This prominent passage is an exploration of Dante's reactions to Fillipo Argenti, his attempts to purge himself of wrath, and the progress of his soul towards perfection. Fillipo Argenti is greeted rather bitterly by Dante who outwardly denounces him. Dante's criticism of Argenti is an example of his attempts to rid himself of evil, which is recognized, praised, and even aided by his guide, Virgil. Dante's early reactions toward the damned and their punishments are filled with astonishment and compassion and are just at this passage beginning to transform to more contemptuous and scornful. This confrontation is a pivotal point in Dante's journey, as he seems to rid himself of pity and sympathy towards the sinful, and becomes more accepting of the divine justice.

Dante immediately recognizes Argenti and reacts with hostility to the mere sight of him. After Dante recognizes Argenti, Dante offers him a token of his thoughts: "May you weep and wail to all eternity, for I know you, Hell-dog, filthy as you are." This reaction is Dante's most belligerent reaction in the poem up to this passage, and underlines his rejection of the sinner. Dante adds to this rejection by pra

This step is an accomplishment for Dante, which is aided and embraced by Virgil. Virgil adds to Dante's criticism of Argenti by insulting Argenti even more. "Down! Down! With the other dogs." Virgil also expresses his support for Dante very outwardly. "Indignant spirit, I kiss you as you frown. Blessed be she who bore you." The last sentence is a biblical allusion to the words Luke said to Christ. Virgil's usage of a phrase that was spoken to Christ exemplifies the joy he receives after seeing an example Dante's progress.

A larger scale view of Dante's progress is evident after examination of his early reactions toward the damned compared with his late reactions. One of Dante's earliest reactions towards sinners involves Homer, Horace, Ovid, and Lucan. Instead of dismissing them, Dante attempts to converse with them. "...I should be glad to speak a word with those two..." Dante ignores the fact that these sinners are residents of Hell and therefore approves of their sins. Another early reaction takes place when Dante learns the story of Paolo and Francesca. His reaction is neither hostile nor belligerent. "... I felt my senses reel and faint away with anguish. I was swept by such a swoon as death is, and I fell, as a corpse might fall, to the dead floor of Hell." Dante feels pity towards these sinners and cannot physically handle it. These reactions contrast sharply with the reaction he has towards Argenti, as well as others he has later in the poem. Some of Dante's most telling reactions are his non-reactions. After hearing the terribly distressing and traumatic story of Count Ugolino, Dante just moves on as if he has seen nothing. Dante offers no sympathy, feels no sorrow, and absolutely disregards Ugolino. Dante's last reaction to a resident of Hell is that of Satan himself. The horrid sight of Satan, his giant wings and three heads, does not faze Dante. Dante climbs up and over his body, and begins the assent to Purgatory. This final reaction marks an ending to Dante's journey through Hell, and demonstrates the amount of cleansing his soul has undergone.

This passage is a crucia

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Approximate Word count = 1419
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)