The City of Dis: Satan's Stand

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how, beginning in Canto VIII as Virgil and Dante approach the City of Dis, their journey slows then stops at the gate. It contends that the entrance to the City of Dis causes a climactic battle between Heaven and Hell that changes the course of Dante's journey and of the poem.

From the Paper:

"The legion of rebel angels tries to persuade Virgil from his undead companion, leaving Dante to find his way out alone, if at all. At this Dante breaks the 'fourth wall' and addresses his audience directly, pleading with the reader to "but conceive of his dismay" at being left alone (94). This entire scene has a heightened sense of drama, with more fear, distress, and anxiety than any previous. Appealing directly to the audience Dante seems to be pulling the reader deeper into the scene. Dante pleads for Virgil not to forsake him, offering to quit altogether and hasten back (100). While Virgil holds council with the demons the narrative focuses on Dante and his growing fears of abandonment. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Alighieri, Dante. Inferno. Trans. Dorothy L. Sayers. Maryland: Penguin Press: Maryland, 1975. 116-127.
• Kirkpatrick, Robin. Dante's Inferno: Difficulty and Dead Poetry. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1987. 120-141.
• Payton, Rodney J. A Modern Readers Guide to Dante's Inferno. New York: Peter Lang Publishing Inc., 1992. 57-69.
• Ralphs, Sheila. Dante's Journey to the Centre. Manchester: The University Press, 1972. 14-16.

More papers on The City of Dis: Satan's Stand:

• Analytical Essay # 27803 : "The City of Joy" by Dominique Lapierre"
• Comparison Essay # 85559 : "Shallow Grave" and "The City of Lost Children"
• Analytical Essay # 59079 : "Satan's Stand"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: