Cruelty, Curiosity And Compassion In Dante's Inferno

The Divine Comedy Volume 1: Inferno written by Dante Alighieri tells the epic poem of Dante as he traveles through the different levels of hell. On his journey Dante is forewarned that he will come upon many different situations “The three C’s: Cruelty, Curiosity and Compassion” (Cranston 27). Dante used infamous historical figures to depict the rational for the different levels of hell. He chose some of the historical characters for their wisdom and knowledge yet he chose others for their cruel and sinful actions in the past. The first person Dante encountered on his journey was his guide, Virgil. His guide accompanied him as he journeyed through the nine circles of hell. Dante proceeded with his journey encountering those infamous figures who lust, Violence, and treachery consumed leaving them to reside in the circles of hell.

Although there were many historical

As they traveled through the this section of the inferno they were accompanied by a centaur who’s duty was to stand guard and keep the dead from rising from the river of blood (176). The centaur indicated to Dante “the deepest meeting place where tyrants moan” and claimed “it is there that heaven’s justice strikes its blow against Attila” (180:132-133). Attila the chieftain of the Huns was once described as “Barbarian Terror” (Whitby 344). Attila was the ruler of hordes in Europe, his rule was short but his tyranny lasted. “The fact that Attila stamped his authority very extensively across central Europe in less than a decade is an impressive achievement” (Whitby 344). Attila was chosen to represent the seventh circle of hell due to the cruelty he caused during his life, “Attila was a man of action whose control was built upon the sheer terror of his personality …” (Whitby 344). He was chosen to be in the seventh circle to depict where the most cruel and violent tyrants would spend their