Perception Dante Alighieri’s in The Inferno Essay

Perception Dante Alighieri’s in The Inferno In The Inferno, Dante Alighieri, the poet, places a strong emphasis on perception; it is through sight that Dante the pilgrim can acknowledge and learn from his experience in hell. Sight plays an especially crucial role in the work because Dante, the pilgrim, is often captivated by an image of some kind. The sight of the sinners transfixes Dante; and the sinners are, in turn, captivated with Dante and Virgil. It would seem that everything Dante observes through his journey would be enlightening. However, through the admonishments of Virgil, it becomes apparent that there exist two distinct ways of perceiving: practical, active observation and unreceptive, disadvantageous perception. It is†¦show more content†¦Through his active perception, he acquires information that he can take back with him to use in his earthly life. With this type of perception, comes recognition, awareness, and self-knowledge. For instance, in Canto XVIII, Virgil advises Dante to look and learn from a sinner: Then my leader gave me advice: ‘Extend your gaze a little farther ahead, So that your eyes may fully observe the face Of that disheveled strumpet.’ (149) This moment illustrates Virgil’s idea of good perception as seeing and learning because it is one of the rare times Virgil calls for Dante to observe a specific figure. According to Virgil, Dante is to learn from the penalties of the sinners so he can improve his life on Earth. This method of perceiving differs from a vulgar stare. In Canto XVI, Virgil advises Dante: One must take care with those who have the wit / not only to observe the action, but see / the thought as well (133). This advice suggests that in observing one must look further than the superficial. The correct perception also comes with a time limit. Dante is never allowed to linger overlong at a particular image. For instance, after guiding Dante’s gaze over to the strumpet, Virgil quickly concludes: and let our sight be satisfied with that (149). In order to perceive figures correctly, the exchange must be brief and informative. Practical, beneficialShow MoreRelatedAgamemnan, The Inferno, Don Quixote Essay1232 Words   |  5 PagesAgamemnon, The Inferno, and Don Quixote may seem to be vastly different stories written across centuries of time and within incongruous cultures but the three tales share related themes. * Set among the ruling family of Argos, Aeschylus’s Agamemnon examines the topic of justice: ancient eye-for-an-eye progressing toward modern disinterested justice, attributing all to the gods. Similarly, in Dante Alighieri’s Inferno each sinner is placed in a punishment to fit his crime: divine perfection of justiceRead MoreThe Pain Scale By Eula Biss1348 Words   |  6 Pagesessay, she also attempts to equate the pain scale to something that seems much more insidious. 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