The Inferno: The Characteristics Of Dante's Divine Comedy

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In the Divine Comedy we see Virgil portrayed as a sorrowful leader from Hell, but how does Dante show us this in his writing? Dante does not directly tell the readers all of the exact characteristics of the characters. However, he does use dialogue and action in the details to allow readers to analyze the characters. Virgil’s character is portrayed as a spiritual ghost, a leader, and a protective, sorrowful, and caring being because of Dante’s use of dialogue and details in previews and throughout the cantos.
In the opening of the Inferno, we learn that Dante is lost in the middle of the woods in a place of darkness and that there will be someone to guide him to sunlight. The shade that will guide him is that of Virgil. Virgil is a poet like
Virgil is not a bad guy, although he has been in Hell. He is from the first circle of Hell which is made up of people who have not sinned, but simply just did not believe in Baptism and did not give God the right kind or extent of worship that he deserved. The people in this division also are alone, cut off from hope, and have to suffer forever. (Inferno 4.31-42). His sin was one that many human beings could relate to. Did he murder, steal, or do anything criminally wrong in the world’s view? No; he did commit a sin to God’s eyes and was therefore sent to this part of Hell for punishment. He wishes he would have held different actions in his life before. Virgil shows grief by being in Hell; he is sorrowful for his actions that led him there. He is a good being that did not do as well in life as he should have and who messed up along the way just as every being messes up. When Dante and Virgil saw the light that turned into wings as they got closer, Virgil cried and pleaded, “’Fall to your knees, fall to your knees! Behold the angel of the Lord! And fold your hands......’” (Purgatorio 2.19-30). When Virgil saw these angels, he respected them; he bowed down to the angels in tears because he knew they were God-sent. Despite of going to Hell, he did not hate God for it; he still obeyed him by guiding Dante because he was a good, respectful person that respected the spiritual

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