# Canto XVII: Geryon and the Descent into Malebolge explained — The Divine Comedy

> Chapter companion for The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri.

## What happens

Dante and Virgil encounter the monstrous Geryon, a symbol of fraud, who transports them down into the abyss of Malebolge. Before the descent, Dante observes the usurers suffering on the burning sand, their pouches bearing heraldic devices. Virgil secures Geryon's aid, and Dante mounts the beast, experiencing a terrifying flight through the air before being deposited at the bottom of the eighth circle.

## Themes in this chapter

### Divine Justice

The usurers are punished in the burning sand, their suffering a direct consequence of their sin against art and nature, illustrating the justice of God's retribution.

### Political Corruption and Civic Strife

The usurers' heraldic symbols and the mention of Vitaliano and the 'sovereign cavalier' highlight the corruption and greed within Florentine and Paduan society.

## Character check-ins

### Dante Alighieri

Dante observes the usurers, mounts Geryon, and experiences a fearful descent into Malebolge.

### Virgil

Virgil identifies Geryon, secures his aid, and guides Dante onto the beast, riding behind him for protection.

### Geryon

Geryon is the monstrous beast of fraud, with a just face and serpentine body, who carries Dante and Virgil down into Malebolge.

## Key lines

> Behold the monster with the pointed tail, Who cleaves the hills, and breaketh walls and weapons, Behold him who infecteth all the world.

Virgil points out Geryon, a monstrous creature whose tail is like a sting, capable of destroying mountains and fortifications, and who corrupts the entire world.

_Virgil introduces Geryon as a symbol of fraud, emphasizing his destructive and corrupting influence._

> The face was as the face of a just man, Its semblance outwardly was so benign, And of a serpent all the trunk beside.

Geryon's face appears righteous and kind, but his body is that of a serpent, revealing his deceptive nature.

_The contrast between Geryon's benign face and serpentine body underscores the theme of fraud hiding behind a virtuous appearance._

> A greater fear I do not think there was What time abandoned Phaeton the reins, Whereby the heavens, as still appears, were scorched; Nor when the wretched Icarus his flanks Felt stripped of feathers by the melting wax... Than was my own, when I perceived myself On all sides in the air, and saw extinguished The sight of everything but of the monster.

Dante compares his terror while riding Geryon to the myths of Phaeton losing control of the sun chariot and Icarus falling from the sky, saying his fear was even greater as he found himself airborne with only the monster visible.

_Dante uses classical allusions to convey the intensity of his fear during the descent._

## Links

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