

Virgil wants the freedom to temporarily leave Limbo and forget about his eternal sentence to remain in that depressing environment. Instead, Virgil only wants to help himself by obeying Beatrice and placing Dante back on the True Way. Helping Beatrice or Dante does not aid Virgil in any way considering he is destined to spend eternity in Limbo. Virgil’s reply is so immediate and eager that it seems suspicious. She explains the situation, and Virgil answers her plea, saying, “so welcome is your command that to my sense, / were it already fulfilled, it would yet seem tardy, / I understand, and am all obedience” (37). One may assume that Virgil decides to assist the fallen poet because Beatrice descends from Heaven to ask Virgil for this favor.

However, it is surprising that Virgil would help Dante, considering he has no prior knowledge of this man. Dante trusts Virgil and will listen to the advice he has to offer. Beatrice chooses Virgil to help Dante since Virgil is respected and admired by Dante. He cannot find his way out without assistance. Dante is trapped in the dark woods, which he describes as a “valley of evil” (28). It is apparent early in Inferno that Dante needs someone to help him. This kind of connection between the two main characters allows Virgil to show Dante how to find the True Way and implies a universal relationship between God and humanity. Specifically, a father and son relationship forms between Virgil and Dante. A biased relationship develops between the two characters, where one individual becomes more dependent on the relationship than the other. Virgil shows Dante the consequences of sin and instructs him to speak with many of the suffering sinners they encounter. Virgil rescues Dante, and these two characters develop a unique relationship as they journey towards the center of the Earth. She tells Virgil, “my dearest friend has strayed / onto a friendless shore and stands beset / by such distresses that he turns afraid / from the True Way” (Dante 36). Beatrice, Dante’s real-life love who resides in Heaven, becomes worried about Dante and urges Virgil to restore his morality and virtue. Virgil first encounters Dante at the beginning of Inferno when Dante strays from the True Way, a term used by Beatrice to represent a righteous and religious life.

GMAT Study Plan for Working ProfessionalsIn Dante’s Inferno, Virgil, the Roman poet, guides Dante through Hell. Monday, May 8,ġ1:30am NY 3:30pm London 9pm Mumbai ✅ Subscribe to us on YouTube AND Get Forum Quiz FREE for 7 Days ✅ Piyush helps busy professionals create a personalised, step-by-step GMAT study plan with clear deadlines and targets to achieve 750 GMAT score or higher before Round 1.
