nmeyers

"O human race born to fly upward, wherefore at a little wind dost thou fall" The Divine Comedy

            As a whole this quote means that humans are meant to go up to heaven rather than down to hell. The after world in which the story is based on is a dichotomy of one world. This quote could in ways exemplify the basis of the book as a whole. Within Cantos 15-20 as Virgil and Dante further their exploration into the darkness of Hell. As they enter the eight circle, Malebolge, the punishments seem to get in was "less aggressive" but more prevalent to their actions on earth.

            As citizens of the Earth people take upon themselves to uphold jobs based on their talents. During Canto 30 when Dante enters Bolgia Four he sees the macrosocpic "victims" of being fortune tellers and diviners in their previous live of being a free soul. Now in Hell they are punished for their talent and almost "helpfulness" to people who did seek to know their future. To them it seems like a peccadillo, but to God "the arts of sorcery are a distortion of his law. Since in ways they went against the ways of "god" they are forced to have their heads backwards on their bodies and walk, blinded by tears, backwards for all eternity. Once an action has been done,

 "a little wind", the decision for the entrance of ones soul into Hell is made. No turning back and no sympathy is given. "I wept. I leaned against the jagged face of a rock and wept so that my Guide said: "Still? Still like the other fools? There is no place for pity here. Who is more arrogant within his soul, who is more impious than one who dares to sorrow at God's judgment?"(p175)

As the soul is designated into the grasp on God, and the power of Hell, there is no turning back. This is the way that the people that Dante encounters with during the whole book.  Dante, however, is not yet sucked into the stronghold but still has hopes for not falling behind. By God's sagacious behavior, he forces the decisions after death. One is not able to rationalize any further after their last breath on earth to their first breath in Hell. "Led by my Guide and his truth, I leave the gall and go for the sweet apples of delight. But first I must descend to the center of all."(p 144) Led by Virgil, Dante has to descend to Hell before he can reach Heaven.