Logue 1

Kaylyn Logue
Mr. Munoz
English D.C., Per 5
20 September 2014
Inferno 1st Draft
The change in style is appropriate due to the events in Canto XIX. In the Third Pouch of
the Eighth Circle of Hell, the Simonists are found. Pope Nicholas, who is being tortured in this
circle, mistakenly confuses Dante for Pope Boniface VIII. This is not only ironic because Dante
and Pope Boniface VIII were but, but it also helps reveal that Pope Boniface is destined for Hell.
This revelation leads to Hells other expected guest, Clement V; Dante refers to him as a second
Jason. By Dante putting his worst enemies in Hell and being able to move on to the next circle,
he was able to gain his confidence and firm authority over other because he has defeated his
enemies.
After leaving the Third Pouch of the Eighth Circle, Dante provides metaphors and
symbols in the next Canto symbolizing him and his journey. In Canto XX, the story of the
transformation of Tiresias is told (XX. 40-41). Dantes life can be compared to this because just
like Tiresias, Dante has changed, but in a more emotional way. The city of Mantuas history is
also highlighted in Canto XX. Although the people of Mantua lost this leader Manto, they still
came together and built a city over her dead body (XX. 91). Just like the people of Mantua,
Dante must bury his past and grow stronger because of it.
Because the Diviners, Astrologers, and Magicians were so focused on trying to see and change
the future, they must forever be looking and walking backwards (XX.13-15). This certain torture
is symbolic because from this canto on, Dante is no longer looking back at his mistakes and

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enemies. At the very end of Canto XX, Dante and Virgil are directly under Jerusalem, the holy
city. (Dante is getting closer to reaching redemption)
With Dantes newly found confidence and authority, his treatment towards souls in Hell
changed. In Canto XXIII, Dante believes that the demons feel mocked since he and Virgil
escaped from their group (XXIII. 13-15). This shows that instead of souls affecting his emotions,
Dante is affecting theirs now. Dante also become negligent of the souls in Hell; he is treating
them as unimportant. Dante begins to treat souls different in the sixth pouch of the eighth circle
of Hell. During Dante's conversation with the Friars, he abruptly stops and forgets about them
when he sees a soul whose torture intrigues him (XXIII. 109-111). This shows that Dante is no
longer wasting his time just on any tormented soul. In Canto XXV, Dante does not pay any
attention to three newly arrived souls until a snake starts to wrap around them (XXV. 36). This
exemplifies Dante high standards with regards to whom he pays consideration to. The change in
style also marks the beginning of souls showing respect to Dante in Hell. Vanni Fucci, who is in
the Seventh Pouch of the Eighth Circle, acts as if Dante is his superior. Vanni Fucci shows the
great amount of humiliation he feels when he says, I suffer more because youve caught me in
this (XXIV. 133-134). This shows that the shame he feels is worse than his torture of being bit
by a snake, bursting into flames, and then reliving the process all over again by saying. The
reader also sees Fucci as an inferior to Dante when he says, I cant refuse to answer what you
ask (XXIV. 136). This statement by Vanni Fucci shows that he feels an obligation to do what
Dante requests of him. Dante starts to physically abuse the souls of Hell, especially in Canto
XXXII. Dante is shown once again as a superior when he gives the souls in the Seventh Pouch of
the Eighth Ring by giving them advice and reality check (XXVI. 112-120). With Dante feels as
though he is above all souls in Hell, he begins to shows violence towards them. While walking

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by the souls frozen in the ice Dante says, I struck my foot hard in the face of one (XXXII. 78).
This shows that Dante did not accidentally kick the soul, but he did it in a way to ensure he
caused the soul pain. Only a few lines from the first incident, Dante again causes physically pain
on another soul. Dante rips out the souls hair when he refuses to reveal his name to Dante
(XXXII.103-105. These actions not only show Dante as being violent towards the souls in Hell,
but as demanding as well. Dante blackmails a soul in the Third Ring of the Ninth Circle; he
promises to clear the frozen tears from the soul if he confesses his name. The soul reveals
himself as Fra Alberigo, but Dante does not follow through with his side of the deal and says, it
was courtesy to show him rudeness (XXXII. 149-150). By Dante thinking he deserved the
upmost respect from the souls in Hell, he believed he could treat them however he wanted.
With the change in style also came the change in Virgils character. Throughout the beginning
of the Inferno, Virgil can be seen as simply reason. However, after the change in style, the reader
begins to see Virgil as a father figure. When Virgil and Dante encounter the Malebranche
demons, Virgil immediately tells Dante to take care to crouch behind the cover of a crag (XXI.
59-60) Although Virgil has dealt with the Malebranche, Virgil still shows a great amount of
worry for Dantes safety. Again when the Malebranche threatens Dantes well-being, Virgil
grabs Dante like a mother who cares more for her child than her own self while they slid down
the rocky hill (XXXIII. 41). During their journey to the Seventh Pouch of the Eighth Circle,
Virgil is seen as the father figure helping Dante the entire time. Virgil is seen as doing all the
work since he opened up his arms and thrust me [Dante] forward (XXIV. 23-27). By Virgil
constantly having to take care of Dante through Hell, Dante is representing Virgil as his servant.
From the beginning of the Inferno, Dante treats Virgil with the upmost respect. This however
changes after Dante alters his style of writing. Dante begins to treat Virgil with less respect and

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as inferior. Dante starts to become more like Virgil; he is giving orders and providing insight to
Virgil. This is seen when Dante speaks up to Virgil and says, they [Malebranche] are after us; I
so imagine them, I hear them now (XXIII. 23-24). This is the first example that the readers see
Dante speaking reason before Virgil does. Dante begins to demand Virgil around when he tells
Virgil they need to move farther down the wall because he says, I hear and cannot understand,
so I see down, but cannot distinguish nothing (XXIV. 73-75). This situation shows that Dante
was beginning to use more logic in order to solve his problems; he is no longer as fearful as well.
Since Dante started to believe he has more deserved authority, he starts giving commands to
Virgil. Dante becoming can first seen as demanding towards Virgil when he says to Virgil, tell
him [Vanni Fucci] not to slip away and ask what sin has thrust him here (XXIV. 127-128).
Dante also tells Virgil in Canto XXVI to not forbid my waiting here until the flame with horns
approaches us (XXVI. 66-68). Dante begins to no longer ask for permission, but to make
commands at Virgil. Dante is also seen scolding Virgil to be quiet when he says, so that my
guide might be alert, I raised my finger up from chin to nose (XXV. 44-45) Dante also begins to
use Virgil as an object. Dante escaped the cool winds behind Virgil because there was no other
shelter (XXXIV. 8-9). This shows that he was not turning to Virgil to find comfort because he
was afraid, but rather as an object to avoid the wind. These action not only help the readers see a
reversal in roles between the two main characters, but as well as the change in authority for
Dante over Virgil.
Due to the authority Dante believes hes entitled to, Dante begins to act like a know it all.
Right after the change of style in Canto XX, Dante begins to act arrogant by exclaiming that he
is well aware of the aspects of Hell. Dante says, I was already well prepared to stare below, into
the depth that was disclosed, where tears of anguished sorrow bathed the ground (XX. 4-6).

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This image would cause anyone to be disturbed, but by saying the following quote, Dante is
showing that he is longer affected by the horrendous surrounding the souls must live in for
eternity. Dante shows his dominance by stating that he can make a soul famous on earth if they
just reveal their name to him. In Canto XXXII when Dante is conversing with a soul he says he
can be precious to you [the soul] if you want fame (XXXII. 91-92). By making this promise to
only this soul, but others, Dante implies that his writing will be popular and well-known.
CLOSING.
Dante also begins to give the reader direct advice in the Inferno. In Canto XX, Dante
says to the reader, may God so let you, reader, gather fruit, from what you read (XX. 19-20).
By saying this, Dante is showing that his poetry is so complex that the only way to fully
understand it is through the help of God. By doing this, Dante is showing authority over the
reader, by implying that their simple human mind will not be able to grasp and fully obtain the
teaching of Dantes writing. Again Dante shows authority over the reader through his change by
advising the reader not to wonder although he says, I who saw it can hardly accept it (XXV.
47-48). By Dante telling the reader not to question what he writes, although he questioned the
actual experience, Dante is indicating that the reader does not think with as much inquisition on
things; again the reader is seen as inferior in knowledge to Dante. By talking directly to the
reader, Dante can exhibit his great knowledge over them.
He is also able to establish his authority by showing himself as a good person. Dante
says, I am reassured by confidence, that good companion, heartening a man beneath the
breastplate of its purity (XXVIII. 115-117). By indicating that his heart is pure and he has a
good conscience, Dante establishes authority by being like Christ. Dante also exemplifies his
authority by no longer being negligent; he is observing and making conclusions about his

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surroundings. Dante approaches Virgil asking him, cant you see how those demons
[Malebranche] grind their teeth? (XXI. 131). By Dante recognizing that the demons are evil, he
is showing that he has become well aware of what good and evil looks life. The change in style,
helped show Dantes greater knowledge, which helped in transforming into a better person.