Outhne: Inferno Iii

words inscribed above the gate of hell

having read them, Dante is afraid

Virgil admonishes, then encourages, Dante

tumultuous sound made by mouths and hands

Dante asks who these shades (in Circle “zero”) are

Virgil: the neutrals and the neutral angels

Dante wants to know the reason for their lamentation

Virgil: they would rather be anyone but themselves

Dante watches shades following a wavering banner

he knows some, and one who “made the great refusal”

they are stung by insects that make their faces bleed

looking ahead, Dante sees a crowd at a riverbank

Virgil says his questions will be answered later

Dante’s shame at this implicit criticism

appearance of Charon; his refusal to ferry Dante

Virgil’s rejoinder stills Charon

shades, cursing, enter his skiff; he strikes laggards

similes: leaves in fall, falcon returning to falconer

Virgil: the damned want the justice of their penalty

Virgil explains Charon’s desire not to include Dante

the earthquake and Dante’s fainting fit