An Analysis Of The Divine Comedy

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Analyzing Canto XXI

Dante Alighieri, known as the father of the Italian language or il Poeta, wrote The Divine Comedy which is an epic poem cut into three sections that blends traditional Catholic belief with fanciful poetic invention. Book I: Inferno discusses the protagonist Dante the Pilgrim’s journey through Hell from Good Friday to Easter Sunday and Canto XXI deals with the Eighth Circle of Hell, the Malebolge or evil pockets, which are divided into ten Bolige. In this essay, I will walk through Canto XXI noting the poetic devices, integrated Catholic traditions, masterful incorporation of humor, the philosophical theme of faith over reason, Virgil’s misguided attempts at bravado towards Malacoda in contrast to Dante’s hesitance, and …show more content…

This void of meaning and fast paced activity is echoed in the syntax of Canto XXI of the Inferno with short, brisk diction that Musa’s translation preserves. Dante also employs alliteration in lines 20 through 21 “the rising of the boiling bubbles/breathing in air to burst and sink again.” (XXI, 20-21) to echo the sounds that would be produced by this bubbling vat of tar. The sharp, quick B sounds also add to the relentless pace of activity in both the real shipyard and hell’s version of …show more content…

Contrapasso is the idea that there must be an equal, fitting, and perfect punishment for each sin. This clearly plays upon Hammurabi’s Code as used in Old Testament, a Babylonian code of law that requires equal retribution often summarized in popular culture as ‘eye for an eye’. Contrapasso in Canto XXI address the fact that the Malebrache constantly push the barrators who are attempting to surface back into the pit of molten lava, they were previously able to surpass natural boundaries of governmental hierarchy through extortion and now there is a force of evil that holds back their own personal

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