English Literature & Creative Writing
Damn Francesca: Justice in Dante’s Inferno V
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Subject Area
English Literature & Creative Writing
Start Date
11-4-2014 9:00 AM
End Date
11-4-2014 10:30 AM
Sponsor
Donald Gilman (Ball State University)
Description
Justice is done, for Dante's Francesca is rightly condemned to the circle of the lustful. The aim of this paper is therefore to explain biblical reasons for Francesca da Rimini's damnation. Through reference to the Old and New Testaments and, especially, to epistles written by the Apostles, I define sin and God's moral law that demonstrates Francesca's violation of biblical ethics. Condemnation, though, goes beyond transgression and requires defiant intentionality. Fully aware of her violation of divine law and continually unrepentant, Francesca suffers God's wrath and does not receive Christian redemption. Dante presents Francesca sympathetically, and certainly she is a victim of circumstances. However, within the context of biblical dictates and Christian theology, she is justly damned.
Damn Francesca: Justice in Dante’s Inferno V
Indianapolis, IN
Justice is done, for Dante's Francesca is rightly condemned to the circle of the lustful. The aim of this paper is therefore to explain biblical reasons for Francesca da Rimini's damnation. Through reference to the Old and New Testaments and, especially, to epistles written by the Apostles, I define sin and God's moral law that demonstrates Francesca's violation of biblical ethics. Condemnation, though, goes beyond transgression and requires defiant intentionality. Fully aware of her violation of divine law and continually unrepentant, Francesca suffers God's wrath and does not receive Christian redemption. Dante presents Francesca sympathetically, and certainly she is a victim of circumstances. However, within the context of biblical dictates and Christian theology, she is justly damned.