Dante, Inferno
Plutus at the Fourth Circle
Plutus raises a hoarse alarm as Dante and Virgil approach the fourth circle. Virgil reassures his companion that the guardian cannot obstruct a descent authorised from above. The guide rebukes the creature, whose collapse is compared to a sail falling when its mast breaks. The passage presents the infernal guardian without resolving every classical distinction between similarly named gods.
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In the sources
The encounter
LiteraryPlutus raises a hoarse alarm as Dante and Virgil approach the fourth circle. Virgil reassures his companion that the guardian cannot obstruct a descent authorised from above.
Further detail
LiteraryThe guide rebukes the creature, whose collapse is compared to a sail falling when its mast breaks. The passage presents the infernal guardian without resolving every classical distinction between similarly named gods.
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
Plutus, in accent hoarse of wild alarm : And the kind sage, whom no event surprised, To comfort me thus spake : " Let not thyOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Dante’s Inferno, Cary translation; active reader leaf 55
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-P0055
- Original scan leaf
- 62
- Recorded leaf number
- 62
- Current Reader position
- 55
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
Dante's Inferno
Drop suddenly collapsed, if the mast split; So to the ground down dropped the cruel fiend. Thus we, descending to the fourth steep ledge, Gain'd onOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Dante’s Inferno, Cary translation; active reader leaf 55
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-P0055
- Original scan leaf
- 62
- Recorded leaf number
- 62
- Current Reader position
- 55
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Illustrations
Continue exploring
Antaeus, 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.
Same subject and traditionEphialtes in Chains
The rebellious giant whose immense strength is confined by a repeated chain.