The Vaule of Personal Development in The Divine Comedy, by...

In Italian Dante Alighieri (1265) Poem, The Divine Comedy Inferno, Translated by Mark Musa. Dante demonstrates the value of personal development which is the ability to keep a balanced life and continuously learn from past mistakes in order to create a better future. Dante begins the poem wrapped in his own thoughts and suffering but by the end of the poem he begins to understand other’s sufferings beyond his own. In his growth throughout his journey he learns about pain and sorrow that he cannot comprehend. He becomes more aware of the torture that is around him. At the beginning he appears to think that his life was horrible but by the end of the poem he seems to realize that he can make his and others lives better by becoming a better†¦show more content†¦Dante tried to leave the woods on his own but he was stopped by three threshold guardians Leopard, a lion and a she-wolf who blocked his path. Unable to go any further Dante automatically gave up â€Å"I lost al l hope of going up the hill† (Alighieri 1215). He ran away from the beasts and back into the woods. Dante giving up this easily is the opposite of the core value of excellence and personal development. Dante has no desire to make his situation better or to develop his personal skills in order to save himself. As he got back to the woods he said the Shade of Virgil. Virgil told Dante that he was sent to help him and that he has no reason to fear anymore. Virgil makes it clear to Dante that they must go through hell in order for Dante to reach safety. Immediately Dante begs him to make good on his promise to rescue him from the evil place he had found himself. Soon before the journey begins however Dante doubts himself begins to whine to Virgil that he is not capable of such a trip. Dante had very little self-confidence in himself and needed consent encouragement. Eventually Dante is once again convinced to begin the journey and the two go on their way. â€Å"Out of the tear-drenched land a wind arose which blasted forth into a reddish light, knocking my senses out of me completely, and I fell as one falls tired into sleep† (Alighieri 1223). As Virgil and Dante enter Hell Dante is immediately rendered