The First Bolgia: Seducers and Panders

Dante and Virgil enter Malebolge, a series of ten concentric ditches. In the first Bolgia, they see sinners walking in two opposing lines, lashed by horned demons. Dante recognizes Venedico Caccianimico, a Bolognese who pimped his own sister to the Marquis of Este. Venedico confesses his sin and notes that many Bolognese are here. A demon strikes him and tells him to move on. They cross to the next ridge and see the second line of sinners, among them Jason, who deceived Hypsipyle and Medea. Virgil explains Jason's sins. This episode introduces the punishment of the fraudulent: they are driven forever in opposite directions, beaten by demons, mirroring their manipulation of others in life.