A Countryside of Sorrow: The A Countryside of Sorrow: The Sixth Circle (The Heretics)Sixth Circle (The Heretics)

FeracoFeraco

Myth to Science FictionMyth to Science Fiction

29 November 201129 November 2011

Canto IX: Data FileCanto IX: Data File• Setting: The Gate of Dis and the Sixth CircleSetting: The Gate of Dis and the Sixth Circle• Figures: Furies (Erinyes), Heavenly MessengerFigures: Furies (Erinyes), Heavenly Messenger• Allusions: Medusa (the Gorgon), Theseus, Allusions: Medusa (the Gorgon), Theseus,

Hercules, ErichthoHercules, Erichtho• Punishable Sin: HeresyPunishable Sin: Heresy• Summary: Dante and Virgil wait for the Summary: Dante and Virgil wait for the

Messenger as the Furies menace them. Suddenly, Messenger as the Furies menace them. Suddenly, he appears, throwing open the gate with ease he appears, throwing open the gate with ease and rebuking those who would oppose the poets. and rebuking those who would oppose the poets. Dante and Virgil walk into the Sixth Circle, a Dante and Virgil walk into the Sixth Circle, a realm resembling a giant flaming cemetery with realm resembling a giant flaming cemetery with fiery tombs stretching out in every direction. The fiery tombs stretching out in every direction. The Canto ends as Dante listens to the anguished Canto ends as Dante listens to the anguished screams of the Heretics’ trapped souls.screams of the Heretics’ trapped souls.

DisDis• Dante describes the lower four circles as a Dante describes the lower four circles as a

walled city (although it’s a city that just so walled city (although it’s a city that just so happens to be funnel-shaped, so the walls happens to be funnel-shaped, so the walls guard the entrance) called Disguard the entrance) called Dis

• Dis was one of Pluto’s alternative names, and Dis was one of Pluto’s alternative names, and classical Hell was sometimes simply called Dis classical Hell was sometimes simply called Dis (in (in The Aeneid, The Aeneid, for instance)for instance)– If Dante’s using the same traditions, Dis can stand for If Dante’s using the same traditions, Dis can stand for

both Satan and the realms closest to him (with Satan both Satan and the realms closest to him (with Satan at the heart of them)at the heart of them)

• Once again, Dante provides wonderful physical Once again, Dante provides wonderful physical descriptions – great gouts of flame, imposing descriptions – great gouts of flame, imposing watchtowers, a well-guarded entrance – that watchtowers, a well-guarded entrance – that his predecessors failed to includehis predecessors failed to include

The FuriesThe Furies• The Furies (Megaera, Tisiphone, and The Furies (Megaera, Tisiphone, and

Allecto, who are also called Erinyes in Allecto, who are also called Erinyes in Ciardi’s translation) are the first creatures Ciardi’s translation) are the first creatures we encounter who not only defy Virgil, but we encounter who not only defy Virgil, but threaten him openly. threaten him openly.

• They were commonly used in Greek They were commonly used in Greek mythology and medieval stories to signify mythology and medieval stories to signify any number of evils or sins: pride, any number of evils or sins: pride, stubbornness, treachery, heresy, etc. stubbornness, treachery, heresy, etc. – This makes them appropriate gatekeepers in This makes them appropriate gatekeepers in

Dante’s Hell.Dante’s Hell.• Allecto symbolizes evil thought, Tisiphone Allecto symbolizes evil thought, Tisiphone

symbolizes evil words, and Megaera symbolizes evil words, and Megaera symbolizes evil deedssymbolizes evil deeds

The Furies (Cont’d)The Furies (Cont’d)• As Dante depicts them, the “daughters of As Dante depicts them, the “daughters of

Night” are covered in blood, with snakes Night” are covered in blood, with snakes substituting for hair, tearing at themselves in substituting for hair, tearing at themselves in their uncontrollable rage – a perfect bridge their uncontrollable rage – a perfect bridge between wrath and violencebetween wrath and violence

• They were also used frequently as a means of They were also used frequently as a means of exacting revenge on behalf of offended parties exacting revenge on behalf of offended parties both mortal and divine. both mortal and divine. – Dido, for example, calls on the Furies in a rage when Dido, for example, calls on the Furies in a rage when

Aeneas abandons herAeneas abandons her

• Allecto plays a prominent role near the end of Allecto plays a prominent role near the end of The AeneidThe Aeneid, when her interference directly , when her interference directly affects the outcome of the final battleaffects the outcome of the final battle

MedusaMedusa• Medusa also has snakes for hair (rather Medusa also has snakes for hair (rather

famously), but her story is a bit differentfamously), but her story is a bit different• While the Furies are basically embodiments of While the Furies are basically embodiments of

evil, Medusa was punished for a specific evil, Medusa was punished for a specific wrongdoingwrongdoing– Athena witnessed her consummating an affair with Athena witnessed her consummating an affair with

Poseidon in her temple and transformed her beauty into Poseidon in her temple and transformed her beauty into extreme uglinessextreme ugliness

• Not only did she now have snakes for hair, but Not only did she now have snakes for hair, but she became so frightening to witness that those she became so frightening to witness that those who looked directly at her would be petrified – who looked directly at her would be petrified – literally turned to stone literally turned to stone

• Medusa and her sisters (collectively called the Medusa and her sisters (collectively called the Gorgons) were exiled to an island, where the Gorgons) were exiled to an island, where the Greek hero Perseus attacked and decapitated her Greek hero Perseus attacked and decapitated her while on a quest; he carried out his attack by while on a quest; he carried out his attack by looking at her reflection in his shield rather than looking at her reflection in his shield rather than by staring directly at herby staring directly at her

The Heavenly MessengerThe Heavenly Messenger• Although he’s a divine presence, it’s never Although he’s a divine presence, it’s never

clear who the Messenger is supposed to clear who the Messenger is supposed to be be

• His appearance reassures Dante, who’d His appearance reassures Dante, who’d been growing understandably nervous been growing understandably nervous about Virgil’s ability to protect him; by about Virgil’s ability to protect him; by walking on water and throwing open the walking on water and throwing open the gate of Dis, the Messenger seems Christ-gate of Dis, the Messenger seems Christ-like enough to defuse further worrylike enough to defuse further worry

• The visit underscores the divine plan The visit underscores the divine plan behind Dante’s travels; even if he doesn’t behind Dante’s travels; even if he doesn’t always understand where he’s going, the always understand where he’s going, the poet can rest assured that poet can rest assured that God/Mary/Beatrice wants him to goGod/Mary/Beatrice wants him to go

TheseusTheseus• Theseus was a famous Greek hero, known Theseus was a famous Greek hero, known

primarily for slaying the Minotaur (a primarily for slaying the Minotaur (a half-man/half-beast we’ll meet as we draw half-man/half-beast we’ll meet as we draw closer to the Seventh Circle) in Minos’s closer to the Seventh Circle) in Minos’s LabyrinthLabyrinth

• Later, he attempted to capture Persephone Later, he attempted to capture Persephone (the queen in classic Hell), and was imprisoned (the queen in classic Hell), and was imprisoned in Hell after failingin Hell after failing

• The Furies mention that they wish they’d killed The Furies mention that they wish they’d killed him when they’d had the chance (to serve as a him when they’d had the chance (to serve as a warning to others)warning to others)

• Hercules ventures into the underworld in order Hercules ventures into the underworld in order to save him, which means mortals have crossed to save him, which means mortals have crossed this way before – something the messenger this way before – something the messenger points out to the demonspoints out to the demons

HerculesHercules

• Most of you are familiar with his exploits; Most of you are familiar with his exploits; he’s mentioned here in conjunction with he’s mentioned here in conjunction with TheseusTheseus

• The Heavenly Messenger refers to Cerberus’s The Heavenly Messenger refers to Cerberus’s still-unhealed neck wound, which he still-unhealed neck wound, which he sustained when Hercules dragged him across sustained when Hercules dragged him across Hell via the chain he’d been forced to wear, Hell via the chain he’d been forced to wear, as a way of discouraging the demons from as a way of discouraging the demons from resisting resisting

• The Aeneid The Aeneid also references Hercules when also references Hercules when Charon refuses to take Aeneas across, Charon refuses to take Aeneas across, expressing anger at having been forced to expressing anger at having been forced to transport Hercules and Theseus into the transport Hercules and Theseus into the underworld in the pastunderworld in the past

ErichthoErichtho• Virgil mentions that Erichtho forced him to Virgil mentions that Erichtho forced him to

retrieve a soul from the Ninth Circle soon retrieve a soul from the Ninth Circle soon after he diedafter he died

• Erichtho was a bloodthirsty witch who Erichtho was a bloodthirsty witch who Dante takes from Lucan’s Dante takes from Lucan’s PharsaliaPharsalia; there, ; there, Erichtho hijacks the soul of a newly-killed Erichtho hijacks the soul of a newly-killed soldier in order to force him to reveal soldier in order to force him to reveal future events in that story’s civil warfuture events in that story’s civil war

• The sorceress’s relationship with the poet The sorceress’s relationship with the poet here plays with the medieval belief that here plays with the medieval belief that Virgil must have had prophetic powers Virgil must have had prophetic powers himself (especially when it came to the himself (especially when it came to the “Christ poem” in “Christ poem” in EcloguesEclogues))

Canto X: Data FileCanto X: Data File• Setting: The Sixth CircleSetting: The Sixth Circle• Figures: Farinata degli Uberti, Cavalcante dei Figures: Farinata degli Uberti, Cavalcante dei

CavalcantiCavalcanti• Allusions: Guido Cavalcanti, Epicurus, Frederick IIAllusions: Guido Cavalcanti, Epicurus, Frederick II• Punishable Sin: HeresyPunishable Sin: Heresy• Summary: As the poets venture onward, one of Summary: As the poets venture onward, one of

the souls, Farinata, speaks with them. Dante the souls, Farinata, speaks with them. Dante quickly begins debating politics with him, but the quickly begins debating politics with him, but the two are interrupted by the appearance of two are interrupted by the appearance of another soul, Cavalcante. Dante accidentally another soul, Cavalcante. Dante accidentally implies that the latter’s son has died, and the implies that the latter’s son has died, and the father quickly leaves in anguish. Farinata father quickly leaves in anguish. Farinata continues talking, telling Dante how the dead can continues talking, telling Dante how the dead can see the future. As Dante leaves, he asks Farinata see the future. As Dante leaves, he asks Farinata to tell Cavalcante his son is still alive.to tell Cavalcante his son is still alive.

Heresy and Its PunishmentHeresy and Its Punishment

• By “heresy,” Dante refers to teachings that By “heresy,” Dante refers to teachings that directly contradict those of the medieval directly contradict those of the medieval Christian churchChristian church

• He focuses on those who deny the He focuses on those who deny the immortality of the soul, arguing instead that immortality of the soul, arguing instead that death is the end of usdeath is the end of us

• The Heretics lie trapped within coffins which The Heretics lie trapped within coffins which are then set ablaze; some of the lids are set are then set ablaze; some of the lids are set ajar, but most shades aren’t allowed to rise ajar, but most shades aren’t allowed to rise from their tombsfrom their tombs

• They denied the soul’s immortality in life, They denied the soul’s immortality in life, arguing that it perished with the bodyarguing that it perished with the body

• Therefore, their souls will exist within graves Therefore, their souls will exist within graves foreverforever

EpicurusEpicurus

• Dante specifically identifies the Dante specifically identifies the Heretics as EpicureansHeretics as Epicureans

• Epicurus was an ancient Greek Epicurus was an ancient Greek philosopher who taught that philosopher who taught that pleasure – peace, passion, and pleasure – peace, passion, and painless living – represents the painless living – represents the highest human goodhighest human good

• Dante condemns him and his Dante condemns him and his followers for believing both body followers for believing both body and soul were mortaland soul were mortal

Farinata degli UbertoFarinata degli Uberto• Farinata was a Ghibelline leader who successfully Farinata was a Ghibelline leader who successfully

reconquered the city after being exiled earlier. reconquered the city after being exiled earlier. • When the Guelfs took back control after his death, When the Guelfs took back control after his death,

they specifically refused to forgive him. they specifically refused to forgive him. • Instead, they declared him a heretic, dug up his body Instead, they declared him a heretic, dug up his body

(as well as his wife) and burned them, confiscated his (as well as his wife) and burned them, confiscated his heir’s possessions, and excommunicated him heir’s possessions, and excommunicated him

• This isn’t very grateful of them, considering he was This isn’t very grateful of them, considering he was the only reason Florence wasn’t burned to the ground the only reason Florence wasn’t burned to the ground once the Ghibellines took overonce the Ghibellines took over– He had to stand up to the people he’d fought side by He had to stand up to the people he’d fought side by

side withside with• In an odd way, Dante, an exile himself, respects In an odd way, Dante, an exile himself, respects

Farinata despite their irreconcilable political Farinata despite their irreconcilable political differences and worldviewsdifferences and worldviews– He disagrees with everything he stands for, yet He disagrees with everything he stands for, yet

recognizes that he, too, loved Florence more than recognizes that he, too, loved Florence more than politicspolitics

Cavalcante dei CavalcantiCavalcante dei Cavalcanti

• Cavalcante, like Dante, is a Guelf, but his Cavalcante, like Dante, is a Guelf, but his family was much more powerfulfamily was much more powerful

• In an effort to lessen Guelf/Ghibelline In an effort to lessen Guelf/Ghibelline hostilities, Cavalcante married off his son hostilities, Cavalcante married off his son to Farinata’s daughter; that son was to Farinata’s daughter; that son was Guido Cavalcanti, who would become Guido Cavalcanti, who would become Dante’s “oldest friend”Dante’s “oldest friend”

• Like Farinata, Cavalcante represents the Like Farinata, Cavalcante represents the blending of family and politics – yet blending of family and politics – yet another element of passion and instability another element of passion and instability in the unstable Florentine political scene in the unstable Florentine political scene (as if faith and governmental structure (as if faith and governmental structure weren’t controversial enough on their weren’t controversial enough on their own)own)

Guido CavalcantiGuido Cavalcanti• We’ve met Guido before, way back in “Into the We’ve met Guido before, way back in “Into the

Inferno”; he’s the same man who befriended Inferno”; he’s the same man who befriended Dante and helped guide him during the Dante and helped guide him during the beginning of his career, only to end up leading beginning of his career, only to end up leading the Bianchi faction when tensions split the the Bianchi faction when tensions split the ruling Guelfs (which, in the end, forced Dante ruling Guelfs (which, in the end, forced Dante to banish him)to banish him)

• At this point in the story, Guido is still alive; if At this point in the story, Guido is still alive; if we take Virgil’s reading of the skies at face we take Virgil’s reading of the skies at face value, it’s somewhere in April 1300, and Dante value, it’s somewhere in April 1300, and Dante wouldn’t serve as a prior until June 15thwouldn’t serve as a prior until June 15th

• After his banishment, Guido grew very sick due After his banishment, Guido grew very sick due to the awful climate of the region where he was to the awful climate of the region where he was sent, and passed away in August 1300sent, and passed away in August 1300

Guido Cavalcanti (Cont’d)Guido Cavalcanti (Cont’d)• While the two men were friends, they held While the two men were friends, they held

radically different views of love; Guido’s work radically different views of love; Guido’s work argued that love was, as Raffa puts it, “a dark argued that love was, as Raffa puts it, “a dark force that leads one to misery and often to force that leads one to misery and often to death”death”– Now consider how Dante sees love, as well as how it’s Now consider how Dante sees love, as well as how it’s

treated in treated in The InfernoThe Inferno

• He points out that Guido “held in disdain” He points out that Guido “held in disdain” someone related to his travels, which implies someone related to his travels, which implies that his friend didn’t understand how Beatrice that his friend didn’t understand how Beatrice could be so important to himcould be so important to him

• It’s also implied that Guido will end up in the It’s also implied that Guido will end up in the realm of the Heretics when he dies, seemingly realm of the Heretics when he dies, seemingly because he denies love’s importance (for it’s the because he denies love’s importance (for it’s the thing that animates the immortal soul)thing that animates the immortal soul)

Frederick IIFrederick II• Frederick was the last Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick was the last Holy Roman Emperor,

although he was excommunicated twice before his although he was excommunicated twice before his death; hard evidence of his wrongdoings is scant, death; hard evidence of his wrongdoings is scant, so Dante’s probably just following the accusations so Dante’s probably just following the accusations of Frederick’s foes by placing him hereof Frederick’s foes by placing him here

• Even though Dante puts him in Hell here, he writes Even though Dante puts him in Hell here, he writes favorably of him in other works; his artistic court in favorably of him in other works; his artistic court in Palermo was responsible for a great deal of Palermo was responsible for a great deal of advancement in everything from science to musicadvancement in everything from science to music

• That course eventually spawned the first major That course eventually spawned the first major Italian vernacular poetic movement, the Sicilian Italian vernacular poetic movement, the Sicilian School; they’re the ones who invented the sonnet, School; they’re the ones who invented the sonnet, and the traditions they established greatly and the traditions they established greatly influenced Dante as a young man (who would go on influenced Dante as a young man (who would go on to influence others by using the Italian vernacular to influence others by using the Italian vernacular instead of Latin to write works such as instead of Latin to write works such as The InfernoThe Inferno))

ForesightForesight

• Farinata states that the dead can see the Farinata states that the dead can see the future, but that events grow less clear as future, but that events grow less clear as they approach the presentthey approach the present

• Think of it as a form of farsightedness – Think of it as a form of farsightedness – the things that lie at a distance look the things that lie at a distance look clearestclearest

• Dante believes that time ends when the Dante believes that time ends when the final Judgment arrivesfinal Judgment arrives

• Since there will be no future, the souls will Since there will be no future, the souls will no longer be able to perceive anything no longer be able to perceive anything except their sufferingexcept their suffering

Canto XI: Data FileCanto XI: Data File• Setting: The Sixth CircleSetting: The Sixth Circle• Allusions: Pope Anastasius IIAllusions: Pope Anastasius II• Punishable Sin: HeresyPunishable Sin: Heresy• Summary: The poets stop at a massive rockslide Summary: The poets stop at a massive rockslide

at the edge of the Sixth Circle; the rocks were at the edge of the Sixth Circle; the rocks were displaced during the great earthquake that shook displaced during the great earthquake that shook Hell on the day Christ died. The smell from the Hell on the day Christ died. The smell from the circles below is so powerful that the poets hide circles below is so powerful that the poets hide behind a giant tomb in order to allow themselves behind a giant tomb in order to allow themselves to get used to it. Virgil then explains Lower Hell’s to get used to it. Virgil then explains Lower Hell’s structure to Dante (and, by extension, us). The structure to Dante (and, by extension, us). The Canto ends with the poets making their way Canto ends with the poets making their way down the rock pile and into the Seventh Circle.down the rock pile and into the Seventh Circle.

Lower HellLower Hell• Dante uses Aristotlean guidelines for organizing Dante uses Aristotlean guidelines for organizing

his Hell: first incontinence, then brutishness, his Hell: first incontinence, then brutishness, and, finally, malice. and, finally, malice. – Fraud is worst because only humans commit it Fraud is worst because only humans commit it

(deception through prior intent)(deception through prior intent)– Incontinence is mildest because most of the things we Incontinence is mildest because most of the things we

want to enjoy immoderately (lovers, good food, etc.) want to enjoy immoderately (lovers, good food, etc.) aren’t negative in and of themselvesaren’t negative in and of themselves

• There’s no place within it for the Vestibule, There’s no place within it for the Vestibule, Limbo, or, really, the Sixth Circle (what is Limbo, or, really, the Sixth Circle (what is heresy?)heresy?)– How does Dante account for them?How does Dante account for them?

• Raffa speculates that these three areas are Raffa speculates that these three areas are separated because their “faults” are each based separated because their “faults” are each based in the intellect, and are each based on in the intellect, and are each based on notnot doing doing something (worshipping correctly, building a something (worshipping correctly, building a moral code, or believing in God). moral code, or believing in God).

Pope Anastasius IIPope Anastasius II• He served during the fifth century. The inscription He served during the fifth century. The inscription

above his tomb reads, “I hold Pope Anastasius, above his tomb reads, “I hold Pope Anastasius, whom Photinus drew from the Straight Way” whom Photinus drew from the Straight Way”

• Photinus was a deacon who supported the emperor Photinus was a deacon who supported the emperor Anastasius I. The emperor sought to restore the Anastasius I. The emperor sought to restore the reputation of a man named Acacius who had denied reputation of a man named Acacius who had denied Christ’s divine origin. In order to lend support to Christ’s divine origin. In order to lend support to the effort, Photinus convinced the pope to back himthe effort, Photinus convinced the pope to back him

• The problem, of course, is that the denial of The problem, of course, is that the denial of Christ’s divine origin amounted to heresy in Christ’s divine origin amounted to heresy in medieval times; by lending his support to the medieval times; by lending his support to the emperor’s effort, Anastasius II had committed emperor’s effort, Anastasius II had committed heresy himself (hence the inscription)heresy himself (hence the inscription)

• Dante, upholding the medieval Christian code, Dante, upholding the medieval Christian code, punishes Anastasius II by placing him here with the punishes Anastasius II by placing him here with the rest of the heretics – and by denying him even the rest of the heretics – and by denying him even the dignity of an appearancedignity of an appearance