Image by Doré, Gustave, 1890
http://www.worldofdante.org/pop_up_query.php?dbid=I008&show=more
I found this image browsing through the resources available at https://divinecomedy19.commons.gc.cuny.edu
This image presents Dante and Virgil walking together in a dark wood and being followed by a she wolf who is the allegory of greed. This image is very interesting because it symbolizes the beginning of Dante’s journey through Hell, Purgatory and then Heaven. Virgil, the ancient poet, will be his guide and protector.
“Thus for your good I think and judge that you
shall follow me, and I shall be your guide, and I will
lead you from here through an eternal place,”
(112-114)
Dante, a thirty five year old man (“In the middle of the journey of our life” where life expectancy at that time was about seventy years) finds himself in the middle of a dark, gloomy wood. Half asleep, he is confused about how it happened but soon enough he realizes that he is lost because of his own actions and wrong choices. Dark wood is the allegory of the world dominated by sin and wrong doings. Dante wakes up in this scary and hopeless place because of his bad choices in life and going down the wrong path, away from God. Disoriented and fearful, he starts walking and looking for the exit. He notices the hill and the sun rising above it (the Sun symbolizes God, which lightens the deep darkness that Dante is surrounded with. It also gives him hope). The main character is trying to attempt to climb the hill but unfortunately three beasts that appear out of nowhere make it impossible. These three beasts – a leopard, lion and she wolf, represent deadly sins which are obstacles in real life to getting through to God. A she wolf, the allegory of greed, seems to be the most dangerous and aggressive. She is trying to push Dante into dark abyss but unexpectedly he is saved by his master – Virgil. The Roman poet offers his help and is willing to lead Dante to God. In other words, he will be Dante’s guide in a difficult journey. Dante is also informed that the only way to get to God is grueling and leads through Hell, Purgatory and then Heaven where he will meet his new guide, his beloved Beatrice.
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