This quote is an expression of Dante’s belief in pre-destination. He refers to fate as female. The typical symbol for women is a circle, which is portrayed in Dante’s usage of a spinning wheel. The circular motion represents the lives of people circling through and it never stops to reconsider or figure out the placement of a soul after death. In Greek mythology, the spinning wheel is actually a direct symbol of fate, with each strand representing the lives of separate people. The courses of their lives are already planned out for them, and all in the hands of this one spinning wheel.
In the line, “The nations rise and fall by her decree,” Dante seems to compare and give fate as much power as God. He is at the same time, however, also suggesting that God does not at all control fate and that it is a completely different element of the world. This aspect contradicts Dante’s Catholic belief that God is in control of everything. Even if Dante were to be referring to fate as an aspect of God, he gives the reference to fate as a woman. In the Middle Ages, women were not seen as at all powerful, strong, or able to make big decisions about life.
Both Dante and Sophocles have similar viewpoints on fate. Each other believes that fate is extremely powerful and unavoidable; determined before one even takes their first breath. Though, in Inferno, those placed in Hell are suffering for their personal actions, those actions had been set in stone long before they decided to make them. Dante’s work is essentially a follow up to the events in Antigone and Oedipus—the sin, and then the punishment. While reading Inferno, one typically thinks, “Oh, they did this, that is what they get as a punishment.” But Sophocles’ work explores the conflict, reasoning, and thought processes behind the sins.
You have some interesting thoughts here Lara but I would like to see them explored and supported more clearly. Your 2nd paragraph is most interesting. I am not sure I see/ agree with your assertion, however, that the sins of the inhabitants of hell were pre-destined. If this were true, what is the point of God giving free will and of hell being created from "primordial love and ultimate intellect"? The souls here are eager to punish themselves - hence they are responsible on some level. If you think otherwise - try and support more effectively.
ReplyDeleteAlso - need to work on spacing and visual details - your fonts are different in two posts and no spaces between paragraphs.