Canto 17 (XVII) Morgan Stafford 11/20/07

Summary Dante and Virgil are trying to get to the next realm. Dante and Virgil are trying to get to the next realm. Dante meets three usurers and is very scared in this canto. Dante meets three usurers and is very scared in this canto. There is a loud waterfall; rain of fire is there punishment. There is a loud waterfall; rain of fire is there punishment. Virgil gets Dante’s belt and hangs it down to make a signal below. The beast Geryon comes up (long description of monster). Virgil gets Dante’s belt and hangs it down to make a signal below. The beast Geryon comes up (long description of monster). Geryon helps them descent to the eighth circle on his back. Geryon helps them descent to the eighth circle on his back. Virgil protects Dante from Geryon’s scorpion tail. Virgil protects Dante from Geryon’s scorpion tail. Geryon is the embodiment of Fraud (8 th circle is fraud). Geryon is the embodiment of Fraud (8 th circle is fraud).

Characters One usurer spoke, telling Dante to leave. His name was Paduan, he was from Padua. One usurer spoke, telling Dante to leave. His name was Paduan, he was from Padua. The monster Geryon appears for the first time. This beast has a scorpion like pointed tail, and smells horrible. The monster Geryon appears for the first time. This beast has a scorpion like pointed tail, and smells horrible. Geryon a creature of the sea; had a mans head, fury torso, and bat wings. He was three natures- human, reptilian, and beastial. Geryon a creature of the sea; had a mans head, fury torso, and bat wings. He was three natures- human, reptilian, and beastial. The new sinners of this circle are three usurers. The new sinners of this circle are three usurers. Usurers were men who lent money for interest, which was against the church. Usurers were men who lent money for interest, which was against the church. All of them were Italians. All of them were Italians. Each identified by wearing a different colored purse around there neck, each with a different symbol. Each identified by wearing a different colored purse around there neck, each with a different symbol.

Rain of Fire. Here Dante and Virgil take a ride on the beast Geryon’s back to move forward into there journey to the 8 th circle. The rain of fire was the constant loud waterfall that punished the sinners of this canto.

Where is this Dante? Dante is now in the seventh circle, third ring, and third zone. Dante is now in the seventh circle, third ring, and third zone. This is the level of Violent sins. This is the level of Violent sins. Violent crimes against nature and God. Violent crimes against nature and God. The sinners in this canto are three Usurers. The sinners in this canto are three Usurers. They are punished by a constant loud rain of fire, and there hands keep falling off from the flames. They are punished by a constant loud rain of fire, and there hands keep falling off from the flames.

Scenery There is a stony brink where they must walk to avoid the sand and fire. There is a stony brink where they must walk to avoid the sand and fire. Not much description of the scenery except the rain of fire, lots of rocks, and there journey on Geryon. Not much description of the scenery except the rain of fire, lots of rocks, and there journey on Geryon. Dante and Virgil look at the concentric circles of the malebolge ( the 8 th circle), which are filled with souls- the panderers and the seducers on the topmost ring scourged by devils. Dante and Virgil look at the concentric circles of the malebolge ( the 8 th circle), which are filled with souls- the panderers and the seducers on the topmost ring scourged by devils. There are no rivers mentioned in this canto as it is in other surrounding areas. There are no rivers mentioned in this canto as it is in other surrounding areas.