In his letter to Can Grande, Dante explained that his writing is “‘polysemous’, that is, having several meanings;” (20). Dante’s Inferno can be read in a literal sense, as most works are, but it is meant to be read in allegorical, moral, and anagogical senses as well. Reading a work of literature in a literal sense involves interpreting the words in the most basic sense, but Dante’s work has a much deeper meaning. The allegorical sense allows the reader to grasp the views the writer has of political, social, and religious ideas of the time. The moral sense involves reading to determine the writer’s sense of right and wrong. The anagogical sense uses concepts in the literary work to allude to heaven or the afterlife. While reading Dante’s Inferno,
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This circle is home to the souls of those who have committed violence against themselves. Dante is surrounded by a dense forest full of moans and cries. Following Virgil’s orders, Dante snaps off a branch and “from that broken stump issued together both words and blood” (Inferno 13.42-3). In the literal sense, he is talking to a tree. Dante describes the imagery of the bleeding tree to give the reader a direct sense of what he is seeing. However, the conversation Dante has with the stump serves to convey more than just a literal discussion with a dead man who has committed suicide. The significance goes beyond this literal meaning, into the allegorical, moral, and anagogical …show more content…
Dante’s Inferno is set in Hell which allows for much anagogical interpretation throughout the work. This particular scene pertains to those who commit suicide and their punishment in the afterlife. Because these souls cast aside their bodies in life, they can never be rejoined with them. Even on judgment day, they must “drag [their] bodies here; they 'll hang in this sad wood, each on the stump of its vindictive shade” (Inferno 13.106-8). Through speaking with sinners in previous circles, Dante finds out that all the damned souls regain their bodies on judgement day, but those who committed suicide will be stuck in one spot with no ability to move or regain their bodies. Essentially, Dante is preaching the consequences one faces in Hell for
This circle is home to the souls of those who have committed violence against themselves. Dante is surrounded by a dense forest full of moans and cries. Following Virgil’s orders, Dante snaps off a branch and “from that broken stump issued together both words and blood” (Inferno 13.42-3). In the literal sense, he is talking to a tree. Dante describes the imagery of the bleeding tree to give the reader a direct sense of what he is seeing. However, the conversation Dante has with the stump serves to convey more than just a literal discussion with a dead man who has committed suicide. The significance goes beyond this literal meaning, into the allegorical, moral, and anagogical …show more content…
Dante’s Inferno is set in Hell which allows for much anagogical interpretation throughout the work. This particular scene pertains to those who commit suicide and their punishment in the afterlife. Because these souls cast aside their bodies in life, they can never be rejoined with them. Even on judgment day, they must “drag [their] bodies here; they 'll hang in this sad wood, each on the stump of its vindictive shade” (Inferno 13.106-8). Through speaking with sinners in previous circles, Dante finds out that all the damned souls regain their bodies on judgement day, but those who committed suicide will be stuck in one spot with no ability to move or regain their bodies. Essentially, Dante is preaching the consequences one faces in Hell for