#circleseven

[dantes-social]

Geryon

Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce to you, the prototype of fraud, the creature of dozen beasts, Geryon!

I am on his back as I type this (hopefully he can’t see my screen (or read) ... I am closest to his head and Virgil is behind me). Virgil says this abomination is our ride to circle eight. The dropoff between circle seven and eight is impossibly steep, so I think I’ll be able to get another post out before we land. 

Also, repitilian scales and fur should never mix. Ever. It’s the most awkward senstaion I’ve ever felt, I don’t know how Geryon stands it. 

[dantes-social]

An old friend

If you follow my Twitter, you’ll know who Brunetto Latini is. In the midst of Florence’s political turmoil, Brunetto was a rock in my life. I learned many things at his feet, but never imagined that I might encounter him in the seventh of circle of Hell (of all places). 

We spent a good while catching up with each other (Virgil did not leave my side, but I think he was okay with me talking to this particular sinner). I’m not going to recount our entire conversation (it’s a little personal, you know?) but I left feeling both satisfied, melancholy, and fearful. Brunetto spoke of my alienation from “both sides” - I assume he was talking about the political situation back home - and I don’t think he’s lying. 

Bit of a heavy post, but we can’t go through life without a couple downers. 

[dantes-social]

Strange statue

At the time of writing this, Virgil and I have passed through all of circle seven, but there were some things I’d like to post before breaking down the punishments of this circle.

Like the strange statue that the title alludes to, I did indeed encounter an odd figure in the depths of Hell. It was a patchwork of materials, with the most value shaping the head and shoulders of the figure and terra cotta forming the feet of it. There was an ugly fissure splitting the torso of the figure, in which the Acheron, Phlegethon, and Styx merge into one stream. The stream then flows down Hell to circle eight. (I got all this from Virgil). 

The longer I looked at the statue, the more desperate it seemed. It was the only manmade thing here, yet unlike mankind’s beautiful creations on earth, this one reeks desperation and suffering. It’s just a feeling, I guess. I would ask you guys what you think it means but you’ve never been to Hell.