Dante and Virgil are now entering the sixth pouch of the eighth circle. While they believed they had escaped the demons in the previous pouch, they now realize they are being chased by a huge pack of the Malabranche, meaning “evil claws.”

The canto seems to give the travelers a sense of uneasiness. In the beginning of the Canto, Dante seems afraid that they angered the  “Silent, alone, no one escorting us, we made our way. One went before, one went after, as Friars Minor when they walk together.” (Inferno 23, 1-3) 

Saving Dante, Virgil grabs him and jumps through the sixth pouch of the Eighth Circle with Dante in his arms. Now that they have lost the Malabranche, they are in the Sixth Pouch, where they see more souls aligned in a circle.

“And they were dressed in cloaks with cowls so low they fell before their eyes.” (Inferno 23, 76)

Dante is trying to find one of the souls now that he might recognize as he has been. Instead, he is now the one who is recognized by his Tuscan language. “Stay your steps, o you who hurry so along this darkened air!” (Inferno 23, 77)

Dante seems unsure of what will happen next, but seems to continue to symbolize his truths and emotions through the constant darkness and uncertainty of his journey with Virgil through the circles into hell. 

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