Role Of Individualism In Dante's Inferno

The Italian Renaissance was a time where three main philosophies were believed. Those three being individualism, the belief that one is capable of achieving greatness on their own, secularism, the belief that mankind can progress and succeed independent of God and religion, and lastly, humanism, the study of Greek and Roman art, mythology, and philosophy to better understand human nature. Dante Ahligeri’s Inferno was created and published almost a century before the Renaissance and later followed by Purgatorio and Paradiso. Many of his inspirations for writing this book, which include his love for Catholicism, Greek and Roman culture, and even the great poet, Virgil himself, are major components of his Commedia. [finish intro] Dante’s Inferno

Dante is able to express these ideas through his text with the appearance of the Virtuous Pagans. In Canto 4, Dante and Virgil reach the first circle of Hell, Limbo. The people Dante encounters in this section of Hell are those who were born before the revelation of Christ, which Dante refers to as the Virtuous Pagans. When Dante asks Virgil why these people must reside here, Virgil explains. “‘The signature of honor they left on earth is recognized in Heaven and wins them ease in Hell out of God’s Favor.’” (Inf.4.76-78). [fin tying to main pointt] Further into The Inferno, Dante and Virgil reach Round 3 of Circle 7 in Hell. This is where the Violent Against Nature remain, who are better known as homosexuals. A notable figure the two come across is Ser Brunetto Latino, a Florentine Guelph Dante admired as an author for his two principal books, The Book of Treasure and The Little Treasure. Not only is Dante surprised to find Brunetto here, but he also treats him with a great deal of respect in spite of his alleged sexuality that placed him in this Circle. Furthermore, as Brunetto started to leave at the end of Canto 15, he said to Dante, “‘Remember my Treasure, in which I shall live on: I ask no more.’ He turned then…” (Inf, 15.128-129). This line of the text can be

In Canto 4, Dante and Virgil find the Citadel of Human Reason. It is inhabited by three main groups: the heroes and heroines, the philosophers, and the naturalists. According to Ciardi, the citadel is said to represent philosophy, which is human reason without the light of God. The seven walls that surround the citadel reflect the seven liberal arts, which in the Middle Ages were secular subjects for education (Ciardi.32-33). Additionally, the inclusion of the philosophers and naturalists shows not only his respect for them but also how they’ve influenced his way of thinking. During Dante’s time, the philosophers’ theories were studied to an acceptable extent within church scholarships, along with the commentaries many of the naturalists were known for. These studies had less focus on religious thinking and instead had a temporal outlook. Despite Dante’s stance on the importance of following God, he decides to place them in an upper circle, unaffected by the wrath of Hell, to show the value of secular thinking. The important message Dante wishes to convey from this canto is that there is success and greatness outside of Christianity, even though Limbo depicts the highest achievement of human reason without Divine Love (Ciardi.34). Later in the Inferno, Dante even