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Use Of Fortuna In Dantes Inferno

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Artistic Analysis of Fortuna in Inferno When Dante encounters Circle Four, avarice and prodigality, he noticed a circular torture device that is use to crush sinners- later explained as the Wheel of Fortune. The use of Fortune was an imperative element of Dante’s Inferno, using Fortuna as the personification of luck and spontaneity in human affairs. Virgil explains that the Wheel of Fortune is the cause of all affairs on earth, negative or positive. People perched atop of the wheel are bound to fall, as the summit of luck can only cause people to move down. Inversely, humans at the bottom of the wheel can only possibly move up in their fortune. This cyclical nature of luck in Florentine culture at the time of Inferno was the reason Fortuna, …show more content…

In Florence, she was notorious for her capricious nature that resulted in her bad reputation. On the contrary, Dante indicates that Fortuna is a minister of God. Dante combines the polytheistic nature of Roman Gods with Christian ideas by brightening the image of Fortuna, making her less intimidating. Instead of simple luck that should be feared by those who are protective of their fortune, Dante emphasizes the importance of a divine plan that Fortuna is a part of. This plan cannot be understood by humans, which Virgil tells Dante that “her judgment is hidden, like the/snake in grass” (7.81-82). However, the periodic intentions of Fortuna stems from the will of God, which is ultimately good. This was incorporated into the money-based canto filled with greed and hoarding of personal wealth to show to readers that the income …show more content…

Donatello was a renowned sculptor known for his metallic depictions of humans, most notably his statue of David. This Renaissance art influenced an era of realistic human anatomy, which influenced the creator of Fortuna in his human-like depiction of Fortuna. Adding wings and a staff to the statue develops the whimsical and goddess-like image of the deity. Around the statue itself is a haze of light, which is meant to develop Dante’s image of Fortuna as a messenger to God. Holy nature in Dante’s work is often symbolized with light imagery, which I attempted to show in my artwork by surrounding Fortuna with a bright haze. Surrounding Fortuna are clusters of circles, which are meant to be paired with the cyclical nature of Fortune. Each circle has three rings around it, which is a common pattern throughout Inferno, such as the three-headed dog and the three holy ladies. The circles at Fortuna’s feet are meant to represent the anger directed towards Fortuna, as people are susceptible to “wrongly blaming and speaking ill of her” (7.92). However, this is placed at her feet because it is made clear that Fortuna is indifferent about the anger directed toward her, as she remains blissful. The circles surrounding Fortuna are green, a common symbol for luck. Additionally purple, often a color used to

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