1 Introduction

The simile in the Divine Comedy is a key rhetorical device used by Dante to depict the protagonist's experience, and 597 similes are systematically classified in the text and illustrations. Although not prominent in Romance literature, similes are widely used in "Divine Comedy". Since the 19th century, scholars have conducted in-depth research on the origin, classification, and interpretation of similes. Chinese translators such as Huang Guobin and Wang Jun have noticed the rhetorical form of metaphor. Tian Dewang's translation is the first complete Italian translation, and his prose style helps to faithfully convey the meaning of the original poem. The three similes in the first song of "Hell Chapter" have typical significance in defining and classifying the similes in "Divine Comedy". This article combines Western research and Tian Dewang's translation to analyze the metaphor of the first song of "Hell Chapter" and explore the process of Chinese translation.

Basic Research on Metaphors in "Divine Comedy"

In the basic research of the metaphor in "Divine Comedy", the first step is to define the metaphor and point out its difference from comparison in Italian, that is, metaphor is an irreversible comparison, while comparison is reversible. The similes in "Divine Comedy" sometimes resemble comparative forms, but there are differences in content. Pseudo simile is a special type of simile in "Divine Comedy", characterized by the fact that the subject and the metaphorical object are the same thing. This rhetorical device is widely used in "Divine Comedy" with the aim of creating universal human experience. The similes in "Divine Comedy" can be divided into partial marks and complete marks based on the number of metaphorical words, with complete marks having a more typical meaning in the poem. The traditional interpretation of the metaphor in "Divine Comedy" can be divided into three categories: first, viewing the metaphor as a lyrical poem expressing poetic inspiration; second, viewing it as a realistic effort to evoke a shared experience among readers; and third, using it as a technique for constructing content. In addition, some scholars have proposed interpreting the similes in "Divine Comedy" from a metaphorical perspective, believing that each element has a metaphorical meaning. The metaphor in "Divine Comedy" is a fundamental way of poetic dialogue, closely related to the context, and is a necessary rhetorical device rather than a pure decoration.

A Brief Exploration of the Chinese Translation of the First Song of "Hell Chapter": Metaphor

The first song of "Inferno" serves as the prologue to "Divine Comedy", using metaphorical rhetoric to depict the protagonist Dante's fear of encountering the three beasts of leopard, lion, and wolf in the forest, as well as his subsequent encounter with Virgil. The use of metaphors not only enhances the narrative waves, but also reflects Dante's intention to transform personal experiences into universal experiences. At the same time, these metaphors also echo Christian classics and classical epics, increasing the depth of the text.

4 Conclusion

The analysis of Tian Dewang's translation shows that the Chinese compound metaphorical structure can better preserve the original poetic metaphorical structure of "Divine Comedy", but cannot fully replicate its rhetorical function. The implicit textual meaning of the metaphor in "Divine Comedy" is difficult to directly reflect and needs further exploration. There have been achievements in the study of Dante in China, but there is a gap with international research. Introducing Western research and exploring the process of Chinese translation aims to promote the development of Dante's studies in China and deepen the understanding of the Divine Comedy.