Incarnational Mockery in Dante's Inferno?

Question

*Warning* this question requires comprehension of a theological concept.

Guy P. Raffa is an author of a book named "Divine Dialectic: Dante's Incarnational Poetry" and in this book he claims that Dante employs a central theme of Incarnation within the epic poem "The divine Comedy". To make things short, the idea of an "Incarnational Dialectic" is that of reconciliation between humanity and divinity referencing the incarnation of Christ.

In the inferno, Raffa is trying to make the point that there is evidence of incarnation as a central theme by parodies of incarnational unions in h**l. He cites examples of sinners with two natures who are unable to overcome dichotomies.

He also said that Lucifer with his one head and three faces is an ultimate mockery of the incarnation, but i don't see how this is a mockery?

can you help me?

Answer 1

Dante's scheme reflects a pre-modern society lacking modern law-enforcement mechanisms. Such societies, insofar as they maintain order at all, are built above all on trust. Relationships between persons, institutions, parties, etc. -- and not state power -- are what we mainly rely on to make sure murder is kept to a minimum. Thus, a fraud is worse than a murderer, because while a murderer kills, a fraud undermines the system that prevents thousands of potential murderers from killing.