Day 4

Divine Comedy: Paradiso Lesson Plan

Discussion of Thought Questions

  1. 1

    What is symbolized by the golden ladder that Dante sees upon entering Saturn?

    Students unfamiliar with the Bible will most likely not know the answer to this question; however, the golden ladder seen by Dante has a long religious pedigree. Nicknamed "Jacob's ladder," it was interpreted in later medieval Christianity as a symbol of the spiritual path that religious contemplatives should embark upon. Accordingly, it appears to Dante when he enters Saturn, the sphere of contemplatives.

  2. 2

    What exactly is predestination, and why does Dante seem confused by it?

    Like "Jacob's Ladder", predestination is a tricky topic. However, students are more likely in this...

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