Contrapasso In Dante's Inferno

In Dante’s inferno, contrapasso is known to be one of his rules that mean, laws of nature. The term is used to describe punishment that was caused by a crime or sin. Dante concept of Contrapasso is meant to show his beliefs on ethics and what sins are as they reflect political and cultural rules according to him.

In Canto XIX, the contrapasso was used by Dante to represent an example with a reference directly from a biblical event. In this example the sinners apparent to be found guilty of simony, which is a crime that is the buying and selling of gifts from the Holy Spirit that has positions of artifacts and power. Along Dante’s path to Hell he runs across sinners buried into the ground, they legs was ‘protruding from each hole there was

Dante looks to Virgil as more of a guide more than a mentor. “I looked to ask my mentor,” [Canto XXIV Line 47]. Throughout the whole book Dante refers to Virgil as mentor that was just one example. Several times throughout the poem Dante asks Virgil questions like who is that and what sin cause them to be here causing themselves to be judged by Minos. Virgil guided and represented reason and wisdom, making him the perfect guide for Dante. As the journey progresses, his treatment of Dante changes, depending on the situation. Often and most importantly, Virgil is very protective of Dante. At times, he reprimands Dante for his sympathy, reminding Dante that these dammed souls are here for punishment, and that their punishment is the design of a larger plan dictated by

Earlier, when he had inadvertently hurt the sinner of a suicide, Pier delle Vigne, he feels deep remorse for injuring the sinner.

Beatrice chose Virgil to lead Dante through Dante’s interpretation of the nine circles of hell. Virgil successfully represents human reason or logic that was taught to Dante. This representation starts to plays a significant role into why he was chosen by Beatrice to be Dante’s guide through hell in the first place. Virgil leads Dante through hell and by also allowing him experience the devastating horrors of hell personally. This includes the ‘fortune tellers, who were disproportioned by having their heads on backwards and had to walk without seeing where they were going’ [Circle 8] .

Dante lack of a straighten path to hell represented and give a more in depth into the type of person he was, which wasn’t perfect but not a bad person by any stretch of imagination. Dante were able to learn and teach lessons throughout his journal, meeting different people and trusting some along the way. And by learning that Hell is not a place any person would want to be, he was able to think logically about decisions and whom he can call a friend or teacher. Does the trip through the circles of hell change Dante relatively innocent demeanor to something more cynical and dark that would be more