Political Themes from Dante's Inferno
Political Themes from Dante's Inferno
A middle class poet of noble lineage, Dante Alighieri, lived in a turbulent time of Italy and specifically Florentine history. He wrote his most famous piece, the both politically and spiritually oriented Divine Comedy, while in political exile. It is commented on often that his true inspitation for writing was a girl named Beatrice, that he met at a prominent function before the age of twelve. Dante was very fond of this beautiful girl and her early death caused him to study and contemplate greatly. Could this be the only factor of motivation for such a rich work? What drove him to write such an impassioned masterful piece, considered by many to be a height of medieval literature? One most only look upon his native city’s political history for the answer.
Florence’s political climate from 1215 until the 1300’s was unsettled by a raging feud between the Guelfs, mostly comprised of lower class nobility and artisans, and the aristocrat Ghibelline parties. These originally German sects of the quarreling Welfs and Waibiblingens became local Italian parties and fought over control of Florence, the Guelfos claiming allegiance to the papal authority and the Ghibellines to imperial rule (Musa IX). It is not known how these feuds began. An interesting anecdote is given by the 14th century writer Giovanni Fiorentino. He claimed that the origin of this great fued was rooted in an argument between two best friends, Guelfo and Ghibellino. A difference in opinion over the superiority of one of their dogs fueled a heated argument. As the words of Fiorentino explain, escalation continued.
“This unlucky division between them still increasing, they on either side collected parties of their followers, in order more effectually to annoy each other. Soon extending its malignant influence over the neighboring lords and barons of Germany, who divided, according to their motives, either with the Guelph or Ghibelline, it not only produced many serious affrays, but several persons fell victims to its rage. Ghibellino, finding himself hard pressed by his enemy, and unable longer to keep the field against him, resolved to apply for assistance to Frederick the First, the reigning Emperor. Upon this, Guelfo, perceiving that his adversary sought the alliance of this monarch, applied on his side to Pope Honorius II., who being at variance with the former, and hearing how...