I am writing a literary analysis and I've come across what I think is an allusion to Dante's Inferno. The quote is:
"Abandon hope, all ye who enter here"
It looked very familiar. Wasn't this message posted by the gate at the entrance to the hell?
Thanks.
2007-11-25 07:54:41 · 7 answers · asked by belizeable 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Quotations
It certainly is!
2007-11-25 07:58:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The quote also occurs in "Dan Juan in Hell" by G. Bernard Shaw. The English is a little different, but Dante did not speak English. In fact, when Dante wrote his "Inferno," English was still Middle English.
Dona Ana, whose father Don Juan killed, has died after a long life and gone to Hell, where a living statue, that of her father, says:
   THE STATUE [consoling her] No, no, no, my child: do not pray. If you do, you will throw away the main advantage of this place. Written over the gate here are the words "Leave every hope behind, ye who enter." Only think what a relief that is! For what is hope? A form of moral responsibility. Here there is no hope, and consequently no duty, no work, nothing to be gained by praying, nothing to be lost by doing what you like. Hell, in short, is a place where you have nothing to do but amuse yourself.
2007-11-25 16:20:27 · answer #2 · answered by anobium625 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes, because it is announcing to the "sinners" who enter that all hope is gone once you have entered the inferno.
2007-11-25 15:59:14 · answer #3 · answered by shatteredglassfairy_16 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The inscription at the entrance or gate to Hell.
2007-11-25 15:59:06 · answer #4 · answered by ? 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
2007-11-25 15:56:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, that is correct.
2007-11-25 16:17:00 · answer #6 · answered by Paul Hxyz 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
it depends on which "HELL" you are refering to. About nine levels are apparent and true but which one are "you" refering to?
2007-11-25 15:59:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋