![]() ![]() Luckily for Dante, Virgil, a classical Roman poet most widely known for the Eclogues, Georgics, and the Aeneid, came to Dante’s aid. This is the predicament Dante finds himself in after awaking in the afterlife, encircled by beasts, darkness, and Hell. Imagine waking up in a dark, deserted wood, unconscious of your surroundings. This shows Dante that if he did not change his ways and have more faith in God, he could also end up in Hell for eternity. Virgil is spending eternity in Limbo because he lived before the time of Christ and never believed in God therefore he is unable to ever reach Heaven. Dante can look up to the positive attributes of Virgil but he can also learn from his mistakes. ![]() This is why Dante sees Virgil as a hero or a role model not only can Virgil direct them through Hell since he wrote about Aeneas’ journey but Virgil is also a very strong character who urges Dante forward even when they are both terrified. Dante’s character is inspired by Aeneas who was able to travel into the underworld years before Dante. His knowledge of Virgil’s literature is clear throughout the Divine Comedy because Dante references Virgil’s texts including the Aenied. The question is however, how was Virgil picked to be Dante’s guide? It is apparent that Dante had a deep respect for Virgil as an author. Purgatory in order for Dante to experience the afterlife and notice the penalties for sin. ![]() Virgil was picked to be Dante’s guide from Hell up Mt. ![]() Abstract: This paper discusses the role of Virgil in the Divine Comedy. ![]()
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