Dante’s Inferno Canto 15 Compiled by: William Boyce

The seventh circle Canto 15 takes place in the inner ring (the third round of the Seventh Circle: of those who have done violence to Nature ). In the seventh circle the violent against God (blasphemers), the violent against nature (sodomites), and the violent against art (userers) are all tormented in varying ways in a desert like mountainous area where fire falls like snow.

Dante’s meeting with Brunetto

Ser Brunetto Latini A group of shades run by Dante and Virgil when one steps forward and reveals himself eagerly to Dante. This shade was from the guelph party and was Dante’s mentor while alive on earth, his name was Ser Brunetto Latini ( ). This naked shade asks Dante to run with him because if he stops he will have to lay still for 100 years without being able to fan the flames that rain down. His punishment is that he has to constantly run as if he were in a race. A group of shades run by Dante and Virgil when one steps forward and reveals himself eagerly to Dante. This shade was from the guelph party and was Dante’s mentor while alive on earth, his name was Ser Brunetto Latini ( ). This naked shade asks Dante to run with him because if he stops he will have to lay still for 100 years without being able to fan the flames that rain down. His punishment is that he has to constantly run as if he were in a race.

(left) the artist portrays the broken and exhausted image of Brunetto. (right) Dante recognizes his close friend in his pitiful conditions

Significance of canto 15 One of the most important ideals of the work is told in canto 15, given through the example of Brunetto Latini. Even though Dante had such a reverence for Brunetto and learned much from his morals, respect and good deeds on Earth are not enough to survive damnation. Even the greatest of men may be guilty of private sins. Along with this Dante hears the third of three prophecies concerning his exile from Florence. One of the most important ideals of the work is told in canto 15, given through the example of Brunetto Latini. Even though Dante had such a reverence for Brunetto and learned much from his morals, respect and good deeds on Earth are not enough to survive damnation. Even the greatest of men may be guilty of private sins. Along with this Dante hears the third of three prophecies concerning his exile from Florence.

Canto 15’s Conclusion All of the spirits with Brunetto were scholars of renown, Francesco d’Accorso a Florentine scholar was one of them. Near the end of the canto it states ”know that all were clerks, and great men of letters, and of great fame, defiled in the world with one same sin. Priscian goes along with that disconsolate crowd, and Francesco of Accorso; and thou mightest also have seen, hadst thou had desire of such scurf, him who by the Servant of Servants…”. The servant of servants mentioned here is believed to be Andrea de Mozzi, bishop of Florence. All of these shades that constantly are moving are guilty of the same crime—sodomy.Suddenly, Brunetto feels a calling and must return to his band. Before he goes, he tells Dante to remember his great book, when translated from french means the Treasure. All of the spirits with Brunetto were scholars of renown, Francesco d’Accorso a Florentine scholar was one of them. Near the end of the canto it states ”know that all were clerks, and great men of letters, and of great fame, defiled in the world with one same sin. Priscian goes along with that disconsolate crowd, and Francesco of Accorso; and thou mightest also have seen, hadst thou had desire of such scurf, him who by the Servant of Servants…”. The servant of servants mentioned here is believed to be Andrea de Mozzi, bishop of Florence. All of these shades that constantly are moving are guilty of the same crime—sodomy.Suddenly, Brunetto feels a calling and must return to his band. Before he goes, he tells Dante to remember his great book, when translated from french means the Treasure.