The Inferno:The Inferno: Since It Came to Good Since It Came to Good

(The Dark Wood of Error)(The Dark Wood of Error)

FeracoFeraco

Myth to Science FictionMyth to Science Fiction

1 November 20121 November 2012

Cantos I and II: Data FileCantos I and II: Data File

• Settings: The Dark Wood, the True Way, Settings: The Dark Wood, the True Way, Mount JoyMount Joy

• Figures: The Leopard, Lion, and She-Wolf Figures: The Leopard, Lion, and She-Wolf (Three Beasts); Virgil; Beatrice(Three Beasts); Virgil; Beatrice

• Allusions: The Greyhound, Allusions: The Greyhound, The Aeneid, The Aeneid, Three Blessed Women, Aeneas, and PaulThree Blessed Women, Aeneas, and Paul

• What Happens: Dante tries to move What Happens: Dante tries to move beyond confusion, but is defeated by his beyond confusion, but is defeated by his sins. Divine intervention sends him on a sins. Divine intervention sends him on a different course after some convincing.different course after some convincing.

Lost in the WoodLost in the Wood

At this point, Dante is thirty-five, At this point, Dante is thirty-five, suffering from a literal midlife crisis.suffering from a literal midlife crisis.

It’s not clear whether he’s lost his It’s not clear whether he’s lost his morals, or whether his confusion also lies morals, or whether his confusion also lies in his exile from Florence.in his exile from Florence.

Raffa says the source of his Raffa says the source of his disorientation could be “spiritual, disorientation could be “spiritual, physical, psychological, moral, political – physical, psychological, moral, political – [it’s] difficult to determine at this point.”[it’s] difficult to determine at this point.”

In any case, his life isn’t unfolding the In any case, his life isn’t unfolding the way he thought it would at this stage.way he thought it would at this stage.

The True WayThe True Way

For Dante, this refers to the For Dante, this refers to the correct method of living one’s life in correct method of living one’s life in accordance with divine principles.accordance with divine principles.

One who adheres to the True One who adheres to the True Way eventually earns rewards, both Way eventually earns rewards, both in the present and in the afterlife.in the present and in the afterlife.

In medieval thought, In medieval thought, abandonment of the “straight way” abandonment of the “straight way” usually symbolized alienation from usually symbolized alienation from God.God.

The Dark Wood IThe Dark Wood I

The opposite of the True Way, the The opposite of the True Way, the Dark Wood represents the muddled Dark Wood represents the muddled confusion that all too many people confusion that all too many people experience as they go through life.experience as they go through life.

Sometimes things don’t go as Sometimes things don’t go as expected, and our views shift without our expected, and our views shift without our noticing; you may remember the noticing; you may remember the Kierkegaard quote we referenced a few Kierkegaard quote we referenced a few times in times in GilgameshGilgamesh and and Searching for a Searching for a Former Clarity, Former Clarity, and it holds here as well.and it holds here as well.

In other instances, we’re aware of the In other instances, we’re aware of the sacrifices and compromises we make…but sacrifices and compromises we make…but we make them so frequently, and we make them so frequently, and prioritize so infrequently, that we lose prioritize so infrequently, that we lose sight of our larger purpose.sight of our larger purpose.

The Dark Wood IIThe Dark Wood II

In still In still otherother cases, we never bother to cases, we never bother to formulate or identify that larger purpose.formulate or identify that larger purpose.

Some simply hope they’ll be fine as Some simply hope they’ll be fine as long as they just keep on keeping on.long as they just keep on keeping on.

Others remain crippled by fear, Others remain crippled by fear, reasoning that the man who never plans or reasoning that the man who never plans or dreams can’t have any of those dreams dreams can’t have any of those dreams crushed. (Looked at the classes you’ll crushed. (Looked at the classes you’ll actually need to take for your major?)actually need to take for your major?)

And others simply don’t care – And others simply don’t care – wandering through life under a cloak of wandering through life under a cloak of apathy, destined to die without ever having apathy, destined to die without ever having lived. (Dante sent those guys to Hell.)lived. (Dante sent those guys to Hell.)

The Dark Wood IIIThe Dark Wood III At any rate, the Dark Wood is different for At any rate, the Dark Wood is different for

everyone, simply because different factors cause everyone, simply because different factors cause individuals to wander astray.individuals to wander astray.

But the default condition of human beings But the default condition of human beings seems to be one that encourages us to veer into seems to be one that encourages us to veer into that Wood, and to keep thrashing and crashing that Wood, and to keep thrashing and crashing once we get there.once we get there.

One of the biggest questions in One of the biggest questions in The Inferno The Inferno – in – in The Divine ComedyThe Divine Comedy – deals with this very – deals with this very thing: why do we lose sight of the good? Why do thing: why do we lose sight of the good? Why do we lose sight of ourselves?we lose sight of ourselves?

Even Dante, having finally recognized that Even Dante, having finally recognized that he’s lost his way, sets out to he’s lost his way, sets out to returnreturn to the Wood to the Wood once he encounters the Three Beasts; after all, once he encounters the Three Beasts; after all, it’s easier to return to the misery of his old ways it’s easier to return to the misery of his old ways than to keep forging ahead, to banish the than to keep forging ahead, to banish the internal obstacles and inner demons that led him internal obstacles and inner demons that led him off course in the first place.off course in the first place.

Selva OscuraSelva Oscura While it’s clear that the Wood symbolizes While it’s clear that the Wood symbolizes

confusion and loss, we ask ourselves: why a confusion and loss, we ask ourselves: why a “wood”? Why a forest? “wood”? Why a forest? Raffa proposes that Raffa proposes that Virgil’s use of the forest as the underworld’s Virgil’s use of the forest as the underworld’s entrance in entrance in The AeneidThe Aeneid inspires it. inspires it.

There’s also a lot of medieval literary There’s also a lot of medieval literary tradition to look at; knights were always getting tradition to look at; knights were always getting lost in forests in legends.lost in forests in legends.

From a religious standpoint, Augustine had From a religious standpoint, Augustine had linked sin to a “region of unlikeness” in his work.linked sin to a “region of unlikeness” in his work.

And from a lit-crit perspective, Dante’s also And from a lit-crit perspective, Dante’s also used the forest as a symbol for adolescent used the forest as a symbol for adolescent confusion in confusion in Il Convivo.Il Convivo.

Finally, there’s Plato’s idea of “chaotic Finally, there’s Plato’s idea of “chaotic matter” – unformed, unnamed, unknowable, the matter” – unformed, unnamed, unknowable, the universe before God ordered it – which Dante’s universe before God ordered it – which Dante’s readers would have recognized.readers would have recognized.

The Mount of JoyThe Mount of Joy

When Dante tries returning to his True When Dante tries returning to his True Way, he sees a little hill with sunlight shining Way, he sees a little hill with sunlight shining on it and, overjoyed by the sight, rushes on it and, overjoyed by the sight, rushes forward.forward.

Mount Joy symbolizes salvation for Dante; Mount Joy symbolizes salvation for Dante; it represents the pinnacle of human existence, it represents the pinnacle of human existence, and the final destination of a life well-lived.and the final destination of a life well-lived.

Dante Dante alsoalso uses the path as a uses the path as a counterexample to the degeneration of his city: counterexample to the degeneration of his city: To leave the path and lose one’s way is to To leave the path and lose one’s way is to waste the divine gift, and to live a meaningless waste the divine gift, and to live a meaningless life in the process.life in the process.

Here, as in many other places, Dante’s Here, as in many other places, Dante’s symbols stand for multiple antecedentssymbols stand for multiple antecedents

The Three BeastsThe Three Beasts

Dante encounters three animals Dante encounters three animals while attempting to climb the Mount while attempting to climb the Mount of Joy: first the Leopard, then the of Joy: first the Leopard, then the Lion, and finally the She-Wolf. Lion, and finally the She-Wolf.

Each animal personifies some Each animal personifies some moral weakness that prevents moral weakness that prevents people from reaching their full people from reaching their full potential – that bar the way to Mount potential – that bar the way to Mount Joy.Joy.

The LeopardThe Leopard

It’s the first Beast Dante encounters It’s the first Beast Dante encounters on the True Way, and its associated sins on the True Way, and its associated sins are the last ones he “recognizes” on his are the last ones he “recognizes” on his journey through Hell.journey through Hell.

In some texts, the Leopard represents In some texts, the Leopard represents Avarice and Immoderate Desire; in Ciardi’s Avarice and Immoderate Desire; in Ciardi’s translation, it represents Fraud / translation, it represents Fraud / Betrayal / Malice.Betrayal / Malice.

This refers to man’s tendency to This refers to man’s tendency to allow passion, negativity and dishonesty allow passion, negativity and dishonesty to corrupt him over the years, until his to corrupt him over the years, until his true nature becomes camouflaged – true nature becomes camouflaged – unknowable, much like the matter unknowable, much like the matter untouched by God.untouched by God.

The Leopard IIThe Leopard II

The choice of the Leopard here is probably The choice of the Leopard here is probably inspired by the Bible’s Jeremiah 5:6: inspired by the Bible’s Jeremiah 5:6: “Wherefore a lion out of the wood hath slain “Wherefore a lion out of the wood hath slain them, a wolf in the evening hath spoiled them, them, a wolf in the evening hath spoiled them, a leopard watcheth for their cities: every one a leopard watcheth for their cities: every one that shall go out thence shall be taken, because that shall go out thence shall be taken, because their transgressions are multiplied, their their transgressions are multiplied, their rebellions strengthened.”rebellions strengthened.”

The passage refers to the impending The passage refers to the impending punishment of people who refuse to repent for punishment of people who refuse to repent for their wrongdoings.their wrongdoings.

Also important, as we mentioned before, Also important, as we mentioned before, is the leopard’s camouflaged hide, symbolizing is the leopard’s camouflaged hide, symbolizing sin’s ability to cloak itself.sin’s ability to cloak itself.

The LionThe Lion The Lion is a somewhat simpler figure, with The Lion is a somewhat simpler figure, with

origins identical to those of the Leopard (i.e., based on origins identical to those of the Leopard (i.e., based on the Jeremiah passage).the Jeremiah passage).

Unlike the Leopard and the She-Wolf, the Lion’s Unlike the Leopard and the She-Wolf, the Lion’s associated sins are consistently translated: Violence and associated sins are consistently translated: Violence and Ambition.Ambition.

It’s standing in for man’s self-destructive urges – It’s standing in for man’s self-destructive urges – pride, short-sightedness, cruelty, etc.pride, short-sightedness, cruelty, etc.

We see his “circle” when Dante reaches the We see his “circle” when Dante reaches the seventh circle, which is dedicated to sins of violence.seventh circle, which is dedicated to sins of violence.

Unlike the previous six realms, which were each Unlike the previous six realms, which were each unified within themselves, the seventh circle has unified within themselves, the seventh circle has three “rounds,” or different areas.three “rounds,” or different areas.

This suggests a complex response to the Lion’s This suggests a complex response to the Lion’s sins, because while all variations of the preceding sins, because while all variations of the preceding wrongdoings received largely identical punishments, wrongdoings received largely identical punishments, God seems to have seen fit to differentiate between God seems to have seen fit to differentiate between the “badness” of various transgressions of this the “badness” of various transgressions of this nature.nature.

The She-WolfThe She-Wolf

Finally, the She-Wolf represents Finally, the She-Wolf represents “Incontinence,” which serves not only as “Incontinence,” which serves not only as shorthand for a number of weaknesses – most shorthand for a number of weaknesses – most importantly, the inability to control oneself – but importantly, the inability to control oneself – but almost as a “root sin.”almost as a “root sin.”

From this essential flaw – your inability to From this essential flaw – your inability to make yourself stable, content, and make yourself stable, content, and goodgood when when the chips are down – virtually everything sinful the chips are down – virtually everything sinful and wicked stems.and wicked stems.

Alternately, the She-Wolf is said to Alternately, the She-Wolf is said to represent represent avariceavarice, which is a very pretty word for , which is a very pretty word for a very rotten affliction: an all-encompassing a very rotten affliction: an all-encompassing hunger that consumes everything and everyone hunger that consumes everything and everyone in its path, with its bearer doomed to never know in its path, with its bearer doomed to never know satisfaction and never consider consequences.satisfaction and never consider consequences.

The She-Wolf IIThe She-Wolf II While the She-Wolf While the She-Wolf alsoalso takes her origins takes her origins

from the Jeremiah passage, Dante’s use of a wolf from the Jeremiah passage, Dante’s use of a wolf would have had special resonance for Italian would have had special resonance for Italian readers.readers.

The country’s traditions descended from the The country’s traditions descended from the Roman Empire, and the founders of Rome – the Roman Empire, and the founders of Rome – the brothers Romulus and Remus – were supposedly brothers Romulus and Remus – were supposedly nursed and raised in the wild by a She-Wolf.nursed and raised in the wild by a She-Wolf.

As a result, the She-Wolf became associated As a result, the She-Wolf became associated with the city.with the city.

To see one so corrupted and ravening here is To see one so corrupted and ravening here is to remind readers of the perverse turn Florence to remind readers of the perverse turn Florence has taken as it’s moved into the “modern age.”has taken as it’s moved into the “modern age.”

This isn’t a cry against the social changes This isn’t a cry against the social changes McAllister mentions, though: it’s a direct response McAllister mentions, though: it’s a direct response to the terrible political machinations that led to the terrible political machinations that led directly to his exile.directly to his exile.

The GreyhoundThe Greyhound

Finally, Dante includes a prophecy in Finally, Dante includes a prophecy in which a Greyhound that feeds on good will which a Greyhound that feeds on good will destroy the She-Wolf (which sustains destroy the She-Wolf (which sustains itself on man’s evils).itself on man’s evils).

It’s not clear who the Greyhound It’s not clear who the Greyhound represents.represents.

Ciardi suggests Cangrande della Ciardi suggests Cangrande della Scala, a patron Dante proved particularly Scala, a patron Dante proved particularly fond of (he supported the poet during his fond of (he supported the poet during his exile), and someone Dante fervently exile), and someone Dante fervently hoped would eventually rise to power in hoped would eventually rise to power in the city; Raffa suggests Dante kept the the city; Raffa suggests Dante kept the prophecy intentionally vague.prophecy intentionally vague.

VirgilVirgil

Seen here as Dante’s archetypical Seen here as Dante’s archetypical mentor, Virgil was a Roman poet who mentor, Virgil was a Roman poet who lived shortly before Christ’s birth.lived shortly before Christ’s birth.

He’s responsible for some of the He’s responsible for some of the greatest literature in history, including greatest literature in history, including one of my favorite works, one of my favorite works, The AeneidThe Aeneid (which Dante repeatedly references).(which Dante repeatedly references).

In one of his other works In one of his other works (Eclogues)(Eclogues), , Virgil foretells the coming of a Virgil foretells the coming of a “wonderchild” – something medieval “wonderchild” – something medieval Christian audiences hailed as a prophecy Christian audiences hailed as a prophecy of Christ’s birth.of Christ’s birth.

Virgil IIVirgil II

Virgil is one of the Virtuous Virgil is one of the Virtuous Pagans in this tale, yet he’s also a Pagans in this tale, yet he’s also a conduit for divine guidance.conduit for divine guidance.

Without him, Dante doesn’t Without him, Dante doesn’t stand a chance of getting through stand a chance of getting through Hell.Hell.

Virgil’s presence as guide is Virgil’s presence as guide is therefore neither coincidental nor therefore neither coincidental nor superfluous; indeed, he’s almost as superfluous; indeed, he’s almost as important to the narrative as Dante important to the narrative as Dante himself.himself.

Aeneas and PaulAeneas and Paul

Dante mentions both men as a way of Dante mentions both men as a way of proving via contrast that he’s unfit to journey proving via contrast that he’s unfit to journey into the afterlife.into the afterlife.

Raffa: “The apostle Paul claims in the Bible Raffa: “The apostle Paul claims in the Bible to have been transported to the ‘third heaven’ (2 to have been transported to the ‘third heaven’ (2 Corinthians 12:2), and Aeneas visits the Corinthians 12:2), and Aeneas visits the underworld in book 6 of Virgil's underworld in book 6 of Virgil's Aeneid.Aeneid.””

These two otherworldly travelers are also These two otherworldly travelers are also associated with Rome, seat of both the empire associated with Rome, seat of both the empire and the church. and the church.

More Raffa: “Dante, contrary to Augustine More Raffa: “Dante, contrary to Augustine and others, believed the Roman empire in fact and others, believed the Roman empire in fact prepared the way for Christianity, with Rome as prepared the way for Christianity, with Rome as the divinely chosen home of the Papacy.”the divinely chosen home of the Papacy.”

Three Blessed WomenThree Blessed Women

Mary is the Virgin Mary, who Mary is the Virgin Mary, who symbolizes God’s compassion for Dante’s symbolizes God’s compassion for Dante’s plight here.plight here.

Saint Lucia, or Lucy of Syracuse, was Saint Lucia, or Lucy of Syracuse, was a martyr who medieval Christians a martyr who medieval Christians associated with vision / sight (the associated with vision / sight (the perspective Dante should gain from his perspective Dante should gain from his journey).journey).

Finally, Beatrice embodies Divine Finally, Beatrice embodies Divine Love; we already know why Dante chose Love; we already know why Dante chose her.her.

You may remember an Italian quote I You may remember an Italian quote I used in used in With Love We Will Survive: With Love We Will Survive: “I’ son “I’ son Beatrice che ti faccio andare…” Beatrice che ti faccio andare…”

I am Beatrice, who makes you go.I am Beatrice, who makes you go.

• In order to finish today off, I’d like In order to finish today off, I’d like you to consider each of the you to consider each of the previously mentioned elements from previously mentioned elements from The Inferno’sThe Inferno’s first canto first canto

• In your Houses, try to think of In your Houses, try to think of analogues from your own lifeanalogues from your own life– Who has serves as your Virgils? Who has serves as your Virgils? – Which Beasts have threatened – or still Which Beasts have threatened – or still

threaten – your happiness? threaten – your happiness?