Mr. Fallon – Canto I of Dante’s Mr. Fallon – Canto I of Dante’s InfernoInferno

Canto ICanto I takes place in the Dark takes place in the Dark Wood, (which represents “Worldly Wood, (which represents “Worldly Sin”) where the character of Dante Sin”) where the character of Dante (Mankind) “came to his senses in a (Mankind) “came to his senses in a dark forest for I had lost the straight dark forest for I had lost the straight path,”(2-3). The date is April 8path,”(2-3). The date is April 8thth, , 1300, in the “middle of [his] life” 1300, in the “middle of [his] life” around the age of 35.around the age of 35.

A Hill and BeastsA Hill and Beasts

Dante (the character) sees a “hill… Dante (the character) sees a “hill… clothed already in the rays of the planet clothed already in the rays of the planet which leads men straight on every path.” which leads men straight on every path.” (24) This represents the hill that (24) This represents the hill that ascends to Salvation and Righteousness.ascends to Salvation and Righteousness.

Three Symbolic Beasts block his path:Three Symbolic Beasts block his path:Leopard – Deception/Fraud/Excessive LuxuryLeopard – Deception/Fraud/Excessive LuxuryLion – ViolenceLion – ViolenceShe-Wolf – Lust/Gluttony/IncontinenceShe-Wolf – Lust/Gluttony/Incontinence

Modern ConnectionsModern Connections The three beasts apparently represent The three beasts apparently represent

“worldly sin”, and keep mortals from rising to “worldly sin”, and keep mortals from rising to salvation. Today we see these everywhere:salvation. Today we see these everywhere: Deception/FraudDeception/Fraud: Enron, Political Scandals, Credit : Enron, Political Scandals, Credit

card fraud, Identity theft, Lyingcard fraud, Identity theft, Lying ViolenceViolence: Gang violence, School violence, : Gang violence, School violence,

Shootings, Iraq War, TerrorismShootings, Iraq War, Terrorism Incontinence/ExcessivenessIncontinence/Excessiveness: Hyper-sexuality in : Hyper-sexuality in

movies, ads, commercialism; buying of houses we movies, ads, commercialism; buying of houses we can’t afford, gas prices, Capitalism in general, can’t afford, gas prices, Capitalism in general, “keeping up with the Joneses”; Extra-Value Meals, “keeping up with the Joneses”; Extra-Value Meals, Huge portions at Restaurants, obesity; obsession Huge portions at Restaurants, obesity; obsession with medication, depression, psychological with medication, depression, psychological disorders. disorders.

A GuideA Guide

Virgil appears as a guide to Dante, and says Virgil appears as a guide to Dante, and says he will guide him through Hell and Purgatory he will guide him through Hell and Purgatory but a female entity (Beatrice) must guide but a female entity (Beatrice) must guide him into Heaven. him into Heaven.

Virgil represents: Virgil represents: the Roman poet of the Aeneid by the same name.the Roman poet of the Aeneid by the same name. Human ReasonHuman Reason

Virgil is a pagan who lived during the time of Virgil is a pagan who lived during the time of Christ and Augustus, and therefore is barred Christ and Augustus, and therefore is barred from guiding Dante into Heaven.from guiding Dante into Heaven. Dante (the poet) makes clear that Human Reason Dante (the poet) makes clear that Human Reason

alone is not enough to comprehend/enter alone is not enough to comprehend/enter Heaven. Heaven.

Gustav Dore illustration of Dante Gustav Dore illustration of Dante in the Dark Wood.in the Dark Wood.