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I was reading Dante's Inferno and came across these quote. I understand the basic meaning but what does it mean in depth?

“THROUGH ME THE WAY INTO THE SUFFERING CITY,

THROUGH ME THE WAY TO THE ETERNAL PAIN,

THROUGH ME THE WAY THAT RUNS AMONG THE LOST.

JUSTICE URGED ON MY HIGH ARTIFICER;

MY MAKER WAS DIVINE AUTHORITY

THE HIGHEST WISDOM, AND THE PRIMAL LOVE.

BEFORE ME NOTHING BUT ETERNAL THINGS

WERE MADE, AND I ENDURE ETERNALLY.

ABANDOM EVERY HOPE, WHO ENTER HERE.”

1 Answer

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  • Anonymous
    6 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    Well, it simply refers to the gateway to Hell -- it's the inscription on the gateway in Canto III -- made by God (embodiment of divine authority, the greatest wisdom and the source of love) to impose justice -- eternal punishment -- on irredeemable sinners. Those sent there must have no hope that their punishment will ever be lifted.

    That's quite a famous passage, and the last line is one of the most famous in literature: "Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'entrate".

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