Evaluation of Classical tradition in Dante's journey through Hell to salvation - Essay Example

An Analysis of Dante’s The Divine Comedy The values portrayed by the elements and creatures mentioned in Dante’s Divine Comedy as he journeys through hell (inferno), purgatory (purgatorio) and paradise (paradise) are decidedly Christian, or Roman Catholic to be specific. The very existence of the three realms of the dead are written in their ceremonial documents and are taught in the homily. Paradise for example, can be read from Luke 23:43 of the King James version, “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise” while hell, from Matthew 5:22, “…danger of hell fire”.

Because the Bible is the Christian basis of religious convictions and good morals, it is presumable that this is where positive influences to Dante’s journey were from. The Inferno narrates of Dante’s encounter with the sinners, and makes his own distinction between good and evil. The three beasts represent three types of sin: self-indulgence, violence and maliciousness that are deserving of relentless punishment (Davis 13). Similarly, the Bible abhors the wicked, as it states “So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you.

Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshipping the things of the world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming” (Colossians 3:5-6). Nevertheless, Dante believes that God is merciful and forgiving; that to repent a sin can offer a chance to redeem oneself, and in turn, climb the path to heaven. Canto IV talks about the difficult climb to a mountain.Dante employed a large variety of mythological and ancient literary elements ranging from Centaurs to monsters as Minos, Cerberus, Plutus and Geryon.

He even incorporates mythological places like the rivers Acheron and Astyx. These were all adopted from the main contributors of the Greek and Roman mythology. Author Craig Kallendorf maintains that,Whereas Dantes philosophical prose followed the model of Cicero, the inspiration for this epic allegory derived from Virgils Aeneid, and in particular from allegorized interpretations of Aeneas descent into the underworld. for more than half the poem, Dante is guided by Virgil, who is hailed as the poets "teacher and author", and in Limbo Virgil introduces Dante to Homer, Horace, Ovid and Lucan - thus making him an heir of the classical tradition (209).

As the collection of religious writings grew over the centuries the portrayal of the gods by the ancient Greeks became more rational. The gods started to have a close resemblance to the other gods in that they developed into champions of justice, rewarding good deeds and castigating the evil. The acts of humility were also deemed worthy of the gods’ approval while conceit and uninhibited desires lead to demise. Unfortunately, in this modern world, Dante’s description of god’s punishment can be considered horrendously brutal.

For instance, when Dante reaches the lowest pit of hell, he finds the three worst sinners sticking out of Satan’s mouth: Judas Iscariot, the apostle who betrayed Jesus; Brutus and Cassius, the murderers of Julius Caesar (Inferno, Canto 34). Homosexuals are to endure walking on burning sand, while loan sharks are to sit beneath a rain of fire for eternity. Ovid has the same notion of punishment as evident in Book VII of Metamorphoses. It tells of the tragic fate suffered by Medea for betraying her own father by helping Jason get the golden fleece.

In Ovid’s time, loyalty is among the most venerated characters. Cities depend on one another at war, believing that alliance is an ultimate weapon and the way to peace. Accordingly, treachery is harshly punished, and is considered the worst crime in Rome. Works CitedKallendorf, Craig. A Companion to the Classical Tradition. Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2007. Print.Davis, Anita P. Dantes The Divine Comedy I, Inferno. New York: Research & Education Association, 2001. Print