Literature Analysis V: Dante's Inferno

Dante's Inferno, by Dante Alghieri

I. Dante's Inferno, which is narrated by Dante Alighieri himself, is an epic revolving his voyage into Hell. In this piece of literature Hell is broken into 9 circles. Each circle serves as a containment for specific types of sinners. While Dante descends through the circles of Hell he meets historical figures. For example he meets Aristotle in the first circle which is Limbo. A place for the unbaptised. Further down he reaches the 9th circle which is home to betrayed, among them is Judas being eaten by Lucifer. The narration serves a major part in the epic because it serves as a way of depicting everything as if it was a real experience. He places his own thoughts through the depiction of the trip down Hell.

II. The theme to Dante's Inferno can be seen as one's actions have a great impact on one's life. The theme can also be that maybe morality is what keeps everything structured. Both of these themes have support for example the concept of Hell is basically that sinners get what they deserve in exchange of their heinous decisions. Morality can also be supported sunset everyone that had "broken" morals was stuck in a place of chaos and were full of remorse.

III. The author's tone throughout the piece of literature is that of enlightenment and a somber tone revolving around the acts and portrayls of suffering he has witnessed. For example Dante is never shown cheerful but rather he is shown being to interested with how everything is in Hell. Another example is the whole portayal of Dante's narration of the epic, he always has a serious tone.

IV. Five literary techniques that support that the tone is somber and serious would be allusions to religion of course. The biggest allusion made is Heaven and Hell. Around the beginning Dante reaches the gates of Hell which read, "Abandon all thy hope ye who enters." somewhat of a bleak sentence demonstrating the undertones of the epic. Another technique is the structure used. It is in Iambic pentameter, but the way the words where chosen amplifies the tone of the literature, this can also be seen as syntax and diction. Another technique used would be imagery. We are constantly depicted images of demons, people suffering, and death in the epic. This also supports the somber tones of the literature piece.
The fourth technique is the mood created or rather atmosphere created. There is not much joyful depictions in this. Lastly there is the sequences of trips. For example as Dante descends into hell, so does the humanity. Each realm depicts a darker side of man until in the end we realize we are all like what is depicted. Thus creating a very dark somber tone.