Dante’s Inferno

Dante’s Inferno
Q.1
Borrowing from the theme of just punishment, one can validly argue that the kind of punishment administered to sinners while in the hell is due to the sins committed on earth. For instance, an individual obsessed with physical looks such as the outward sense of beauty remains eternally engrossed in pure suffering and lowly reality figuratively alluded to as excrement. Through the representation of hell Dante, therefore, seeks to warn the readers on the folly of engaging in sin while on earth given the torture, anguish, and pain that awaits them in hell.
Q.2
Dante declares that he is unfit or rather undeserving of embarking on a trip to the world beyond life, the afterlife and even goes ahead to talk about himself in the same breath as Aeneas and Paul, two men who enjoyed the privilege of enjoying the afterlife. In the Bible, readers are equally presented to Apostle Paul, who alleges to have experienced a trip to the afterlife, specifically referred to as the third heaven, whereas, Aeneas, on the other hand, gets to visit the underworld as demonstrated in book 6 of Virgil’s Aeneid. A manifest relationship or correlation between the travelers on earth is aided by their association with the Papacy in Rome, the seat of the church as well as the Roman Empire. As opposed to the views held by Augustine and other individuals, Dante greatly believed in the role of the Roman Empire in preparing the way or ushering Christianity, given the divinely chosen nature of Rome as the home or host of the Papacy.

Q.3
The Divine comedy qualifies as an epic poem on a very grand scale as narrated in the first-person perspective by Dante. It similarly qualifies as an allegory since the characters, events, and even objects are presented figuratively as well as literally in certain instances. For instance, within the Divine Comedy, Virgil embodies human reason while Beatrice represents the supernatural truth as well as faith. On the other the hand three beasts that Dante meets or comes across in Canto 1 as well as other Cantos symbolize sin regarding specifics such as lust, jealousy, greed, and laziness.
Q.4
Picking on one of the major themes that Dante portrays, the perfection of God’s justice is particularly apt in that from the markings or writings on the gates or entrance to hell as shown in Canto 3, it becomes clear that justice was God’s major motivation in creating hell. Hell is meant for the punishment of sin, and the appropriateness of specific punishments administered in the hell is a proof of the divine act that all forms of sin are a violation. Whereas, the anguish that Dante and Virgil witness come out as brutish, on a comprehensive analysis of the poem, one realizes that the punishments are informed by a principle of balance. The moral system captured by the biblical verse emphasizes the will of God in heaven rather than an earthly human sense of happiness or harmony.
Q.5
A framework on a world order encompasses Dante’s belief in the dual manifestation of humanity. The man is thus manifested in two dimensions of existence, the earthly or the temporary and on the other hand the eternal or spiritual. Man’s responsibility is to seek happiness on earth and a long lasting life that does not end. The views regarding the nature of humanity and his duties were thus, a significant part of the political beliefs of Dante, more so his fundamental opinion on the need for the church and the state to remain separate.
Q.6
The unpredictable nature of the symbolism of the three beasts used; Leopard or a spotted animal, Lion and a She-wolf are all important in creating a shadowy context of the opening scene. The animals qualify as symbols of three major categorizations of Hell as depicted by Dante. Thus, concupiscence, otherwise referring to desires that are not moderate, fraud and violence, even as other commentators believe that the leopard represents fraud while she wolf, concupiscence. Politically, perhaps the beasts embody some meaning as well; thus she-wolf is argued to have nursed or taken care of the legendary founding fore bearers of Rome and therefore came to become a symbol of the city of Rome.
Q.7
The two characters Paolo and Francesca share a common bond of embrace and love that is endless in time, and without boundary. Ugolino and Ruggieri on the other hand, are found at the bottom part of hell and share a common bond of hatred that is beyond cure, thus the hatred Ugolino harbors will grow over time to no end. The partners of Ugolino and Ruggieri remain unnamed and silent throughout the narration even as their presence remains boldly felt. Ruggieri, on the other hand, remains silent since there might be more anguish as a result of his betrayal, even as it becomes manifest in the rest of the Canto that Ugolino would at any time end his narration and return to gnawing as fiercely as never witnessed.
Q.8
Dante perceives Virgil as very influential and more like the first creator god, thus “sole maker from whom I drew the breath.” The passage from the book referred to herein portrays the image of Virgil as a GOD. Dante, however, describes him as a true master since he betrays a bossy demeanor and has a master –learner relationship with Dante. Therefore, the passage makes us think of Virgil as a representation of human reason in the allegorical sense, based on great power as well it’s inferior sense of faith in God.
Q.9
The Divine Comedy is perhaps Dante’s most famous work, no doubt a literary masterpiece and a representation of all the prevailing political, religious and social views. Dante’s allusion to the individuality of the human being and happiness, as well as the choice of Italian and Latin in his work, The Divine Comedy, is significant. (Word count: 988).