Virgil Leads a Tour through Hell

2. Why do you think the poet Dante chooses the Roman poet Virgil as the guide through hell for his pilgrim, Dante?

Dante begins his poem by introducing himself as a lost traveler on the road of life. He wanders hopelessly through a wood, later only saved by Virgil. Though Virgil has died quite some time ago, he still is able to come from Hell, where he has been dwelling since his death. 

Basic ideas (at least on the surface level), but the reader might ask:

Why Virgil?

Dante had the choice of any deceased, pagan, man or woman to make his Guide in his poem. He chose Virgil, specifically. Virgil is a Roman poet most notably of the Aeneid, why would the Florentine, Dante, chose an ancient Roman poet as his guide?

Firstly, it is important to notice that Virgil is quite an upright man for his placement in hell (not even past the first river), yet he is still in Hell. He spent all of his years as a pagan, worshiping "false god who lied". Virgil tells Dante of his desire and hope to go to heaven and regret of his life choices.

Secondly, Virgil's existence in Dante's poem isn't merely reflected in the character, Virgil. Virgil's presence is ubiquitous through the entire poem. The very same poetic techniques, writing styles, and even plot events, are direct reflections of Virgil's Aeneid. Not only is Dante's writing heavily influenced by Virgil's writing, but also the very plot of the Inferno. Both stories show a hero venture through difficult trials; epics. The heroes in the story are shed in two very different lights, however. Aeneas, in the Aeneid, is a very heroic and strong character, not only saving himself from doom, but also many early Romans. Dante, however, in the Inferno is a humble hero, one who is weak and lost, a hero who is saved. In the end, Dante rests in eternal paradise, while Aeneas faces mortality among the other pagans.

By choosing Virgil as his Guide, Dante, in a way, explicates and credits Virgil's influence in the Inferno. The "bibliographic" nature of Virgil's presence gives the reader no doubt of the Aeneid's existence within the very fabric of the Inferno.