Academic research, opinion regarding Dante and Virgil.
In Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy Pt. 1, Hell, the lead character (Dante himself) must travel through 24 sections of his imagined hell in search of his lover, Beatrice. On his journey of enlightenment, Dante attempts to make sense of the fate of the resident souls and why they are sentenced to the certain sub-sections of the underground prison. Although Alighieri is the main character, he flounders and is often left questioning the punishments, layers of, and residents of Hell. Without the guidance of his leader, Virgil, he would likely not complete his allotted mission. Dante reveres Virgil for many reasons such as his poetic prowess, philosophical greatness (he is aligned with Homer) his political stance (approved of the Roman Empire and its affect on the civilized world.) and consistent nature. To the common reader of Dante's Divine Comedy however, Virgil is appreciated for his knowledge and helpfulness, which is seemingly overshadowed only by God. These God-like qualities can easily be pinpointed throughout the Christian allegory and help to further confirm why Dante views him as a mentor.
From the very beginning of the story Virgil prevails as the guider of an uncertain Dante, who finds himself trapped and unable to escape the fierce beasts that attempt to destroy him. With little option, Dante must put his faith in Virgil who prophesizes the coming of a greyhound that will drive back one of his attackers. Dante's first meeting with Virgil is somewhat accidental, as he describes a form "which dumbly crossed my path, as though grown voiceless from long lack of speech." and highlights the literal or physical similarities shared with God. Virgil, like God, cannot be seen or communicate in conventional ways with Dante, instead speaks in divine tongue and tells of what is to come and advises him of what path to choose but does not interfere with Dante's actions; he is still left to decide what course of action he will take. Similarly God's guidance can be read in the Bible but the guiding words are not enforced and those who read are left to essentially choose their own course of action. Dante does the righteous and commendable action of putting faith in Virgil.
Virgil's goodness is made concrete as the two travelers attempt to enter the city of Dis in Canto IX and are halted at the gates. In this instance two things become more apparent: Virgil's goodness and his weakness. Ironically both are played out at the same time and work to reveal to the reader that although Virgil is of the utmost importance to Dante, he is not a substitute for the Lord and is only God-like, not God. Examples of this can be seen throughout Cantos IIX and IX when for the first time since the start of their mission Virgil becomes apprehensive and causes Dante to fear for the pair's fate. Virgil is unable to prevail over the resident demons. This is not unlike Virgil's part in the Aeneid when he fails to enter Tartarus because he is essentially too good to cross over into the realm of the damned, but in this case it is also because he is not powerful enough to override the will of the evil spirits. Only after divine assistance in the form of an angel sent from Heaven can the pair travel on their way.
After this display of humility, Virgil regains his composure and displays more of the many great, god-like actions. At one point his firmness of instruction is swiftly matched by his compassion, which is akin to God's wrath and ever-loving, ever-forgiving nature. " “Master,” said I, “what town lies on before?” “Thou striv"st to see too far amid these glooming shadows,” said he: “this makes thy fancy err, concluding falsely from thy false assuming; Full well shalt thou perceive, when thou art there, how strangely distance can delude the eye: therefore spur on thy steps speedier.” But after that, he took me lovingly by the hand…' There are also moments when Dante questions Virgil's instruction and ability, to which Virgil calmly reassures him, understanding that faith can waver at times. For example: “Down must we go, to that dark world and blind,” The poet said, turning on me a bleak blanched face; “I will go first-come thou behind.” Then I who had marked the colour of his cheek: “How can I go, when even thou art white for fear, who art wont to cheer me when I'm weak?” But he: “Not so; the anguish infinite they suffer yonder paints my countenance with pity, which thou takest for affright;'.
Virgil continues to lead Dante with a heavy hand when he errs or is at risk of erring, but always follows up with a soft, loving display of his character. "In Canto 30 Virgil approaches Dante for listening to the quarrelling of the damned and speaks of always being with him" Like this the relationship between the two and leads to the outcome the two had hoped for: the reaching of Mount Purgatory where Virgil continues to follow Dante on the ascent as he had done for the decent into Hell. The above-mentioned examples of Virgil's parental nature in dealing with Dante solidify the notion of him being akin to the Holy Father of Christian Doctrine. Also, Virgil remains true to the end, evoking awe and wonder as only a god can do to reader and scholar alike.
