The following terzina in canto 10 is the moment when Dante sets his eyes upon Farinata or the head of the Florentine political faction Ghibellines. Dante narrates, “I had already fixed my eyes in his; and he was/ rising up with his breast and forehead as if he had/ Hell in great disdain,” (34-37). The translator notes that Dante focuses on Farinata’s breast and forehead because they represent courage and foresight. The presence of courage goes hand in hand with confidence and pride which is the attitude with which Farinata rises from his tomb. Since Dante primarily notices his breast and forehead, this implies that Farinata rises with his head held high and also puffs out his chest in a robustly confident manner. However, this is very uncommon for a soul suffering eternal torment. Despite his circumstances, throughout the entire canto, Farinata’s demeanor is calm and collected unlike Dante’s past encounters in which the souls are either sorrowful and pitiful or attempt to put Dante’s life in peril. He does not move any part of his body throughout the conversation with Dante and even after Dante begins speaking to another soul, Cavalcante, who suddenly awakens, Farinata’s expression and body language does not change in the slightest. Furthermore, when Dante states, “…as if he had Hell in great disdain,” this implies a tone of superiority. The translator notes, “…the possibility of such a soul’s actually being superior to the sufferings of Hell.” Although none of the souls are above the afflictions of Hell, this bearing that Farinata has connects to his concern with social status, which is a concept he is preoccupied with in his living days. For example, at the beginning of Dante’s encounter with Farinata, the latter asks Dante about his ancestry. This, perhaps, is an attempt to see if Dante comes from the opposing faction of Guelfs who Farinata and his faction battle against and slaughter during the politically tumultuous days of Florence. When Dante reveals that he is, in fact, a Guelf, Farinata becomes indignant and recounts of the opposition they showed him. Although he is no longer living, this reaction shows that his eternal torment is a lesser cause of worry as opposed to the wrongdoings he feels the Guelfs have done him.

In regards to the representation of foresight, it is a reference to Farinata’s inability to see things that are in the present or near future but rather the distant future. This, of course, is unlike human ability and memory and it brings up the question of how much the perception of time and the concepts of past, present and future change when the souls descend into Hell. Since the soul’s sufferings are meant to last for all eternity, perhaps, unlike the living, the souls, such as Farinata, are no longer concerned or obsessed with future events. This allows for a clearer view of what’s to come simply because they are already aware of what will occur.

Farinata arising from a sepulchre to speak to Dante and Virgil, Title: Farinata, Illustration by Gustave Doré