The Teacher and the Student [3/10/14 Reflection (Canto's 19-32)]

    The past few weeks have been spent watching presentations and preparing for my own. Last week, Cantos 19-32 were presented. The main theme for that group of Cantos is fraud; circles 8 and 9. The majority of the punishments had something to do with fire or burning. A couple specific examples I remember are being buried then having one's feet burned forever, being thrown into boiling tar, and also being stuck in a single flame eternally. Dante puts these fraudulent people very low in hell, but for good reason. Dante explains in many of the Cantos how he knew some of the people in these parts of hell, however he rarely liked any of them. For example, in Canto 26, Dante points out how his home city of Florence has many of its citizens damned for fraud and deception.

Virgil was a very important character in all of these Canto's as well. Not only did he lead Dante in the right direction, he also was the only source that Dante had to learn from. During the presentations, the presenter often spoke of this teacher-student relationship in the "Conversation with the Guide" slide. Virgil spoke to sinners, guards, and anyone else who may have helped Dante understand what is going on in each area in this hell. One example I remember someone speaking about is when Virgil convinced the demons to allow Dante to cross the bridge into the next level. Besides Beatrice, Virgil is the only person who Dante places above himself; at some points even calling Virgil master. Overall, Cantos 19-32 speak of Dante's opinions on fraud as well as his respect and admiration for his guide and protector Virgil.