Dante, Inferno
The Navarrese Captive’s Escape
The captive says that he was born in Navarre and later served King Thibault, where his thoughts turned to corrupt dealing. Under threat from the devils, he offers to summon seven other inhabitants with a whistle. Once the guardians turn their attention aside, he chooses his moment and leaps beneath the pitch. Alichino’s flying pursuit fails, and the escaping captive triggers a quarrel among the frustrated guards.
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In the sources
The encounter
LiteraryThe captive says that he was born in Navarre and later served King Thibault, where his thoughts turned to corrupt dealing. Under threat from the devils, he offers to summon seven other inhabitants with a whistle.
Further detail
LiteraryOnce the guardians turn their attention aside, he chooses his moment and leaps beneath the pitch. Alichino’s flying pursuit fails, and the escaping captive triggers a quarrel among the frustrated guards.
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
Born in Navarre's domain, My mother placed me in a lord's retinue ; For she had borne me to a losel vile, A spendthrift of hisOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Dante’s Inferno, Cary translation; active reader leaf 149
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-P0149
- Original scan leaf
- 156
- Recorded leaf number
- 156
- Current Reader position
- 149
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
Dante's Inferno
The spirit of Navarre chose well his time, Planted his feet on land, and at one leap Escaping, disappointed their resolve. Them quick resentment stung, butOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Dante’s Inferno, Cary translation; active reader leaf 151
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-P0151
- Original scan leaf
- 158
- Recorded leaf number
- 158
- Current Reader position
- 151
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Illustrations
Continue exploring
Alichino and Calcabrina’s Quarrel
The failed pursuit that sends two guardians into their own sticky pool.
Shared source pageBarbariccia Leads the Hooked Escort
The captain who restrains his own violent company long enough for questioning.
Same subject and traditionAgnello’s Merged Form
A man and serpent lose their distinct outlines in the thieves’ ditch.
Same subject and traditionCrossing the Centre of the World
Virgil’s reversal while climbing Lucifer explains the change from descent to ascent.