In canto 19 Dante the pilgrim makes a switch from pitying the damned souls he comes across to accepting and agreeing with God’s punishment for them. Now in the eighth circle of Hell Dante and Virgil travel to the third “trench” within this circle to see those who chose in life to make wealth and power their God. Their heads and torsos are in these holes in the trench while their legs and feet are exposed to be burned by fire. One soul Dante the pilgrim notices is burned more than the others is Pope Nicholas III. He was the Pope when Dante was a young boy. Dante for once agrees with God’s punishment for souls like Pope Nicholas III and feels entirely sure with Gods justice. This is a very different change from previous cantos where Dante would pity over souls in other parts of hell. In Canto 5, where Dante is met with Francesca and Paolo, he pities their current state and almost feels to blame because their adulterous act occurred after they had read romantic poetry together. Virgil notices this change in Dante and is pleased with Dante’s progress in understanding Gods justice and plan in Hell. After all, Dante’s understanding of Hell is necessary for his journey onto the right path that eventually will lead him back to heaven.

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