2014+SH+P6+Aeneas+and+St.+Paul

Aim By Brianna Cartwright

The purpose of the names, Aeneas and St. Paul, is accomplished through analyses of the original epic poem of Inferno to show how the author, Dante, uses the two names in comparison of the journey to Hell. For instance, from one article of analysis it stated,“He began to doubt his worthiness to make the great voyage through Hell, and compared his weakness to the strength of "he who fathered Sylvius" (Aeneas) and ""the Chosen Vessel," (St. Paul) who had descended to Hell and returned from there victoriously”(GradeSaver 1). Both Aeneas and St. Paul are used separately to represent the hardships of traveling through Hell and to demonstrate a guide for Dante on how to successfully survive the struggles faced through the depths of Hell. These two characters are created by Virgil to aid in the motivation of Dante to accomplish the lengthy journey by showing a model of two men who were brave enough to accept the challenge. Additionally, as said by another article analysing the epic poem of Inferno,“In his short invocation, he mentions two others who have gone before him, Aeneas and St. Paul. They represent Dante's two great concerns: the papacy and the empire”(Cliffsnotes 1). Along with the idea of Aeneas and St. Paul used for the purpose of Virgil’s encouragement to Dante to complete the journey through Hell, both Aeneas and St. Paul represent different aspects in the life of Dante. Both concepts are essential in Dante’s life for the reason that both Aeneas and St. Paul are used to represent the overall opinion of the two authorities: the papacy and the empire. Dante has an opinion of both authorities in regards to the beliefs in relation to culture and morals. In conclusion, the use of Aeneas and St. Paul are to demonstrate a guide for Dante through the deep depths of Hell and to represent beliefs regarding authority during the time of Dante’s life.

Works Cited

"Divine Comedy-I: Inferno Summary and Analysis." Divine Comedy-I: Inferno Study Guide : Summary and Analysis of Cantos I-IV. GradeSaver LLC., 1999-2014. Web. 27 Aug. 2014. "The Divine Comedy: Inferno By Dante Alighieri Summary and Analysis Canto II." Canto II. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013. Web. 27 Aug. 2014.

Audience: By: Tyler Wilkison

Dante’s Inferno relates back to Aeneas and St. Paul because both were so called “legends” because of the great journey and accomplishment achieved by going in and through Hell and returning. The audience of this story is the reader of the novel. If the reader walks by and says, “Hey, that book would be interesting,” then the reader is considered to be the audience that the author was hoping to pull in and get the attention of. The story is about how Dante wants to find out the abilities necessary to journey down to Hell and discover stance in the nine circles of hell if at all, and then make it out alive and well. Dante goes along with the Roman poet, Virgil. Dante “recalls that Aeneas, and also St. Paul, made the journey, and he feels unworthy to be included in this noble group” ( Cliffsnotes 1 ). This is talking about the audience and how some may think of not being ready for what happens after life. Dante is worried of not making it out like Aeneas and St. Paul did. The author is speaking to the audience in the novel by using a theme in the story which is “we define ourselves while existing” ( Swain 1 ). This is where Dante is speaking to the audience through the novel by saying that life shows appreciation for the mind and knowledge.

Works Cited: "The Divine Comedy: Inferno By Dante Alighieri Summary and Analysis Canto II."Canto II. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Aug. 2014. "Dante's Inferno Quotations." Prezi.com. Emily Swain, 10 Dec. 2013. Web. 28 Aug. 2014.

Historical By Megan Dugan In Dante’s Inferno, Dante uses two characters: Aeneas and St. Paul. For Dante, these two represent some definition of Heaven. Historically, however, Aeneas is a biblical figure. In a Bible study article it states, “ There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years, for he was paralyzed. Peter said to him, ‘Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed.’ Immediately he got up...” (Acts 9:33 1). The news about the healing of Aeneas spread rapidly. People from everywhere began to bring the sick and the injured to Jesus Christ, who in return healed them as well. Aeneas’ recovery was one that sparked healing everywhere. St. Paul is a religious figure as well. In an introductory article about the life of St. Paul, it states, “ he travelled tens of thousands of miles around the Mediterranean spreading the word of Jesus and it was Paul who came up with the doctrine that would turn Christianity from a small sect of Judaism into a worldwide faith that was open to all” (BBC Religions 1). St. Paul was a crucial figure in dispersing information of Jesus Christ and the Christianity religion. St. Paul also wrote thirteen bible books out of the twenty seven; the works are well known. Works Cited BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2014. < [] >. "Acts 9:33 There He Found a Man Named Aeneas, Who Was Paralyzed and Had Been Bedridden for Eight Years." Acts 9:33 There He Found a Man Named Aeneas, Who Was Paralyzed and Had Been Bedridden for Eight Years. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2014. .

Cultural By Charles Toller Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons. Image is in Public Domain. Aeneas escaping from burning Troy.

Readers that believe in a religion that has Christian roots can relate to the views of Saint Paul. Saint Paul, according to the King James’ version of the Bible, is one of the twelve apostles that taught the Gospel of Christ while on the earth. Aeneas, on the other hand, is connected with Greek and Roman mythology. Aeneas was the first true “hero” in Greek mythology, and was one of the only Trojans in Troy to make it out alive without being enslaved or killed as said in an article regarding Aeneas, “Aeneas continues his story, recounting the aftermath of the fall of Troy. After escaping from Troy, he leads the survivors to the coast of Antander, where they build a new fleet of ships”(Sparknotes 1). This affects the modern perception of this work by making the reader think of what heroes do, or might be able to relate it back to religion and understand more about the novel that way. Modern society is affected by this because we always want an explanation of what happens next. Human beings are naturally curious of what happens after death. Some believe there is no afterlife. Others believe that the afterlife is a “heaven” or a “hell”. Others still, believe that people keep repeating the living of life until the soul has been perfected. No matter what the perception is, modern society can read this book and wonder about what happens after death. Is it like Dante’s Inferno, or is it something else?

Works Cited

King James Bible. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible, 1973. Print. "The Aeneid." SparkNotes. SparkNotes, 2014. Web. 28 Aug. 2014. Virgil, and Robert Fitzgerald. The Aeneid. New York: Random House, 1983. Print.