Natur als Protagonistin von Dantes Inferno. Von Erdbeben, Baumseelen und Tränenflüssen

Abstract

Until today the extensive Dante research has rarely dealt with the infernal landscape constructed by the author even though the punitive effects of the four elements fire, water, earth and air are central to the text. This article considers to what extent the hostile nature of hell determined the construction of the first Cantica, even serving as the main protagonist. After starting with the creation of hell, its geological and meteorological conditions will be analyzed. A special focus here is on the suicides, who, through their transformation into plants, not only become part of the natural system themselves, but also refer to the Greek term »hyle« by their designation as »selva« and thus become a primordial matter. The hydrography of the inferno is also considered. Based on the different manifestations of the rivers of the underworld, the question of their terrestrial source is finally examined. Dante's geological and hydrographic systems are based on their own myths of origin. This article identifies scientific models of transmission in both myths. The first, elaborated by Albertus Magnus, explained the various effects of earthquakes, and the other accounted for cartography and negotiations of the geographical center of the earth.