Meaning of Similies
Who is compared to the walls of Monteriggioni?
the giants
Why is Nimrod a fit guardian for this circle?
He got a group of people together to build a tower to defend themselves from God's punishments. This made God angry so he made them all speak different languages so they can't understand each other and they would seperate.
How many Giants are mentioned in this Canto?
6
Why can't Dante see the giants at first?
Because Virgil hasn’t give clarity for Dante and it was foggy
Who is Jove? What’s another name for him?
Zeus; the God of the sky and all Gods
How does Dante feel when he sees “as when one sees the tower called Garisenda” (31.136)?
He feels very afraid and wishes he “had gone another road” (13.141)
What is Nimrod's horn compared to?
What role do the giants play in this Circle?
They serve as guardians
What time of day does the setting resemble?
“Here it was less than night and less than day–” (31.10)
What sin did Ephialtes commit? Why is he in Hell?
He was a part of the group of people that tried to hide from the punishment of God by building the tower, offending God.
What does it mean when Antaeus rose “like a ship’s mast rising” (31.145)
He rose quickly and did not linger
What is Virgil's reaction to Nimrod?
Virgil tells him to stop speaking because no one can understand him. He is rude to Nimrod and tells Dante that they should leave because they shouldn't waste time talking to him. He tells him to just blow his horn because they can't understand him talking.
How is Ephialtes punished?
He is held down by chains
What are the objects Dante see’s at first?
towers
Who is the "she" mentioned in lines 52-54?
Who is compared to a mighty earthquake?
Ephialtes
What does Nimrod say to Virgil and Dante when they pass him?
Nothing it's gibberish.
Why can’t Dante see Briareus in this Canto?
He is further down in Hell
What is surrounding the area where the Giants are?
a pit and walls
Why does Virgil take Dante to see Antaeus instead of Ephialtes like Dante requested?
He is close by
He can speak
He is not chained up and they need him to bring them down to the pit of Hell
What is Nimrod specifically compared to that he is taller than?
Three Frieslanders
Why did Nimrod and others build the tower of Babble?
He and others built it so people could survive if God decided to flood the world again.
What are the names of the giants that Dante and Virgil mention/ encounter?
Nimrod, Ephialtes, Briareus, and Anateus
What type of noise does Dante hear in the beginning after the thunder clap?
a horn
Although they are only briefly referred to, who are Scipio and Hannibal?
Scipio is known for being the Roman General who defeated Hannibal, a Carthaginian leader, in the Battle of Zama.