Dante’s Inferno, one of the most famous vernacular poems, is well-known. Dante is well-known for his mastery of words and great art. What few people know about Dante’s personal life and the events that led to Inferno is what they don’t. Dante’s anger over the exiled Florence people was so intense that it came out in writing as a personal journey. This is the core idea of Inferno. This idea is what makes Inferno seem like a story about one man’s journey to hell. Understanding Dante’s history, as well as his anger over his current life, is essential to truly comprehend Inferno.
Giovanni Boccaccio’s Life of Dante gives us an insight into the political turmoil Dante went through, leading to the rage that inspired Inferno. The Black Guelphs were the political party that split Florence into two. Dante felt that the bloodshed and wars they caused Florence were too much for him. So, in an effort to improve the situation, Dante gave his “genius,” art, and knowledge (Boccacio at 23) to his favorite party: the White Guelphs. After a while, it appeared that the Black Guelphs had prevailed and that their opponents’ leaders could not accept defeat. “With them Dante saw himself not just fallen to earth but also thrust out of the City’s government in an instant” (25). Dante and his co-leaders were sentenced by Black Guelphs for perpetual exile. They also had their property taken. As you might expect, this was not a good decision for Dante. He had to leave his family, including his children, property and possessions. He also had to part with everything that he loved about his ancestral city. He had grown up in Florence as a man who was well-educated and used to doing physical labor, so he was unhappy to have to work while he traveled. “Oh, the indignation that he had to suppress, more bitter to death than his death,” (27). Dante began Inferno writing under the most difficult circumstances. Dante might not have written Inferno in these exact words if he wasn’t so angry at his own life. He considered himself a brilliant poet. However, he was left with nothing and was often mistreated. He is the main character. Inferno portrays him as a confused man, desperately seeking to find meaning in his life. Virgil approaches him to help him on his spiritual journey through the afterlife. He thinks he is worthy enough to be chosen by God for this journey, along with a world-famous poet. He compares himself and St. Paul to Aeneas. 2.3-6). Dante, the Pilgrim, starts to question whether he’s strong enough to undertake this journey. Beatrice descends to Heaven to convince him. Dante is rewarded by casting more judgment on sinners as he travels through hell. Yet, he is sin-free. It is a bit narcissistic that Dante wrote about himself. This evidence is a reflection of the righteous feeling Dante had about himself.
Inferno is full of anger from Dante, which grows more angry with each passing line. Dante describes sins and the sinners encountered as he traverses the nine circles. Dante uses people well-known from his time to symbolize each sin. Dante was taking a risk with this move. Friends, family, and supporters of these individuals could take offense at Dante’s decision to place their comrade in Hell as well as the horrific torture they endured at Dante’s command. Dante clearly felt anger and did not hesitate to create tensions between his enemies and himself. Canto VI mentions Pope Boniface VIII as an example. He was a supporter of the Black Guelphs. Dante does not include him in Inferno because he was still alive when Dante wrote it. Boniface has a place in Hell, however. Dante, Virgil and others come across simony-sinners in the eighth circle. With their feet on fire, they are thrown headfirst into the holes of a rock. Dante, in this position, approaches Pope Nicholas III. 19.52-57).
Dante shows later his anger at Florence’s betrayers. Canto 32 is where he encounters a large number of men who are frozen to their necks. I’m waiting for Carlin. He will acquit him here” (Inf. 32.68-69). Alberto de’ Pazzi, nicknamed Camiscion de’ Pazzi, murdered a man named Ubertino. Camiscion knew Carlino, a relative of his, who had offered to help White Guelph exiles at a castle. He then betrayed them by reneging on his promise to protect some White Guelph exiles in a castle. This Canto shows that Dante condemned Carlino to Hell’s ninth and most dangerous circle. Dante, like Pope Boniface cannot yet place Carlino into Hell as he is still living, but that doesn’t stop him from venting his fury.
Dante was so mad at his circumstances, he wrote an epic poem in which he tries to punish all those who wronged him. He places them in Hell, inventing new and worse ways to make them suffer. The reader will not be able to see this point if he/she doesn’t understand Dante’s personal story and why he wrote the story. This knowledge is crucial to fully comprehend Inferno. Dante’s anger toward those who have hurt him is the key issue to his whole work.
Works citГ©es
Alighieri, Dante TR Robin Kirkpatrick. Dante Alighieri’s Inferno, part of his epic poem The Divine Comedy, was originally published in 2010 by Penguin Classics. Print.
Boccaccio, Giovanni TR J.G. Nichols. Dante’s Life. The limited edition of Hesperus Press was first published in London in 2002. Print.
