Understanding How the Medium Affects the Message

The Minotaur seeing Dante and Virgil

And when he saw us, he bit into himself, Like someone whom wrath tears up from inside. My clever guide cried out to him, "Perhaps You believe that this is the Duke of Athens Who in the upper world contrived your death? "Go off, you beast! this man does not approach Instructed by your sister but comes here In order to observe your punishments. "Just as the bull breaks loose right at that moment When he has been dealt the fatal blow And cannot run but jumps this way and that, So I saw the Minotaur react. Which detail from Dante's poem did Doré include?

The Minotaur biting himself

And when he saw us, he bit into himself, Like someone whom wrath tears up from inside. My clever guide cried out to him, "Perhaps You believe that this is the Duke of Athens Who in the upper world contrived your death? "Go off, you beast! this man does not approach Instructed by your sister but comes here In order to observe your punishments. "Just as the bull breaks loose right at that moment When he has been dealt the fatal blow And cannot run but jumps this way and that, So I saw the Minotaur react. Which detail from Dante's poem is not found in Blake's illustration?

Example of medium

Artists: A bronze sculpture, Painting Actor: A stage play, Film Musician: Music, Song

What is the most likely reason literary critics compare the works of artists and authors who focus on the same subject matter?

By identifying differences between the works, literary critics can determine each author's or artist's unique perspective.

What is a major difference between Doré's and Blake's illustrations of Dante's Inferno?

Doré's illustrations depict characters and settings in a realistic way, while Blake's illustrations show a more unrealistic and stylized version of the story. Doré depicts Dante and Virgil as traditional heroic characters, while Blake's characters are more childlike. Doré's illustrations create a nightmarish mood, while Blake's illustrations portray a dreamy mood.

Literary critic?

Literary critics find deeper meaning in a work and explain it to others.

What can most likely be inferred about an artist when analyzing his or her portrayal of heroes in a work of art?

The artist values the same characteristics that the hero exhibits.

When comparing an original work to its recreation in a different medium, what should a literary critic try to analyze?

The artist's intent

When comparing an original work to its recreation in a different medium, what should a literary critic try to analyze?

The artist's perspective

If a novel is being recreated as a video game, what would most likely be different in the new medium?

The audience's ability to interact with characters

If a poem is being recreated as a sculpture, what would most likely be different in the new medium?

The audience's understanding of a sculpted character would be based solely on one moment in his or her life.

If a painting is being recreated in text form, what would most likely be different or added in the new medium?

The character's thoughts

What elements of an artistic work best gives insight into an artist's personal values?

The monsters and heroes in the work

What aspects of Dante's Inferno give insight into the author's perspective?

The people who are seen suffering in Hell The descending rings of Hell and their inhabitants The punishment for each sin in Hell

What can differences between an author's work and an artist's work on the same subject matter reveal?

The unique perspectives of the artist and the author

Why do literary critics compare the works of artists and authors who focus on the same subject matter?

To understand the differences in perspective between the authors or artists

What can most likely be inferred about an artist when analyzing his or her portrayal of monsters in a work of art?

What the artist hates or fears

Dante cowering behind Virgil

With just the same rage and roaring of dogs When they rush out on some poor passing beggar Who stops dead in his tracks and starts to beg, So these devils, from beneath the bridge Shot out with all their prongs aimed at my guide, But he shouted, "Stop being savages !"Before you would impale me with your forks, One of you step forward to hear me out And then resolve to grapple me or not." Which detail from Doré's illustration is not found in Dante's poem?

Example of a change of medium

A filmmaker decides to make downtown Los Angeles the setting of his movie, Dante's Inferno. A playwright must choose which actors would best portray Dante and Virgil in his new production of Dante's Inferno. A poet writes a poem from the Minotaur's point of view after viewing Doré's illustration of the Minotaur from Dante's Inferno.