Lindon Bennett Canto XXIX May 4, 2009

CANTO XXIX Canto XXIX opens just before Virgil and Dante leave the ninth chasm. Virgil is urging Dante to move forward because they do not have much longer to complete their journey. Dante tells Virgil that he is reluctant to leave this particular pouch because he believes that his relative resides there and he wishes to speak with him. Virgil informs Dante that he has seen his cousin, Geri del Bello, and that he is still very angry with Dante because his death was not avenged. Because of this, Dante is filled with guilt. When the poets arrive in the tenth and final chasm of Malebolge, they meet the counterfeiters and the alchemists. The falsifiers found in this pouch are punished for corrupting the senses of others. As a fit punishment for this crime, the residents of the tenth chasm suffer from disease, stench, darkness, and physical pain. They must endure what they caused others to suffer from for eternity.

New Characters Geri del Bello- This soul is a cousin of Dante’s whose death has never been avenged. Because of this, Geri del Bello is very upset with Dante. Griffolino of Arezzo- While alive, Griffolino of Arezzo told Albero of Siena that he could teach him to fly. When he was unable to do so, Albero’s father had him put to death. Capocchio- Like Griffolino of Arezzo, Capocchio was also burned. Capocchio was sent to the final pouch of Malebolge for alchemy.

After crossing the bridge over the ninth pouch, Dante describes the stench of burning flesh coming from the bodies filling the ditch of the final pouch. The poet compares what he sees to those suffering from malaria. The souls seem to be very crowded in Bolgia IX. They are covered in scabs, which they constantly pick at.

Above is a depiction of Virgil and Dante speaking with Griffolino of Arezzo and Capocchio.

Map of Dante’s Inferno Map of Dante’s Inferno Canto XXIX Dante and Virgil