Summary:
Examines Dante's Inferno. Discusses Dante's reason for entering the Inferno. Describes how his reasons become more clear as he journeys through hell.
The Inferno, the depths of hell where all evil rests, is where Dante begins his journey. Dante's journey begins in a wilderness, and at this moment Dante's reasons for his journey become clear. Let us discuss the question as to why Dante goes on this journey through Hell. By doing so we will find the true meaning that Dante enters hell, which is so that he can find himself and most of all to return to his one true love of Beatrice.
The first reason begins with Dante himself when he is in the woods; he veered off the straight path, which essentially represents the direction of his life and soul. This one reason could stand alone as to why Dante enters the Inferno. That is so Dante can witness where his soul and life will end up if he does not turn his life back around to the straight path of righteousness. In Dante's search for the right direction of himself as well as his soul, the Lady (Virgin Mary) is brought into the pre-entrance of the Inferno.
A gracious lady sits in Heaven grieving
for what happened to the one I send you to,
and her compassion breaks Heaven's stern decree. (Inferno. Canto 1.2. 97-99)
The Blessed Virgin Mary has been brought into Dante's journey, which makes clear sense as to why Dante is in search of the correct route for life. Dante involves his soul and thus bringing the Lady into the equation, creates a spiritual connection between Dante and the Blessed Virgin Mary. This does not however, mean that the Lady is a reason for Dante's journey through the Inferno. Nevertheless it does not discard the possibility that she did have a significant role in Dante's reasoning through a spiritual bond. To bring the Lady into the group of reasons is a bit unwise by the given information but could surely be a possibility.
The second reason for Dante entering the Inferno is through Beatrice.
Beatrice's unending love for Dante is one of the greatest reasons for Dante's entrance into the depths of the Inferno. Through love Dante enters the abyss of all evil to re-attain the lost love and faith of his life.
I am Beatrice, who urges you to go;
I come from the place I am longing to return to;
love moved me, as it moves me now to speak. (Inferno. Canto 1.2. 70-72)
Here Beatrice describes herself and what part she has in this entire ordeal. Beatrice speaks on account of true love of Dante. This moment clearly displays why Beatrice is helping Dante. Beatrice has a great love for Dante and doesn't want him to continue his way of life. The purpose for Dante's journey is not only of Beatrice's love but also for the salvation of his life and soul.
The overall journey would not have happen if Dante did not have the influence and companionship of Virgil. Virgil shows Dante all the circles of Hell and what each circle represents. Typically Virgil is not exactly a reason for Dante's journey but rather a significant figure on his journey. However Virgil may have been the only way in which Dante could have taken the journey through the Inferno. Virgil may not be a pure reason for Dante's journey but is definitely one of the most important figures of Dante's journey in the Inferno.
Beatrice explains to Virgil why and how Dante is going to carry out his journey.
I fear he may have gone so far astray,
from what report has come to me in Heaven,
that I may have started to his aid too late. (Inferno. Canto 1.2. 64-66)
Here Beatrice is speaking to Virgil and at this point of the Inferno it refers back to the beginning of the Inferno, when Dante is removed from the straight path in the woods and encounters Virgil. Beatrice brings Virgil into the journey to aid Dante so that he is able to rediscover his purpose for life as well as his lost love of Beatrice.
Now go, and with your elegance of speech,
with whatever may be needed for his freedom,
give him your help, and thereby bring me solace. (Inferno. Canto 1.2. 67-69)
At this time Beatrice tells Virgil to go and do as she has directed. This is the exact moment when Virgil is brought into the Inferno. This moment not only gives the reader the moment when Virgil comes into the Inferno, but it also describes Virgil's purpose and entire character of the journey.
Through love of Beatrice, as well as the divine intervention of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Dante enters the Inferno. Through Virgil the journey is thus completed. Dante entered the Inferno for two reasons: Beatrice's unending love for Dante and Dante's soul. Dante enters hell for his soul, sins, and more importantly Beatrice's love for him. From what is shown concerning Beatrice's love and Dante's soul, there is clearly enough information to discover why Dante entered the Inferno.
This is the complete article, containing 820 words
(approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page).
