Maegan Villarreal

Mr. Munoz
English DC 1301
18 September 2014
The Hidden God
Imagine for a moment, sitting alone, isolated, and in complete desperation. With nobody
to turn to, as catholics, hope is found in prayer. These prayers are then sent in hope to be returned
with a solution, and if not that, a form of guidance; comfort. There is one who these prayers must
reside in, whom we in a sense "send" these prayers to. This, is God. The word God as defined in
the English dictionary is an adorned, divine, admired, or influential person. In the epic, Dante's
Inferno, Dante is guided by Virgil through the hostile rings of hell. Throughout the epic Virgil is
symbolically recognized as God, as seen through Dante's words and actions.
Father, master, and savior are the terms we so often refer to God as. Dante refers to Virgil
as his father, or master. Virgil acts as a father figure to Dante while he travels through hell. He
protects him and at the same time he lets Dante learn his lessons in trial and error, just as we do
here on earth. He is respectful in his distance with him. He lets Dante be himself and make his
own decisions although he may not agree with him. Virgil is always there for Dante when he
falls literally, as well as we he fails in his decisions. God too lets his people learn there lessons,
yet does not put them in a given situation to where they cannot succeed. Virgil and Dante
develop their relationship throughout their journey through hell. As Dante comes to understand
him, he better understands hell. We must fully love and trust in God to better our relationship in
him to better understand life our purpose. As Dante and Virgil grow closer, Virgil becomes
more and more of a father figure to Dante.

O my dear guide, who more than seven times/ has given back to me my confidence/ and

snatched me from deep danger that had menaced,/ do not desert me when Im so undone, thus:
the seven time (Dante). This is the excerpt from Canto VIII in which Dante is seen to show his
upmost adoration of Virgil in his life. We first recognize Virgil as a guide for Dante as he travels
through the inferno. Through this depiction, we see Dante as more of a follower along the
journey, rather than a leader, just as we set out to follow "God's plan" through the journey of life.
Virgil sets out to be mentor for Dante and as Dante comes to develop a relationship with him, he
better understand him. Virgil explains in detail why the souls of those are in corresponding rings
and while Dante tries to understand the true meaning of hell. God himself tries to guide those
who choose to follow him as well as reveal his reasoning as we develop our relationship with
him. Virgil does not beg for Dante to follow him, it was Dante's belief and trust in him that
caused him to do so just as we choose to follow God as Catholics.
Christ is a teacher as well as Virgil. It is through Virgil's teaching ministry that Dante
comes to fully understand the Inferno. This is in accordance to becoming closer to living the life
of Christ and understanding our life on Earth through Christ's teaching ministry. Just as Dante
aspires to live a life similar to that of Virgil we aspire to live a life of Christ as according to the
scripture. Virgil conveys to Dante the complex concepts as they journey through hell. He shapes
Dante into being a more tough individual when he gets restless of Dante's whining and sympathy
towards the sinners. Virgil then tests Dante when he sends him to communicate with the demons.
It is here where Dante fails and soon returns to Virgil for guidance. Through life God often sets
up difficult obstacles in which he tests to see if we reflect His teachings in our lives. When we
fail, we usually turn to God again, just as Dante turns to Virgil.

Dante chooses Virgil to lead him because he is well respected. When Virgil asks
something of the demons, or anyone he comes in contact with, his wishes are granted. Dante,
being a mortal, holds Virgil to a divine standard just as we do God. Dante makes Virgil out to be
an all knowing being. Virgil is good at persuading the people he comes in contact with to obey
his command in best interest.
Based on evidence seen throughout Dante's journey throughout the inferno Vigil can
symbolically be God. His wisdom and guidance portray God as a teacher. The respect that is
shown towards Virgil can be compared to the love and compassion we show God in our daily
lives. Dante's relationship with Virgil is ultimately depicted as our relationship with God.