FREE ESSAY ON DANTE

DANTE

The journey of Dante through Hell, in both its structure and content, symbolizes the
nature of sin and punishment. The structure of the book takes the reader step by step
through greater and greater sins. The content of the book shows the different punishments
for sins which are symbolic of the sins themselves; it also, through its language, shows
how Hell compares to life. This book was written for Christians and deals heavily with
religion, but can be interpreted and learned from in an existential manner 
In the Inferno, Hell is divided into nine circles. Dante progresses through each of these
circles in order. Each circle represents a greater sin and, therefore, a greater
punishment. This is symbolic of life. When you commit a sin or wrong action, you are then
led to a greater evil. The sins you commit grow and build; you get away with an inch and
then end up taking a mile. Each canto in the book represents sinners that have gone
farther and farther into their sins. As Dante progresses through Hell, he realizes the
extent of wrong that a person can ultimately commit. This shows that we must recognize
our sins and wrong doings before we end up in Hell, or, existentially speaking, lost in
pure, dark evil. It is almost like a small lie that can grow and grow to ultimately
consume your life. 
In its content, the Inferno also shows the reader what a sin is really like by creating a
symbolic punishment which mirrors the actual sin. Hell is a place where penalties are
paid by those who, sowing discord, earned Hell's wages. For example, in canto V lines
31-45, Dante writes, [Referring to those who lusted] I came to a place where no light
shown at all, bellowing like the sea racked by a tempest, when warring winds attack it
from both sides. The infernal storm, eternal in its rage, sweeps down and drives the
spirits with its blast: it whirls them, lashing them with punishment... those who make
reason slave to appetite... now here, then there, and up and down, it drives them with
never any hope to comfort them- hope not of rest but even of suffering less. This is
extremely symbolic of lust. A lustful person is swept along in a whirlwind of feeling
without thought or reason in mental darkness. Also lust is an eternal sin, it has been
happening forever. This is why those who were lustful must endure eternal raging storms.
Each of the sins and punishments are presented in such a way to prove why it is wrong to
commit them. Even the pagans, who really did nothing wrong except live in a time when God
was unknown, must face a punishment fitting of their sin. They must live in limbo between
heaven and Hell; never entering heaven, but not condemned to suffer the tortures of Hell.
Their punishment is a lack of choice, just as their lives there was a lack of choosing
God. These punishments do not just explain the Hell you will suffer when you die, but the
Hell that your life actually is. Religiously or Existentially, your life is Hell when you
live your entire life in darkness without the light of reason, truth, and good. 
The content also symbolizes life in its language. In the beginning, Dante states, Midway
along the journey of life I woke to find myself in a dark wood, for I had wandered off
from the straight path... How I entered there I can not say, I had become so sleepy at
the moment when I first strayed, leaving the path of truth. Every person, at some time,
must glimpse what lies ahead for them and reflect on the choices they have made. If not,
they will be lost in the dark woods. Dante speaks of darkness and lack of clarity during
his journey through hell. Dante's journey into Hell was a foreshadowing of what his
future would be like if he did not change his lifestyle. He also speaks of being sleepy
when he stayed of the path of goodness. This implies laziness and lack of control. He no
longer consciously strove for righteousness and morality. He is lost in his dark slumber.
After his journey, he comes out of hell and is able to see his life for what it is; once
again he is able to see with clarity. He writes, We climbed, he first and I behind,
until, through a small round opening above us I saw the lovely things the heavens hold,
and we came to once again see the stars. (Canto XXXIV 136-139) It teaches us that we must
be honest with ourselves and see our life for what it is before we can see things around
us with clarity. It also shows that for the most part, redemption is up to us. 
The Inferno, in both its structure and content, helps us to better understand the nature
of sin and punishment. It teaches us that we must lead a good life, not just for God, but
for ourselves. This book is an deals with the nature of sin and punishment in our life,
our struggle to be ultimately good, and the necessity of analyzing the nature of
ourselves. Hell is present in both life and death, the soul is equally tortured in both.
Hell is also avoidable. Every person in Hell had a choice to make, and they chose Hell.
Once in Hell, there is no redemption as stated in the quote, I am the way to eternal
grief, I am the way to a forsaken race... Before me nothing but eternal things were made,
and I shall last eternally. Abandon every hope, all you who enter.