Most recent public comments by Gabriel D. Johnston https://nowcomment.com/users/128279 https://nowcomment.com/documents/330016?scroll_to=2931014 https://nowcomment.com/documents/330016?scroll_to=2931014 I personally would prefer to go on the same journey Dante experienced. The insight I would be able to learn would benefit me greatly. The journey of the Odyssey would not teach me any major life lessons compared to what Dante's journey would teach me. Being safely escorted through hell by Virgil would encourage me to live a much more religious and faithful life. Although I would witness many atrocious and horrifying things, the journey would also help me grow as a person and a follower of God. The expedition through hell would be so surreal. Knowing the outcome of the journey, I know that Virgil would guide me and protect me along the way. I know that I would eventually look upon the stars of heaven and be able to climb Mount Purgatory. An eternity in Heaven, even if I have to go through hell, is infinitely better than a journey across Greece. Tue, 18 Oct 2022 14:44:35 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/330016?scroll_to=2931011 https://nowcomment.com/documents/330016?scroll_to=2931011 Dante's attempt to climb the mountain from the dark woods is a symbolic meaning that demonstrates the sins every human must face throughout life. The dark woods are a symbolism for a life of sin. Dante attempts to leave the dark forest and reach the top of the mountain but is driven back into the life of sin by the three beasts. The three beasts represent the three deadly sins of avarice, pride, and lust. Dante sees the sun shining on a hill. The sun represents divine illumination and the hill represents the Mountain of Joy. When forced back into the dark forest, the life of sin, Dante sees a human figure. This figure is Vigil. Virgil guides Dante through hell and shows him the path to an eternal life. Dante being trapped in the life of sin, the forest, is what allows Virgil to be sent to him in order for him to be saved. This whole instance symbolizes the journey of trying to reach heaven while living a life of sin. Tue, 18 Oct 2022 14:35:06 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/330016?scroll_to=2926586 https://nowcomment.com/documents/330016?scroll_to=2926586 Question: 2 Virgil plays an essential role in Dante’s journey through hell. Virgil is a guide, protector, and mentor for Dante. Virgil acts as a symbol of human reason and wisdom which is why he makes the perfect guide for Dante. Throughout The Divine Comedy it is Virgil who safely allows Dante to pass into each circle of Hell. Virgil often has to reason and bargain with the demons to allow the two poets to travel safely. In the fifth bolgia of the eighth circle, Virgil has to negotiate with a demon for Dante’s safety. It says in text, “To protect Dante from their wrath, Virgil hides him behind some jagged rocks and goes ahead alone to negotiate with the demons.” (Dante Alighieri, 2012, p. 1018) This is only one of several instances where Virgil has to negotiate safe passage for Dante. Not only does Virgil protect Dante, he also seeks to teach him. He teaches him about each circle of Hell. The sins that led people to be placed in their circle and the punishment they receive as a result of their sins. It is clear how important Virgil was to Dante on his pilgrimage through Hell. Inferno vs The Odyssey The Odyssey and Dante’s Inferno share several similarities and differences. The two stories can be compared and contrasted using the main character's view on religion, the importance of the themes, and their respective journeys through Hell. Most notably Odysseus and Dante have two different views on religion. Odysseus is polytheistic and Dante is monotheistic. Odysseus believed in the many Greek gods, which in Christian religion falls under blasphemy. Dante believed in the one God of Christianity. Odysseus does appear in Dante’s Inferno, specifically in the eighth bolgia of the eight circle of Hell. The text states, “ all men of gift who abused their genius, perverting it to wiles and stratagems. -Their sin was to abuse the gifts of the Almighty, to steal his virtues for low purposes.” This adequately explains why Odysseus was sent to hell. The main themes of Dante’s Inferno are divine justice and the journey the soul takes to reach eternal life. This contrasts from the themes of the Odyssey which are loyalty, vengeance, and hospitality. The themes of the two stories differ as The Inferno relates to more ethereal themes and The Odyssey represents more worldly themes. Odysseus and Dante both have their own experiences with traveling through their respective Underworld or Hell. Odysseus travels to The Underworld in order to find wisdom on his journey back home through the physical world. Dante journeys through Hell in order to find the wisdom of how to overcome sin and reach Heaven. Odysseus traveled to the outer parts of his Underworld; whereas, Dante traveled through each part of Hell, to the center, and out the other side. Although they both go to their Underworld/Hell, they do so for different reasons and do so to different extents. Original Question: How does Virgil guiding Dante compare to Athena guiding Odysseus? Citation : Dante Alighieri. (2012). Inferno. In Martin Puchner (Ed.), The Norton Anthology of World Literature (4th ed., p. 930-1084). https://ncia.wwnorton.com/169414/r/goto/cfi/222!/4 Mon, 17 Oct 2022 20:33:26 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/328084?scroll_to=2922037 https://nowcomment.com/documents/328084?scroll_to=2922037 I do think Jason leaving his wife was for justifiable. Jason and Medea were banished from their previous lands and in turn their sons lives would be at risk. Jason marrying the king's daughter would therefore protect his own sons. His sons would also have money and have a well suited life. Jason leaving Medea was for the best for his kids and under good intentions. Fri, 07 Oct 2022 16:10:56 -0400