1. Why are pagan souls dammed in limbo? Describe also the scene with the philosophers.
Limbo exist in the first circle of Dante’s Hell and it preserved to souls who did not get saved due to natural circumstances. The pagans are dammed in limbo since they did not sin nor did they receive Christianity. Some pagans may have lived before birth of Christ while others might be excluded geographically after birth of Christ. Since these pagan lived or lives honourably, they cannot be condemned since it was not their fault not knowing Jesus and salvation. Thus they are considered to live in limbo a place with no condemnation but deficient of heaven thus sad. Dante refers to Aristotle’s authority who were philosopher of the middle age. Philosopher who did honourable work but did receive salvation belong in limbo. People such as Plato had great work, highly influential and great knowledge including physical universe, politics and natural philosopher. The philosophers influence in Dante work became the argumentation of the moral structure of hell.
2. Who is Dame Fortune and what is her funtions?
Dame fortune is a symbol of divine fate regarded as a god with the main function being giving wealth. She rules with a sphere like other gods with magnificence and mighty. According to Dante description dame was appointed by God and given task thus most likely can be categorised as an angel. The importance of her is noted by Virgil who says that “No mortal power may stay her spinning wheel”. In medieval mythology she is depicted as a female figure holding an ever-revolving wheel. The wheel is describe as chance representative which cannot be stopped by mortal powers implying that its fate is divined. Divined powers are beyond human control, and Dante believes that the symbol should be celebrated.
3. Compare and contrast Charon , the boatman who earlier carried Dante and Virgil across the river of Acheron (into hell itself) with Phlegyas, who later carries them across the river of Styx (to the city of Dis)
Charon was fare collector by ferry the dead to the afterlife and was a necromantic attraction to visitors where dead could be seen thus can be referred as devil .Phylegyas on the other hand was mortal son of mars whom out of anger burned down Apollo’s temple in Delphi after his daughter Coronis was seduced by a god, “He was condemned to eternal punishment in the underworld”. While Phlegyas was a mortal son, Charon was a fearsome creature with ember like eyes. Phlegyas is self-control lesson while Charon is a less of consequences of our actions.
4. Compare and contrast Farinata with Cavalcante Del Cavalcanti. How does Dante relate to each mam?
Farinata endurance pain together with steadfastness in diversity while Cavalcante Del Cavalcanti is uncontrolled. Also Farinata poses statuesque stillness as evidence from Farinata towers full resolute temperament, while Cavalcante is restless sensitive as he remains in total shadow except for his grieving face. Although dante family was ancestor enemy to Farinate, they is sense of respect between the two like no love lost. Farinata is considered great hearted since he always put Florence above politics while Dante is an exiled victim of partisan politics. Cavalcate Del Cavalcanti relate with Dante as friends. This is because cavalcate son is Dante friend, “Cavalcante is obsessed with the fate of his son, whom Dante in another work calls his best friend”.
5. At some point, Dante and Virgil encounter a group of Centaurs. Describe the scene that unfolds.
Centaurs stood on the river bank with a bows and arrows guiding souls in the river that might try to raise itself to a height regarded as pleasant according to magnitude of sins they committed. When the centaurs encounter Dante and Virgil, Chiron who was their leader noticed that Dante moved the rock he stepped on and only living soul was capable of that. This led to Chiron drawing arrow but stood back after obeying Virgil command. Afterward, the centaur is asked by Virgil to provide them with a guide since navigation was made treacherous by broken rock. Chiron then provides Nessus who carries Dante on his back and assisted them with navigation while naming to them some of the souls that were being punished in that level. “After fording the river at a shallow stretch, Nessus leaves the travelers, who continue on into the Second Ring”.
6. How does Dante depict the grafters (cantos 21-22)? What kind of people are they? What kind of names do the demons in charge of them have?
Dante depict drafters as people who take bribes for example a politician who take money to pass a favourable legislation to certain people or corporation. Dante depicts grafting as secular world thing which has no place in the religious world. Drafters are stick fingered and use brides to make money by tormenting other people during their lives. They were several demons in who dealt with drafters with their leader called Malacoda. Some of other names of the demon are mention by malacoda when he commanded then to step forward to lead Dante and Virgil, “Step forward, Alichino, Calcabrina, Cagnazzo, Libicocco, Draghignazzo, Farfarello, and Rubicante. Barbariccia will be the leader of all of you. Walk along the pocket and make sure that the sinners stay deep in the boiling pitch. Take these two to the unbroken bridge that crosses the sixth bolgia.”
7. Compare and Contrast the damned Ulysses of Dante with the great hero Odysseus of Homer? Note: “Ulysses” is Latin translation of Greek name “Odysseus” Canto 30-34
Damned Ulysses of Dante is placed in 8th circle of inferno for crimes commited which included pilage and fraud. Dante stole palladium which ensured troy safety, and invented the Trojan horse which was used to deceive Trojans only to destroy their city. On the other hand Odysseus of homer was able to return home when in his lowest power in his live being passionless and having been away for seven years. Having lost everything he is still able to return to his former glory. Dante have a complex relation why at some point he see through Virgil eyes as a roman thus Ulysses appear as an enemy. One the other hand Dante suffers from imperialist delusion which lead to unsatisfactory live “Dante identifies himself with Ulysses man who suffers and wanders, homeless, unable to find the way”.
8. How did Ugolino and his sons die in Pisa? Explain.
Ugolino and his sons were sentenced to die in a tower prison. They were condemned due to his political ambitions which led him to sell some castle that were regard to be in strategic position for defence by the opposing forces of Florence. In the tower of Cavalieri square, he was locked together with his children and the keys were thrown in the Arno destroying any hope of rescue which finally starving to death. It is suggested that family members were compelled by hunger to feed on the dead already to the extent of the children offering their body to the father to keep him alive although lastly no one survived
9. What does the lowest part of hell look like? How is it appropriate place for punishing the sinners who are found there?
The lowest part of hell is where Satan himself resides. The place is a frozen pool of Coytus and the freezing breeze does not allow any warmth to the atmosphere. The winds found there are from Satan wings flapping to freeze the souls to ice with the heads of sinners facing up with tears frozen eyes. Satan has three colour faces which are black, yellow and red with each face chewing a traitor. The black face is believed to be chewing Marcus soul, the red on Judas Iscariot and yellow one Caius Cassius the one who led conspiracy against Caesar. This place is farthest without any source of light and preserved for, “Traitors against God, Country, Family, and benefactors lament their sins in this frigid pit of despair”.
Work Cited
Dante, Alighieri, John Ciardi, and Archibald T. MacAllister. The Inferno. New York: New American Library, 1964. Print.
