Dante’s Divine Dante’s Divine Comedy: Inferno; Comedy: Inferno;

Canto VIII (8)Canto VIII (8)Jessica AceitunoJessica Aceituno

November 16,2007November 16,2007Canto VIII Canto VIII

Canto VIIICanto VIII Dante and Virgil approach the great tower Dante and Virgil approach the great tower

when two flames shoot from its top. when two flames shoot from its top. Another flame shoots from the marsh of Another flame shoots from the marsh of Styx. Styx.

Phlegyas a boatmen arrives eager to take Phlegyas a boatmen arrives eager to take more damned souls to into hell. Phlegyas is more damned souls to into hell. Phlegyas is angered by the sight of Dante and Virgil.angered by the sight of Dante and Virgil.

Virgil and Phlegyas get in to an argument. Virgil and Phlegyas get in to an argument. Phlegyas takes Dante and Virgil to the Phlegyas takes Dante and Virgil to the other side of the Styx.other side of the Styx.

Canto VIIICanto VIII Before getting to the other side of Styx, a Before getting to the other side of Styx, a

soul rises from the slime. The soul is soul rises from the slime. The soul is Dante’s Florentine enemy, Filippo Argenti, Dante’s Florentine enemy, Filippo Argenti, he is one of the wrathful in the marsh.he is one of the wrathful in the marsh.

Dante and Argenti exchange words and Dante and Argenti exchange words and Dante wishes that Argenti receive further Dante wishes that Argenti receive further punishment. punishment.

When Dante and Virgil reach the shore When Dante and Virgil reach the shore they see the City of Dis where the fires of they see the City of Dis where the fires of Hell glow.Hell glow.

Canto VIIICanto VIII When Dante and Virgil get off the boat a When Dante and Virgil get off the boat a

group of shades question Dante’s appearance group of shades question Dante’s appearance in their realm. The shades refuse to let Dante in their realm. The shades refuse to let Dante pass, though they say Virgil may enter but not pass, though they say Virgil may enter but not to return to his own circle. to return to his own circle.

Dante is afraid he will never be able to leave Dante is afraid he will never be able to leave Hell, he cries. Hell, he cries.

Virgil goes to the gate of the City of Dis alone Virgil goes to the gate of the City of Dis alone to see if he can open it, the doors are to see if he can open it, the doors are slammed in his face. Virgil assures Dante that slammed in his face. Virgil assures Dante that a Great one is on his way to open the gate.a Great one is on his way to open the gate.

Dante and Virgil approaching the City Dante and Virgil approaching the City of Dis.of Dis.

Description of CharactersDescription of Characters Phlegyas- mythological King of Phlegyas- mythological King of

Boeotia; son of Mars; thrown into Hell Boeotia; son of Mars; thrown into Hell for setting fire to Apollo’s temple for setting fire to Apollo’s temple because Apollo seduced his daughter.because Apollo seduced his daughter.

Filippo Argenti- Dante’s enemy who’s Filippo Argenti- Dante’s enemy who’s family opposed Dante’s return to family opposed Dante’s return to Florence. Suffers in the throng of Florence. Suffers in the throng of Wrathful (Circle 5- Styx)Wrathful (Circle 5- Styx)

Phlegyas and Filippo Phlegyas and Filippo Argenti.Argenti.

Scenery (Canto VIII); Inside the Scenery (Canto VIII); Inside the Character of Dante.Character of Dante.

The scenery of Canto VIII is full of fire, and The scenery of Canto VIII is full of fire, and surrounded by the Marsh of Styx. The sinners surrounded by the Marsh of Styx. The sinners in this circle are those who committed in this circle are those who committed Wrathful; people who were always angry. Wrathful; people who were always angry. They are in Circle 5. The last circle before the They are in Circle 5. The last circle before the Walls of Dis. These souls are punished by Walls of Dis. These souls are punished by constantly hitting each other.constantly hitting each other.

In Canto VIII, Dante’s character is changing, In Canto VIII, Dante’s character is changing, Dante no longer feels pity for the sinners and Dante no longer feels pity for the sinners and is becoming aware of sin and developing a is becoming aware of sin and developing a hatred for it. hatred for it.

Argenti, and the Great one from above who Argenti, and the Great one from above who comes to open the gate of the City of Dis.comes to open the gate of the City of Dis.