Question

Explain what role the narrator believes he is playing in telling the story. Describe how this belief will affect the story. Your answer should be at least 250 words.
(Dante in Canto and Inferno)

Answer 1

The narrator which is Dante believes he is playing the role of the protagonist. He believes that he is a good man who strays from the path of virtue, finding himself in the dark wood at the beginning of the poem. Dante is often terrified in hell and is moved by pity for the suffering sinners he sees there. However, he gradually learns from Virgil and becomes both more confident and less sympathetic toward those who have sinned against God. He is often interested in lingering to speak with sinners from Italy, particularly his native city of Florence. Since Dante is telling his own story I believe he is willing to add on details or lie about what actually happened in the adventure.