The Punishment of the Slothful in Purgatory
The Divine ComedyThe purgation of sloth on the fourth terrace, where souls run with eager haste, making up for their earthly negligence.
increasing
Bearing strength in each event
decreasing
Bearing strength in each eventdecreasingThe Running Souls
The Eager Crowd
The Two Groups
Dante sees two groups of souls running in opposite directions, shouting examples of zeal and sloth. They are the slothful, now making up for lost time.
The Examples
The first group shouts 'Mary ran to the hill country' and 'Caesar rushed to Spain.' The second group shouts examples of sloth punished, like the Israelites who died in the desert.
The Abbot of San Zeno
The Corrupt Abbot
The Identity
One of the running souls identifies himself as the Abbot of San Zeno in Verona, under Emperor Barbarossa. He criticizes the current abbot, who is sick in body and mind.
The Lament
He laments that the monastery has fallen into corruption, with an unworthy abbot appointed by the emperor. This is a critique of ecclesiastical appointments.
The Examples of Zeal
The Scourges
The Voices
As the souls run, they shout examples of holy zeal: the Virgin Mary's haste, Caesar's swiftness, and the angels' speed. These are the 'scourges' that spur them on.
The Curb
They also shout examples of sloth punished: the Hebrews who died in the desert and the Trojans who stayed in Sicily. These are the 'curbs' that warn them.
Dante's Dream of the Siren
The Temptation
The Dream
Dante dreams of a stammering, ugly woman who becomes beautiful and sings like a siren. A holy lady appears and exposes her belly, which stinks.
The Interpretation
The siren represents the allure of sloth and worldly pleasures. The stench reveals the true nature of sin. Virgil wakes Dante and urges him onward.
The Angel of Diligence
The Ascent
The Angel
An angel appears and fans them with his wings, singing 'Beati qui lugent' (Blessed are those who mourn). He removes another P from Dante's forehead.
The Lesson
The slothful learn to mourn their lost time and to embrace eager love. Dante feels renewed energy.
On the fourth terrace of Purgatory
On the fourth terrace, during the run
On the fourth terrace, during the run
At the end of the fourth terrace, before ascending
At the end of the fourth terrace
