Examples Of Sinner In Dante's Inferno

A sin can be judged as easily as right or wrong, but when it comes to the sinner belonging to either the just or malicious category, the judgement becomes less clear due to the idea that one who commits a sin can still be a virtuous being. The perception of a sinner is not as easy as black and white, for whoever is judging the sinner has gone through different life experiences. This fundamental concept of the sin and sinner is demonstrated in the epic The Inferno by Dante Alighieri. The author is known for his deep love he has for his country Florence and how he lived there during a time of corruption with several political rivals. It was after he was exiled from the city on false accusations that he wrote this famous piece of work. The Inferno

resembles a religious allegory that tells the story of how the narrator Dante, who represents the poet Alighieri, is led through the different layers of Hell by his guide Virgil; where he sees the different sinners and their symbolic punishments. The sinners often depict people Alighieri knew in real life, especially those who influenced his hometown in some way. Throughout the epic, Alighieri expresses certain emotions towards those living in hell, which is conveyed by Dante’s interactions with them. Alighieri's feelings aren't simply associated towards the sin, but rather primarily influenced by his actual relations with many of the sinners. This imperative idea is heavily shown by the sinners of: Filippo Argentini, a political enemy of Alighieri, Ser Brunetto Latino, a mentor of Dante, and Bocca Degli Abbati, who betrayed the country of Florence. Alighieri frequently uses literary devices to indicate his feelings that can often lead to others coming into effect. Through the literary devices of diction, reaction of characters, and dialogue, Dante is able to depict compassion towards Brunetto and hostility regarding Filipo and Bocca.
Alighieri uses diction to demonstrate hostility towards Filippo Argenti.

An example of this is when Virgil and Dante travel through the marsh of Styx by boat in order to reach the Gate of Dis. The marsh is filled with sinners covered in mud, and one of them is Alighieri's political enemy, Filippo Argenti. Dante notices him, without knowing his identity yet, and calls him out on his distorted appearance. In response, Argenti longingly stretches his hands towards the boat, which causes Virgil to act in a new manner: “but warily the Master shoved him back, crying, ‘Down! Down! with the other dogs!’ Then he embraced me saying: ‘Indignant spirit, I kiss you as you frown’” (VIII, 40-42). Alighieri's true emotions can be revealed through the many examples of diction such as “shoved”. The word “shoved” is used to depict Virgil’s emotions towards the sinner by having the character not only push Argenti off the boat, but to do so in a violent manner. Virgil forcefully sends Filippo back down into the water reflects how he feels disdain towards the sinner. It is also important to note that Virgil resembles the symbol of Human Reason, and to have Alighieri write him act in such a hostile way is a direct reflection of how the author feels. Additionally, Virgil is an immensely virtuous character and has never depicted such roughness to another sinner in the epic. Consequently, having Alighieri write Virgil as the one to push Argenti with an intense amount of force illustrates the author’s adverse feelings toward Argenti. Moreover, the diction of “Down” strengthens the portrayal of Alighieri’s feelings. Although “Down” refers to Virgil pushing Argenti back in the marsh, it is also written by Alighieri to demonstrate on the figurative level that Argenti is below them. While Virgil and Dante are on the boat above the river, Argenti is forced to stay with the other sinners in the water below the two. Through the placement of the characters, Alighieri is able to express the negative

aspects of Argenti and how he is a lesser being when compared to Virgil and Dante. When Argenti attempts to get out of the marsh, and therefore go above his established status, he immediately gets told by Virgil to go back “Down” where he belongs. Alighieri chooses to write Argenti being put in his place, which not only illustrates that he feels hostility towards Argenti but how strongly as well. In addition, the word choice of “embrace” and “kiss” are associated with the feeling of love and fondness since they are common actions in joyous and endearing situations. It is through these words that Alighieri is able to demonstrate an affectionate image of Virgil, which has not been seen in this epic as intensely. Even though Dante has expressed reactions towards sinners before, Virgil has not shown such strong affection because of it. Alighieri’s choice of writing this irregular acute side of endearment, further emphasizes the pride felt by Virgil towards Dante for brutally rejecting Argenti. It is through the diction of these words that Alighieri’s disdain for Argentine is able to be expressed. To emphasize his emotions even more, Alighieri also uses diction in the passage where Dante sees Argenti being attacked by the other sinners after he pushed by Virgil: “I saw the loathsome spirit so mangled by a swarm of muddy wraiths that to this I praise and thank God for it. ‘After Filippo Argenti!’ all cried together. The maddog Florentine wheeled at their cry and bit himself in rage” (VIII, 55-60). This passage contains diction because Alighieri uses certain words in order to exemplify his emotions. For instance, “loathsome” means to cause repulsion and by having Alighieri purposely describe Argenti in such a manner, reflects how he truly feels. The word isn’t necessarily mandatory in this passage because it doesn’t assist in setting the scene or furthering the plot, but is rather one of Alighieri’s primary uses to express how he feels towards Argenti.