# Canto XXXIII explained — The Divine Comedy

> Chapter companion for The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri.

## What happens

Count Ugolino recounts his horrific imprisonment and starvation alongside his sons, betrayed by Archbishop Ruggieri. Dante and Virgil then encounter the frozen traitors of Ptolomaea, including Friar Alberigo and Branca d'Oria, whose souls have already descended to Hell while their bodies remain alive on Earth.

## Themes in this chapter

### Divine Justice

The punishment of traitors in Ptolomaea, where souls descend before death, illustrates the immediate and fitting retribution for betrayal.

### Suffering and Compassion

Ugolino's detailed account of his children's starvation evokes profound suffering, while Dante's refusal to help Friar Alberigo highlights the limits of compassion in Hell.

## Character check-ins

### Count Ugolino

Narrates his tragic story of betrayal and starvation, gnawing on the skull of Archbishop Ruggieri.

### Dante Alighieri

The pilgrim who listens to Ugolino's tale and interacts with the frozen traitors.

### Virgil

Dante's guide, who explains the source of the wind in the frozen circle.

### Pope Boniface VIII

Mentioned indirectly through the context of betrayal and corruption.

## Key lines

> Then hunger did what sorrow could not do.

Starvation accomplished what grief could not—it killed me.

_Ugolino's final line describing his death after his children perished._

> And to be rude to him was courtesy.

Being harsh to him was an act of kindness.

_Dante's refusal to remove the ice from Friar Alberigo's eyes, as helping a damned soul would be wrong._

> I am Friar Alberigo; He am I of the fruit of the bad garden, Who here a date am getting for my fig.

I am Friar Alberigo, who reaps the evil harvest of my treachery, receiving punishment in return for my sin.

_Alberigo's metaphorical confession of his betrayal and just damnation._

## Links

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