Dante's Inferno, Cantos Eleven and Twelve

Canto Eleven:
1. "Inscribed: 'Ihold Pope Anastasius...'". (line 7). This is a form of irony because the Pope is so important to the religion that Dante holds and the most widely spread religion at the time, yet he still goes to Hell. This could just be Dante's sense of humor, or it could serve as a warning that just because you look like you're following God, it doesn't mean you are.

2. "And fabrication are in three rings: to God, to one's self, or one's neighbor..." (lines 31-32). This shows the Christian hierarchy of care really well. According to the Bible, you are supposed to put God first, then yourself, then your neighbors.


Canto Twelve:
1. "...if any soul should rise out of the blood more than its guilt makes lawful...". (lines 66-67). This suggests that there is some mercy amidst the suffering. This example shows that souls can take a break from being tortured, yet if they try to take advantage of that they will be tortured further.

2. "It is necessity, and not his pleasure, that puts him on this road." (lines 80-81). This is the first suggestion we have that Dante is here for a specific reason. It foreshadows the revealing of his mission or purpose in Hell.