Dante Alighieri’s Inferno explores the vastness of hell while illustrating his political, religious, and artistic beliefs. In Canto 15, he comes across the Sodomites walking through fiery rain in the Seventh Circle, one of which he recognizes as his friend and mentor Brunetto Latini. Dante’s encounter with Brunetto emphasizes his religious belief in the righteousness of God while clarifying that although Florentine politics are important, religion is his primary motivator. At first glance, Brunetto’s appearance is like many of Dante’s periodic mentions of his friends, mentors, and enemies- either relatively meaningless or to shed some point on his hate for the Black Guelphs (those who exiled him from Florence) or likeness for the White Guelphs on his side. Brunetto was a Guelph writer who also spent many years in exile and wrote allegorical journeys that greatly inspired Dante to write The Divine Comedy.
The structure and tone of the passage reveals a greater point on the nature and equality of God’s love for man. Although other people in the story have been friends, Brunetto’s encounter is unique because Virgil does not interrupt Dante’s empathy for Brunetto and the passage pays no attention to his reason for being in hell, therefore seemingly giving him no blame. Dante tells Brunetto, “If my desire were answered totally… you’d still be amog, not banished from, humanity” (Dante XV. 79-82). This sense of pity and compassion has previously been accompanied by corrections from Virgil and reminders that these people earned their place here, but the lack of interjection in this scene displays the flawed love of man and the flawless love of God. Dante continues, saying, “Within my memory is fixed- and now moves me- your dear, your kind paternal image” (Dante XV. 82-83). If Dante was was speaking to a Sodomite he was not familiar with, as he has done within other parts of hell, he would be focusing more on the punishment and sin of the person. Even when he has fainted or felt extreme pity for others, there has still been a clear explanation of why they deserve where they are. However, because he loves Brunetto, that aspect is absent. This furthers Dante’s portrayal of God’s just and equal love as God’s punishment is meant to be a representation of that love- if we saw each and every person on the earth equally, as God does, then we would treat everyone on the same scale without bias. However, the flawed, emotional man, as shown here through Dante, does not love every person equally- he is biased, sinful, and sometimes cruel. It could …show more content…
There is no evidence that Brunetto was a Sodomite, he was married with several children in his life, yet he is placed deep down in hell despite Dante’s great admiration for him. Dante exclaims to Brunetto, “you taught me how man makes himself eternal; and while I live, my gratitude for that must always be apparent in my words” (Dante XV. 85-87). If he wanted to, Dante could place Brunetto in Paradiso, even in Purgatorio, but he does not. His decision to place someone he cares for and respects deeply, both personally and politically, in the Seventh circle of hell shows that this text goes beyond political anger or grudges, that every type of person sins and God is the only being that can rightfully
The structure and tone of the passage reveals a greater point on the nature and equality of God’s love for man. Although other people in the story have been friends, Brunetto’s encounter is unique because Virgil does not interrupt Dante’s empathy for Brunetto and the passage pays no attention to his reason for being in hell, therefore seemingly giving him no blame. Dante tells Brunetto, “If my desire were answered totally… you’d still be amog, not banished from, humanity” (Dante XV. 79-82). This sense of pity and compassion has previously been accompanied by corrections from Virgil and reminders that these people earned their place here, but the lack of interjection in this scene displays the flawed love of man and the flawless love of God. Dante continues, saying, “Within my memory is fixed- and now moves me- your dear, your kind paternal image” (Dante XV. 82-83). If Dante was was speaking to a Sodomite he was not familiar with, as he has done within other parts of hell, he would be focusing more on the punishment and sin of the person. Even when he has fainted or felt extreme pity for others, there has still been a clear explanation of why they deserve where they are. However, because he loves Brunetto, that aspect is absent. This furthers Dante’s portrayal of God’s just and equal love as God’s punishment is meant to be a representation of that love- if we saw each and every person on the earth equally, as God does, then we would treat everyone on the same scale without bias. However, the flawed, emotional man, as shown here through Dante, does not love every person equally- he is biased, sinful, and sometimes cruel. It could …show more content…
There is no evidence that Brunetto was a Sodomite, he was married with several children in his life, yet he is placed deep down in hell despite Dante’s great admiration for him. Dante exclaims to Brunetto, “you taught me how man makes himself eternal; and while I live, my gratitude for that must always be apparent in my words” (Dante XV. 85-87). If he wanted to, Dante could place Brunetto in Paradiso, even in Purgatorio, but he does not. His decision to place someone he cares for and respects deeply, both personally and politically, in the Seventh circle of hell shows that this text goes beyond political anger or grudges, that every type of person sins and God is the only being that can rightfully