Question

Dante's reaction to Francesca in Canto V has provoked differing interpretations. Some read the scene as evidence that he is sympathetic to passionate love—that the sin of lust is of less consequence than the humanity of the lovers—and that is the real moral lesson here. Others believe the scene demonstrates how dangerously seductive Francesca is and that love and lust are the same things to her. She is in this circle of Hell because she refuses to take responsibility for her actions. And what about Paolo—is he the seducer or the victim? What do you think? Based on your understanding of Dante, what is the lesson he wants us to learn?

Answer 1

Accept the consequences of your actions which can be morally performed. There will always be a dilemma for an individual must call it a dilemma even when knowing the consequences of one’s own actions, one has to conduct his actions and stick to them for they resemble a right passage through time and space.

Answer 2

In The Divine Comedy, we learn of the sin of Francesca and Paolo. Their sin was adultery, as Francesca was married to Paolo's brother when the two began a relationship. The two lovers are in Hell, paying for the sin of lust. However, they are in the first circle of Hell, which is the least serious one, and Dante reacts sympathetically towards them. It is likely that Dante does this in order to convey the idea that their sin is not as serious as the other one's in Hell. Their sin is a product of love. Although it was directed in the wrong way, it was still born from love. Moreover, their sin can be seen as a sacrifice as well, since the lovers sacrificed their salvation for each other.