In Canto VIII, Dante and Virgil travel through the fifth circle of hell where they encounter Filippo Argenti, a long time enemy of the Guelph’s, while they are riding a boat on the river Styx. The reader is struck with an image of a wrathful Dante and Virgil and must decide whether or not their actions are justified. Depending on what the reader decides, it shows whether they too are wrathful or not.
Within lines 31-66, Filippo comes up from the river to ask who is in hell before his time. Dante also asks who he is and Filippo answers that it is he who weeps. Dante doesn’t show Filippo pity and instead talks with filth, “And I to him; ‘In weeping and in misery, accursѐd spirit, may you stay. I know you, for all your filth.’ (Canto VIII, Line 37-39).” At this moment Filippo Argenti “stretches” both hands towards the boat and Virgil thrusts him off. After, he kisses Dante and says, “’Indignant soul, blessed is she that bore you in her womb!’ (Canto VIII, Line 43-45).” It is interesting that Dante the poet writes Virgil speaking a line that Christ speaks in Luke 11:27 in the Bible. It is up to the reader to decide whether this line is glorifying Virgil or condemning him with irony. Dante speaks after Virgil …show more content…
In line 37-39, the reader may ask themselves if Dante was justified to wish for Filippo to stay weeping in misery. The reader may think of themselves and what they would say to their enemy. One’s interpretation of Dante’s words in line 37-39 leads the rest of the scene, because if one feels that they agree with Dante and would also wish their enemies ill, then they would probably believe that Dante and Virgil are justified. However, if one were to believe that wishing one’s enemy ill is wrong, they might interpret the scene as wrong and thus
Within lines 31-66, Filippo comes up from the river to ask who is in hell before his time. Dante also asks who he is and Filippo answers that it is he who weeps. Dante doesn’t show Filippo pity and instead talks with filth, “And I to him; ‘In weeping and in misery, accursѐd spirit, may you stay. I know you, for all your filth.’ (Canto VIII, Line 37-39).” At this moment Filippo Argenti “stretches” both hands towards the boat and Virgil thrusts him off. After, he kisses Dante and says, “’Indignant soul, blessed is she that bore you in her womb!’ (Canto VIII, Line 43-45).” It is interesting that Dante the poet writes Virgil speaking a line that Christ speaks in Luke 11:27 in the Bible. It is up to the reader to decide whether this line is glorifying Virgil or condemning him with irony. Dante speaks after Virgil …show more content…
In line 37-39, the reader may ask themselves if Dante was justified to wish for Filippo to stay weeping in misery. The reader may think of themselves and what they would say to their enemy. One’s interpretation of Dante’s words in line 37-39 leads the rest of the scene, because if one feels that they agree with Dante and would also wish their enemies ill, then they would probably believe that Dante and Virgil are justified. However, if one were to believe that wishing one’s enemy ill is wrong, they might interpret the scene as wrong and thus