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Inferno of Dante: Canto V
Synopsis
An Opera by Patrick Soluri
Translation by John Ciardi*
Background:
Dante the Pilgrim awakens to find himself lost in a strange dark forest. He sees a light upon a hill that fills him with hope and peace. He goes towards it but is chased away by three beasts: a Leopard, a Lion and a she-Wolf. He returns to the dark forest filled with despair. The figure of a man appears; it is Virgil the great poet from antiquity. Dante is told that to reach the light he must journey through another path into the very midst of Hell. Virgil will be Santos guide through this pilgrimage. After ambivalence if he can accomplish such a journey, Dante agrees to follow Virgil. They first pass through the Gates of Hell into the Vestibule. He encounters souls here that are "nowhere," as never having chose either heaven or hell, neither want them. They then proceed to Charon, the infernal boatman. Dante faints after a frightening blast of wind and awakens in Limbo or the First Circle of Hell that holds the non-Christians of antiquity such as Virgil. Their punishment is to never see the light of God. Here Dante encounters the other great poets Homer, Ovid, Horace and Lucian.
Canto V:
Leaving Limbo, Dante & Virgil enter the Second Circle of Hell. This is the first time that Dante sees sinners in punishment. The scene is horrifying for Dante. To proceed further into Hell, they must first confront the demon Minos who judges each sinner and then hurls them to their place of punishment. After passing, they enter a dark space that holds the Lustful whom are eternally tossed about in a dark storm and violent wind. Amongst the throng are many of famous lovers including Dido, Helen, Cleopatra Achilles and Paris. Dante is intrigued by a particular pair and desires to speak with them. Francesca and Paolo descend and Francesca recounts their story. Dante is seduced by Francesco story and is filled with pity for them and again faints at the end of the scene.
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