Into the Inferno Feraco Myth to Science Fiction 27 October 2011.

Into the InfernoInto the Inferno

FeracoFeraco

Myth to Science FictionMyth to Science Fiction

27 October 201127 October 2011

Dante was born in late May or early Dante was born in late May or early June of 1265, under the constellation June of 1265, under the constellation GeminiGemini

His mother would pass away five His mother would pass away five years later, with his father following years later, with his father following roughly a decade laterroughly a decade later

Dante was parentless before he Dante was parentless before he reached what we consider the age of reached what we consider the age of adulthoodadulthood

HistoryHistory

HungerHunger When one reads When one reads The InfernoThe Inferno, Dante , Dante

clearly wants the reader to avoid the clearly wants the reader to avoid the misery of isolationmisery of isolation He believed very strongly in the idea of He believed very strongly in the idea of

belonging to something larger (i.e., belonging to something larger (i.e., society) and drew comfort from thatsociety) and drew comfort from that

One wonders if his familial history One wonders if his familial history contributes to his ideascontributes to his ideas

Fortunately, his father remarried Fortunately, his father remarried before he died, providing Dante with before he died, providing Dante with both additional company and both additional company and educational opportunitieseducational opportunities

Dante’s literary studies as a youth Dante’s literary studies as a youth brought him into close contact with many brought him into close contact with many significant writers, although scholars significant writers, although scholars differ vociferously as to who actually differ vociferously as to who actually influenced Danteinfluenced Dante

Brunetto Latini (who we find in the third Brunetto Latini (who we find in the third round of the seventh circle) taught Dante round of the seventh circle) taught Dante “how man becomes eternal” – i.e. how “how man becomes eternal” – i.e. how man can live on forever through his man can live on forever through his impact on the world, such as through impact on the world, such as through writingwriting

Dante also met Guido Cavalcanti, another Dante also met Guido Cavalcanti, another poet of renown, at this time; Cavalcanti poet of renown, at this time; Cavalcanti would play a pivotal role in the futurewould play a pivotal role in the future

Scholarly MentorsScholarly Mentors

As a boy, Dante also encountered a As a boy, Dante also encountered a girl named Beatrice Portinarigirl named Beatrice Portinari

He first met her at the age of nine, He first met her at the age of nine, and instantly fell in love; he did not and instantly fell in love; he did not see her again until she was 18see her again until she was 18

Beatrice married – and died – young, Beatrice married – and died – young, passing away at 25passing away at 25

She appears in Dante’s works She appears in Dante’s works alternately as the object of his love alternately as the object of his love and as the inspiration for his artand as the inspiration for his art

First LoveFirst Love

Dante entered a world – medieval Dante entered a world – medieval Florence, Italy – that was coming apart at Florence, Italy – that was coming apart at the seamsthe seams

We see Florentine society divide along We see Florentine society divide along factional fault lines time and again during factional fault lines time and again during the 13the 13thth and 14 and 14thth centuries, like a cell that centuries, like a cell that continues dividing without properly continues dividing without properly replacing the substance it’s lostreplacing the substance it’s lost

The first divides appeared – as they The first divides appeared – as they always seem to – between those who always seem to – between those who craved change and those who wished to craved change and those who wished to preserve the status quopreserve the status quo

The World Around HimThe World Around Him

Prior to Dante’s birth, Florence operated as a Prior to Dante’s birth, Florence operated as a largely feudal – and stratified – societylargely feudal – and stratified – society

As Florence’s trade market boomed, the feudal As Florence’s trade market boomed, the feudal underclass grew wealthier, and the city’s cultural underclass grew wealthier, and the city’s cultural makeup began shifting as they integrated makeup began shifting as they integrated themselves into the Florentine economythemselves into the Florentine economy

There were forces that wished to see society fall There were forces that wished to see society fall under even more direct church control (the under even more direct church control (the Guelphs) and landed aristocrats who swore to Guelphs) and landed aristocrats who swore to uphold the principles of feudalism and service to uphold the principles of feudalism and service to an emperor (the Ghibellines)an emperor (the Ghibellines)

The Ghibellines supported the old order, while The Ghibellines supported the old order, while the Guelphs supported the newthe Guelphs supported the new

As these things often go, new supplanted old, old As these things often go, new supplanted old, old tried to re-supplant new and failed, and new tried to re-supplant new and failed, and new proceeded to try establishing a death grip on the proceeded to try establishing a death grip on the power it just obtainedpower it just obtained

Society ShiftsSociety Shifts

The Guelphs eventually drove the The Guelphs eventually drove the Ghibellines from power, and Ghibellines from power, and successfully repelled counterattacks successfully repelled counterattacks over the next few years – including a over the next few years – including a particularly effective one a year after particularly effective one a year after Dante entered the worldDante entered the world This was led by Farinata degli Uberti, This was led by Farinata degli Uberti,

whom Dante will see in Hellwhom Dante will see in Hell As the years passed, Florence As the years passed, Florence

became an almost-uniformly Guelph became an almost-uniformly Guelph citycity

Out, Ghibellines!Out, Ghibellines!

Dante’s family, while nominally composed Dante’s family, while nominally composed of Guelphs, wasn’t very politically activeof Guelphs, wasn’t very politically active Dante, however, wasDante, however, was

We see him enroll in the Guild of We see him enroll in the Guild of Physicians and Apothecaries – one had to Physicians and Apothecaries – one had to be a Guild member in order to serve in be a Guild member in order to serve in government – and quickly ascend the government – and quickly ascend the political ladderpolitical ladder

He even marries Gemma Donati and He even marries Gemma Donati and begins fathering childrenbegins fathering children He confesses in later works that he felt He confesses in later works that he felt

unfaithful to Beatrice’s memory as a resultunfaithful to Beatrice’s memory as a result

Dante’s AscentDante’s Ascent

In the meantime, the dominant Guelphs, In the meantime, the dominant Guelphs, having grown complacent after thirty having grown complacent after thirty years of unchallenged power, began to years of unchallenged power, began to split into factionssplit into factions

By the time Dante had moved from an By the time Dante had moved from an ambassadorial position to a spot as a ambassadorial position to a spot as a supreme magistrate (a.k.a. “prior”) in supreme magistrate (a.k.a. “prior”) in 1300, Guelph unity had given way to the 1300, Guelph unity had given way to the Neri (“Blacks”) and Bianchi (“Whites”) Neri (“Blacks”) and Bianchi (“Whites”) factionsfactions

Corso Donati – Gemma’s brother – led the Corso Donati – Gemma’s brother – led the Blacks, while Guido Cavalcanti led the Blacks, while Guido Cavalcanti led the WhitesWhites

Neri vs. BianchiNeri vs. Bianchi

Dante only needed to serve as a prior for Dante only needed to serve as a prior for two months; the role, although extremely two months; the role, although extremely elite (only six men served as priors at any elite (only six men served as priors at any given moment), was a short-lived one if given moment), was a short-lived one if one proved ineffectiveone proved ineffective

He was a moderate White, a member of He was a moderate White, a member of the dominant factionthe dominant faction

When the priors moved to dispel some of When the priors moved to dispel some of the tensions by banishing Corso and the tensions by banishing Corso and Guido, Dante went along with themGuido, Dante went along with them Interesting, considering that betrayal serves Interesting, considering that betrayal serves

as the sin he punishes most viciously in as the sin he punishes most viciously in The The InfernoInferno

The CompromiseThe Compromise

Having lost a great deal of influence Having lost a great deal of influence during this particular period, the Blacks during this particular period, the Blacks decided to make a power playdecided to make a power play

They were more loyal to Pope Boniface They were more loyal to Pope Boniface VIII – a man who would become Dante’s VIII – a man who would become Dante’s arch-nemesis – and begged him for arch-nemesis – and begged him for interventionintervention

Boniface, as well as the larger church, Boniface, as well as the larger church, craved more control over Florence and its craved more control over Florence and its politicspolitics

To achieve this end, Boniface sent a To achieve this end, Boniface sent a “peacemaker”, Charles of Valois, who “peacemaker”, Charles of Valois, who assumed direct control in the Pope’s nameassumed direct control in the Pope’s name

The Church Seeks Earthly PowerThe Church Seeks Earthly Power

He allowed the Blacks to take power once he He allowed the Blacks to take power once he situated himself in Florence (over the Whites’ situated himself in Florence (over the Whites’ vociferous objections), and the Neri faction vociferous objections), and the Neri faction immediately began murdering and pillaging immediately began murdering and pillaging its old rivalsits old rivals

This power shift quickly gave way to a series This power shift quickly gave way to a series of trials meant to purge remaining White of trials meant to purge remaining White elements from the systemelements from the system

When the trials began, Dante had already When the trials began, Dante had already traveled outside of Florence as part of a traveled outside of Florence as part of a group intending to “group intending to “appeal for a change in appeal for a change in papal policy towards the city and to protest papal policy towards the city and to protest the machinations of the Neri”the machinations of the Neri”

He was convicted of crimes in absentia – graft He was convicted of crimes in absentia – graft (essentially skimming money he was (essentially skimming money he was supposed to allot for other purposes) and supposed to allot for other purposes) and corruption (fraudulent activity in office) – that corruption (fraudulent activity in office) – that pop up again in Malebolgepop up again in Malebolge

Charles Takes OverCharles Takes Over

At first, Dante stayed away voluntarily, At first, Dante stayed away voluntarily, apparently hoping that things would blow apparently hoping that things would blow over (an unrealistic hope, considering that over (an unrealistic hope, considering that the Pope silently backed Charles’s moves)the Pope silently backed Charles’s moves)

When he was sentenced to immolation in When he was sentenced to immolation in 1302, his exile became mandatory1302, his exile became mandatory

““To [Dante], a penniless exile convicted of To [Dante], a penniless exile convicted of a felony, separated under pain of death a felony, separated under pain of death from home, family, and friends, his life from home, family, and friends, his life seemed to have been cut off in the seemed to have been cut off in the middle.”middle.”

Between the time of his exile and his Between the time of his exile and his death in 1321, Dante traveled all over death in 1321, Dante traveled all over Italy, staying with patrons, studying Italy, staying with patrons, studying philosophy, and writing while eying philosophy, and writing while eying Florence’s still-turbulent politicsFlorence’s still-turbulent politics

I Am In ExileI Am In Exile

Other exiles pinned their hopes on the various Other exiles pinned their hopes on the various fights that still broke out between the fights that still broke out between the Ghibellines and the dominant BlacksGhibellines and the dominant Blacks

Dante refused to turn on his city, choosing Dante refused to turn on his city, choosing instead to reject all party designations and instead to reject all party designations and become “a party by himself”become “a party by himself”

But in 1315, the Ghibellines had gathered their But in 1315, the Ghibellines had gathered their strength and attacked the Guelphs once more; strength and attacked the Guelphs once more; this led to Dante’s branding as a Ghibelline and this led to Dante’s branding as a Ghibelline and a rebel (this was also true of many other a rebel (this was also true of many other “enemies”), crimes punishable by decapitation“enemies”), crimes punishable by decapitation

While his sons had previously been spared While his sons had previously been spared punishment, they were also included in the punishment, they were also included in the sentence – even though they never saw Dante sentence – even though they never saw Dante after 1302after 1302

Away from HereAway from Here

Yet one year later – 1316 – Dante Yet one year later – 1316 – Dante was offered a chance to return to was offered a chance to return to FlorenceFlorence

All he had to do was meet certain All he had to do was meet certain conditions, conditions which conditions, conditions which happened to be designed to happened to be designed to humiliate him (the public payment of humiliate him (the public payment of a heavy fine, the public performance a heavy fine, the public performance of penance, etc.)of penance, etc.)

Dante refusedDante refused

Come Back HomeCome Back Home

Burning BridgesBurning BridgesIs this, then, the glorious recall of Dante Is this, then, the glorious recall of Dante

Alighieri to his native city, after the Alighieri to his native city, after the miseries of nearly fifteen years of miseries of nearly fifteen years of exile?...No! This is not the way for me to exile?...No! This is not the way for me to return to my country. If another can be return to my country. If another can be found that does not derogate from the found that does not derogate from the fame and honor of Dante, that will I take fame and honor of Dante, that will I take with no lagging steps. But if by no such with no lagging steps. But if by no such way Florence may be entered, then will I way Florence may be entered, then will I enter Florence never. What! Can I not enter Florence never. What! Can I not everywhere behold the sun and stars? Can everywhere behold the sun and stars? Can I not under any sky meditate on the most I not under any sky meditate on the most precious truths, without first rendering precious truths, without first rendering myself inglorious, nay ignominious, in the myself inglorious, nay ignominious, in the eyes of the people and city of Florence? eyes of the people and city of Florence?

The Bitter EndThe Bitter End Dante’s time with his patrons (most notably Dante’s time with his patrons (most notably

Cangrande della Scala, a man Dante greatly Cangrande della Scala, a man Dante greatly admired and hoped would lead Florence out of admired and hoped would lead Florence out of its darkness) came to an end when he grew sick its darkness) came to an end when he grew sick and died at the age of 56 of malariaand died at the age of 56 of malaria He didn’t quite make it through his “alloted” 70 years He didn’t quite make it through his “alloted” 70 years

(although, in all fairness, he couldn’t have foreseen such (although, in all fairness, he couldn’t have foreseen such a thing while writing a thing while writing The InfernoThe Inferno))

Even so, Dante embodies Latini’s lesson; our Even so, Dante embodies Latini’s lesson; our fascination with him is greater than with any fascination with him is greater than with any other figure from his eraother figure from his era

He left a philosophical, linguistic, and literary He left a philosophical, linguistic, and literary legacy that would be the envy of any man – a legacy that would be the envy of any man – a legacy we’ll study in greater detail as we legacy we’ll study in greater detail as we continue examining his most enduring workcontinue examining his most enduring work

Into HellInto Hell As for his famous creation, Dante As for his famous creation, Dante

doesn’t invent Hell so much as remix doesn’t invent Hell so much as remix itit

He takes the general idea of an He takes the general idea of an afterlife reserved for those who afterlife reserved for those who deserved punishment and fused it deserved punishment and fused it with both old ideas and his own with both old ideas and his own concepts regarding justice and concepts regarding justice and moralitymorality

Leopards and LionsLeopards and Lions Aristotle, for example, inspired Dante’s Aristotle, for example, inspired Dante’s

hierarchy of incontinence, viciousness hierarchy of incontinence, viciousness (“brutishness”), and malice; we have the (“brutishness”), and malice; we have the She-Wolf, the Lion, and the LeopardShe-Wolf, the Lion, and the Leopard In some translations, the Leopard represents In some translations, the Leopard represents

incontinence, and the she-wolf represents fraudincontinence, and the she-wolf represents fraud This may explain the apparent inconsistency between This may explain the apparent inconsistency between

how greatly Dante fears the she-wolf and how “mildly” how greatly Dante fears the she-wolf and how “mildly” his Hell treats sins of incontinence; another explanation his Hell treats sins of incontinence; another explanation could simply be that Dante tends to ease up on the sins could simply be that Dante tends to ease up on the sins he feels more personally tied to…he feels more personally tied to…

Sins of incontinence or desire are Sins of incontinence or desire are punished in circles two through five, those punished in circles two through five, those whose sins involved violence occupy circle whose sins involved violence occupy circle seven, and perpetrators of fraud are seven, and perpetrators of fraud are consigned to circles eight and nineconsigned to circles eight and nine

Doctrine and CreativityDoctrine and Creativity Having established fairly Aristotlean foundations Having established fairly Aristotlean foundations

for his Hell, Dante turns to medieval Christian for his Hell, Dante turns to medieval Christian doctrine in order to identify both which sins doctrine in order to identify both which sins should be cataloged and where each belongsshould be cataloged and where each belongs

This is why we see most of the Seven Deadly This is why we see most of the Seven Deadly Sins, and why even the Virtuous Pagans – those Sins, and why even the Virtuous Pagans – those who were good people, but who lacked faith – who were good people, but who lacked faith – end up in Limbo, the first circleend up in Limbo, the first circle

With that said, Dante does add his own touches With that said, Dante does add his own touches to Hellto Hell

Limbo, for example, had been pre-established Limbo, for example, had been pre-established within doctrine – but it was meant for the souls within doctrine – but it was meant for the souls of, say, unbaptized childrenof, say, unbaptized children

Dante’s placement of the great artists who’d Dante’s placement of the great artists who’d lived and died before Christ’s birth in the same lived and died before Christ’s birth in the same circle represents some fairly significant circle represents some fairly significant editorializing on his parteditorializing on his part

Ripped and BanishedRipped and Banished Another one of Dante’s touches is more Another one of Dante’s touches is more

chilling; he argues that those who betray chilling; he argues that those who betray their guests have their souls ripped from their guests have their souls ripped from their bodies at the moment of betrayal, their bodies at the moment of betrayal, and that demons inhabit their empty and that demons inhabit their empty shells from then on shells from then on

Finally, Dante’s “vestibule” – the place Finally, Dante’s “vestibule” – the place just outside of Hell reserved for cowards, just outside of Hell reserved for cowards, as well as the angels who did not side as well as the angels who did not side with God – is his own inventionwith God – is his own invention

Given the events of Dante’s life, it’s not Given the events of Dante’s life, it’s not surprising that he’s disgusted with those surprising that he’s disgusted with those whose morals are defined by their whose morals are defined by their opportunism, and who refuse to choose opportunism, and who refuse to choose between good and evilbetween good and evil

Physical vs. MentalPhysical vs. Mental Dante now has a conceptual framework of Dante now has a conceptual framework of

Hell, rationale for its organization, and an Hell, rationale for its organization, and an idea of where he’ll go over the course of idea of where he’ll go over the course of his journey. his journey.

But what goes But what goes inin Hell? Even though it’s an Hell? Even though it’s an allegory, we can only buy into it if we allegory, we can only buy into it if we believe in the physical experiences Dante believe in the physical experiences Dante presentspresents

The InfernoThe Inferno documents a spiritual journey documents a spiritual journey exclusively in physical metaphor, so Hell exclusively in physical metaphor, so Hell can’t just be a conceptual place – it needs can’t just be a conceptual place – it needs to be populatedto be populated

ConnectionConnection We have to sense things – see great We have to sense things – see great

beasts, confront monsters, witness beasts, confront monsters, witness torments – and shudder at the horrors we torments – and shudder at the horrors we experience; then, and only then, can we experience; then, and only then, can we begin unpacking what each thing “really begin unpacking what each thing “really means”means”

This was a book born of anguish, an This was a book born of anguish, an attempt by a single man to resolve the attempt by a single man to resolve the questions that harried him; unless we questions that harried him; unless we engage with engage with The InfernoThe Inferno at an emotional at an emotional (as well as intellectual) level, we can (as well as intellectual) level, we can never connect with Dante at hisnever connect with Dante at his

Back to VirgilBack to Virgil In order to fill his empty Hell, Dante In order to fill his empty Hell, Dante

reaches back into mythology, religious reaches back into mythology, religious texts, and epicstexts, and epics

Virgil’s Virgil’s AeneidAeneid, which features a , which features a protagonist’s visit to the Land of the protagonist’s visit to the Land of the Dead, provides both a point of comparison Dead, provides both a point of comparison and contrastand contrast

While Virgil’s underworld was much less While Virgil’s underworld was much less physically realistic than Dante’s, the physically realistic than Dante’s, the various creatures, rivers, and various creatures, rivers, and geographical features the former geographical features the former employed serve much the same purpose in employed serve much the same purpose in The InfernoThe Inferno

Shared CharactersShared Characters Raffa notes that Dante and Virgil both use Raffa notes that Dante and Virgil both use

Charon, Minos, Cerberus, Plutus, Charon, Minos, Cerberus, Plutus, Phlegyas, the Furies, the Minotaur, the Phlegyas, the Furies, the Minotaur, the Centaurs, the Harpies, Geryon, and the Centaurs, the Harpies, Geryon, and the GiantsGiants

Each serves both as allusion and as Each serves both as allusion and as metaphor within Dante’s allegorymetaphor within Dante’s allegory

Clearly, Dante’s choice of Virgil as his Clearly, Dante’s choice of Virgil as his guide through Hell isn’t arbitrary; who guide through Hell isn’t arbitrary; who better to know how to deal with the better to know how to deal with the monsters we find than the man who monsters we find than the man who documented them over a millennium ago?documented them over a millennium ago?

The Inferno: Fire & IceThe Inferno: Fire & Ice To summarize, Dante’s Hell is both To summarize, Dante’s Hell is both

his own and not his own, a fusion of his own and not his own, a fusion of original thought and respect for the original thought and respect for the stories of the paststories of the past

Dante’s journey through it, however, Dante’s journey through it, however, is his own – and it’s that journey is his own – and it’s that journey through fire and ice that we’ll study through fire and ice that we’ll study for the next few weeks!for the next few weeks!