Dante's Inferno

Dante the Poet and Dante the Pilgrim are distinct figures in The Divine Comedy. The Pilgrim is the character who journeys through Hell, representing a relatable, flawed human prone to sin and...

The historic Dante died in 1321, but the character called Dante in the Divine Comedy is alive. This can lead to some confusion, as the character Dante tours the afterlife. However, he does so as a...

In Dante's Inferno, characters and souls are tortured based on the sins they committed during their lifetimes. Each circle of Hell is reserved for different types of sinners, with punishments that...

Dante's companions in his journey through "Inferno," "Purgatory," and "Paradise" are Virgil and Beatrice. Virgil, the Roman poet, guides Dante through Hell and part of Purgatory because Dante admired...

The relationship between Virgil and Dante changes in that it grows more intimate, but it never becomes anything other than one of guide and charge. While Virgil helps Dante throughout his journey...

In Inferno, Dante's reactions to sinners vary from pity to condemnation. Initially, he feels compassion for the damned souls, empathizing with their suffering. However, as he descends deeper into...

In the Inferno, Dante greatly admires Virgil as both a poet and a person. Dante refers to Virgil as "the fountain that freely pours so rich a stream of speech," and Dante's choice in making Virgil...

In The Inferno, Dante lacks a clear foil, as he is the central character and the narrative's focus. However, Virgil can be considered a potential foil due to his role as Dante's guide and his shared...

As the Inferno begins, the pilgrim Dante is confused and terrified by the unfamiliar terrain and savage beasts he encounters. Once he meets the poet Virgil, his idol, he recovers some hope of...

The narrator in the opening of Dante's Inferno is a middle-aged Dante, who has lost his way spiritually, representing all of humankind's journey towards salvation. He finds himself in a dark forest,...

In Canto 4, Dante displays concern for Virgil's well-being during their journey through Hell, but Virgil reassures him, explaining that it is the ominous atmosphere, not the journey itself, that...

In Dante's Inferno, Virgil serves as Dante's guide and mentor through Hell, symbolizing the wisdom of ancient pagan learning. While Virgil helps Dante navigate trials with patience and insight, his...