Good arguments can be offered either way.
38-9. Aries ... that rode with him to light the new creation: The medieval tradition had it that the sun was in Aries at the time of the Creation. The significance of the astronomical and religious conjunction is an important part of Dante’s intended allegory. It is just before dawn of Good Friday 1300 A.D. when he awakens in the Dark Wood. Thus his new life begins under Aries, the sign of creation, at dawn (rebirth) and in the Easter season (resurrection). Moreover the moon is full and the sun is in the equinox, conditions that did not fall together on any Friday of 1300. Dante is obviously constructing poetically the perfect Easter as a symbol of his new awakening.
69. sub Julio: In the reign of Julius Caesar.
95. The Greyhound ... Feltro and Feltro: Almost certainly refers to Can Grande della Scala (1290-1329), great Italian leader born in Verona, which lies between the towns of Feltre and Montefeltro.
100-101. Nisus, Turnus, Euryalus, Camilla: All were killed in the war between the Trojans and the Latians when, according to legend, Aeneas led the survivors of Troy into Italy. Nisus and Euryalus (Aeneid IX) were Trojan comrades-in-arms who died together. Camilla (Aeneid XI) was the daughter of the Latian king and one of the warrior women. She was killed in a horse charge against the Trojans after displaying great gallantry. Turnus (Aeneid XII) was killed by Aeneas in a dueL
110. the second death: Damnation. “This is the second death, even the lake of fire.” (Revelation XX, 14)
118. forbids me to come there since, living, etc.: Salvation is only through Christ in Dante’s theology. Virgil lived and died before the establishment of Christ’s teachings in Rome, and cannot therefore enter Heaven.
125. Peter’s gate: The gate of Purgatory. (See Purgatorio IX, 76 ff.) The gate is guarded by an angel with a gleaming sword. The angel is Peter’s vicar (Peter, the first Pope, symbolized all Popes; i.e., Christ’s vicar on earth) and is entrusted with the two great keys.
Some commentators argue that this is the gate of Paradise, but Dante mentions no gate beyond this one in his ascent to Heaven. It should be remembered, too, that those who pass the gate of Purgatory have effectively entered Heaven.
The three great gates that figure in the entire journey are: the gate of Hell (Canto III, 1-11), the gate of Dis (Canto VIII, 79-113, and Canto IX, 86-87), and the gate of Purgatory, as above.
Canto II
The Descent
It is evening of the first day (Friday). Dante is following Virgil and finds himself tired and despairing. How can he be worthy of such a vision as Virgil has described? He hesitates and seems about to abandon his first purpose.
To comfort him Virgil explains how Beatrice descended to him in Limbo and told him of her concern for Dante. It is she, the symbol of Divine Love, who sends Virgil to lead Dante from error. She has come into Hell itself on this errand, for Dante cannot come to Divine Love unaided; Reason must lead him. Moreover Beatrice has been sent with the prayers of the Virgin Mary (COMPASSION), and of Saint Lucia (DIVINE LIGHT).
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