Divine Comedy Group

Question:


tsaiyi18
Student
College - Freshman

On reaching the Earthly Paradise, Virgil the guide crowns and miters Dante. Why? Thank you very much for your answer.

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Posted by tsaiyi18 on Wednesday June 20, 2007 at 7:35 PM and tagged with divine comedy, interpretation, virgil crowns dante.

Answers:


  1. jamie-wheeler Teacher
    College - Sophomore

    eNotes Editor

    Virgil's complete quote is from Canto XXVII, line 142, which reads, " I crown and miter you lord of yourself!"

    The crowning of Dante, then, makes him responsible for his own choices here on earth. As the two exit Purgatory, Dante is shown a lush and lovely valley. There, he observes many dead European monarchs, as well as other luminaries who became too obsessed with their eartly duties. As a consequence, their reliance on faith suffered (Cantos VII and VIII).

    Dante now has seen the consequences of earthly actions, he is the king and defender of his life. What he does while alive will therefore determine his afterlife.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/inferno

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    Posted by jamie-wheeler on Thursday June 21, 2007 at 8:52 AM