Although both stories are tragedies and contain great suffering, Dante is without a
             doubt the stronger of the two characters. The men share a commonality of fate stepping in
             and deciding their actions for them. Dante's fate, however was a much better one than
             Lear's was. Dante thought himself unworthy and Lear thought himself great. They were
             both wrong. Both men had eye-opening experiences. One of the most important
             functions that literature play in human society is that it does not only expresses and
             individual's (particularly the author's) thoughts about and interpretation of life, but it also
             reflects the state of society that the author lives in. Indeed, the function of literature as a
             reflection of the human society is illustrated in the works of Dante Alighieri and William
             Shakespeare, renowned authors of "Divine Comedy" and "King Lear," respectively.
             In these literary works, a notable characteristic is the authors' ability to weave in the aspect of dark humor, aptly using satirical comedy in order to criticize the rulers and leaders of their societies during their time. Dante Alighieri wrote the "Divine Comedy" during the Italian Renaissance period from 12th-13th centuries. During this period, art as a form of criticism and protest about the ills, inefficiencies, and anomalies in the society and government are rampant. Dante's work served as revelation to the people to witness the anomalies going on in their society. Shakespeare, similarly, utilizes literature to mirror corruption and usurpation in the English political institutions. In "King Lear," Shakespeare uses character profiles that fit the description of the antagonists and protagonists in political conflicts that are happening in Shakespeare's society. The theme of satirical comedy as a form of criticism and protest against the inefficiencies of government and
             ...