“Inferno” by Dante Introduction

The divine comedy by Dante Alighieri is one of the earliest Italian works. Another
element of the poem that stands out is that Dante, the author, is the main character in the poem.
The poem sees Dante walk through hell as he interacts with various individuals in hell. The
sinners in hell are made to endure the punishment that reflects their sins in their actual life. Some
characters he meets while in hell include Francesca da Rimini and Farinata. Each of the
characters has committed sins hence their presence in hell. The following paper analyzes the
characters that Dante meets in hell using the two cited above as the case study.

Discussion

The interaction between Dante and the two characters is quite essential. Through the
exchanges, Dante seeks to highlight the need for individuals to live a divine life (Panameno,
n.d.). The punishments conferred on the two characters reflect their sins in human life.
Subsequently, the interactions with the characters are geared towards drawing insight into the
fact that the sins committed by an individual affect their wellbeing and that of their community.

Francesca da Rimini is one of the characters that Dante meets in the second circle of hell.
This circle is set aside for people that have given into their desires and passions. Francesca da
Rimini is in the circle after being accused of adultery with Paolo (Alighieri, 2018). Francesca da
Rimini has to contend with strong winds that blow her constantly, denying her the ability to find
peace and rest (Panameno, n.d.). This interaction highlight the need for the living to avoid falling
onto temptations and to control their urges and lust.
Farinata interacts with Dante in the sixth circle of hell. Farinata is in hell on account of
being a heretic (Alighieri, 2018). Heresy is essentially the sin of believing that one’s knowledge

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superseded religion and its knowledge. Subsequently, Farinata is condemned to a life of anguish
and restlessness in open tombs (Panameno, n.d). This interaction highlights the importance of
personal choice among the living. Individuals must critically identify and stand with their moral
views by applying rationality.

Conclusion

The interactions between Dante and the two characters in the poem Inferno highlight the
need for people to live a divine life. The characters explored are Farinata and Francesca da
Rimini. Francesca da Rimini is in the second circle of hell and is punished for failing to control
her lust and urges. Conversely, Farinata is in hell for being a heretic. The interactions highlight
the consequences of sins on individuals and society.

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References

Alighieri, D. (2018). Dante’s Inferno. Createspace Independent Publishing Platform.
Panameno, R. (n.d.). Gnosis – Dante, the Divine comedy interpretations [Video]. YouTube.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUYXGB8Uk4M&feature=youtu.be&themeRefresh=1