Why Does Virgil Use To Dismiss Minos In Dante's Inferno

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In Inferno by Dante Alighieri, when Dante the Poet is advised by Minos to turn back and leave the terror of Hell, Virgil reminds Minos of the power of God’s language as it is the almighty God’s words that grant Dante the ability to embark on this journey through Hell. As Dante approaches the second circle of Hell, The Carnal, he is stopped by Minos, the official Judge of the Underworld. Minos then provides his counsel to Dante as he has seen the terrible dangers of Hell and advises Dante to turn back and save his peace, Virgil then retorts that Dante “has been willed” in Heaven to journey through Hell so this matter is “not for [Minos] to question” (Inferno V. 23-24). The phrase “not for [you] to question” Virgil uses to dismiss Minos’ judgment