The Violence of Dante's Inferno

In Dante Alighieri’s Inferno there is an abundant amount of violence shown in many ways. Literary critics say that violence does not appear in readings for its own sake, which is proven throughout The Inferno. As the levels of Hell increase, the severity of violence does so as well. This violence occurs in many ways, sometimes mentally, sometimes physically and many times both combined. Some people may not enjoy the book for its violence, however, the violence of Dante’s Inferno contributes to the dark theme and mood of the book, showing Alighieri’s meaning even more.

In Canto 4, Circle One, there is a great example of mental violence towards the sinners. Virgil explains to Dante the punishment of the Virtuous Pagans in this Canto, “For such defects are we lost, though spared the fire and suffering Hell in one affliction only: that without hope we live on desire” (III. 40-43). Virgil has excessive knowledge of this circle because of the fact that before Beatrice sent him to Dante, he lived among these sinners in a group of poets. Virgil’s words explain that the Virtuous Pagans go ...