Dante, Inferno
Phlegyas, Ferryman of the Marsh
Phlegyas approaches at speed after lights signal from the tower, initially addressing the arrivals as though they were condemned spirits. Virgil states that the boatman will have them only for the crossing. Dante’s entry weighs down the boat, which travels deeper in the water than it ordinarily does. The detail distinguishes his living body from the shades around him.
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In the sources
The encounter
LiteraryPhlegyas approaches at speed after lights signal from the tower, initially addressing the arrivals as though they were condemned spirits. Virgil states that the boatman will have them only for the crossing.
Further detail
LiteraryDante’s entry weighs down the boat, which travels deeper in the water than it ordinarily does. The detail distinguishes his living body from the shades around him.
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
Phlegyas, Phlegyas, This time thou criest in vain," my lord replied; " No longer shalt thou have us, but while o'er The slimy pool we pass."Open this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Dante’s Inferno, Cary translation; active reader leaf 61
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-P0061
- Original scan leaf
- 68
- Recorded leaf number
- 68
- Current Reader position
- 61
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
Dante's Inferno
More deeply than with others is its wont. While we our course o'er the dead channel held, One drench'd in mire before me came, and said,Open this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Dante’s Inferno, Cary translation; active reader leaf 64
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-P0064
- Original scan leaf
- 71
- Recorded leaf number
- 71
- Current Reader position
- 64
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Illustrations
Continue exploring
Filippo Argenti in the Mire
The Florentine spirit rejected from the boat during the Stygian crossing.
Shared source pageThe Stygian Lake
The dark marsh of the fifth circle, crossed before the city of Dis.
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.