Canto XXIV
Climb out of sixth bolgia-seventh bolgia
The thieves-metamorphosis & Vanni Fucci
Summary:
In this canto, Dante and Virgil approach a ruined bridge. There is no way over so they must climb the rocks to get around. Again, Virgil displays motherly protection over Dante by helping him up onto each rock and telling him to be careful. By the time they get over the rocks, Dante is exhausted and winded. He sits down to rest and Virgil yells at him. He tells Dante that no one ever gained fame from sitting on a rock. Dante then stands up and acts like he has pulled himself together, even though he is actually still tired.
They continue on and Dante hears a voice from the bolgia below. He asks Virgil if they can stop to find out who the sinners are and what their punishment is. Virgil grants his wish to stop and they do. They soon find out that the people below are bound with serpents, meaning that their hands are tied behind their back with snakes. Dante speaks with one of the sinners, who identifies himself as Vanni Fucci. He admits his shame in his sin and tells the traveling pair that he was a thief. Vanni Fucci goes on to talk about Florence and the Black and White Guelphs.
-Sin:
The sin that the souls found in the seventh bolgia in the eighth circle of Hell have committed is thievery.
-Punishment:
The punishment these sinners receive is to have their hands bound behind their backs with serpents in place of rope. They are forced to take the shape of the serpents.
-Contrapasso:
The sinners in this canto were thieves. What better punishment than to have someone, who didn’t keep their hands to themselves in life, have their hands bound behind their back in death. Not only are their hands bound, they are bound with serpents. Consider that they are morphing into snakes, which are deceptive by nature. Consider the story of Satan tempting Adam and Eve to steal the fruit.
Important Quote:
“…whoever consumes his life without fame leaves a mark of himself on earth like smoke in the air or foam in water.” (49)
-By this statement, Virgil means to tell Dante that no one ever became anything of substance by sitting on a rock like he was doing after their ascent up the rocks. Virgil wants Dante to push himself so he can make it through this journey and come out of Hell ready to make something of his life and himself.
Characters:
Vanni Fucci- While speaking with Dante, Vanni Fucci predicts the fate of the White Guelphs of Florence. He predicts that all the Black Guelphs will be removed from the city in order to protect them while the White Guelps are destroyed.
Discussion Questions
1. Why do you think snakes are used to bind the sinners hands behind their backs?
2. What is the significance of Vanni Fucci telling Dante about the prophecy of the White Guelphs?
Reading Questions
1. Which bolgia are we in?
A. ninth
B. tenth
C. sixth
D. seventh
2. Which level of Hell are we in?
A. ninth
B. tenth
C. sixth
D. eighth
3. Which level of Hell are we in?
A. ninth
B. tenth
C. eighth
D. seventh
4. What is the name of the soul Dante & Virgil meet in this canto?
A. Vanni Pucci
B. Panni Vucci
C. Fanni Vucci
D. Vanni Fucci
5. What animal does the sinner from this canto compare himself to?
A. mule
B. rabbit
C. elephant
D. leopard
6. What sin are the souls in Hell for?
A. lust
B. stealing
C. fraud
D. suicide
7. What animal is involved in their punishment?
A. mule
B. snakes
C. sharks
D. flies
8. Why do Dante and Virgil have to climb the rocks?
A. the bridge is broken
B. the devils are blocking the bridge
C. that was the only way over in the first place
9. Why does Virgil tell Dante to get up off the rock?
A The devils are coming after them
B he doesn’t want him to fall off
C he wants him to push on and make something of himself
D he is in his way
10. What does the sinner foresee?
A that Florence will collapse
B the Black Guelphs will take over
C the White Guelphs will take over
D the Gibbilines will take over
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