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Dante's Inferno Allusion

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Many different authors use allusions to add imagery, express their emotions, and strengthen their reliability of the claims they make. Throughout the epic poem, Inferno, the author, Dante Alighieri, uses many different references from the Bible to exemplify characters who would fulfill the certain criteria that are contained throughout the different circles of Hell. The contrapasso in Hell reveals the punishments that each individual has to encounter as a result of the sins they committed while on earth. Dante uses biblical allusions to organize the underlying themes found throughout the epic poem and to grant credibility to his sensible perspective of Hell. The actions of Caiaphas represent the contrapasso found through God’s divine justice. …show more content…

In Hell, Satan is found in the ninth circle in round four in the frozen lake, Cocytus, where he rules over all of Hell’s occupancy. In Hell, Satan “was once as beautiful as now he is hideous, and still turned on his Maker” (Inferno XXXIV:34-35). Satan is the epitome of a sinner because he began as a blameless sinner who was treasured by God, but became prideful and desired to overthrow God’s reign over everything. In Revelation 12:9, John discussed when Satan fell out of heaven as a result of the conflict he generated. Now on Earth, Satan prowls around on his prey, attempting to lead anyone to fall into their temptations. Satan wanted to have control and say over God before he fell down, but now as a punishment in Hell, he will be silenced in a frozen lake where his wings keep the water that surrounds him frozen. Dante’s use of adding Satan shows the ultimate punishment found in Hell. When the day of judgment comes, Satan will have to confront his sins and recognize that he will never overcome God’s kingdom. Although he tries to use evil for his benefit, a day will come when he has to bow down to God’s dominion. Satan is a prime example for humans to show that mankind or any being can not conquer Heaven, and such actions will result in torment in Hell for eternity. Instead of criticizing Satan’s decisions, Dante utilizes Satan to caution all readers of the suffering Satan will have to face for his decisions that could have been

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