Intellect In Dante's Inferno
The main point Dante is trying to iterate in the Inferno, is the belief that all sins result in losing the good of the intellect. The good of the intellect in Dante’s view, refers to a relationship with God, which is something he lacks. Beginning with the Inferno, Dante starts his journey through the nine circles where he comes into contact with numerous different shades, each committing different sins in their previous life. Starting in Canto One, he sees three different animals who are believed to portray different sins. After this interaction, he meets the shade who will lead him through his journey to strengthen his relationship with God and develop the good of the intellect. This man is Virgil, and while he does not have the perfect view
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In Canto Eight, we see Dante and Virgil entering a boat to cross the Styx. As they trek across the channel, a sinner rises out of the mud and questions Dante (8.31). This question leads to Dante reacting harshly towards the sinner. Dante says, “And I to him: ‘If I come, I do not remain; but who are you, who have become so foul?’ He replied: ‘You see that I am one who weeps.’/ And I to him: ‘With weeping and mourning, cursed spirit, now remain; for I recognize you, though you are filthy all over.’ ” (8.34-37). This sinner is found out to be Filippo Argenti, a political enemy of Dante. This may be the reason for Dante to act so harsh towards Argenti. It is also known that Filippo Argenti’s brother gained some of Dante’s land when it was confiscated (Martinez and Durling 136). This may have also added to the anger that Dante held towards the sinner. Later on in this interaction, Filippo Argenti is getting attacked by the other sinners in the water (8.58). This is an obvious animalistic behavior as people of the same origin are attacking another individual without reason. After he is attacked, Filippo later turned and bit himself to put him out of his misery. Again, this is another attribute of an animal, this time an act more out of passion than reason. No just individual would ever find it reasonable to turn and inflict harm onto oneself. In Canto 34, Dante reaches the ninth circle of Hell and approaches the man who creates all sin, Lucifer. When we first meet Lucifer, he is seen crying from all three of his heads, while he eats sinners (34.52-55). In obvious reasons, this is the ultimate act of animalistic behavior. Being as Lucifer is the creator of sin, it makes sense that he portrays the most intense animalistic behavior. It also makes sense that he acts this way as he has lost the most good of the intellect.
In Canto Eight, we see Dante and Virgil entering a boat to cross the Styx. As they trek across the channel, a sinner rises out of the mud and questions Dante (8.31). This question leads to Dante reacting harshly towards the sinner. Dante says, “And I to him: ‘If I come, I do not remain; but who are you, who have become so foul?’ He replied: ‘You see that I am one who weeps.’/ And I to him: ‘With weeping and mourning, cursed spirit, now remain; for I recognize you, though you are filthy all over.’ ” (8.34-37). This sinner is found out to be Filippo Argenti, a political enemy of Dante. This may be the reason for Dante to act so harsh towards Argenti. It is also known that Filippo Argenti’s brother gained some of Dante’s land when it was confiscated (Martinez and Durling 136). This may have also added to the anger that Dante held towards the sinner. Later on in this interaction, Filippo Argenti is getting attacked by the other sinners in the water (8.58). This is an obvious animalistic behavior as people of the same origin are attacking another individual without reason. After he is attacked, Filippo later turned and bit himself to put him out of his misery. Again, this is another attribute of an animal, this time an act more out of passion than reason. No just individual would ever find it reasonable to turn and inflict harm onto oneself. In Canto 34, Dante reaches the ninth circle of Hell and approaches the man who creates all sin, Lucifer. When we first meet Lucifer, he is seen crying from all three of his heads, while he eats sinners (34.52-55). In obvious reasons, this is the ultimate act of animalistic behavior. Being as Lucifer is the creator of sin, it makes sense that he portrays the most intense animalistic behavior. It also makes sense that he acts this way as he has lost the most good of the intellect.