The Final Goal

In Canto I of Paradise, the first lines immediately strike me. They read, "The glory of the One Who moves all things penetrates all the universe, I have been in His brightest shining heaven and seen such things that no man once returned from there has wit or skill to tell about." I love these line not just from the standpoint of Dante realizing heaven, but just as a realization for a human person today. It just feels to be such a touching line for anyone. For me, I was in total agreement not by the fact that I have been to heaven and vision it that way, but just as to what I believe in the glory of God. This shows an immense amount of praise Dante has for God and the journey he began is soon to be completed. But would Dante have ever said this while he was in hell? Probably not but that is due to the personal growth he has accomplished. He has come very far and to say the words he said in praise of the glory of God and it shows a large leap in faith. Try to picture someone who reads these lines of the book and does not believe in God. I believe that to hear that praise in God and to be struck in awe that much shows what God is capable of doing. It all just amazes me, obviously God being one of them, but also the character development of Dante in this book. It has been a pleasure to watch it unveil.

Dante's New Journey

In Canto XXVII, Dante and Virgil begin to near the end of purgatory, but Dante must finish his journey through purgatory alone. Virgil explains to Dante that he is no longer needed on this journey. He says his final words to Dante, "Expect no longer words or signs from me, Now is your will upright, wholesome and free, and not to heed its pleasure would be wrong: I crown and mitter you lord of yourself!" This is a very exciting part for Dante, because it shows that he has grown into a new person who is now capable of accepting his faults compared to those in hell who were never capable of doing that. Virgil is also not capable of entering heaven because he is in hell, but that is not the point. Virgil also realizes that Dante has accepted and now understands his sins. Virgil was guiding Dante through this whole journey in hope of seeing him change and he definitely  accomplished that. It seemed that Dante had confusion within himself and needed that guidance from Virgil, and thats why Virgil says his final words in that way. The part especially sticks out is, "I crown and mitter you lord of yourself!" Virgil is clearly telling Dante you have accomplished yourself in a way that was needed in order for you to continue your journey.

A Gate of Hope

In Canto IX, Virgil wakes up Dante the Pilgrim, where they find themselves in front of the gates of purgatory. One of the first people they meet upon the gate is Lucia and she says to them, "Come, let me take this man who lies asleep: I wish to speed him up on his journey." Now, lets compare this approach to the gate of hell. They are two totally different atmospheres, as we already know with hell that immediately as they walked up there was a huge amount of fear. Dante was afraid looking into hell and reading the sign above the gate frightened. But with purgatory, it seems to be a very different approach. Just based off of Lucia's words, you can tell it is a much better place. It has hope for all, as you can tell from Lucia's words when she talks about beginning the journey up. When comparing this to hell, there is not a single ounce of hope. All who are down there remain down there for eternity. It is very interesting how both of these gates have immediate symbolism when these characters approach these gates. Their reactions and emotions show what each gate means. Hell representing eternal punishment for man, and purgatory showing hope. Even though one must climb up and do their time in purgatory, it is a hopeful suffering for man and his achievement for salvation.