Dante’s InfernoCanto 9

Complied by: Rachel Cedor for English 230 Fall 2007

Summary of Canto 9

Dante is afraid because devils are refusing to let Dante and Virgil enter the City of Dis. They are waiting outside the city for someone to come and help them. As they wait, Dante learns that Virgil has made this journey once before. Suddenly, from the top of the tower, Dante realizes there are 3 Furies who threaten to call on Medusa and have her turn Dante into stone. Virgil turns Dante around and covers Dante’s eyes with his own hands. Once the Furies have departed, Virgil and Dante see God’s messenger walking across a marsh and he opens the gate to the city. He angrily chastises the devils for attempting to block God’s will. Once the angel departs, Virgil and Dante enter the 6th circle where Dante sees numerous open tombs, crowded with heretics.

New Characters from Canto 9

Three Furies - female personification of vengeance and the handmaids of the Gorgon, Medusa.

Medusa - a Gorgon known for turning men into stone if they gazed at her.

God’s Messenger - a heavenly angel who walks above the water and has power by the will of God.

Heretics - souls of those who had died and during their lifetime did not believe in the dogma of the Church or the immortality of the soul.

Images from Canto 9

The Angel opens gate to City of DisDante and Virgil walk through the sixth circle with the tombs of Heretics.

Map of Dante’s Inferno

Location ofCanto 9 leading intothe 6th Circle.

Location ofthe woods whereDante first meetsVirgil.

Location of thelowest level of the Inferno.

Additional Information

In Canto 9, Dante is going from the less severe sins into the more severe ones when he enters the City of Dis.

A transition that occurs in Canto 9 is that Dante no longer has strong, empathetic reactions to the sinners - he understands why they are there and being punished.