At the outset of the Inferno, Dante, the pilgrim, is lost in the Selva Oscura, the Dark Wood of Sin. Three fierce beasts—a Leopard, a Lion, and a She-Wolf—prevent him from ascending to the colle luminoso, a sunlit hill symbolizing virtue. Overwhelmed, the pilgrim retreats and encounters a mysterious figure approaching him, prompting the fearful plea: “Have pity on my soul.”
The figure is Virgil, the renowned Roman poet (70 BC), author of the Aeneid, Eclogues, and Georgics. Virgil reveals that he was sent by Beatrice, a lady with eyes “shone brighter than the stars,” to guide Dante through the realms of the damned and then up the mountain where souls purify themselves of vice. In the Divine Comedy, Virgil embodies the limits of human reason. While he can guide Dante through Hell and Purgatory, his lack of divine grace and Christian faith prevents him from entering Heaven, a role assumed by Beatrice.
Dante’s choice of a pagan figure as a central guide in his Christian epic might seem surprising. Virgil deeply influenced Dante’s poetry; by assigning him this role, Dante signals his own literary lineage and ambition to follow in Virgil’s poetic footsteps.
Beatrice’s Role in Virgil’s Mission
So, Who Sent Virgil To Guide Dante? The answer lies with Beatrice. Giovanni Boccaccio’s biography identifies Beatrice as Bice di Folco Portinari, a Florentine woman who died at the young age of 24. Metaphorically, Beatrice is a reflection of divine love, a bridge to Dante’s salvation. She is not merely a passive figure; she actively descends into Hell to enlist Virgil’s aid, instructing him to guide Dante on his spiritual journey.
Beatrice guides Dante through Paradise.
Beatrice’s love rescues Dante from the Dark Wood and inspires him to endure the purifying flames of Mount Purgatory, ultimately leading him to the bliss of Heaven. She is a stern guide, often correcting Dante’s imperfections. Her appearance in Terrestrial Paradise is particularly striking: clothed in white, green, and red (representing faith, hope, and charity), she rides a Griffin-drawn chariot. The Griffin, with the wings and head of an eagle and the body of a lion, symbolizes Christ. It is during this scene in the Purgatorio that Virgil disappears, and Beatrice assumes her role as Dante’s guide to the Beatific Vision in Paradiso XXXIII.
Virgil’s Significance as a Guide
Dante’s Virgil is more than a mere guide; he possesses extensive knowledge of Christian theology, explaining the moral order of Hell and Purgatory to Dante. In Purgatorio XVII, Virgil elucidates a central theme: that sin arises from excessive love of worldly pleasures and insufficient love of heavenly virtue. Throughout the Divine Comedy, Virgil demonstrates courage, defending Dante from devils and tormented souls. He even encourages Dante to pass through the flames of Mount Purgatory. As his final act, Virgil crowns Dante, declaring his will “upright, wholesome, and free.”
In conclusion, while Virgil guides Dante through the initial stages of his spiritual journey, it is Beatrice who instigates this journey, sending Virgil to rescue Dante from the Dark Wood and setting him on the path to salvation. Virgil embodies human reason and poetic tradition, while Beatrice represents divine love and grace, essential for reaching the ultimate vision of God.
