Dante's works Vita Nuova and Purgatorio include his experiences with many dreams throughout his journey. These dreams are not simply extensions of his experiences, but rather represent important symbolism in his works. Although the content and actual symbolism of each dream are different, there are parallel allegorical aspects between them. The main symbolic similarity of each dream is that they foreshadow and connect Dante's current situation and upcoming undertakings. The first dream in Purgatory consists of Dante imagining himself being kidnapped by an eagle and taken through a series of tortuous expeditions. Dante describes the dream as “…terrible as lightning fell and dragged me into the ball of fire. There it seemed that the eagle and I were burning, and the imaginary flames burned me so much that I immediately came out of the dreamy sleep” (Purgatory IX, 29-33). The flight of the eagle foreshadows Dante's actual physical position during his dream as he is carried by Lucia to the entrance to Purgatory. The distressing description of h...