The Divine Comedy · Chapter
Canto XXVII explained
Dante and Virgil encounter the flame of Guido da Montefeltro, a former military leader turned Franciscan friar.
What happens
Dante and Virgil encounter the flame of Guido da Montefeltro, a former military leader turned Franciscan friar. Guido recounts his deceitful life and his damnation due to the fraudulent advice he gave to Pope Boniface VIII, who promised absolution in advance. Despite his repentance, a black cherub claims him for Hell because true repentance and will to sin cannot coexist. The flame departs lamenting, and the poets continue their journey.
Themes in this chapter
Divine Justice
Guido's punishment in the flame reflects the divine justice for his fraudulent counsel, as he is trapped in a tongue of fire for his deceitful words.
Political Corruption and Civic Strife
The chapter highlights the corruption of Pope Boniface VIII and the ongoing wars in Romagna, illustrating the political turmoil of the time.
Human Free Will and Moral Responsibility
Guido's inability to truly repent while still willing to sin underscores the theme of moral responsibility and the necessity of genuine contrition.
Characters to notice
- Dante Alighieri
The pilgrim who listens to Guido's story and responds to his questions about Romagna.
- Virgil
Dante's guide who prompts him to speak with the flame, recognizing it as a Latin.
- Pope Boniface VIII
The corrupt pope who sought Guido's counsel and promised absolution in advance, leading to Guido's damnation.
Key passages
“If I believed that my reply were made / To one who to the world would e'er return, / This flame without more flickering would stand still; / But inasmuch as never from this depth / Did any one return, if I hear true, / Without the fear of infamy I answer”
Guido speaks freely because he believes Dante will never return to the world to report his words, showing his concern for earthly reputation even in Hell.
Guido's assumption that no one returns from Hell allows him to confess without fear of shame.
“For who repents not cannot be absolved, / Nor can one both repent and will at once, / Because of the contradiction which consents not.”
A person cannot be forgiven if they do not truly repent, and it is impossible to simultaneously regret a sin and intend to commit it, as these are contradictory.
The black cherub's logic explains why Guido's absolution was invalid: he still willed the sin.