Dante briefly observes the punishment of his kinsman, Geri del Bello, but Virgil encourages him to proceed with their journey and focus on other matters. Dante finds it difficult to tear his mind away from the suffering man, explaining that del Bello was murdered; even now, his death remains unavenged, so seeing him in agony feels even more unjust. 

Moving into the Tenth Bolgia, Virgil and Dante observe the rampant illness that affects the falsifiers and deceivers housed therein. Dante comments that the extreme disease reminds him of places on earth and draws a comparison between this circle of Hell and the cities of Valdichiana, Maremma, and Sardinia. He tempers this sentiment by commenting that he has never witnessed a more sorrowful sight, not even during his time in Aegina.

In the Tenth Bolgia, a shade introduces himself as Aretine, telling the pilgrims that he was burnt at the stake due to accusations by Albero of Siena. Aretine had claimed that he could fly, and this fabrication—coupled with his clandestine involvement in alchemy—led to his execution after Albero reported him for heresy and deception.

Dante encounters a former classmate, Capocchio, who tells him about the nature of this realm and lists a few other familiar individuals who suffer there alongside him, including, Stricca, Niccolo, Caccia d’Ascian, and Abbagliato.