Virgil's Use Of Deuteragonism In Dantes Inferno

Many iconic sidekicks have graced the literary scene throughout the ages. These well-known characters range from the likes of Tom Sawyer in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to Dr. Watson in Sherlock Holmes. Sidekicks are referred to as deuteragonists, because they essentially act as a protagonist’s key companion. The origin of a deuteragonist stems from the writings of the Greek playwright Aeschylus. Greek plays only encompassed three characters— protagonist, deuteragonist, and tritagonist— so it was crucial for the three characters to take on a wide variety of roles (Torres and Nadolny). However, one can argue that the position of a deuteragonist proved imperfect until Dante’s implementation of the deuteragonist Virgil in his three-part

Upon introducing himself to Dante in Inferno, Virgil promptly tells Dante to “follow me” and declares that he will be Dante’s escort “through an eternal place” (9). The fact that Virgil immediately establishes himself as guide proves to be a blessing throughout the first two parts of the epic poem, because Virgil makes up for Dante’s misdirected, indecisive nature. In Inferno, Virgil also discloses that he has already journeyed through Hell due to the commandments of the brutish witch Erichtho (89). Virgil’s statement indicates that he is a trustworthy guide, and that proves crucial on an expedition to a destination as dangerous as Hell. After surviving the pits of Hell and entering Purgatory, Dante places full faith in Virgil to guide him through Purgatory’s steep terraces. Dante even states, “I drew close to my faithful friend and guide— /and without him where would have been my course? / Who would have led me up the mountainside” (25)? Dante clearly holds Virgil’s leadership credibility in high regard, since he conjectures that he does not even know where he would be without Virgil by his side. It proves important for the main character in literature to place his or her confidence in a companion, because without establishing that the companion has an appealing nature, the reader often dismisses the deuteragonist as inferior. Also, it proves beneficial to have an identifiable

Many examples of Dante’s instruction exist in both Inferno and Purgatory. For example, in the pilgrimage to the Underworld, Dante faces a double obstacle by personally stating that he has to overcome “the battle through/ the journey, and the pity of my heart” (13). Not only does Dante have to conquer the long road through Hell, but he has to overcome his pity for the condemned souls. Virgil continuously endeavors to instill in Dante the idea that weeping over the lost souls proves itself to be a worthless act. In another instance in Inferno, Dante cries for the distorted figure in Hell, but Dante rebukes him, saying, “Here pity lives the best when it is dead” (205). Basically, Virgil’s frank reprimand means that Dante needs to abandon his lament over the hopeless shades and continue with his life. Even though Virgil had never voyaged through Purgatory, he still remains able to offer Dante directional insight. An example of Virgil’s boundless perception manifests itself in Canto 1 of Purgatory. Upon entering Purgatory, an old man appears alongside Dante and Virgil. Virgil immediately recognizes the old man as Cato, the guardian of Purgatory’s gate, but Dante remains unaware of the elder’s distinguished identity. However, without even uttering a word, Virgil enlightens Dante on the old man’s significance by taking Dante “firmly by the hand” and using “his words and signs and touch” to make Dante’s