The Bond of Communion An Analysis of the Communal Bonds...

The Bond of Communion: An Analysis of the Communal bonds throughout Dante Alighieri’s The Inferno Human beings are odd creatures, possessing abilities no other living species have. These abilities being Intelligence, Reason, and Free Will. These attributes allow human beings to value and destroy whatever they deem necessary to them. One of the most valuable things to a human being is the communal bond. This bond comes in many shapes and forms and is ultimately a form of love, and is usually a connection we share with others and with God. The communal bond works like a relationship, in which the persons involved are expected to and obey the instructions specified. This bond is a weak love, one that is easily influenced and most likely to†¦show more content†¦Dante’s use of symbolism is most evident in this passage, where light is a symbol for reason and love. The fact that the second circle is void of these two attributes amplifies that the Lustful abandon their reason and love in order to pursue and satisfy their physical body. Dante having successfully establishe d the setting moves on to establish his concept of Contrapasso. Dante describes â€Å"[the] hellish flight [of the sinners] / of storm and counter storm†¦sweep[ing] the souls of the damned before its change. / Whirling and battering†¦ / their shrieks begin anew.† (5.29-35) The punishment of the Lustful and Carnal is the inability to control their actions in Hell. They are forever controlled by the winds of Hell, this is due to their inability to control their earthly passions in life. Another punishment the Lustful face are the inability to be with their loved one, in Hell they can see and speak to their loved one but are forever denied the right to touch their lover, causing them suffering and anguish. The readers sympathize with the sinners and Dante himself pities the lustful in this circle. Dante structures his Inferno in circles, with the higher circles being composed of lesser sins and the lowest circles being the gravest sins. Dante structures the circles wis ely in order to stress the belief of the importance of community. The higher circles of Hell contain the sinners who sought unity and community,