Down in the eighth of the evil pouches (the malebolge) that make up the giant circle of fraud in INFERNO, Guido da Montefeltro has told the (self-justifying) tale of his life. And now comes the struggle at his death, a fight between Saint Francis and a black cherub from hell.

Join me, Mark Scarbough, as we slow-walk through INFERNO, finishing up Guido's incredible monologue about his life and death. This passage has a few problems in it, not the least of which is the off-handed way Dante (or is it Guido?) mention the great Saint Francis.

Here are the segments of this episode of WALKING WITH DANTE:

[01:23] My English translation of INFERNO, Canto XXVII, lines 112 - 136. If you'd like to read along or drop a comment about this episode, please see the page on my website, walkingwithdante.com.

[03:34] The quick shift from Guido's life to his death.

[04:38] Two small problems at the front of this passage: a black Cherub and the name of the sin for this evil pouch.

[06:19] What is fraudulent counsel?

[08:03] The problem of the off-handed reference to Saint Francis.

[11:28] Conversion demands a "before" and an "after"--that is, a linear story, which Guido's is not.

[13:07] The demonic/Scholastic joke in the passage.

[13:45] One last link between Dante the pilgrim and Guido da Montefeltro.

[15:17]            The journey to Minos (and maybe some meta-literary joking around, too).

[16:55] Biting yourself in rage: repetition as one of Dante's key literary devices.

[18:07] Guido's final words--and his humanity.

[21:04] Guido's eternal mutterings.

[22:37] A final textual difficulty to round out Inferno, Canto XXVII.

[25:35] A final reading of Guido's entire monologue: Inferno, Canto XXVII, lines 58 - 136.

And here’s my English translation of Inferno, Canto XXVII, Lines 112 – 136

 

“When I died, Francis came for me.

But one of the black cherubim

Said to him, ‘Hands off this one—don’t wrong me now!

 

“‘Down he goes among the legions of my slaves

Because he gave fraudulent counsel.

Ever since that moment, I’ve been waiting to snatch him by the hair.

 

“‘If a guy doesn’t repent, he can’t be pardoned.

And he can’t repent a thing yet still want it.

That’s a contradiction that won’t stand.’

 

“Oh what a load of sorrow I am! How I came to with a shock

When he grabbed me, saying, ‘Perhaps

You never imagined I’d be versed in logic!’

 

“He carried me down to Minos, who curled his tail

Eight times around his hard back;

Then biting it in his tremendous wrath,

 

“He said, ‘This one deserves the thieving fire!’

In other words, I’m lost forever, just as you see me down here.

In these fiery vestments, I make my way steeped in bitter regret.”

 

When it said no more and turned silent,

The sorrowing flame took its leave,

Tossing and flickering its pointed horn.

 

We then made our way, my guide and I,

Up along the escarpment and to the high arch

That goes over the next ditch, in which those who load up

By pulling things apart pay their toll.