Divine Comedy Analects

The Divine Comedy, the Analects, and The Conference of the Birds

Dante’s The Divine Comedy, Farid Ud-Din Attar’s The Conference of the Birds, and Confucius’ The Analects all have a similar theme; each reading tells a unique story of compassion and forgiveness. In each, these traits are expressed through the actions and monologues of the characters. In Dante’s Divine Comedy, the guide on Dante’s journey goes by the name of Virgil who shows his empathy and mercy through the mistake of pity that Dante displays in Hell. In Attar’s The Conference of the Birds, the Hoopoe shows his compassion and forgiveness through his patience with the other birds on the journey to see the Simorgh. Lastly, in The Analects by Confucius, he shows his kindness and

The Hoopoe is the bird that all the other bird chose to have as their leader. He is considered the wisest of all the birds. He is the most in touch with his spiritual side and he believes that the only way for the other bird (himself included) to reach enlightenment is for them to make a long journey to find the Simorgh. The Hoopoe shows his compassion in a different way than Virgil. The Hoopoe shows his compassion by never giving up on any of his followers no matter what excuses they throw at him. He also shows understanding qualities when his followers complained of their fatigue during the journey. The Hoopoes compassion went much deeper than his physical interaction with them; he cared for them on a spiritual level. He believed if he could establish a connection and understanding with the Simorgh, then he could provide the others with the knowledge to reach Enlightenment. He says, “My purposes are Heaven-sent; I keep God’s secrets mundane and divine, in proof which behold thy Holy sign Bismillah etched forever on my beak” (Attar 43). This shows that his intentions are true and pure. He honors his word, and his compassion for others is shown in the great struggle he goes through trying to save them through the discovery of the