Kelvin Shang

9/10/2014
Representations of Hell in Literature
In Dantes Inferno by Dante the Poet, the differences between
Dante and Virgil in Canto I and Dante and Brunetto Latini in Canto XV
are evident, however, the similarities are quite salient. Both are souls
who dwell in the underworld and have had some influence in Dantes
journey in life. These dynamic characters offer advice to assist Dante
to join the divine in Heaven.
Virgil and Brunetto Latini are both poets who have offered their
aid to Dante in his journey to the blessed even though they both reside
in hell. Virgil resides just at the edge of Hell in Limbo because he was
Pagan but not a sinner while Latini was a sodomite. Dante praises and
respects both poets quite dearly and asks for their aid. As seen when
Dante says to Virgil, O light and honor of the other poets, may my
long years of study, and that deep love that made me search your
verses, help me now! (lines 19-21), and when Latini gives his advice
to him, Dante expresses his gratitude with, My mind is etched (and
now my heart pierced) with your kind image, loving and paternal,
when, living in the world, hour after hour, you taught me how man
makes himself eternal. And while I live, my tongue shall always speak
of my debt to you. (lines 46-51). Through his gratitude towards Latini,
we can see how Dante valued Latinis guardianship and mentoring.

This gratitude is also seen with Virgil as Dante suggests that he was
inspired by Virgils work. In a sense, Dante can be seen superior to
both Virgil and Latini because he is on a quest to overcome his sins in
order to be accepted into Heaven while both Virgil and Latini have no
chance to reach Heaven.
In both Cantos, there is a mention of a worthier spirit who is
known as Beatrice, whom Dante saw as a savior and was in love with.
Beatrice is noted as the only spirit who can aid Dante if he wishes to
make the climb to join the blessed in Heaven. She is first mentioned
when Virgil says, to whom, if you wish to make the climb, a spirit
worthier than I, must take you; I shall go back, leaving you in her care.
(lines 43-45). Virgil states that she is a mightier spirit because he
resides in Limbo while Beatrice resides with the blessed in Heaven.
Therefore, she is the only soul who can guide him all the way to
Heaven. In Canto XV, another mention of Beatrice is noted when Dante
says to Latini, I will write down what you tell me of my future and save
it, with another text, to show a lady who can interpret, if I can reach
her. (lines 52-54). This suggests that Dante believes that he will see
Beatrice again, who will be able to guide him. Both Cantos successfully
portray Beatrice as a holy soul with the power to aid Dante to Heaven
as opposed to the two imperfect teachers.
The relationship between Dante and Virgil in Canto I and Dante
and Brunetto Latini in Canto XV, hold many similarities to each other.

Both are souls that are trapped in the underworld but have given their
support and help to Dante at some point in his life. Dante regards them
as his mentors who can guide him on the path towards Heaven and
Beatrice.