Discussion – Divine Comedy

Why does Dante use the symbolism of three for each of the important beings he meets at the end of each section of the Divine Comedy (Satan at the end of Inferno, Beatrice at the end of Purgatorio, and God at the end of Paradiso)? What is he saying about Satan, Beatrice, and God that they are all represented by the number three (the three faces of Satan, one yellow, one black and one red; the three colors of the garb of Beatrice, red for love, green for faith, and white for hope; and the three aspects of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit)? Why do you think he does this?

I also said there would be one last Extra Credit opportunity (5 pts), and that is to answer this question as well: Why do you think Dante focuses on the things he does in the poem? What does this say about his society?

***Your post should be a solid paragraph in length (as always a solid paragraph is roughly 5-7 sentences), which includes both your initial response and the responses to your colleagues. For all discussions you are required to respond thoughtfully and respectfully to one of your colleague’s posts. Your initial post is worth 10 points and the response to a colleague is worth 10 points, so give equal thought to both posts.***