Violence Against People
It is a common practice for authors to use violence in their works of art for various reasons. Violence in text can be used to attain various objectives by the author. The text has brought out different forms of violence and they are very important in delivering the message to the reader. In this work of fiction the author has created artificial scenes of violence that affect the characters and hence sends a clear message to the reader particularly concerning the various consequences of violence in life. The reader is treated to violence throughout the text in an indirect but very unique way that it is hard to escape it.
In the first circle of hell, Dante gets the reader prepared for violence that would be unfolded in the forthcoming text. The beasts that block his way are characters of violence against human souls. When an individual tries to cross their path, the beasts violently destroy the soul. The she-wolf is just one of the beasts and it is said to have originated from hell and is ready to inflict its violence on any soul that crosses it. The first instances of violence serve to prepare the readers to other subsequent forms of violence in the later texts. The beasts also serve to portray the conflict that exists between humans and some animals. It is unusual for humans to co-exist peacefully with some animals such as wolves. The hatred of these animals is depicted in their violent nature. Conflict between human beings and animals, is a matter that has been there since time immemorial and would continue to exist as long as the two subjects continue interacting in life on earth.
Violence against people who are involved in fraud has been articulated in the text. This has been achieved with the mentioning of the place where fraudulent individuals are punished in hell. In this sense, violence is illustrated with the physical and emotional aspects of the punishment. It is clear that souls in that part of hell are exposed to violence that torments them so much. This violence is supposed to bring positive change of behavior amongst those who are still living.
This kind of violence helps to shift the mood of the text. This is because of the readers being treated to different situations and being brought back to the suffering of the people who are involved in fraud when they are being punished. The violence also reveals to the readers that evil has dire consequences of punishment. Those who go against the teachings of God will have a great price to pay by being subjected to punishment. In the text the readers are treated to scenes of souls running from one side of the pouch to another with demons dealing with them mercilessly. One of the souls of Italian origin claims to Dante that he sold his own sister to a noble. This is indeed fraud and that is the reason why he is at that particular place undergoing violence from the demons. All these type of violence and suffering are found in eighth segment of the text. The violence against the perpetrators of fraud send a clear message to those who have the intention of defrauding others that they should be aware of what is awaiting them in future.
The punishment type of violence inflicted against the souls in the third pouch for instance that of Pope Nicholas III, sends a warning to corrupt churchmen that they will have a price to pay. We are also treated to scenes of souls that have been put together in pits with only their legs protruding. We also see the flames on their feet. It is evident that the souls are feeling the flames because of what they did. Most of their sins were associated with corruption in the church. Even though they went unnoticed, they were seen by the creator and that is why they are being punished. This form of violence serves to bring positive change in the clergy.
There is domestic violence that has also been presented in the text. This violence has resulted from an illicit love affair in marriage. This type of violence has been depicted in Canto V text. In this scene Dante and the Virgil are in the second circle of hell where they encounter sinners who committed sins that are related to love. In this circle, they encounter the soul of a woman who confesses to have had an illicit affair with his brother in law. Upon discovering this situation, her husband decided to kill her and that is why she has found her soul in the second circle. In the text, it is mentioned “who never from me shall be divided, kissed my mouth all trembling”(Canto 5). This statement illustrates that the there were two people who were kissing and romancing. The consequences of their feelings were the violence that was perpetrated against them by the man who was offended with their relationship. This type of violence tends to articulate the theme of love in the text. The violence has also been used to reveal the extent to which humans can go in the expression of their feelings. The overwhelming nature of human feelings has also been captured by the violence. Feelings can bring people together and they can also lead to suffering.
People who were guided by their flesh into lustful affairs are in hell treated to a storm that stimulates their nerves. The violence that results from the lust of other people has also been indicated in the text. This violence shows how men in the world can be misguided and led by lust which has dire consequences in future.
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