Student Question
What is the simile of the flowers in Dante's Inferno?
Quick answer:
An extended simile of flowers appears near the end of canto 2 in Dante’s Inferno. The poet compares his transformation from a timid figure into a determined traveler to flowers blossoming after a cold night. Like the sun, which causes the withering flowers to straighten up, the heavenly supervision of three women embolden Dante to follow Virgil into hell.
In canto 1 of the Inferno, poet Dante finds himself wandering in a savage forest and spots a sun-lit hill in the distance. Blocked by three beasts—a leopard, a lion, and a she-wolf—he gives up his attempt to reach the hill, that is, until he meets the poet Virgil. Virgil agrees to guide the helpless younger poet out of the forest and to sunny higher ground (i.e., heaven); first, however, they must travel through hell and purgatory.
In canto 2, Dante hesitates, daunted by the prospect of trekking through and possibly not surviving hell. Virgil reassures Dante that Beatrice, Dante’s former love, will oversee his dangerous journey. Also, the Virgin Mary—“a gentle lady”—and St. Lucia—the patron saint of sight and symbol of grace—are there to watch over Dante. Relieved by the caring supervision of “three such blessed women,” the poet reveals a renewed confidence with the following extended
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, Dante hesitates, daunted by the prospect of trekking through and possibly not surviving hell. Virgil reassures Dante that Beatrice, Dante’s former love, will oversee his dangerous journey. Also, the Virgin Mary—“a gentle lady”—and St. Lucia—the patron saint of sight and symbol of grace—are there to watch over Dante. Relieved by the caring supervision of “three such blessed women,” the poet reveals a renewed confidence with the following extendedsimile:
As little flowers, which the chill of night
has bent and huddled, when the white sun strikes,
grow straight and open fully on their stems,
so did I, too, with my exhausted force;
and such warm daring rushed into my heart
that I—as one who has been freed—began.
This extended simile compares Dante to delicate flowers emerging from the night. Chilled in the cold and dark woods, Dante nearly wilts with disorientation and fear. Like the “bent” and “huddled” flowers, he lacks strength and resolve. Nonetheless, when Beatrice, the Virgin Mary, and St. Lucia gaze on him from above like the “white sun,” he regains energy and courage. His mind and body resist coldness as boldness and “warm daring rushed” into his heart.
Dante straightens up and declares to the older poet that he is now ready to follow him. The younger poet regards Virgil as his “guide,” “governor,” and “master.” No longer a cowering and solitary wallflower, Dante is emboldened to accompany Virgil as a fellow traveler and explorer as they “entered on the steep and savage path.”