# Canto IX explained — The Divine Comedy

> Chapter companion for The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri.

## What happens

Dante and Virgil approach the city of Dis, where they are confronted by the Furies and threatened with Medusa. An angel sent from Heaven arrives, opens the gate of the city, and rebukes the fallen angels. They enter the Sixth Circle, where heretics and heresiarchs are punished in flaming tombs.

## Themes in this chapter

### Divine Justice

The angel's rebuke of the fallen angels and the punishment of heretics in flaming tombs illustrate the inescapable justice of God.

### Suffering and Compassion

Dante's fear and the laments of the heretics evoke the theme of suffering, while Virgil's protective actions show compassion.

## Character check-ins

### Dante Alighieri

The protagonist, fearful but guided by Virgil, witnesses the Furies and the angel's intervention.

### Virgil

Dante's guide, who reassures him, shields his eyes from Medusa, and explains the nature of the Sixth Circle.

### Beatrice

Implied as the one who sent Virgil to aid Dante, though not directly present in this canto.

## Key lines

> That hue which cowardice brought out on me, Beholding my Conductor backward turn, Sooner repressed within him his new color.

The pallor of fear on my face, seeing my guide turn back, quickly made him hide his own change of color.

_Dante observes Virgil's momentary hesitation and his own fearful reaction._

> Medusa come, so we to stone will change him!

Let Medusa come, so that we may turn him to stone!

_The Furies threaten Dante with petrification by the Gorgon Medusa._

> O banished out of Heaven, people despised! ... Wherefore recalcitrate against that will, From which the end can never be cut off?

O you who are cast out of Heaven, despised beings! Why do you resist that will whose purpose can never be thwarted?

_The angel rebukes the fallen angels guarding the gate of Dis._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters/canto-ix
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters