Canto XXXIII (33) Circle Nine: Cocytus Round 2: Antenora Round 3: Ptolomea

By: Rachel Rodgers

Setting: Cocytus (close to the bottom of hell)

Round 2, Antenora: Named for the Trojan prince Antenor. He plots with the Greeks to destroy the city.

Round 3, Ptolomea: Named for the Ptolomaeus of Maccabees, who murdered his father-in-law at a banquet.

Characters:

In Anteanora: (committed treason) Count Ugolino & Archibishop Ruggieri~ In life they had once plotted together. Ruggieri betrayed Ugolino and caused his death by starvation along with Ugolino’s four sons. So in hell, Ugolino gnaws on Ruggieri’s head.

In Ptolomea: (murderers of guests and hosts) Friar Albergio~ had his brother killed at a banquet at his own home. Branca D’Oria~ Killed his father- in-law.

Contrapasso:

Souls that have committed treachery against guests are forced to lie on their backs in the frozen lake, with only their faces poking out of the ice. * Symbolizes that they’re alone in life and don’t have the warmth of friends and family.

Souls that have committed treason have not died on earth yet and devils occupy their bodies above the ground. * Considered evil, therefore their bodies are replaced with something way more evil than themselves, the devils.

Significant quotes:

Lines 1-3 * Ugolino is eating Archibishop’s head

Lines 13-21 * Ugolino introduces himself to Dante

Lines 58-60 * Ugolino starves himself

Lines 70-75 * Ugolino eats his own children after fasting

Lines 118-120 * Friar introduces himself

Lines 125-132 * explains how a demon took his body

Line 125 * Atropos~~ The fate who cuts the thread of life

Pictures~

~Ugolino in jail with his sons