Lindsey Williams

Miss Skirtich
19 March 2018
English 10: World Literature
“I’m Hell Without Heels, Baby”
Many think of Hell of this big place full of fire, but after reading Dante Alighieri’s

“Inferno” it is much more than just that. Dante wrote this piece of Divine Comedy to demonstrate

what may happen when straying away from God. He teaches people all over the world of how

bad Hell might be. Virgil is Dante's guide through the text. Virgil was assigned from Mary to

help Dante to complete his journey through hell safely. Dante Alighieri illustrates Virgil as a

father figure to Dante throughout "Inferno" by his righteous anger, acting as a protector, and

showing pride.

Dante Alighieri showcases Virgil as a father figure to Dante throughout "Inferno" by his

righteous anger. One instance where Virgil plays the role of a father figure occurs in Circle 5

when Dante and Virgil meet Flippo Argenti, "Down, down, with the other dogs. Then he

embraced me saying, 'Indignant spirit, I kiss you as you frown'" (Alighieri 61). Virgil pushes the

sinner down in the Styx River because he yells at Dante and Virgil displays his righteous anger

towards the sinner. This further demonstrates how the sinners are unrepentant, so Virgil feels no

remorse for them as they deserve the punishments they receive teaching Dante the right way to

handle the sinners. Virgil is proud of the Dante for rejecting the sinner. Another example of how

Virgil conveys his righteous anger happens in Circle 8 Bolgia 3 when they encounter the

Simonists, "Gold and silver are the gods you adore" (Alighieri 156). This demonstrates righteous

anger because Dante belittles Pope Nicholas III for his corruption in the Church. Dante cares

more about the well-being of the church than he does about respecting the Pope, even when in

Hell. His anger is justified because the pope has abused the Church instead of protecting it.
These two examples clearly demonstrate how Virgil's righteous anger makes him a father figure

to Dante.

Additionally, Dante Alighieri demonstrates Virgil as a father figure to Dante throughout

"Inferno" by acting as a protector. One occurrence where Virgil plays a role of a father figure

takes place in Canto 1 where Virgil is assigned to be Dante's guide through Hell, "For you are

my true master and first author, the sole maker from whom I drew the breath of that sweet style

whose measures have brought me honor" (Alighieri 6). Dante notices that he needs someone to

help guide him through his journey of Hell. This example exhibits how Dante does not believe in

himself to journey through Hell without someone that knows the terrain and that can protect him.

This is the start to Virgil protecting Dante in Hell. Another symbol of Virgil acting as a protector

to Dante is during their journey through Circle 7 when they ride on Geryon's tail, "Returned I

found my guide already mounted upon the rump of that monstrosity. He said to me: 'Now you

must be undaunted: mount it in front, and I will ride between you and the tail, lest you be

poisoned by it'" (Alighieri 137). Virgil protects Dante from Geryon's tail so he will not get struck

by it. This example represents how Virgil cares greatly about Dante that he does not want him to

get hurt. Virgil puts himself in a situation where he is capable to get hurt but risks the danger, so

Dante does not get struck. These two examples distinctly establish how Virgil acting as a

protector makes him a father figure to Dante.

Moreover, Dante Alighieri delineates Virgil as a father figure to Dante throughout

"Inferno" by showing pride. One reference to Virgil displaying pride occurs in Circle 8 when

Dante is considered a son to Virgil, "My Guide and Master bore me on his breast, as if I were not

a companion, but a son" (Alighieri 188). Virgil shows his pride towards Dante by telling him that

he does not considered him a companion that he is guiding, but as a son, as if they were family.
This shows a lot to Dante because he realizes that Virgil cares about him. Another example of

Virgil showcasing his pride to Dante is in Circle 5 when Dante realizes he would be lost without

Dante, "Nothing can take our passage from us when such a power has given us warrant for it"

(Alighieri 63). Dante shows his pride through telling Virgil that he needs him to be able to make

his journey through Hell complete. Without Virgil as a guide, Dante would be lost and scared

throughout the journey. Dante shows his pride and sympathy to Virgil by expressing his need for

Virgil. These two examples lucidly establish how Virgil showing pride makes him a father figure

to Dante.

Furthermore, Dante Alighieri illustrates Virgil as a father figure to Dante throughout

"Inferno" by his righteous anger, acting as a protector, and showing pride. Dante gives readers a

feel for his journey through Hell while having a father figure to guide him through just as readers

need someone to help guide them through their journey with God.