Literature review and critical analysis

teacher & student relationship between Dante and Virgil in Dante's Inferno

This paper presents a detailed examination of the relationship between Dante and Virgil in Dante's Inferno. The writer uses examples and character analysis to present the relationship between the two to the reader.

The unfolding of Dante's Inferno is one in which the reader is drawn into the personality characteristics of the players. Because the topic of the writing is enmeshed in the understanding of hell it is important that the reader become attached to the various players in the work so the reader can understand who the events took place. The relationship between Dante and Virgil is extremely important to the context of the story. Dante and Virgil have a relationship that provides a tour and pathway to the ideas the writer wants the reader to understand and grasp. The relationship between the two moves in several directions and takes the reader on an exploratory examination not only of hell but also of interaction. One can easily see that the relationship was extremely important to Dante as Virgil is mentioned many times throughout the writings. Dante views Virgil as his inspiration as well as his master and mentor. This acceptance of the importance of Virgil by Dante provides for interactions to become clearer between the two.

It is easy to understand why he held Virgil in such high regard. The encounter with the animals that included a she-wolf, a lion and a leopard put a tremendous fear in Dante's heart as it would any man. Dante in his fear flees to escape and runs into Virgil. Virgil promises to protect him and guide him through hell, purgatory and heaven. At first glance it is understandable that Dante viewed Virgil as a savior to himself, but at closer inspection it would be almost expected given the circumstance that he was running from. The next example of how Dante came to hold Virgil in regard was Virgil's explanation that he was sent to Dante through the Virgin Mary. Dante, being the deeply spiritual man that he was became reassured. Even in current times this might strike someone as a sign or a gift from God. In the time that Dante is writing it is probable because of the importance that religion played in the lives of mankind.

Dante is not a gifted man intellectually. He is a bit of a bumbling guy who seems to need a lot of supervision and guidance to get through life. He was however, a firm spiritual believer who followed his heart when it comes time to believe in Virgil. One of the biggest influences in the relationship between Dante and Virgil is the intelligence of Virgil. He presents himself as very smart and divinely led, which causes Dante to feel he is in capable hands and can trust everything Virgil does or says to him.

Dante considers Virgil a teacher. Virgil creates a visual image of hell for Dante in book VI of Aeneid and Dante chooses Virgil as his guide through hell because Virgil's description of the place.