Dante's Role In The Inferno

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The Inferno, written by Dante Alighieri, is the first part of the epic three-part poem Divine Comedy. The Inferno tells of Dante’s travel through hell while he’s guided by the Roman poet Virgil. One day Dante wakes up and finds himself alone in a dark wood. Dante is alone and frightened by the different beasts that block his path, such as a leopard, a lion, and a she-wolf. Virgil shows up and agrees to help Dante travel through hell. The reason Virgil’s presence is vital to Dante’s journey through Hell, is because without Virgil guiding him through hell Dante wouldn’t be protected from the different beasts, he wouldn’t know his way around hell, and he wouldn’t know the different sins and punishments of hell. While Dante is lost in the woods he sees three different beasts that scare him. The first beast to appear is a leopard, the second is a lion, and the last is a she-wolf. Dante is more afraid of the she-wolf …show more content…

As they entered the first circle of Hell, Dante sees words that he thought were cruel inscribed on the gates of Hell and heard all sorts of confusing and frightening noises. Dante asks Virgil what the words and sounds that he sees and hear mean and Virgil explains that they are in hell “And I: Master, what torments do they suffer that force them to lament so bitterly? He answered: “I will tell you in few words: these wretches have no hope of truly dying, and this blind life they lead is so abject it makes them envy every other fate” (Canto III, lines 43-48). In each circle of hell, Virgil explains to Dante what sin the souls have committed and their punishments for committing the sins. Without the help of Virgil, Dante would be very confused and that would have frightened him even more. Having the help of Virgil explaining all the confusing noises and events that are taking place help to keep Dante informed and

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