In Canto 24, Virgil gives the Pilgrim a lecture on fame, he says: “one does not gain fame sitting on down cushions, or while under coverlets; and whoever consumes his life without fame leaves a mark of himself on earth like smoke in the air or foam in water…” (canto 24, lines 46-51). This speech serves multiple purposes in this canto. First of all, it motivates the Pilgrim as a character to continue on his journey after a difficult point in which they were lied to by devils and the Pilgrim sees his master emotionally affected by this (canto 23, lines 139-141). Secondly, it highlights Christian virtues in two ways, in the first sentence: “you will have to cast off sloth in this way” (canto 24, line 46) and it outlines a non-wasteful way to use the gift of life you have been bestowed by God. The speech also serves an important purpose outside of the characters; Virgil’s encouragement for the Pilgrim to seek fame can be read as representing Dante’s act of writing the Divine Comedy, to use his life to gain fame by writing poetry. Lastly, it creates a contrast between fame (which is the best way to be remembered on earth) and infamy (which is the worst way to be remembered on earth and is how Dante writes the sinners in his poetry back into existence on earth). The next sinner Virgil and the Pilgrim encounter tells them his story reluctantly, understanding the negative image it paints of himself; before telling his story he looks at the Pilgrim “and was covered with sad shame” (canto 24, line131-132). Dante is the opposite of this sinner, as he and the Pilgrim tell their story with pride and not shame because their story (the Divine Comedy) brings them fame, while the stories of the sinners within the Comedy continue to bring them infamy as long as they are read.
Tag Archives: Canto 24
Virgil’s reassurance towards Dante
Throughout the Inferno, Virgil always helps, reassures, and gives Dante confidence in any given circumstance. Virgil also tends to baby Dante when Dante does something to please him. In Canto 23, Virgil and Dante managed to slip away from Barbariccia and the other demons that were distracted by the demons Calcabrina and Alinchino fighting. Virgil and Dante saw this as their final opportunity to leave but Dante is terrified that the demons will come and look for them since they slipped away. Virgil reassures Dante by carrying him across. In lines 37-43, Dante says “ My leader seized me quickly, like a mother who is awakened by the noise and sees the flames burning close by, who takes up her son and flees, caring more ofr him than for herself, not stopping even to put on her shift:”. Virgil reassures Dante that nothing is going to happen to them by showing him this kind of affection. Similarly, in Canto 24, Virgil pushes Dante to get moving and helps him down the rocky bank. Dante mentions that if it weren’t for Virgil, he probably would’ve given up by now. In lines 23-27 “… he opened his arms and took hold of me. And like one who uses judgement as he acts, always seeming to look ahead, so, carrying me up to the top…”, Virgil carries him again to get to the summit of the bridge. Without Virgil being there, Dante would have been completely lost and hopeless throughout each circle of hell. Additionally, in Canto 19, Virgil also happily carries Dante like a baby across the bridge. Virgil was proud of him for not sympathizing with the sinner Pope Nicolas III. Evidently, there is a recurring theme of Virgil carrying Dante in these three cantos. Nonetheless, Virgil’s reassurance is shown in the beginning of the Inferno in Cantos 2 and 8. In Canto 2, Virgil reassures Dante that everything will be okay in his journey by telling him that he was sent by his beloved Beatrice. In lines 133-136, Dante says “Oh full of pity she who has helped me! And you courteous, who have quickly obeyed the true words she offered you!”. Dante is eternally grateful to have received Virgil as his master and guide throughout his journey. Furthermore, in Canto 8, thousands of enraged sinners try to bar Dante from getting into the city of Dis because of his “alive-ness”. Virgil reassures Dante that they will get into the city of Dis. Virgil at first fails but then succeeds in the beginning of Canto 9. In lines 121-123 of Canto 8, Virgil tells Dante “And to me he said: “You, though I am angered, do not be dismayed, for I will overcome this test, however they scurry about inside to prevent it”. Virgil’s ego does take over here, but he was successful either way when they both got into the city of Dis. Thus, Virgil’s reassurance and encouragement has helped Dante face numerous obstacles throughout the Inferno.
Canto 24: Dante’s body mass is problamatic, Virgil controls his emotions & Dante still relies on Virgil
Canto 24 begins with the “simile of the villanello” as noted in the Digital Dante notes for canto 24. The villanello demonstrates Virgil’s changing expression as well as the emotional state both Virgil and Dante face. Virgil is angry but his anger is not directed to Dante. Virgil is like a farmer who is running low on food and can’t maintain his animals so he needs his animals to graze and is appalled by the sight of frost because the grass will be covered by snow. This is shown when Dante writes, “when on the ground the frost copies the image of her white sister, but her pen retains its temper only briefly, the peasant, his provisions running short, rises to look, and sees the fields all white; and he strikes his thigh…” (Canto 24, lines 4-19). But the frost disappears quickly in the morning sun, therefore the grass can be seen and the farmer (Virgil) is suddenly overpowered with joy. Realizing how treacherous the bridge is, Virgil takes some time to consult himself and study the ruin of the bridge well. Then Virgil helps Dante across, lifting him up onto various boulders and teaching Dante to find secure places where he can put his feet to push himself up. When they finally make it across, Dante says “My breath was so milked from my lungs when I arrived there that I could go no further, but rather sat down as soon as we arrived” (canto 24, lines 43-46). Dante is dependent upon his master not only for physical help, but also for spiritual guidance and moral support. Similar to previous cantos, Dante gains reassurance from Virgil because Virgil’s actions and words can make Dante feel serene because Dante feels the same security in Virgil as when he first met him. Instantaneously when Virgil’s anger vanishes so does Dante’s anxiety. Once Virgil gains his composure, he reveals he is capable of measuring an amount of control over his emotions. This contrasts with the way in which most of the sinners in Hell are prey to their emotions and physical desires such as anger, lust, greed, and so forth. Although Virgil is in one circle of Hell, he is only there because he is not a Christian; he is a pagan. Virgil, however, uses his willpower to master his emotions. Throughout the poem, the ability to master emotions is seen to be a uniquely human characteristic that identifies with human ability.
Virgil congratulates Dante on his efforts and tells him “And therefore stand up; conquer your panting with the spirit that conquers in every battle, if it does not let the heavy body crush it down” (canto 24, lines 52-54). The climb to the next bridge presents problems. Virgil is weightless, but he has to give very careful directions for Dante because Dante has body mass so he needs test each rock before he puts his entire weight on it because the bridge can collapse. Here, as seen in other cantos, the body is considered to be an impediment, because the body represents a physical weight that the spirit must carry around and that threatens at times to overcome the spirit. Similarly, as noted in canto 8 when Dante the pilgrim states “My leader stepped down into the boat and then had me enter after him; and only when I was aboard did it seem laden. As soon as my leader and I were in the bark, the ancient prow set forth, cutting more of the water than it does with others” (canto 8, lines 27-30). Dante tries to cross the Styx river by boat but at first is denied by Phlegyas because Dante is still alive and therefore his body remains with him throughout his journey. Only Dante the pilgrim has a body weight to the boat and therefore the boat sinks lower into the water because of his weight index.
