(Part 1) Inferno’s Modern Critique on Political Corruption
In the 14th century, an Italian poet by the name of Dante Alighieri published “The Divine Comedy”, one of the greatest work of literature in medieval Europe. The most notable section of the three-part narrative is “Inferno”, which details Dante’s trek through the depths of Hell. Its fame and undying relevance in subsequent years can be attributed to one of the story’s many timeless themes: corruption.
It’s made abundantly clear in “Inferno” of Dante’s loathing for corruption. This doesn’t come as a surprise, as fraudsters ran rampant in his hometown of Florence during the turbulent struggle between papal and imperial forces. Dante himself participated in the conflict as a member of the imperial “White” faction, due to his detestation of the Church’s practice of simony. In addition to the sale of ecclesiastical pardons, the abandonment of religious values extended into the realm of political fraud. Generations of religious officials deserted their duties in the search for power and wealth.
Sound familiar?
These activities are uncanny in their resemblance to the deeds of contemporary politicians. It’s worrying to know that the abuse of influence for personal gain hasn’t been rectified since the Middle Ages. In modern times, politicians are led astray from their civic duty through wealth offered by special interest groups. Their actions invalidate the moral integrity of the American government system, and twists it into what is beyond the intentions of its creators. This runs parallel to the breakdown of the medieval Church’s virtue as a legitimate religious authority.
Dante was so abhorred by the evils of the Catholic Church, that he placed two former popes in Hell, and made mention of the living pope’s destined afterlife in the underworld.
Unfortunately, the poem is unable to provide a definitive solution for the difficult issue. However, Dante's recognition of corruption was the first step in cleansing society of its evils, just as how his character’s rejection of sin opened the way for his own salvation; the inclusion of this sensitive topic was viewed as a bold and dangerous move by medieval contemporaries of the time. Through the injection of political commentary in his work, Dante provided an example for modern society to follow; his work implores us to question the immoral condition of the political system and vocalize our discontent with the current state of affairs. The process of amendment is a long and arduous one, but for now, Dante's timeless classic offers reassurance with the corrupt's eternal punishment within Hell's inferno.
