Dante, Inferno
Mistaken for Boniface
When Dante addresses the speaker in the rock, the reply assumes that Boniface has arrived earlier than the written forecast allowed. Dante initially fails to understand the question or the mistaken identity. Virgil tells him to deny being the expected visitor. The speaker then explains the succession of occupants and predicts another later arrival; these accusations and predictions are statements inside Dante’s constructed encounter.
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In the sources
The encounter
LiteraryWhen Dante addresses the speaker in the rock, the reply assumes that Boniface has arrived earlier than the written forecast allowed. Dante initially fails to understand the question or the mistaken identity.
Further detail
LiteraryVirgil tells him to deny being the expected visitor. The speaker then explains the succession of occupants and predicts another later arrival; these accusations and predictions are statements inside Dante’s constructed encounter.
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
O Boniface ! By many a year the writing play'd me false. So early dost thou surfeit with the wealth, For which thou fearedst not inOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Dante’s Inferno, Cary translation; active reader leaf 132
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-P0132
- Original scan leaf
- 139
- Recorded leaf number
- 139
- Current Reader position
- 132
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
Dante's Inferno
I am not he, not he whom thou believest,' " And I, as was enjoin'd me, straight replied. That heard, the spirit all did wrench hisOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Dante’s Inferno, Cary translation; active reader leaf 133
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-P0133
- Original scan leaf
- 140
- Recorded leaf number
- 140
- Current Reader position
- 133
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Illustrations
Continue exploring
The Inverted Pits of Simony
Headfirst openings in the third ditch, with burning feet and successive occupants.
Same subject and traditionAgnello’s Merged Form
A man and serpent lose their distinct outlines in the thieves’ ditch.
Same subject and traditionAlichino and Calcabrina’s Quarrel
The failed pursuit that sends two guardians into their own sticky pool.
Same subject and traditionCrossing the Centre of the World
Virgil’s reversal while climbing Lucifer explains the change from descent to ascent.