Similarities, parallelisms and oppositions in the IV and X cantos of Dante’s Inferno

Abstract

An analysis of the two above mentioned canti shows us that, from the structural point of view, they have many things in common. To begin with, their disposition in the canticle; if we examine the "Inferno " as a whole, we find out that both the souls In Limbo (IV) and the heresiarchs (X) belong to a little world of their own, completely cut off from that of the other souls being punished in hell. Let me explain myself better. Dante's hell is divided into two parts: the ‘alto inferno’, outside the city of Dite, and the ‘basso infernll’, within the walls of the city. Canto IV and Canto X serve as a sort of prologue to each of these two sectors of the underworld. The protagonists of these canti are refused entry into hell. In order to justify their exclusion Dante gives the following explanation. The souls in Limbo are confined to their seat of punishment because they never got to know the real God, even though through no fault of their own. On the other hand, the heresiarchs knew who the true God was (naturally, when I say God, I mean the Christian concept of Cod), but they refused to accept him. Therefore; although punished, they do not deserve to be castigated within the walls of Dite.