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Why Virgil?—Lily Caswell

 Of all the people Dante could have picked to lead him through Hell and eventually Purgatory, why did he choose Virgil? I know that in the translation I have, it says that “But just as all seems lost, a figure appears to him. It is the shade of Virgil, Dante’s symbol of human reason.” (Dante, p 3) Why was Virgil Dante’s symbol of human reason? It’s possible that Dante chose Virgil because he was one of the greatest poets known. It may also be that Dante wanted a native Italian to lead him through part of his journey. Dante may have also wanted a fellow author and writer of an epic to lead him.  Did anyone have any thoughts on this?

I commented on Caroline’s post and Jamie’s post.

Comments

  1. Haylee LyndMarch 15, 2021 at 9:39 PM

    So I kind of wrote my blog post on this because I was wondering the same exact thing. I assume that he uses Virgil as the guide because it appears that Dante draws a lot of inspiration from Virgil's version of the underworld in The Aeneid. By writing Virgil as the guide, he gives him a little credit. I feel like there's definitely more to it, but I know this has to be part of it.

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  2. Haley RiddleMarch 15, 2021 at 9:55 PM

    I found it odd as well. I don't understand what makes Virgil significant enough for such an important role, but I think Haylee has a good point.

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