“Thus you may understand that love alone is the true seed of every merit in you, and of all acts for which you must atone” (Purgatorio, XVII.103-105). In Divina Commedia written by Dante Alighieri, love and merit are central themes to the progression of Dante’s journey. The perfection of Dante’s love is ultimately what drives forward the plot; each level of this journey offers various components that help to clear Dante’s vision. Yet, at the same time, the souls in these places are receiving completely different experiences in the way in which their vices are being dealt with. If love is the source of all benevolent and malicious works as detailed in Canto seventeen, then Hell is the prison of misusage of love. On the other hand, Purgatory
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In Canto five of the Inferno, the sense of invincible impenitence and hopeless misery is palpable within moments of Dante approaching the sphere of the lustful. Immediately, sounds of sorrowful wails fill the air and crash upon Dante violently. Dante tells the reader that, “so did that whirlwind whip those evil souls, flinging them here and there and up and down; nor were they ever comforted by hope- not hope for rest, or even lesser pain” (Inferno, V.43-35). In Dante’s literature, wind represents inconsistency, so those who were inconsistent and unfaithful with their love will forever be reminded of their sins because of the howling wind resounding in their ears. Also, when Francesca laments, “There is no greater grief than to recall a time of happiness while plunged in misery”, she displays that without repentance, which they cannot obtain, they have no hope as to a future redemption. On the other hand, in Purgatorio, even as the souls were being purified by the scorching fire, they were still singing praises in their trial: “Out of the bottom of that ardent fire ‘God of the great clemency’ was sung” (Purgatorio, XXV.122). This shows that they have grand anticipation of what is to come, along with perceptive …show more content…
As shown by the fact that Francesca and Paolo thank Dante for “traveling the black night to visit us”, the shades in Hell are not able to see clearly (Inferno V.89). Not only does this refer to physical sight, but also their ability to see light, which would in turn make the souls’ visions brighter and more distinct. In both places, there is a sense of dimness of vision, and this is because only through the perfection of God is the light truly seen. But, those in Purgatory have a far greater perception, which is sensible because they are those who are on the path to pure righteousness, or to the rubetto stage. In Purgatory, Dante describes how “the sun’s ray struck my shoulder on the right”, which distinctly displays that the sun is a central source of life and vitality. The whole quest of the Divina Commedia is for Dante to perfect his love and therefore his sight. And so, throughout his journey he sees souls in various prescriptions of vision, and through this he is able to perceive the way of the
In Canto five of the Inferno, the sense of invincible impenitence and hopeless misery is palpable within moments of Dante approaching the sphere of the lustful. Immediately, sounds of sorrowful wails fill the air and crash upon Dante violently. Dante tells the reader that, “so did that whirlwind whip those evil souls, flinging them here and there and up and down; nor were they ever comforted by hope- not hope for rest, or even lesser pain” (Inferno, V.43-35). In Dante’s literature, wind represents inconsistency, so those who were inconsistent and unfaithful with their love will forever be reminded of their sins because of the howling wind resounding in their ears. Also, when Francesca laments, “There is no greater grief than to recall a time of happiness while plunged in misery”, she displays that without repentance, which they cannot obtain, they have no hope as to a future redemption. On the other hand, in Purgatorio, even as the souls were being purified by the scorching fire, they were still singing praises in their trial: “Out of the bottom of that ardent fire ‘God of the great clemency’ was sung” (Purgatorio, XXV.122). This shows that they have grand anticipation of what is to come, along with perceptive …show more content…
As shown by the fact that Francesca and Paolo thank Dante for “traveling the black night to visit us”, the shades in Hell are not able to see clearly (Inferno V.89). Not only does this refer to physical sight, but also their ability to see light, which would in turn make the souls’ visions brighter and more distinct. In both places, there is a sense of dimness of vision, and this is because only through the perfection of God is the light truly seen. But, those in Purgatory have a far greater perception, which is sensible because they are those who are on the path to pure righteousness, or to the rubetto stage. In Purgatory, Dante describes how “the sun’s ray struck my shoulder on the right”, which distinctly displays that the sun is a central source of life and vitality. The whole quest of the Divina Commedia is for Dante to perfect his love and therefore his sight. And so, throughout his journey he sees souls in various prescriptions of vision, and through this he is able to perceive the way of the