In canto six Dante (the pilgrim) awakens and is entering the third circle of Hell. In this level of Hell, he is surrounded by punished spirits/ souls who constantly face a dirty, miserable rain which is contaminated with feces. This rain is a reminder that as Dante proceeds, the punishment in each circle is greater than the previous circle. The rain is significant because the spirits are constantly trying to shield themselves from it; the rain is also a symbol of the sin of gluttony. Dante comes to face the three-headed dog named Cerberus, but Virgil throws dirt into the monster’s mouth which allows the beast to let them pass. As Dante and Virgil proceed their journey one of the spirits asks Dante if he recognizes him, Dante however, doesn’t. The spirit explains that he Ciacco of Florence and he was damned amongst the others for the sin of gluttony. Ciacco also tells Dante that other figures of Florence’s political past such as: Tegghiaio, Farinata, Arrigo, Mosca, Jacopo Rusticucci, are all in a much deeper circle of Hell. Then Ciacco tells Dante that when he returns to life, that Dante should remember his name. We have already seen in canto 3 “Gate of Hell” that the punishment of the cowards is that they can’t be remembered. These sinners are not worth writing about because they are unaccepted in both Heaven and Hell because they couldn’t choose God nor Lucifer. This is significant because through Dante the writer, we are able to learn about these people and although Dante feels Ciacco’s sin is greater than the cowards, Ciacco shouldn’t be remembered for his gluttony but someone who was concerned about Florence – therefore, Dante the (pilgrim) weeps for the suffering of Ciacco and those damned souls around him. Ciacco feels by having his name mentioned will allow himself to alleviate his agony. The important line in this canto written by Dante states, “And my guide said to me: “He’ll rise no moreuntil the blast of the angelic trumpet upon the coming of the hostile Judge.” The reason this line is significant is because Virgil is referring to the last judgement; in which Christ comes down to earth to judge all human souls in which he decides who goes to purgatory (saved souls) and those who go to Hell (the damned souls). However, because the last judgement still hasn’t arrived Ciacco is punished for his gluttony because of his imprudent gratification of drinking and eating excessively, however, the contrapasso is the opposite of this. When the “Second Coming of Christ” happens the suffering of the damned souls will feel an even greater punishment because the sinners will be reunited with their bodies, they will not only be more complete and more ‘absolute’ but also their punishment will be felt even more entirely. In Canto 8, the 5th circle of Hell, while crossing the water, Dante recognizes a spirit, Filippo Argenti. Argenti is Dante’s political enemy in real life – he is spiteful and dissatisfied because he is not remembered as a positive character and has no good qualities written about him. In reality, Ciaccoand Filippo Argenti were both living characters and Dante knew them. Therefore, they are notable during the political events that occurred during Dante’s Florence. The message Dante is trying to suggest is that Hell is not something a make-believe, nonexistent place that is distant, but a place that threatens those who find themselves there. A few important lines in Canto 8 is lines 34-42 when Dante writes, And I to him: “In weeping and in grieving, accursed spirit, may you long remain; though you’re disguised by filth, I know your name.” My master quickly shoved him back, saying: “Be off there with the other dogs!” The lines are significant because for once Dante actually doesn’t feel pity for the souls, unlike previously with Ciacco, Paulo Francesca and others. He takes pleasure for the pain Filipo Argenti receives. Dante condemns the sinner by being angry with Argenti because he fails to identity himself. In conclusion, Virgil feels Dante (the pilgrim) is learning and is happy that Dante doesn’t feel pity/ sympathy for the sinner and is seeing that Dante’s perception is developing.
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