Dante's Inferno Essay

The Inferno
Dante Alighieri’s “The Inferno” is one of the most intricate pieces ever written. This divine poem is arguably one of the most well known stories in literature. This “ Divine Comedy” uses symbolism and a vivid use of imagery to clearly depict what Dante imagines the circles of hell to be like. Dante was able to incorporate references from the bible, greek mythology, renaissance, and even includes christianity. Dante reveals the true meaning of the Inferno through his leading motif, his interactions between the sinners, and the intertwining of other literary works into the Inferno. Dante had allegory down to a science, and applied it to every aspect of his Inferno.
In Canto V, the canto of the lustful, Dante begins to witness those

The sin in the second circle is a sin of incontinence, weakness of will, and falling from grace through inaction of conscience. Dante’s ability to blend these two ideas together seamlessly is what makes his epic poem one of the best works in all of literature. He reacts to Francesca's love for Paolo, her horrible betrayal, and her punishment so strongly that he faints yet, it is Dante the Poet who put her in Hell. This particular quote from the story “ … I felt my senses reel and faint away with anguish. I was swept by such a swoon as death is, and I fell as a corpse might fall, to the dead floor of Hell.” (Alighieri 80), shows that he was just so overwhelmed by her story that he just fainted. Dante the author also was able to incorporate another literary work of art into this circle as well . He used the tale of Sir Lancelot and Guinevere that was referenced by Francesca herself. In the story it quotes “ On a day of dalliance we read the rhyme of Lancelot, how love had mastered him.” (Alighieri 80). The use of the story of Sir Lancelot and his lover provides yet another reference point for the reader if they were unaware of the story of Francesca and Paolo. I thought this literary tactic was extremely