In canto 1, Dante can be easily characterized as a fearful individual. He first describes the feel of the woods as “savage” and “harsh,” and mentioned how even the slightest thought of that place was enough to renew his fright (canto 1, line 4). In addition, as he tried to make his way towards the top of a hill where light shone very brightly, he froze with terror at the sight of three beasts. The she-wolf, specifically, made him lose hope of reaching the top of that hill and prompted him to turn back. In canto 1, lines 58-60, he says “That restless beast, who, coming against me, little by little was driving me back to where the sun is silent.” This is very telling of how shaken up he was by the she-wolf; so much so, that he found more comfort in those “savage” woods than in her presence. In the second canto, Dante feels much more hopeful after meeting his guide, Virgil. Virgil tells Dante about Beatrice, a past lover who pitied Dante’s state of terror and wished for protection upon him. While Dante did feel doubtful at the thought of not making it through the journey to paradise, he said to Virgil, “your words have so filled my heart with desire to come with you, that I have returned to my first purpose” (canto 2, lines 136-138). This was the first time where we witnessed Dante being quite courageous and proceeding with the tough path that lay ahead.

By: Gianna Arias, Layka Coby, Gary Familia