Dante's Inferno Canti 21-27

We have a reference (Canto 21, vv. 110-112) to the fact that Dante is following in Christ's path when he had his own descent into hell. What do you make of the fact that Dante puts himself here in the place where Christ once walked? (Don't forget that this journey takes place over Easter weekend, with the descent into Hell occurring on Good Friday). What can we tease out from all this?

In Canto 21, 110-114, “Pursue your way along upon this rock; near is another crag that yields a path. Yesterday, five hours later than this hour, one thousand and two hundred sixty-six years were complete, that here the way was broken,” it talks about how there was an earthquake in hell at the time of Jesus’ death and clues the reader to the time that Dante’s journey is occurring. The fact that Dante puts himself in the place where Jesus once walked may suggest that he equates himself to Jesus. Christ descended into hell on Good Friday before he was resurrected on Easter Sunday. Dante’s pilgrimage is following the same timeline. This can foreshadow the fact that Dante will rise from his journey on Easter Sunday, as well. This is supposed to be a learning experience for Dante. In the beginning he is very sympathetic towards all of these souls, but as he continues on it is clear that the sinners created their own destiny. The grafter from Navarre appeared in Canto XXII, “I in the Kingdom of Navarre was born; My mother placed me servant to a lord” (48-49). Here Navarre still will not accept his fate and it is clear he is the same person he was on earth. Dante is supposed to be growing and learning from this experience and must learn that he is in control of his own fate. It is not too late to change. Navarre decided to stay the same person and though he manages to deceive the demons to avoid his punishment from them, he cannot avoid the worst punishment of them all, eternity in hell. Good always overcomes evil. Dante wants to continue without the demons, “Pray let us go,” I said, “without an escort, If thou knowest how, since for myself I ask none” (XXI, 28-29). The demons were there to protect Dante, even though he was afraid them. Temptation will always be there. The real test comes down to who can overcome it. Jesus overcame evil and Dante can, too if he continues to follow in Jesus’ path.