Dante, Inferno
Nimrod and Unintelligible Speech
After the giant cries out, Virgil tells him to express his anger or other passion through the horn attached to his belt. The guide identifies the figure as Nimrod. Virgil links him to the loss of a common language and explains that other people’s speech is as unintelligible to him as his is to them. The poem makes further conversation futile.
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In the sources
The encounter
LiteraryAfter the giant cries out, Virgil tells him to express his anger or other passion through the horn attached to his belt. The guide identifies the figure as Nimrod.
Further detail
LiteraryVirgil links him to the loss of a common language and explains that other people’s speech is as unintelligible to him as his is to them. The poem makes further conversation futile.
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
Nimrod is this, Through whose ill counsel in the world no more One tongue prevails. But pass we on, nor waste Our words ; for soOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Dante’s Inferno, Cary translation; active reader leaf 209
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-P0209
- Original scan leaf
- 216
- Recorded leaf number
- 216
- Current Reader position
- 209
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
Dante's Inferno
each language is to him, As his to others, understood by none." Then to the leftward turning, sped we forth And at a sling's throw foundOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Dante’s Inferno, Cary translation; active reader leaf 209
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-P0209
- Original scan leaf
- 216
- Recorded leaf number
- 216
- Current Reader position
- 209
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Illustrations
Continue exploring
Ephialtes in Chains
The rebellious giant whose immense strength is confined by a repeated chain.
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 traditionChiron among the Armed Centaurs
The centaur who notices the physical evidence that Dante is alive.