In Canto V, the lovers blame literary figures of ancient and medieval texts as a source that encouraged their own downfall. Discuss what you know about these tales and whether the “blame” placed on them by the lovers excuses them from their own sin.
8 Comments
August W.
9/7/2013 11:16:40 pm
In Canto V of Dante's "Inferno" The protagonist (Dante) of the tale encounters those banished to the first ring of hell, which is more commonly known as the 1st level of Hell: Lust. Those who are banished here are "buffeted by hot winds for all of eternity" for their lustful and unholy practices. Dante recognizes one of the tormented souls and they tell Dante about how they were led sunder from their husband to their brother in law, because of Midas and his deceptive ways. This person blames Midas because of the golden touch he possess and how it can make many things seem better by trading your soul just for a chance at mortal happiness and pleasure. When all they did was ruin their lives and throw themselves into the hands of the devil. So the use of Midas to justify what they had done is incorrect and does not justify their sin, because they may have a lot in common with Midas but his actions do not justify their own.
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Frida E.
9/9/2013 04:51:34 am
Great sentences, and interesting story. But I do not understand what this story has to do with the question being asked?
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Frida E.
9/9/2013 04:50:25 am
In Canto V we get to know Francesca and her brother in law Paolo, two lost souls whirling around in the lost space known as hell. Francesca and Paolo tells Dante about the story of her husband finding her with his brother, and killing them both - They were therefore known as ruthless sinners. These two doomed souls believed that their faith had already been determined early on, so there was no need to feel guilty or beg for forgiveness. Time after time Dante got surprised, seeing how glad and happy Francesca and Paolo seemed to be about the situation; but they later on explained to him that it didn't matter that they ended up as two lost souls in hell, because as long as they were two lost souls whirling together around in hell, it would all be okay in the end. I believe that the blame placed on Francesca and Paolo was right, and there was not situation that would excuse them from their sins. You cannot blame anyone else for your mistakes, than yourself. Blaming their sins on literary figures, does in fact not excuse them from their actions and life choices.
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Kira M
9/9/2013 04:55:13 am
In Canto V, the lovers, Francesca and Paolo, are banished to the second circle of Hell by Minos, who acts as the judge of Hell. They are placed here because of their affair. Francesca blames her actions on those of characters in romance stories such as Launcelot and Guinevere who had an affair which led to Launcelot being banished and Guinevere being sent to a convent. Though Francesca does make some good points as to why they were so influenced by the literature of their time, I don't think it excuses their actions. If anything, the couple should have learned from the fictional characters mistakes.
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Bradley R
9/9/2013 05:26:48 am
So in Canto V Dante finds people that have commited the sins of audultery. For example, Francesco commited adultery with her lover, (that was not her husband) because she was reading about the tales of Sir Lancealot and Arthur's wife, taking that into heart she willingly cheated on her husband with him. She feels that it is fine because her and her lover are both trapped in damnation together. She is taking her sin and looking at the silver lining thus defeating the purpose of her punishment in a form. Now the actions comitted by Francesco are more than worthy of punishment because she participated in sexual immorality. Her excuse is that because Sir Lancealot did it that it was ok. The funny point to this issue is she did not finish the book and got quick into the bed. She would have found that it was not good to comit such a sin of lust. Stated as lust due to that she only slept with him for his looks mostly. Thus maginifing the sin of it. So undoubtably she is recieving a just punishment.
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Sher-Mon C.
9/9/2013 07:59:46 am
In Dante's tale "Inferno" Canto V, the protagonist Dante travels through the rings of Hell with the assistance of Virgil. He experiences new sights and meets new people as he takes in the view of the Second Ring of Hell. He talks with the damned soul of Francesca, who tells him a story of her sins. A long time ago she was in a bad relationship and hung out with a man she really enjoyed. They read the story of Lancelot and Guinevere, and decided to take a chance with their forbidden love. They were caught and killed. The story they read was about Lancelot, King Arthur's most trust knight sleeping with his wife, Guinevere. Although they should have learned that from this story that love has no bounds, they also should have learned that cheating gets you killed! They are at fault.
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Victor B
9/9/2013 09:03:10 pm
In Canto V by Dante you meet Minos who is like the guardian of hell you could say and he is judging he goes on to talk about a girl named Francesca who has cheated on her husband she was so founded with this other man that they acted from one of the stories of Launcelot and Guinevere that is the reason why she blames for how she sinned. Francesca feels that her destiny was already set and that her and Paolo were meant to be together so it doesnt matter if they are on earth heaven or hell as long as there souls are with each other then they are happy. Minos seems shocked and surprised by this but there is nothing he can do for them. Francesca knows that she can not redue what has been done all she can do is learn from her mistakes.
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Alec J
9/15/2013 05:23:43 am
In Canto V by Dante, the protagonist meets the lovers Francesca and Paolo in the second ring of hell. Francesca tells Dante their story of sin and adultery without any regret. Instead, she is happy that she can now always be together with her lover in hell. Francesca and her lover Paolo were inspired to commit adultery while reading the ancient story of King Arthur specifically the part where Sir Lancelot and Guinevere, Arthurs wife, have an affair. Since the love story of Sir Lancelot and Lady Guinevere end up with Guinevere becoming a nun and a war between Lancelot and Arthur, the lovers Francesca and Paolo should have gone further than what they did in their thinking and should have expected that they would be executed for commiting adultery.Blaming their guilt on King Arthur's story does not excuse them from their sin.
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