CANTO 16

SUMMARY: 

As Dante and Virgil enter into the eighth circle, they hear a loud noise of what seems to be a waterfall. As they carry on, three souls whose faces have been destroyed by the flames, recognize Dante being from Florence because of his clothing. Their names are Iacopo, Guido and Tegghiaio. They are interested in any news of Florence but all Dante says is that the people are too full of pride now, “The new people and the rapid gains have generated pride and excess...” (Dante 251). Before leaving, Virgil strangely asks Dante for a cord, or belt around his waist. After Virgil throws it into a gulf of dark water, he saw “...a figure come swimming upward, fearful to the most confident heart...” (Dante 253). 

CHARACTERS:

Iacopo Rusticucci- was a wealthy Guelph Florentine politician. Apparently his wife caused them to live apart and made him hate women.

Guido Guerra- Ciacco’s son (Canto 6), leader of the Guelphs, his sin was being enveloped in sodomy. 

Tegghiaio Aldobrandi- also a member of the Guelphs, he advised the Guelphs against engaging with the Ghibellines and exiled Farinata during the battle at Montaperti. 

Guiglielmo Borsiere- died before Dante’s journey, Iacopo hints that he was a nobleman. His last name means “purse-holder”. 

SIN: 

Sodomy- In Dante’s day sexual relations between males were common in Florence. Penalties could include confiscation of property and even capital punishment. 

Punishment- To reside in a desert with flaming sand and fiery flakes raining from the sky. 

**According to the Torah, Sodom and Gomorrah were two cities that were completely consumed by fire because the people of these cities were homosexuals. 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 

What do you think the cord symbolizes?

Dante says, “The new people and the rapid gains have generated pride and excess...” (Dante 251). Do you think this is the main reason why he wrote The Inferno?