ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -He has two guides: Virgil, who leads him through the Inferno and Purgatorio, and Beatrice, who introduces him to Paradiso.

Detailed explanation-2: -Publius Vergilius Maro, usually called Virgil or Vergil (70 BC – 19 BC) was the once famous Roman poet who was now “Pure spirit” and acted as Dante’s guide in Hell.

Detailed explanation-3: -Virgil displays all of the noble virtues attributed to the perfect Roman. He represents reason and wisdom, making him the perfect guide. As the journey progresses, his treatment of Dante changes, depending on the situation. Often and most importantly, Virgil is very protective of Dante.

Detailed explanation-4: -Dante is guided by the Roman poet Virgil, who represents the epitome of human knowledge, from the dark wood through the descending circles of the pit of Hell (Inferno). Passing Lucifer at the pit’s bottom, at the dead centre of the world, Dante and Virgil emerge on the beach of the island mountain of Purgatory.

Detailed explanation-5: -Virgil remains Dante’s guide all the way through Purgatory; yet we know that reason alone is not enough to gain access to Purgatory. If Virgil is simply a symbol of reason, then he is a wholly unsuitable guide in this realm.