Ebon Shadows of a Glorious Past

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HUMN 211-06 Humanities: Music, Art, and Ideas I Ebon Shadows of a Glorious Past The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri is a work of literary wonder that can be admired on many levels. There are many metaphors within it that not only reflect the times he lived in, but his own personal experiences and education. One could say that this is a beautiful work of self-insert fan-fiction. Many of these symbols stem from his “thorough grounding in both Greco-Roman and Christian classics” (Matthew & Platt 251) and his attraction “to the values of ancient Rome” (Matthew & Platt 251). Reflections of ancient Rome can be seen throughout the reading selections. The She-Wolf from Canto I is an example of a reference to ancient Rome that could be missed by modern readers of the text. The She-Wolf played an important part in the creation of the city of Rome. When Romulus and Remus were abandoned by the river Tiber, “she suckled them” (Vitebsky 128) saving their lives. Romulus will go on to found the city of Rome in the legend. These were times of great political change leading to “the creation of new monarchies” (Matthews & Platt 233). This led to multiple new states were had once just been the Western Empire. She is described in Canto I as a “starved horror, ravening and wasted beyond all belief” (Alighieri 251). This is a reflection of the state of the form empire. The She-Wolf also represents Rome’s pagan past when “false and lying gods” (Alighieri 251) held sway. She always “grows hungrier” (Alighieri 251) for she knows not the love of the Lord. Virgil is a key figure in The Divine Comedy and an icon of ancient Rome. Virgil “became the model for Western poets” (Matthew & Platt 150), so it is no surprise he would be Dante’s guide. He can only guide him “as far as Human Reason can go” (Alighieri 250). He gives Dante information and guidance throughout varies
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