rvanderwende

The quote "the clearest way into the universe is through a forest wilderness" stated by the naturalist, traveler, writer, environmentalist and  scientist John Nuir can clearly relate to Dante's The Inferno.  The quote means that sometimes it takes being engulfed in wilderness to unfold the realities of the universe.

"'Master,' I cried, 'I pray you and repray till my prayer becomes a thousand-if these sould can still speak from the fire, oh let me say until the flame draws near! (Cantos XXVI, lines 64-67.)"  This is Dante pleading with Virgil, his guide and alter-ego to allow him to speak with the sould in hell.Virgil just wants to finish the tour.  Dante is in the forest wilderness and has discovered that his universe, his very well being depends on Virgil which is why he pleads with him to stay.  If he didn't need Vigill, he would just stay.  The forest wilderness also appears in another part of  the book.

"At grief so deep the toungue must wag in vain: the language  of our sense and memory lacks the vocabulary of such pain. (Canto XXVII, Lines 4-6)" This is Dante describing the part of hell he is beholding.  He is looking into the forest wilderness and discovering that the universe that he knew can't even describe the pain.  He has seen in the forest wilderness that a part of the universe  is inept.  Dante also finds himself inept.

"Had you know what I was seeking,' I replied, 'you  might perhaps have given me permission to stay longer; As i spoke, my guide had started off already, and I in turn had moved along behind him...(Canto XXIX, Lines 13-16)" This is Dante speaking to Virgil agian.  They are both in the forest of hell and Dante has discovered his universe is inept for he depends on Virgil.  Virgil does not know why Dante longed to speak to the souls, and he doesn't really care because as said before, he just wants to give the tour and not mingle as Dante loves to do.  Virgil also, at this point in the forest wilderness, discovered that his universe is portecting Dante for he begins to leave and Dante follwos without any prompt.  The whole story of the viewing of hell shows the reader the universe.  The souls are in hell because of their sins and those sins are part of he universe.  Dante's Inferno is a tiny window into the universe because it is engulfed in a wilderness forest.