In class, we briefly discussed the Old Man of Crete. He is one of my favorite symbols in Inferno as he brought to my attention the repetitive theme of the degradation of humankind. Though as a work in its entirety, The Divine Comedy goes from tragedy (Inferno) to harmony (Paradiso), in Inferno all emphasizes the idea of our decline as a race. Even the way hell is laid out, starting with the virtuous Pagans and ending in absolute chaos in the 9th circle, can be interpreted as not only showing the level of each sin but as commentary on our decent away from decency.
The Old Man of Crete is turning his back to the pagan world of the East and is facing towards Rome, the modern, Christian world. His head of gold is the only part of him not effected by fissures in which his tears stream through. The tears represent the sorrow brought to mankind due to original sin, as Mt. Ida in itself can be compared to the Garden of Eden ("then happy in its verdue and its streams, now deserted like an old, discarded thing"). The fissures, which allow for sorrow to flow, may be representative of imperfection that led to original sin and brought suffering.
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I also thought the Old Man Of Crete was a very interesting symbol in the story and I feel like what he stands for can definitely be applied to real life. As a race, I don’t necessarily feel that we may be on a decline (in fact the opposite with advancement in technology and education) but I do feel that some aspects of the world are well.....ridiculously out of control to put it lightly. Just to name a few extreme examples: civil strife in North Korea , the constant fear of terror incidents (in this month alone there has been 138 reported terrorist bombings, shootings, assassinations, etc.), acts of discrimination against other races/ethnic groups, deforestation/pollution and other environmental issues caused by Humans, etc. I feel like Dante’s description Old man of Crete is a good representation of these things that transpired today and if things don’t change soon, who knows what could happen to us as a race. Only the future can tell. Hopefully the people involved in these things don’t end up drowning in the Phlegethon.
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