Dante the pilgrim and Virgil walk on to find Antaeus, the unbound giant who can set them down on the floor of hell--otherwise known as the center of the earth.

Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we watch Virgil flail around, cite Lucan's PHARSALIA repeatedly, not get his way, and finally resort of a promise of Dante's own success to get what he needs.

This passage is a wild ride of literary references. Here are the segments of this episode of WALKING WITH DANTE:

[01:47] My English translation of this passage: INFERNO, Canto XXXI, lines 112 - 129. If you'd like to read along or drop a comment, just scroll down this page.

[03:41] Are these giants Titans?

[06:57] More accurate measurements (at least in a medieval context)--and some thoughts as to why precision becomes more important in lower hell.

[11:09] Virgil flatters Antaeus first with three passages from Lucan's PHARSALIA. First up, Scipio's defeat of Hannibal in north Africa.

[15:44] Virgil's third bit of flattery from the PHARSALIA: the Titans' war against the Olympian gods.

[19:03] Virgil's SECOND bit of flattery: an embellished passage from the PHARSALIA.

[20:10] Virgil cannot have read Lucan's PHARSALIA!

[21:52] Our first glimpse of the ninth circle of hell.

[23:15] Unpacking the quick references to Tityus and Typhon.

[25:33] Virgil's failed flattery turns to Dante's poetic hopes.

[27:42] Virgil is at a disadvantage here, unlike when he spoke to Ulysses.

[31:34] Rereading the passage: INFERNO, Canto XXXI, lines 112 - 129.

And here’s my English translation of Inferno, Canto XXXI, Lines 112 – 129

 

We walked a little farther at that point

And came to Antaeus, who stood, not counting his head,

A good five ells above the edge of the pit’s rock wall.

 

“Oh, you, who were once in the fortune-filled valley

Where Scipio was made an heir of glory

When Hannibal and his cohorts turned tail,

 

“You who snagged a thousand lions as your prey

And you who, if you’d been with your brothers

During their war on heaven (at least so some believe)

 

“Would have won the victory for the children of the earth—

Don’t be too haughty to set us down below

Where Cocytus lies locked in ice.

 

“Don’t make us tramp on to Tityos or Typhon.

This guy right here can give you what anyone really wants.

So come on: bend down and don’t sneer with your snout.

 

“This guy can keep you famous up in the world

Because he’s alive and hopes to live out a long life,

Unless grace calls him back before his time.”