Canto 16 Summary
Near a waterfall, Dante notices three Florentines. As he approaches, they quickly realize that he, too, is a fellow Florentine based on his attire. They introduce themselves as former nobles who, while alive, went by the names Guido Guerra, Tegghiaio Aldobrandi, and Jacopo Rusticucci. Jacopo asks Dante to tell them about the current state of Florence, explaining that the spirits of former Florentines are concerned because Guillim Borsier has told them many stories, all of them discouraging. Dante shares with them his knowledge about self-made men and excesses in Florence, and they request that he tell the living about them. Suddenly, the three men run away, disappearing just as quickly as they appeared.
Dante and Virgil reach the waterfalls; Dante compares the water to other rivers he has seen in Italy. Without asking or explaining, Virgil takes off Dante’s rope belt and throws it into the water. A creature emerges from the water and takes the belt.
Expert Q&A
In Canto 16 of Dante's Inferno, what are the sins of the three noble Florentines?
In Canto 16 of Inferno, the three noble Florentines are punished for the sin of sodomy, depicted as "Violent against Nature." Their eternal punishment involves endlessly circling on hot sand, surrounded by fire. Despite their sin, Dante admires these powerful members of the Guelf political faction from Florence. One man's vice is noted to have been influenced by his wife. Dante's admiration is second only to his respect for Virgil and Ulysses in Hell.
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