Miguel De Cervantes Inferno

In a novel, and any story for that matter, there is a main character and a problem. But in some stories, the main character is given a guide, someone who appears to help the main character complete his quest. While the guide may not be as important as the main character, he still has an externally important task. Although crucial to the story, the task of a guide might not always be the same. For instance in Dante's Inferno, Virgil, Dante’s guide, a hardened but similar version of Dante himself, lead the Dante through the hardships of their journey through hell while teaching and advising him. This strategy also helps opening up a relationship between the reader and character. But on the other hand in Miguel de Cervantes’ novel Don Quixote,

And then I fell as a dead body falls” (Inf. V, 139-142), Virgil began a more severe approach. He began summoning many demons including Minos, Charon, Phylegas and the Minotaur,in order to scare Dante by saying “Behold the Beastbears a pointed tail, who crosses mountains, shatters weapons, walls, who’s stench fills all the world!” (Canto XVII lines 1-3). In his description of the beasts he uses repetition of its dangerous accolades it almost seems as though he admiring the beasts he summons.This is a clear attempt to frighten Dante in order to show him how awful hell is. While this worked to scare Dante, he still has remorse for the”victims” in hell which is why Virgil, on occasion decides to leave Dante in order to make him feel helpless. Although Dante is not left alone in hell for that long without his teacher, Virgil sends Dante through the final pocket of the seventh circle of Hell to talk with the souls without his guidance when he states “so that you may experience this ring in full, go now and see the state in which they are”(XVII 37-39). So it is clear Virgil wants Dante to learn without his help and protection. In this time Dante receives warning to leave, as he is told to be “afraid that any longer stay might anger him who warned (him) to brief, (he) made (his) way back from those exhausted souls. (He) found his guide” (Canto XVII lines 76-79). This is once again an attempt to scare Dante and show him how awful hell is which is one of the central claims of the entire