Rewrite this passage so that it has better sentence variety and overall rhythm. Considering Dante's choice of the medium of narrative poetry can help us understand his intention, as despite Dante being clearly upset about the sinful ways of popes, rivals, and other influential people, he chose to write a narrative poem rather than a scathing essay or even a sermon, and even though some reasons for this choice are historical, since poetry was considered the highest written form for storytellers during the Middle Ages in Europe, that doesn't necessarily explain why Dante chose to tell a story in the first place.