Summary Geryon, the monster, lands on the brink of the abyss, his tail hanging over the side. Geryon’s face is that of an innocent man, but his body is half-reptile, half-hairy beast, with a scorpion’s stinger at the end of his tail. The poets approach him, and Virgil tells Dante […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Canto XVIISummary and Analysis Canto XVI
Summary The poets near a waterfall at the edge of the third round of Circle VII, and they can hear the rumbling of its water falling into the next circle. Three shades run to Dante, recognizing his Florentine dress. Virgil has a great deal of respect for these shades and […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Canto XVISummary and Analysis Canto XV
Summary The poets begin walking along the high banks of the stream, protected from the snow-like flames by the steam that the boiling brook emits. A company of wandering shades comes into sight and they stare closely at the poets. One of the shades recognizes Dante and is overjoyed to […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Canto XVSummary and Analysis Canto XIV
Summary Dante gathers the leaves and returns them to the bush, and the poets pass to the other edge of the wood. Here is the beginning of a desolate plain, and Dante looks fearfully about him. Many souls are on this plain, some lying down, some crouching, and some wandering […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Canto XIVSummary and Analysis Canto XIII
Summary Virgil and Dante now enter into a pathless wood. This is a dismal wood of strange black leaves, misshapen branches, and poisonous branches barren of fruit. The Harpies nest here, feeding on the branches of the gnarled trees. Virgil explains that this is the second round of the seventh […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Canto XIIISummary and Analysis Canto XII
Summary The poets enter round one of Circle VII and must navigate a steep passage of broken rocks. They come upon the Minotaur, and Virgil taunts it into a fury, so that the two may pass unharmed. Virgil tells Dante to turn his eyes to the valley where he will […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Canto XIISummary and Analysis Canto XI
Summary The poets descend further and come to a group of broken boulders, behind which they rest a bit so that they can become accustomed to the foul stink that rises from the lower circles. Dante sees a headstone with an inscription, “I guard Anastasius, once Pope, he whom Photinus […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Canto XISummary and Analysis Canto X
Summary The poets begin their journey down a secret path in Circle VI, the circle containing the Heretics. Dante tells Virgil that he wants to speak with some of the shades in this circle, and Virgil answers that Dante’s wish will soon be granted, as well as a wish Dante […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Canto XSummary and Analysis Canto IX
Summary At the opening of Canto IX, Dante, waiting outside of the gate to the City of Dis, is afraid. The poets have a few minutes to talk, and Virgil tells Dante of the time when the sorceress Erichtho summoned out a spirit from the lowest circle of Hell. Virgil […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Canto IXSummary and Analysis Canto VIII
Summary The poets are approaching the great tower when two flames shoot from its top, and immediately, another flame replies from the other side of the marsh of Styx. Soon after the signal, a boatman, Phlegyas, arrives, eager to take more damned souls deeper into Hell. The sight of the […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Canto VIII