Dante, Inferno
Nessus as Guide across the Blood
Nessus first challenges the descending visitors with a threat to draw his bow. Virgil names him and recalls the classical story of Deianira, distinguishing this identification from his present infernal task. At Chiron’s instruction he becomes their escort, identifies groups immersed at different depths and leads them to the shallower crossing. Virgil temporarily directs Dante to regard Nessus as his foremost guide.
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In the sources
The encounter
LiteraryNessus first challenges the descending visitors with a threat to draw his bow. Virgil names him and recalls the classical story of Deianira, distinguishing this identification from his present infernal task.
Further detail
LiteraryAt Chiron’s instruction he becomes their escort, identifies groups immersed at different depths and leads them to the shallower crossing. Virgil temporarily directs Dante to regard Nessus as his foremost guide.
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
Nessus is this, Who for the fair Deianira died, And wrought himself revenge for his own fate. He in the midst, that on his breast looksOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Dante’s Inferno, Cary translation; active reader leaf 94
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-P0094
- Original scan leaf
- 101
- Recorded leaf number
- 101
- Current Reader position
- 94
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
Dante's Inferno
Return, and be their guide. And if you chance to cross another troop, Command them keep aloof." Onward we moved, The faithful escort by our side,Open this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Dante’s Inferno, Cary translation; active reader leaf 95
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-P0095
- Original scan leaf
- 102
- Recorded leaf number
- 102
- Current Reader position
- 95
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Illustrations
Continue exploring
Chiron among the Armed Centaurs
The centaur who notices the physical evidence that Dante is alive.
Same subject and traditionAntaeus, Bearer of the Travellers
The unfettered giant who lowers Dante and Virgil toward Cocytus.
Same subject and traditionCharon, Dante’s Ferryman
The fiery-eyed boatman who gathers the dead at Acheron and objects to Dante’s living presence.
Same subject and traditionEphialtes in Chains
The rebellious giant whose immense strength is confined by a repeated chain.