[DI] Canto XXXII: The Ninth Circle

Canto XXXII: The Ninth Circle

[1-15]: Dante mentions how his words cannot describe the treachery of this circle. Describing this part in hell will be difficult since he is still an “infant”- he is still “immature”: his language is childish and inadequate to fully grasp the horrors of the last circle. Dante calls upon the Muses to make his words accurate descriptions of this place.

:  Dante and Virgil are currently under the foot of The Giant Antaeus. Dante hears a voice that warns them to be careful, or they’d step on people’s heads.

[22-39]: Describes the general scenery on what Dante sees in Circle 7. Under Dante’s feet he sees a frozen lake [The River of Cocytus]. It is ice is so thick, that if a mountain were to drop on it, it would not crack, not even at the edge.

[Mountains: Tambernic and Pietrapana]

Dante describes the people as frogs- the sinners are trapped in the ice, with only their heads out.

[73-111]: Dante kicks a head by accident—the person yelps out and speaks of revenge for Montaperti. Since Dante is alive, he asks the person to give him his name so he can give him fame in the living world. However the sinner only wishes to be left alone. Dante becomes aggressive; he grabs the person’s neck and demands him to give his name. Dante twists the hair and even pulls out a few tufts.

Bocca- betrays his own party at the Battle of Montaperti. [fought by Florence with the Guelphs—Ghibelline at heart]- he cut off the flag-carrier’s [standard-bearer] hand, which caused panic and eventual loss in the battle. The flag carrier is very important because the soldiers had no uniforms so they looked to the flag so see where their army and leader is, if the flag falls, it indicates that the troop leader is no longer safe and in command.

Another sinner cries out to tell Bocca, to quiet down, so Dante learns of his name. Since he was not cooperative, Dante says he’ll only bring the truth of the sinner [slander his reputation] to the living world. The sinner does not mind, he only wants the other traitors to be named as well.

[124-139]: Dante leaves Bocca behind and finds two souls frozen in a single hole. One was on top [which is described as the other’s hat] and was eating out the second’s head, brains and all.

Dante asks why the sinner is eating the other person and that he’d bring the story to the living world as long as he has a good justification for it. [offers Ugolino a deal]

Alludes to:[Tydeus gnawed at Melanippus]