Transcript Introducing Canto XXI • BY: Darnette Glasper November 16, 2007

Introducing Canto XXI
• BY: Darnette Glasper
• November 16, 2007
The Sinners
• In this circle, the sinners are
barterers or public
peculators, defalcators,
embezzler, political officials
and employees.
• They violate a trust by
taking money for their own
use; they are guilty of the
crime of one whose judgment
is influenced by bribery.
On the morning of Holy Saturday at 7
o’clock on April 9, 1300, Dante is in the 8th
circle and 5th pouch named the Malebolge
The surroundings were dark; it was like the
Arsenal of Venetians in the winter with
sticky pitch boiling to patch their tattered
ships that won’t sail
The thick and tarry mass was boiling and
covering all the banks and clamminess. It can
be seen but no one can see in it, nothing but
the boiling bubbles were visible.
Virgil tells Dante to hide and Dante is
scared and looks behind him. He sees a black
demon looking barbarous and acting
relentless.
The Demon’s wings were spread across hi
shoulders, sharp and high, and his feet were
lithe. The Demon slung a sinner, from his
ankles, and the sinner plunged in the pitch
and resurfaced.
The Malebranches (Demons) are pricking
the sinners with their hooks every time they
lift their heads for air. “The demons did the
same as any cook who has his urchins force
the meat with hooks deep down into the pot,
that it did not float.”
Scenery
Summary
In this canto the Malebranches are pricking the sinners with their hooks
every time they lift their heads out of the tar. In order to move forward,
Virgil gives such a wonderful speech that Malacoda’s pride falls and decides
to protect him. As Malacoda leads Dante and Virgil, he tells the 6th bridge
collapsed when Jesus was crucified and gives them false directions. For
their safety, Malacoda sends 10 of his men to aid Dante and Virgil. The
leader of the 10 men, Barbariccia, farts to signal to march forward.
New Characters
•Malacoda aka evil-tail is the leader of the
Demons(Malebranche)
•He also gives Virgil the permission
to pass thru and he also gives bad
directions
•The Malebranches (Evil-Claws) are the
demons who stand guard over the sinners
with their prongs; they are agile, smart
and fierce.
•Cagnazzo aka big dog
•Barbariccia aka curly beard and the one
who farts as a signal to march
•Graffiacane aka dog-snatcher
Pictures of the Malebranches