In Dante's inferno, why does Dante have to get rid of his feelings of sympathy and pity toward sin and sinners in order to grow?
http://www.sparknotes.com/poetry/inferno
I've never read this. I hope you can find help in this website.
In Dante's Inferno, the protagonist Dante embarks on a journey through Hell as part of his pilgrimage towards spiritual enlightenment. Throughout his descent into the depths of hell, Dante encounters numerous sinful souls and witnesses their punishments. In order to understand why Dante needs to relinquish his feelings of sympathy and pity toward sinners, we need to dive deeper into the themes and purpose of the Inferno.
Dante's Inferno is heavily influenced by medieval Christian beliefs and the concept of Divine Justice. The poem portrays Hell as a place of perfect justice, where sinners receive punishments explicitly tailored to their sins. Therefore, it is crucial for Dante to distance himself from sympathy and pity, as such emotions might cloud his understanding of the righteous judgment passed upon sinners.
By shedding his feelings of sympathy and pity, Dante can objectively judge and comprehend the consequences of sinful actions. This detachment allows him to analyze the moral implications of sin and understand the necessity of Divine Justice. Dante's own personal growth arises from his recognition that sympathy can often cloud one's perception of right and wrong, hindering a true understanding of justice.
Furthermore, Dante's journey through Hell serves as an allegory for the Christian soul's journey from sin to salvation. By witnessing the consequences of various sins and understanding their impact, Dante progresses spiritually. His ability to cast aside sympathy and pity helps him detach from the allure of sin, allowing him to gain a deeper understanding of the importance of repentance and seek redemption.
To understand this theme within Dante's Inferno, it is essential to read the text carefully, examining the interactions between Dante and the sinners he encounters, as well as the descriptions of their punishments. Analyzing Dante's own reactions and emotional development throughout the poem provides insight into why shedding sympathy and pity is crucial for his growth.
Ultimately, Dante's abandonment of sympathetic emotions allows him to undergo a transformative process, enabling him to navigate through the circles of Hell and eventually ascend towards salvation.