Another aspect of the figure of Virgil is that it also represents Dante’s idea of Empire. It is the Empire which, on the basis of the philosophical virtues, ought for Dante to govern the political side of human existence and create the conditions necessary for earthly happiness. Indeed, in Inferno I, 89 it is on account of Virgil’s wisdom that Dante asks Virgil to rescue him from the she-wolf. of what human reason may achieve without the aid of faith and revelation. The figure of Virgil in the Commedia is, in one of its aspects, representative of these ‘philosophical virtues’ – i.e. In it Dante states that the ‘philosophical virtues’ are what ought to lead human beings to earthly happiness. Recall the passage from the Monarchia quoted in the previous section on politics.

It is in his relation to these three aspects that Virgil’s status in the Commedia as Dante’s guide ought to be assessed. The figure of Virgil in the Commedia may be associated with three crucial aspects of Dante’s thought: his idea of reason, his idea of Empire, and his idea of poetry. If not a Christian, then perhaps a more obvious choice would have been Aristotle – ‘maestro di color che sanno’ [the master of all those who think and know’ ( Inferno IV, 131). Given the overall theme of the poem, for instance, one might expect Dante to have chosen a religious, or at least a Christian figure. In many ways it might seem surprising that Dante should choose Virgil as guide for Dante- personaggio’s journey. Centre for the History of Ibero-America.

Centre for Endangered Languages, Cultures, and Ecosystems (CELCE).

LivItaly: Bringing Italian Culture to Yorkshire.

Network for Hispanic and Lusophone Cultural Studies.

The Mendicant Orders and Literature in 13th- & 14th-century Italy.

International Writers at Leeds Launch Event.

Institut Ramon Llull (Catalan Language and Culture).

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Centre for World Cinemas and Digital Cultures.

The Camões Centre for Portuguese Language.

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