Dante, Inferno
Alessio of Lucca among the Flatterers
Dante recognises Alessio despite the filth covering his head. The recognition recalls a previous sight of him with dry hair, contrasting an ordinary remembered appearance with the present encounter. Alessio beats his head and says that his flatteries brought him so low, because he could never satisfy his tongue with enough of them. His confession belongs to the poem’s dramatic account, not an independently established biography.
Loading your archive…
In the sources
The encounter
LiteraryDante recognises Alessio despite the filth covering his head. The recognition recalls a previous sight of him with dry hair, contrasting an ordinary remembered appearance with the present encounter.
Further detail
LiteraryAlessio beats his head and says that his flatteries brought him so low, because he could never satisfy his tongue with enough of them. His confession belongs to the poem’s dramatic account, not an independently established biography.
Context & interpretation
This entry follows the supplied Thompson & Thomas edition of H. F. Cary’s translation. It describes Dante’s literary vision, distinguishing its assignments and reported claims from historical biography, other classical traditions and independently established accounts of an afterlife.
Original passages
Source 1
Dante's Inferno
thou Alessio art, of Lucca sprung. Therefore than all the rest I scan thee more." Then beating on his brain, these words he spake: " MeOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Dante’s Inferno, Cary translation; active reader leaf 130
Passage read in the exact edition’s extracted canto text; whitespace-normalised anchor and original-leaf mapping checked. Associated plates separately inspected.
- Edition
- IMJ-0082-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0082-E001-P0130
- Original scan leaf
- 137
- Recorded leaf number
- 137
- Current Reader position
- 130
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
Dante's Inferno
my flatteries have sunk, Wherewith I ne'er enough could glut my tongue." My leader thus : " A little further stretch Thy face, that thou theOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Dante’s Inferno, Cary translation; active reader leaf 130
Passage read in the exact edition’s extracted canto text; whitespace-normalised anchor and original-leaf mapping checked. Associated plates separately inspected.
- Edition
- IMJ-0082-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0082-E001-P0130
- Original scan leaf
- 137
- Recorded leaf number
- 137
- Current Reader position
- 130
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Illustrations
Continue exploring
Literary & Visionary Figures ↗
Thais and Exaggerated Praise
The figure Virgil identifies through an example of extravagant flattering speech.
Same subject and traditionAlberigo and the Frozen Tears
The speaker who requests relief from the ice over his eyes but does not receive it.
Same subject and traditionBertran de Born’s Speaking Head
The head-bearing speaker who explains his division through a division he claims to have caused.
Same subject and traditionBocca’s Refusal to Give His Name
The frozen speaker identified by another voice after resisting Dante’s demands.