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

A Hill and Beasts Dante (the character) sees a “hill… clothed already in the rays of the planet which leads men straight on every path.” (24) This represents the hill that ascends to Salvation and Righteousness. Dante (the character) sees a “hill… clothed already in the rays of the planet which leads men straight on every path.” (24) This represents the hill that ascends to Salvation and Righteousness. Three Symbolic Beasts block his path: Three Symbolic Beasts block his path: Leopard – Deception/Fraud/Excessive Luxury Leopard – Deception/Fraud/Excessive Luxury Lion – Violence Lion – Violence She-Wolf – Lust/Gluttony/Incontinence She-Wolf – Lust/Gluttony/Incontinence

Modern Connections The three beasts apparently represent “worldly sin”, and keep mortals from rising to salvation. Today we see these everywhere: The three beasts apparently represent “worldly sin”, and keep mortals from rising to salvation. Today we see these everywhere: Deception/Fraud: Enron, Political Scandals, Credit card fraud, Identity theft, Lying Deception/Fraud: Enron, Political Scandals, Credit card fraud, Identity theft, Lying Violence: Gang violence, School violence, Shootings, Iraq War, Terrorism Violence: Gang violence, School violence, Shootings, Iraq War, Terrorism Incontinence/Excessiveness: Hyper-sexuality in movies, ads, commercialism; buying of houses we can’t afford, gas prices, Capitalism in general, “keeping up with the Joneses”; Extra-Value Meals, Huge portions at Restaurants, obesity; obsession with medication, depression, psychological disorders. Incontinence/Excessiveness: Hyper-sexuality in movies, ads, commercialism; buying of houses we can’t afford, gas prices, Capitalism in general, “keeping up with the Joneses”; Extra-Value Meals, Huge portions at Restaurants, obesity; obsession with medication, depression, psychological disorders.

A Guide Virgil appears as a guide to Dante, and says he will guide him through Hell and Purgatory but a female entity (Beatrice) must guide him into Heaven. Virgil appears as a guide to Dante, and says he will guide him through Hell and Purgatory but a female entity (Beatrice) must guide 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 Reason Human Reason Virgil is a pagan who lived during the time of Christ and Augustus, and therefore is barred from guiding Dante into Heaven. Virgil is a pagan who lived during the time of Christ and Augustus, and therefore is barred from guiding Dante into Heaven. Dante (the poet) makes clear that Human Reason alone is not enough to comprehend/enter Heaven. Dante (the poet) makes clear that Human Reason alone is not enough to comprehend/enter Heaven.

Gustav Dore illustration of Dante in the Dark Wood.