At the start of Canto XXVII of his medieval masterpiece The Inferno, Dante writes, "Who could find words..., for the blood and wounds I saw, in all their horror—/ It’s certain no human tongue could take the measure of those enormities.
On Sunday, June 2, Mark J. Schenker of Yale College will speak about Dante’s great early 14th-century poem, focusing on the tension between what the poet sees in his journey through Hell and how he is able to articulate those experiences. Dean Schenker will illustrate how this dynamic opposition works to identify the centrality of language and speech in an array of contexts: in the creation of the poem itself; in the building of human community; in telling the truth; and, finally, in what it means to be civilized. In these and other ways, The Inferno may be seen as anticipating the flowering of humanism that is a hallmark of the Renaissance.
The event begins at 3 p.m. The one-hour talk will be followed by a Q&A. Wine and cheese will be served following the event for those who wish to stay for refreshment and further discussion. There is no charge for the program, but registration is recommended. To register, click here or phone (203) 762-6334.