# Canto XXIII: The Hypocrites' Bolgia explained — The Divine Comedy

> Chapter companion for The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri.

## What happens

Dante and Virgil flee from the Malebranche demons by sliding down into the sixth bolgia, where they encounter the hypocrites. These souls wear heavy gilded lead cloaks, symbolizing their false piety. Among them are Catalano and Loderingo, two Bolognese friars, and Caiaphas, the high priest who counseled the crucifixion of Christ, who is crucified on the ground. Virgil learns from them the path to escape the bolgia.

## Themes in this chapter

### Divine Justice

The hypocrites are punished by wearing heavy gilded lead cloaks that outwardly appear beautiful but inwardly weigh them down, mirroring their false piety and the burden of their deceit.

### Political Corruption and Civic Strife

Catalano and Loderingo, as corrupt officials, are condemned for their role in the factional violence that devastated Florence, highlighting the theme of civic corruption.

## Character check-ins

### Dante Alighieri

Dante is terrified of the pursuing Malebranche and is carried by Virgil down into the sixth bolgia. He converses with the hypocrites Catalano and Loderingo, and observes Caiaphas crucified on the ground.

### Virgil

Virgil reads Dante's thoughts, carries him down the slope to safety, and later questions the hypocrites about the path forward. He shows anger when he realizes the demons deceived him.

### Corso Donati

Not directly present; the text references 'Gardingo' (the area near the Palazzo della Signoria in Florence) associated with the Uberti and Donati factions, but Corso Donati himself does not appear.

## Key lines

> They had on mantles with the hoods low down / Before their eyes, and fashioned of the cut / That in Cologne they for the monks are made. / Without, they gilded are so that it dazzles; / But inwardly all leaden and so heavy

The hypocrites wear cloaks that are gilded on the outside but made of heavy lead inside, symbolizing their outward holiness and inner corruption.

_This describes the punishment of the hypocrites in the sixth bolgia._

> This transfixed one, whom thou seest, / Counselled the Pharisees that it was meet / To put one man to torture for the people.

Caiaphas, crucified on the ground, advised the Pharisees that it was better for one man to die for the people, leading to Christ's crucifixion.

_Catalano identifies Caiaphas as the one who counseled the crucifixion of Jesus._

## Links

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