Pier della Vigna's Suicide

The story of Pier della Vigna, a loyal minister who committed suicide after being unjustly disgraced, now punished in the Wood of Suicides.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Bleeding Thornbush

The Talking Tree The Broken Branch Dante breaks a branch from a large thornbush, and it cries out in pain, bleeding. The voice identifies itself as Pier della Vigna. The Apology Virgil apologizes for Dante's action and asks Pier to tell his story so that Dante may restore his fame on earth.

Pier's Loyal Service

The Chancellor The Keys to the Heart Pier was the trusted chancellor of Emperor Frederick II, holding both keys to his heart. He kept secrets faithfully, losing sleep and health. The Envy of Others His success aroused envy among courtiers, who inflamed the emperor against him. Pier was unjustly accused and imprisoned.

The Suicide

The Desperate Act The Injustice Pier, unable to bear the shame and believing himself innocent, took his own life. He thought by dying he could escape disdain, but he became unjust to himself. The Punishment In Hell, suicides are transformed into trees, fed upon by Harpies. At the Last Judgment, they will not regain their bodies but will hang on the thornbushes.

Dante's Pity

The Compassion Dante's Silence Dante is so moved by pity that he cannot speak. Virgil questions Pier further about the nature of the punishment. The Lesson Pier's story illustrates the sin of self-violence and the importance of enduring injustice with faith. Suicide is a rejection of God's gift of life.

The Harpies and the Forest

The Monstrous Birds The Harpies The Harpies, with human faces and claws, nest in the trees and feed on their leaves, causing pain. This is the contrapasso for those who destroyed their own bodies. The Forest of Suicides The entire wood is filled with the souls of suicides and those who wasted their goods. The landscape is bleak and thorny, reflecting their inner torment.

In the seventh circle, second round of the violent against themselves

Before his downfall, in the court of Frederick II

After his disgrace, in prison

After Pier's story, in the Wood of Thorns

In the Wood of Thorns, context of the punishment