Outhne: Inferno Xxxiv
OUTHNE: INFERNO XXXIV
iv. Judecca (lords and benefactors)
Virgil’s Latin beginning
simile: mill seen through fog or twilight
Dante retreats behind Virgil to escape the wind
the souls here are completely covered by ice
Virgil announces Satan and encourages Dante
the seventh address to the reader in Inferno
Lucifer: his size, his ugliness
his three-faced head: white-yellow: Cassius; red: Judas; black: Brutus
his six wings, congealing Cocytus
tears from his six eyes mix with blood at his chins
each of his three jaws chews a sinner; with his talons he flays the one in the center
Virgil identifies Judas, Brutus, and Cassius
Virgil: it is time to depart, we have seen it all
the ascent
Dante attaches himself to Virgil; they turn around
Virgil’s encouragement: “hold fast”
arrival at a ledge; Dante sees Lucifer’s legs above
Virgil: it is already 7:30 AM Saturday
Dante’s three questions: (1) where’s the ice? (2) why is Lucifer upside down? (3) how is it already morn?
Virgil’s responses: (1) behind us; (3) because of where we are; (2) Lucifer’s fall
a watercourse leads them gently upward
they return to earth, under heaven.