as they negligently delayed their repentance on earth: that is, the length of their mortal lives.
- A.
The Late-Repentant
- B.
The Lazy
- C.
All of them
Correct Answer
A. The Late-RepentantExplanation
The correct answer is "The Late-Repentant." The explanation is that the souls who must wait in Ante-Purgatory are those who negligently delayed their repentance on earth. These souls are referred to as the Late-Repentant, as they waited until the end of their mortal lives to seek forgiveness and redemption.Rate this question:
-
- 45.
In what Canto are the Late-Repentants due to Negligence?
- A.
Canto X
- B.
Canto IV
- C.
Canto XI
Correct Answer
B. Canto IVExplanation
In Dante's Divine Comedy, the Late-Repentants due to Negligence are found in Canto IV. This canto is part of the Inferno, the first part of the Divine Comedy, where Dante explores Hell. In Canto IV, Dante encounters those who were indifferent and neglectful in life, neither good nor evil. These souls are punished by being stung by wasps and maggots while being forced to chase a banner that is forever out of reach. Therefore, the correct answer is Canto IV.Rate this question:
-
- 46.
What did the Late-Repentant do?
Correct Answer
They were lazy spirits who waited until the last minute before repenting and turning to GodExplanation
The Late-Repentant refers to spirits who were lazy and procrastinated in repenting and turning to God. Instead of seeking forgiveness and redemption earlier, they waited until the last minute to do so. This suggests that they were not proactive in their spiritual journey and only sought repentance when it was convenient or necessary.Rate this question:
- 47.
Why is Belaqua in no hurry to begin climbing Mount Purgatory?
Correct Answer
He has to wait anywayExplanation
Belaqua is not in a hurry to begin climbing Mount Purgatory because he knows that he has to wait regardless of when he starts. This implies that there is some sort of delay or obstacle that he cannot avoid, so there is no point in rushing to begin the climb.Rate this question:
- 48.
Who was Belaqua in life?
Correct Answer
An instrument maker - 49.
Who resides on the Second Spur?
- A.
The Late-Repentant who died by violence
- B.
The Late-Repentant due to negligence
- C.
The Late-Repentant due to laziness
Correct Answer
A. The Late-Repentant who died by violenceExplanation
The Late-Repentant who died by violence resides on the Second Spur. This means that individuals who have committed acts of violence and have repented for their actions after death are placed in this specific location. The Second Spur is a place where these late-repentant souls are punished and made to reflect on their violent actions.Rate this question:
-
- 50.
What do the spirts in Canto V beg of Dante?
- A.
To send news to their loved ones on Earth
- B.
To pray for them
- C.
To leave them alone
Correct Answer
A. To send news to their loved ones on EarthExplanation
In Canto V of Dante's Inferno, the spirits beg Dante to send news to their loved ones on Earth. This implies that the spirits are longing to communicate with their families and share information about their current state in the afterlife. They seek solace in the thought that their loved ones on Earth may still remember and care for them, and they hope that Dante can be their messenger to bridge the gap between the living and the dead.Rate this question:
-
Quiz Review Timeline +
Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.
-
Current Version
-
Mar 22, 2023Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
Apr 12, 2011Quiz Created by
Starrytru2
Back to top