Original Text(~250 words)
And now the verse proceeds to torments new, Fit argument of this the twentieth strain Of the first song, whose awful theme records The spirits whelm’d in woe. Earnest I look’d Into the depth, that open’d to my view, Moisten’d with tears of anguish, and beheld A tribe, that came along the hollow vale, In silence weeping: such their step as walk Quires chanting solemn litanies on earth. As on them more direct mine eye descends, Each wondrously seem’d to be revers’d At the neck-bone, so that the countenance Was from the reins averted: and because None might before him look, they were compell’d To’ advance with backward gait. Thus one perhaps Hath been by force of palsy clean transpos’d, But I ne’er saw it nor believe it so. Now, reader! think within thyself, so God Fruit of thy reading give thee! how I long Could keep my visage dry, when I beheld Near me our form distorted in such guise, That on the hinder parts fall’n from the face The tears down-streaming roll’d. Against a rock I leant and wept, so that my guide exclaim’d: “What, and art thou too witless as the rest? Here pity most doth show herself alive, When she is dead. What guilt exceedeth his, Who with Heaven’s judgment in his passion strives? Raise up thy head, raise up, and see the man, Before whose eyes earth gap’d in Thebes, when all Cried out, ‘Amphiaraus, whither rushest? ‘Why leavest thou the war?’ He not the...
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Summary
Dante enters the fourth ditch of Hell, where fortune tellers and false prophets face a punishment that perfectly fits their crime: their heads are twisted backwards, forcing them to walk blind into the future they once claimed to see. These souls weep constantly, their tears streaming down their backs instead of their faces. When Dante begins crying in pity, Virgil sharply rebukes him, explaining that true compassion means accepting divine justice, not feeling sorry for those who got exactly what they deserved. Virgil then points out specific sinners, including the prophet Tiresias who changed from man to woman and back again, and Manto, a sorceress whose story connects to the founding of Virgil's hometown of Mantua. He also identifies Michael Scot, a medieval scholar who practiced magic, and other diviners who abandoned honest work to dabble in supernatural deception. The chapter explores the fundamental arrogance of trying to know and control what only God should know. These fortune tellers spent their lives looking too far ahead, claiming knowledge they didn't possess, so now they're forced to look eternally backward. Dante learns a crucial lesson about the nature of true wisdom versus false prophecy, and about when pity becomes misplaced. The punishment reveals how those who try to manipulate others through false knowledge ultimately lose their ability to see clearly at all.
That's what happens. To understand what the author is really doing—and to discuss this chapter with confidence—keep reading.
Terms to Know
Divination
The practice of trying to predict the future or discover hidden knowledge through supernatural means, including fortune telling, reading omens, or consulting spirits. In Dante's time, this was considered a serious sin because it challenged God's authority over knowledge of the future.
Modern Usage:
We see this in psychic hotlines, tarot card readers, and anyone claiming they can predict your future for money.
Contrapasso
Dante's principle of poetic justice where the punishment perfectly mirrors the crime. The fortune tellers have their heads twisted backward because they tried to see too far forward in life, claiming knowledge they shouldn't have.
Modern Usage:
Like when someone who gossips all the time becomes the subject of rumors, or a cheater gets cheated on.
False prophecy
Making predictions or claims about divine will without actual divine authority. These people presented themselves as having special knowledge or connection to supernatural powers to gain influence over others.
Modern Usage:
Think of fake psychics, scam artists who claim special insights, or anyone who manipulates others by pretending to know things they don't.
Sorcery
The practice of magic and supernatural manipulation, often involving attempts to control natural forces or predict future events. In medieval times, this was seen as trying to usurp God's power.
Modern Usage:
Today we might see this in people who claim crystals can cure cancer or that they can manifest wealth through secret knowledge.
Divine justice
The concept that God's punishment is always perfectly fair and appropriate, even when humans can't understand it. Virgil teaches Dante that feeling sorry for the damned actually shows a lack of faith in God's perfect judgment.
Modern Usage:
The idea that consequences are earned, not random - when we say someone 'got what was coming to them.'
Misplaced pity
Feeling sorry for people who are facing the natural consequences of their choices. Virgil warns that true compassion means supporting justice, not enabling bad behavior by feeling bad for wrongdoers.
Modern Usage:
Like feeling sorry for someone who keeps making the same bad choices instead of letting them learn from consequences.
Characters in This Chapter
Dante
Protagonist learning moral lessons
He initially feels pity for the fortune tellers, weeping at their twisted appearance. This emotional response leads to an important lesson from Virgil about the difference between true compassion and misplaced sympathy.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who always feels bad for people facing consequences
Virgil
Wise mentor and moral guide
He sharply corrects Dante for crying over the fortune tellers, explaining that true pity means accepting divine justice. He identifies various sinners and tells their stories to help Dante understand why they deserve their punishment.
Modern Equivalent:
The tough-love mentor who won't let you make excuses
Tiresias
Punished fortune teller from mythology
A famous prophet from Greek mythology who was transformed from man to woman and back to man. His presence shows how even legendary figures aren't exempt from judgment for overstepping divine boundaries.
Modern Equivalent:
The celebrity psychic who claims special powers
Manto
Sorceress connected to Virgil's hometown
A sorceress whose story Virgil uses to explain the founding of Mantua. Her punishment demonstrates how those who practiced magic and divination are held accountable regardless of their historical importance.
Modern Equivalent:
The fortune teller who claims ancient wisdom
Michael Scot
Medieval scholar turned magician
A real historical figure who was a respected scholar but turned to practicing magic. His presence shows how even educated people can fall into the trap of seeking forbidden knowledge.
Modern Equivalent:
The educated person who gets into conspiracy theories or pseudoscience
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to spot people who claim expertise they don't actually possess by watching for defensiveness when questioned.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone gets angry instead of explaining their reasoning - that's often fake expertise protecting itself from exposure.
You have the foundation. Now let's look closer.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Here pity most doth show herself alive, when she is dead"
Context: Virgil scolds Dante for crying over the fortune tellers' punishment
This paradox teaches that true compassion means accepting divine justice, not feeling sorry for those facing earned consequences. Real pity would be letting these souls continue in their deception.
In Today's Words:
The kindest thing is sometimes letting people face the music
"What guilt exceedeth his, who with Heaven's judgment in his passion strives?"
Context: Explaining why Dante shouldn't pity the fortune tellers
Virgil argues that questioning God's perfect justice is itself a form of pride and rebellion. Feeling sorry for the damned suggests you think you know better than divine wisdom.
In Today's Words:
Who are you to second-guess perfect justice with your emotions?
"Each wondrously seem'd to be revers'd at the neck-bone, so that the countenance was from the reins averted"
Context: Dante describes seeing the fortune tellers with their heads twisted backward
This vivid image shows the perfect justice of their punishment - those who claimed to see the future too clearly now cannot see where they're going at all. Their tears fall down their backs instead of their faces.
In Today's Words:
Their heads were completely turned around backward so they couldn't see where they were walking
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of False Authority - When Fake Expertise Backfires
People who claim knowledge they don't possess eventually lose their ability to distinguish truth from fiction.
Thematic Threads
False Knowledge
In This Chapter
Fortune tellers punished for claiming to see futures they couldn't predict, now forced to look backward
Development
Introduced here as a specific form of fraud that corrupts the fraudster
In Your Life:
You might catch yourself giving confident advice about things you don't really understand
Misplaced Pity
In This Chapter
Dante cries for the sinners until Virgil explains that true compassion means accepting just consequences
Development
Builds on earlier lessons about appropriate emotional responses to others' choices
In Your Life:
You might feel sorry for people who created their own problems instead of letting them learn from consequences
Divine Justice
In This Chapter
The punishment perfectly fits the crime - those who looked too far ahead now look eternally backward
Development
Continues the pattern of punishments that mirror the sins committed
In Your Life:
You might notice how your bad habits eventually create their own natural consequences
Intellectual Arrogance
In This Chapter
Scholars and diviners who abandoned honest work to claim supernatural knowledge
Development
Expands on pride theme to include intellectual pride and false expertise
In Your Life:
You might be tempted to sound smarter than you are instead of admitting what you don't know
True vs False Wisdom
In This Chapter
Virgil teaches Dante the difference between genuine insight and manipulative prophecy
Development
Deepens the mentorship theme by showing how real teachers help students think critically
In Your Life:
You might need to evaluate whether your sources of advice are genuinely wise or just confident
Modern Adaptation
When the Promotion Goes Sideways
Following George's story...
George got promoted to shift supervisor at the warehouse after claiming he knew the new inventory system inside and out. Truth was, he'd only watched a YouTube video and figured he'd learn on the job. Now three weeks in, his fake confidence has created chaos. Orders are delayed, workers are frustrated, and he's making increasingly desperate decisions to cover his mistakes. When Sarah, a veteran worker, offers to help him learn the system properly, George snaps at her instead of admitting he's lost. He's so busy maintaining the illusion of competence that he can't see the real solutions right in front of him. His lies have twisted his perspective - he's looking backward, trying to justify past decisions, instead of forward to actually solve problems. The crew is losing respect, management is asking questions, and George realizes his fake expertise has trapped him in a job he can't actually do.
The Road
The road Dante's fortune tellers walked in 1320, George walks today. The pattern is identical: claiming knowledge you don't possess eventually blinds you to the truth you actually need.
The Map
This chapter provides a navigation tool for recognizing false expertise - in others and yourself. When someone gets defensive about their knowledge instead of showing their work, that's the warning sign.
Amplification
Before reading this, George might have kept doubling down on his lies, digging deeper holes. Now he can NAME the pattern of false authority, PREDICT where it leads, and NAVIGATE back to honest learning before it's too late.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why are the fortune tellers forced to walk backwards with their heads twisted around?
analysis • surface - 2
What does Virgil mean when he tells Dante that pity is inappropriate here - that these souls got exactly what they deserved?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see people today claiming knowledge they don't actually possess - at work, in your family, or in your community?
application • medium - 4
How can you tell the difference between someone with real expertise and someone just pretending to know what they're talking about?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter suggest about the relationship between honesty about your limitations and actual wisdom?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Spot the False Expert
Think of someone in your life who frequently gives advice or makes confident predictions but often turns out to be wrong. Write down three specific examples of their claims and what actually happened. Then identify the warning signs you could have noticed - did they get defensive when questioned, refuse to admit uncertainty, or avoid showing their sources?
Consider:
- •Look for patterns in how they respond to being challenged or questioned
- •Notice whether they ever admit they don't know something or were wrong
- •Pay attention to how specific or vague their claims are
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you caught yourself claiming knowledge you didn't really have. What drove you to do it, and what happened as a result? How could you handle similar situations differently in the future?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 21: Meeting the Devil's Workforce
As the story unfolds, you'll explore corrupt systems protect their own through intimidation and theatrics, while uncovering having the right guide matters when facing institutional power. These lessons connect the classic to contemporary challenges we all face.