Dec 29, 2009

Dante's Inferno | Canto 19 Summary and Analysis

New Characters
Simoniacs: Include Pope Nicholas III; profited from sale of holy items

Summary
This canto begins with a reference to Simon Magus and his disciples who have sold the things of God for profit.

Dante describes those in the Third Bowge (Trench) of the Malbowges; he sees holes in the banks and grounds where only the feet of the sinners are showing. The feet of these shades are on fire; their joints quiver with pain. When Dante asks whom he is seeing Virgil asks...