Most recent public comments by Colton G. Rowan https://nowcomment.com/users/128045 https://nowcomment.com/documents/330016?scroll_to=2932736 https://nowcomment.com/documents/330016?scroll_to=2932736 I think the obvious answer of where to choose to be placed in Hell would have to be the first circle of Limbo. It's the only circle where no one actually suffers any kind of punishment besides hopelessness. Logistically it would be impossible, though, due to personally I am not a Pagan who was born and died before the birth of Christ as that circle was designed for. I personally think the next best option would be the burning grave. While I do understand that the fire in Hell would never become bearable, it still seems like one of the most bearable punishments. Wed, 19 Oct 2022 11:55:13 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/330016?scroll_to=2930804 https://nowcomment.com/documents/330016?scroll_to=2930804 I think that just about every punishment in Dante's depiction of Hell are just as it is retribution for major sins that were committed while the sinners were alive. I do believe an argument can be made for punishments for suicide victims. It can be said that these people had no intention being so unhappy they are driven to suicide. With this argument, however, I do believe that the act is in a way can be seen as turning away from God's light and wallowing in sorrow. Other than this example I do believe that every other sin mentioned in Inferno is justly punished and deserved, especially as Dante and Virgil approach the deeper circles of Hell, as treachery towards one's family, country, and master are arguably the worst of sins. Tue, 18 Oct 2022 12:29:08 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/330016?scroll_to=2926778 https://nowcomment.com/documents/330016?scroll_to=2926778 Q2 Virgil’s presences is absolutely vital to Dante’s journey through Hell. On the surface level, the shade provides an extreme level of protection for Dante from the demons of Hell that seek to eternally torment Dante’s soul. Consistently throughout the poem Virgil instructs Dante to hide as he negotiates with the demons of Hell to allow them safe passage. Virgil’s protection of Dante is shown in Canto XII. In the chapter, Virgil tricks the Minotaur by angering him and then instructs Dante to “‘Run now! While he is blind with rage! /Into the pass, quick, and get over the side!’” (Dante Alighieri, 2012, p. 979). Looking deeper into the symbolism of Virgil, it can be seen that Dante views human reason and wisdom as pertinent pieces to resisting sin, as Virgil was used as a symbol for this human reason. Therefore saving one’s soul from the retribution of said sin. This is stated in the summary for Canto I, stating that, “Virgil explains that he has been sent to lead Dante from error.” (Dante Alighieri, 2012, p. 929). Original question: What does Dante’s attempt to climb the mountain directly from the dark woods symbolize? Odyssey vs Inferno The Odyssey and Inferno can be compared and contrasted in many ways. These include the main characters, their journeys through their respective afterlives, and the settings . The main characters of The Odyssey and Inferno differ greatly in their morals and their objectives. It’s obvious to see that Odysseus and Dante have different morals. Odysseus thinks nothing of killing and violence, whereas it can be inferred that Dante would view these acts as immoral since a Christian commandment is “Thou shalt not kill.” In terms of objectives, Odysseus seeks to return to his home in the physical world, while Dante, on the other hand, is seeking to redeem his eternal soul and achieve eternal life in Heaven. The two stories also portray journeys through their respective afterlives. In the Odyssey, it only is a somewhat small portion of the story, as Odysseus seeks out Tiresias, who will aid in his journey home. Along the way Odysseus encounters many people that he knows and speaks with them. Contrary to The Odyssey, the entire story is about Dante’s journey through Hell, seeking to repent from his sins and gain his way into Heaven. Similar to the Odyssey, however, is how Dante also encounters many tortured souls that he knows and goes on to speak with them. Another point of comparison between The Odyssey and Inferno is the stories’ settings. The Odyssey takes place all over the Mediterranean, with a brief stop in the underworld with Odysseus attempting to voyage back to Greece from Troy over the course of 20 years. The story of Inferno mostly takes place in Hell, as Dante traverses through the nine circles in only ten days. Dante Alighieri. (2012). Inferno. In Martin Puchner (Ed.), The Norton Anthology of World Literature (4th ed., pp. 925-1080). https://ncia.wwnorton.com/169414/r/goto/cfi/510!/4 Tue, 18 Oct 2022 14:35:06 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/328084?scroll_to=2918188 https://nowcomment.com/documents/328084?scroll_to=2918188 I think that Euripides does an incredible job of showing what this kind of grief can do to a person and how it can make them so immensely spiteful that they would even go so far to kill their offspring. To answer the question of who the protagonist is of the play, I believe that answer has to be Medea herself since the play follows her side of the story after the woes of Jason leaving her and her plans to enact revenge. Not to mention she is the play's titular character. Tue, 04 Oct 2022 16:05:25 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/328084?scroll_to=2918187 https://nowcomment.com/documents/328084?scroll_to=2918187 I think that Medea murdered her children with some kind of idea in mind of protecting them, not keeping them from Jason. She says something along the lines of wanting to save the children from ridicule from her enemies. Tue, 04 Oct 2022 15:59:04 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/328084?scroll_to=2915702 https://nowcomment.com/documents/328084?scroll_to=2915702 Q2 Jason blames Medea for her own sorrow due to her offending the royal family of Corinth. He claims that his reasoning for leaving her and marrying into this royal family was all for her and their children’s benefits as them being servants under the princess would give them a good life there. This is shown when Jason states “When I moved here from the city of Iolcus, / I was dragged down by impossible problems. / What better solution could there be/ for an exile like me than to marry the princess?” (Euripides, 2012, p. 453). Medea counters his logic by reminding him of everything she had done for him, such as helping him retrieve the Golden Fleece by killing the serpent guarding it, betraying her father by following him to Iolcus, and killing her brother to slow the Colchians down after the theft of the Fleece. However, Jason remains steadfast in his justifications for leaving her. Q4 The struggle that occurs in Medea II is an internal one. Medea is going back and forth between the decision of whether or not to kill her sons after they give the poisoned gifts to her mistress. She seemingly is having regrets of putting her plan into action, but in the end she strengthens her conviction and decides to go through with the murder of her offspring. The steeling of her nerves comes from a “no turning back now” mentality she gains, presented by her stating, “It is all in place: she cannot escape;/ the crown is on her head; the royal bride /revels in her new dress./ I heard it clearly.” (Euripides, 2012, p. 464). Medea vs Penelope Though the characters of Medea and Penelope can be compared and contrasted in many ways. A major difference would include their contrasting significances in each of their stories. Medea is the main character of the Athenian drama, whilst Penelope is moreso of a supporting character to Odysseus. Conversely a comparison between the two would be their loyalties. Penelope remains loyal to Odysseus throughout the entirety of the 20 years he was away. While Medea does turn on her husband, she remains loyal to him through all of his trials of retrieving the Golden Fleece and being exiled from his home. One last difference between Medea and Penelope is their composure, as Medea is constantly distraught about her husband’s betrayal while Penelope on the other hand remains relatively collected, even as she is put through the torment of the suitors. Original Question: Do you think there are more comparisons or contrasts to be made between Medea and Penelope? Sources: Euripidis. (2012). Medea. In Martin Puchner (Ed.), The Norton Anthology of World Literature (4th ed., pp. 441-472). https://ncia.wwnorton.com/169414/r/goto/cfi/222!/4 Wed, 05 Oct 2022 22:03:46 -0400