1. Canto 9
Sandi August
November 19, 2007

2. Canto 9: Summary
Dante and Virgil are at the gates of Dis. Dante realizes that Virgil is having trouble opening the gate and is waiting for help. Dante is shocked when he sees three furies appear. These furies are half woman, half serpent. The furies laugh at Dante and ask for Medusa to turn him into stone. Virgil covers Dante’s eyes so he can’t see Medusa’s head. A loud noise is made and the furies are scared away.

3. Chp. 9 Summary: (Cont.)
Then a heaven messenger appears to open the gate, the souls and demons scatter as he walks. The gate is opened and the messenger demands for Dante and Virgil to be let in. They enter the gate of Dis, the Sixth Circle of Hell, and are surrounded by tombs that are on fire. The people in the tombs are in a lot of pain. These city is where the Heretics are located.

4. Characters First Appearance
The three furies appear for the first time in this canto.
Their names are Tisiphone, Magaera, and Alecto.

5. Three Furies

6. Location and Punishment
Dante is at the gates of the City of Dis, at the beginning of the Sixth Circle of Hell.
The people located here are the Heretics. People who have committed active sins.
They are punished by dwelling in flaming tombs.