Dante
Upon meeting Dante in the zone of the sodomites, Brunetto Latini tries to convince him that he should follow the path to earthly fame and glory. This is an especially tempting proposition for Dante, whose role models have achieved that goal. The danger is that this would become his sole aim, and he would lose sight of what should be the highest of human goals, the union with God in heaven. The main point of Brunetto's argument is to try and convince Dante that he should pursue fame on earth and do it by means of poetry, not politics. He tells Dante to follow his "star...to reach a glorious port (line 55/6)." He also says that "Heaven so favors you [Dante] (line 59)," by which he implies that he is destined for success on earth, during the "happy life (line 57)." He urges Dante to stay out of politics by referring to the politicians of Florence as a "malignant, thankless rabble (line 61)" as well as "greedy, envious, and proud (line 68)." He encourages Dante to "stay untainted by their habits (line 69)," thus encouraging him to avoid politics at all costs. He, like Farinata degli Uberti
Thus Brunetto cites his poetic work as the vehicle by which he should be remembered. With the line "Your destiny reserves for you such honor. Brunetto's view is supported by his final statement, in which he says "Let my Treasure, in which I still live on, be in your mind--I ask for nothing more (line 119/120). " This is also reflected in the final simile which shows Dante's ambivalence to Brunetto, for he is unable to decide the value of Brunetto's advice, yet he knows the attraction it holds for him. Thus this argument, along with these conflicting desires within Dante the pilgrim, show how this passage reflects the nature of any strong temptation in that there is no easy answer. Brunetto wants Dante to also accept honor and earthly fame as his goals, in fact it would be natural for him to want to emulate his role models, but what he must keep in mind is that he is a christian. " This statement effectively says several things about Brunetto and his argument. Not only that, but Brunetto also implies a certain obligation on Dante's part, for "Heaven's favor" is his. His journey ends not with aspirations of earthly fame while enjoying the company of his mentors in limbo, but union with Beatrice in paradise where he will hopefully achieve oneness with the divine. (line 70)" Brunetto tells Dante that he is destined to have honor/fame. Thus Brunetto's mention of honor is tempting because those Dante looks up to hold honor in similar esteem.
Common topics in this essay:
Brunetto Latini,
Brunetto Dante,
Dante Brunetto,
Temptation Dante,
Limbo Brunetto's,
Farinata Brunetto,
Encounter Temptation,
Virgil Dante,
earthly fame,
Dante's Heaven's,
effect dante,
unable decide,
especially tempting,
dante stay,
convince dante,
honor line,
role models,
tells dante,
|
Acceptance Essays
