Guido da Montefeltro's Deception by Boniface VIII

The story of Guido da Montefeltro, a former warrior turned Franciscan, who was tricked by Pope Boniface VIII into giving fraudulent counsel.

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Guido's Flame Approaches

The Second Flame The Confused Sound Another flame approaches, emitting a confused sound like the Sicilian bull. It is Guido da Montefeltro, who speaks after the flame's vibration forms words. The Lombard Tongue Guido addresses Dante in Lombard dialect, asking about the state of Romagna. Dante replies with a detailed political update.

Guido's Confession

The Life of a Fox From Warrior to Friar Guido recounts his life: he was a man of arms, then became a Franciscan, hoping to repent. But Pope Boniface VIII, needing advice to destroy his enemies, sought him out. The False Absolution Boniface promised absolution in advance and asked Guido how to raze Palestrina. Guido, tempted by the promise, gave fraudulent advice: 'Long promise with short fulfilment will make you triumph.'

The Devil's Argument

The Dispute in Heaven St. Francis vs. the Devil When Guido died, St. Francis came for his soul, but a black cherub argued that Guido could not be absolved because he did not truly repent. The devil said, 'Who repents not cannot be absolved, nor can one both repent and will at once.' The Logical Trap The devil's logic prevailed, and Guido was dragged to Minos, who assigned him to the eighth bolgia. Guido's story illustrates the danger of presumption and the limits of papal authority.

Dante's Indictment of Boniface

The Condemnation Dante's Anger Dante is outraged at Boniface's corruption. He later places Boniface in the third bolgia of simoniacs, foreseen by Pope Nicholas III. The episode condemns the abuse of spiritual power. The Theme of False Counsel Guido's sin is giving evil advice, but the greater sin is Boniface's manipulation. Dante shows that even a repentant sinner can be damned if his repentance is insincere.

The Flame's Departure

The Lament The Writhing Flame Guido's flame departs, writhing and flapping its horn. The image of the flame as a tongue emphasizes the sin of speech. Transition to the Ninth Bolgia Dante and Virgil move on to the next bolgia, where schismatics are mutilated. Guido's story lingers as a warning against trusting in false absolution.

In the eighth circle, eighth bolgia, after Ulysses

After the political exchange, in the eighth bolgia

At Guido's death, after his confession

After Guido's story, in the eighth bolgia

After Guido finishes, in the eighth bolgia