Why yes, I think I can

Looking back on this book, it reminds me a lot of Lord of the Rings. In fact: it is the Lord of the Rings antithesis in many ways.
First, the obvious similarities:
Both Dante and Tolkien have an obsession with imagery. Dante describes every level of hell in a matter of fact way: detailing the punishments, the surroundings, the people within. Tolkien does likewise, describing every tree and mountain. Both make you feel as though you could be walking through the world they describe. In retrospect, this is the most stunning thing about the book, and what engaged me most as a reader. The world Dante creates on the page is what matters, not the Dante wondering around in it.
In addition to this, in both Tolkien and Dante do the protagonists encounter people on their journey. The way many of these people are approached is very similar between the pieces. Dante talks to them; asks their name; asks what they did; (usually) feels pity; and then goes on his way. That person has no significant effect on the plot at all. Similarly, Tolkien often had encounters with minor characters which dragged on. Their names were always spoken, no matter their significance, and usually some back story was given. If you want examples, ask me. I wont waste more space. Minor characters matter to both Tolkien and Dante.
The final obvious similarity is the journey which is made. Frodo is headed towards mount Doom. Dante is headed towards the center of hell. Center of Hell. Mount Doom. Center of Hell. Mount Doom. Pretty similar. However, one is the hottest place on Middle Earth, and the other is cold as hell (pardon my french). Thats a very obvious example of their opposite-ness, their antithetical nature.
This brings me to some deeper differances. These differances are differances in religion any philosophy. Sauron is the Devil in LOTR, if you consider just LOTR (not the Simirillian- which I will get to later). The Devil is the Devil in Dante. The devil and Sauron operate in entirely differant ways; illustrating a fundimental differance between Dante's devil and the devil found in other christain literature (the bible/Lotr). Dante's Devil is being punished. He is sitting in the bottom of hell chewing on some nasty man-flesh. He is up to his waist in ice, and by trying to flap his wings he keeps things nice and freezing. The devil isnt sitting on some throne punishing criminals because he enjoys it in Dante: the Devil is the ultimate betrayer. He is suffering the worst punishment of everyone in Dante.
Compare this to Lord of the Rings. Sauron too is a betrayer. However, he is a suducer with his words, a temptor. He is the devil from within the bible. He is the voice in the back of your head telling you to do bad things. This is illustrated whenever Frodo puts on the ring. He made his object of evil (the ring) in the hottest place on earth (Mt Doom).
Looking back, this was another significant thing the book gave to me. It gave me another look at the idea of Satan. Dante's version was much more grounded in mythology.
Another things which was opposite was their journeys. In LOTR, Frodo travels through the good places on the way to the bad place (although the bad is always with him in the ring). In Dante, its all bad places. The inferno is very dark.
Another difference is the ending. Dante goes on to go to heaven, happy as can be. At least, not visibly scarred by his experiences. He emerges from the depths of hell as a whole being. Compare this to Frodo, who also emerges from the depths of hell. Frodo is missing a finger, and is never whole again. While other characters end up satisfied in Middle Earth, Frodo feels that he must leave, that he is scarred and broken. Frodo's interaction with hell left a far more profound and human impact upon him. Dante didnt seem to truely mind. This also goes back to the differance between the huge physical devil being punished, and the devious Sauron seducing your soul.
This list could go on and on. However, I think that examining the Simirilian (a book Tolkien wrote about the mythology of Middle Earth and the history of middle earth). In it, it is revealed that Sauron is not the real big baddie. He is merely a Leautenant. The real big bady betrayed the Gods (and main god), and is now being punished for an eternity. This is very similar to Dante. It has christian overtones, but is grounded in mythology. So perhaps they arent such antithesises of each other. I cant make up my mind.

Anyways, I got a lot out of Dante. It made me examine Christianity's relationship with ancient mythology. It made me examine corruption in the church. I was also morbidly fascinated with Dante's descriptions of hell. It certainly captured my imagination. Looking back, I think I liked the lack of twisting plot. The world is what truely made Dante's Inferno special. As a human, I also liked its matter of fact tone when dealing with the unknowable. If you go back to my last blog post and read the 1000 words on why it captured imaginations, you will find my reaction to the piece as a whole. All in all: it was a worthy read. It meant much more than the pages contained, and gave me more perspective than a simple story could.