Canto 17

1
Canto 17

• Sierra Ariel McGuire
• November 19, 2007

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Summary of Canto 17

• Virgil and Dante approach the beast Geryon who
  is lying across the shore protecting his domain.
  Virgil talks to the beast, asking him to be their
  guide to the 8th circle. While Virgil is talking
  Dante is trying to talk to the sinning souls. The
  souls dont talk to him so he leaves. These souls
  are those who lent money for interest known as
  userers . Geryon agrees to bring them to their
  destination the two jump on his back and they
  are on their way.

3
New Characters

• Geryon
• A beastly monster
• He has the face of a man, the body of a serpent,
  and two hairy paws with a pointed scorpion
  stinger tail.

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Dante and the sinners

• Dante is in the 7th circle, 3rd ring, 3rd zone
• The sinners in this canto are those who showed
  violence against nature and art. They lent money
  for interest and are known as usurers.
• These sinners are punished by having purses
  around their necks which have the sinners family
  emblems on them. Fleas and gnats are biting them.
  They are seated beneath the rain at their own
  fire.

5
The scenery

• They are on the shore of a river. There is sand
  and fire, also jagged rocks everywhere.
  Everything is burning. They are heading to the
  Abyss of Malebolge.

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Geryon watching Dante and Virgil coming into his
territory
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Geryon carrying them to Lower Hell into the Abyss
of Malebolge
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Virgil (he is Dantes helper to his destination)