Dante and Goethe

I have started (and will most likely finish over Winter Break) Dante’s Inferno, the first part in The Divine Comedy. It is a classic that I have wanted to read for some time, and now I have finally allowed myself to make my nerdy dream come true. After reading the first Canto, and snooping through some of the commentary provided by the editor, I realized how Faustian this book is.

Evidence in Canto 1:

First line Dante is traveling through the “Midway on our life.” Like Faust, he is Middle-Aged and restless.

Dante cannot handle his restlessness, thus, he “found” himself “now searching” in line 4. Also like Faust Dante has a strong thirst for knowledge, something new.

Further on in the Dante finds a savage Beast. The feline beast is Unfaustien because it “blocks progress”. I interpret the Beast represent the lethal politics of the Catholic Church. Dante was exiled from Florence in 1302 due to his political beliefs that the church found unsavory. This large feline is chasing him, and Dante fears for his life, but he is rescued by the poet Virgil. When Dante meets Virgil, he is Star struck. It would be as if I meet Margaret Cho, or Professor Tobin met the Ghost of Herr Goethe. Dante meets his literary inspiration, his hero. Or, as he puts it “the light and glory of all poets” in line 82.

In the next line, 83, Dante talks about his “ceaseless care” in his study of Virgil’s poetry. The element of Care allowed him to study Virgil’s poetry, to open Dante’s eyes. In the story of Faust, on the other hand, Care blinds the protagonist. Another interesting difference in this story is that Virgil is sentenced to live on the outskirts of hell, where as Mephisto works in hell. The guide in Dante’s story is captive, where as the guide in Faust’s story is a collaborator.

Another interesting similarity (outside literature and present in the author’s realities) was the fact that there were both politicians. (Goethe in real life and Dante in real life).