Dante Essay

Dante's Inferno Essay

The definition of a confidant (male), or a confidante (female), is a character, whose roll is to be present when the hero or heroine needs a sympathetic listener to confide in. In Dante's Inferno, the author uses Virgil as Dante's confidant and to lead him through the rings of Hell. Virgil shows that he is a confidant in several ways such as causing him to have faith in himself, being his protection throughout the journey, and giving him the information he needs to know.

In Canto II, Virgil hasn't yet taken Dante on his journey through the rings of Hell. Before they even begin, Dante doubts himself and does not think that he can survive the journey. Virgil, being the confidant that he is, rebukes his cowardice and tells him the story about how he found him.

"Ð''But why an I to go? Who allows me to?

I an not Aeneas, I am not Paul,

Neither I nor any man would think me worthy

And so, if I should undertake the journey,

I fear it might turn out an act of follyÐ'--

You are wise, you see more than my words express'

As one who unwills, what he willed will change

He purposes with some new second thought

Completely quitting what he first had studied" (Canto II, p.28, lines 31-29).

Paul and Aeneas were the two people who explored Hell before Dante. Paul was considered the "Chosen Vessel" and took the journey and ascended back to Heaven with the faith that he received from the journey. Dante doubts himself, saying that he doesn't have the will power like Paul had, therefore he wouldn't survive the journey, but Virgil won't allow that kind of attitude.

"'If I have truly understood your words,'

That shade of magnanimity replied,

Your soul is burdened with that cowardice

Which often weighs so heavily on man

It turns him from a noble enterprise

Like a frightened beast that shies at its own shadow

To free you from this fear, let me explain

The reason I came here, the words I heard

That first time I felt pity for your soulÐ'...'" (Canto II, p. 28, lines 43-51)

The Virgin Mary, looking down from Heaven, took pity on Dante during his time of despair and asked Beatrice, Dante's departed love, to go down to Hell and ask Virgil to guide Dante through the rings of hell. Virgil accepts, becoming Dante's confidant, and guides him on the journey.

During the journey, there are times when Virgil has to protect Dante from the horrible things and sights that they come across. As they proceed to the 5th circle, they come to the gate and they are stopped by Styx, a small boatman. He appears in a boat coming across the river and he is irritated with the interruption of Dante and Virgil. He grants their entrance, but an angry shade rises from the slime, stopping them from going through the gate and questions Dante's presence. When Virgil tells him that he is guiding Dante on a journey through the rings, he does not buy the story and slams the gate in their faces. They are both shaken but are also aware of the help that is coming down from heaven.

"'But surely we were meant to win this fight,'

He