Dante's Inferno, Cantos Three and Four

Canto Four:

1. Charon is a demon who stands at the entrance of Hell and does nothing but abuse the residents there. Whether put there by God or Satan (though I think it's God), he is there to make the people who could not choose in life feel miserable. It's ironic that God has given these people the desire to cross into Hell because, now in the afterlife, their biggest desire is to make a choice.

2. "...consider what that means." (lines 107-108). Virgil is telling Dante that Charon is complaining about his presence because Dante is actually a good soul. By pointing out that no good souls can pass through, and Charon is upset at Dante's presence, it suggests that Dante actually has a good soul. It makes the reader wonder why he has been pitched into Hell at all.

Canto Four:

1. "Encircled seven times...with the sages." (lines 91-95). The idea that the castle for these great men is guarded by seven walls and seven gates suggests that, even though they are in Hell, God is still protecting them. This shows the idea that God still cares about the good people, even though he can't bring them into Heaven.

2. "Which shades...I cannot tally the list." (lines 106-129). This section seems like it sort of satirizes Christianity. These are men that are considered great, and ones that Dante personally admires. The fact that they are in Hell simply because they were ignorant of God seems like Dante is making fun of the principles of Christianity.