Dante's Inferno Essay

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God wants humanity to live according to the Bible because it will cause humanity to care about each other and reduce chaos. In addition, most individuals define hell as a place where souls are eternally punished for their sins. While heaven is defined as a peaceful place that souls are eternally content for living in God’s way. Moreover, in The Inferno, Dante strayed from glorifying God and therefore visited Hell, so he could see the consequence of his sins and sins others. Dante strayed because he was seeking knowledge for his own interest and refrained from glorifying God. Additionally, this paper will discuss how Dante used contrapasso and untraditional theology of religion to perceive the sinner’s crime. This paper will also discuss how …show more content…

The Carnals were sinners by lust and were located in the second circle of Hell. Furthermore, Dante showed sympathy towards the Carnals because it was a sin of passion, which was closely linked to love. For instance, Dante encountered Francesca, daughter of Guido da Polenta and wife of Giovanni, and they discussed the love affair she had with Paolo, Giovanni’s brother. Dante illustrated sympathy, since Paolo and Francesca had a intimate relationship. Moreover, Dante wanted to have an unorthodox perception because he wanted to forgive the sins of others that the church could not forgive. Therefore, Dante 's forgiveness towards the Carnals illustrates tolerance and understanding. In addition, the Sodomites or the homosexuals were located in seventh circle, third round of Hell. Dante showed sympathy towards Ser Brunetto Latino, who was a Sodomite because he respected him. Dante respected Brunetto because he admired his teachings. Although, Dante admired Brunetto, he classified him as homosexual because his behavior was acknowledged in Florence. The article, “Dante and the Sodomites” states, “If we recognize that Dante put sodomites in Purgatory … In Purgatory they are found on the highest and least sinful terrace, that of the lascivious (a subset of excessive love)” (Boswell 69). Dante puts Sodomites in Purgatory because they are similar to the Carnals, which both represented a sin of passion. Therefore, Dante believed the Sodomites should have another opportunity to be saved. Additionally, Dante wanted to show the Sodomites that their sin is acceptable, since the church did not forgive them or consider their sin acceptable. Therefore, Dante 's love and sympathy towards the Carnals and the Sodomites act as a form of salvation. As a result, the significance of the passage is to demonstrate Dante 's heterodox

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