Dante spends some time talking to one couple swirling in the wind, locked together for eternity. They are Paolo and Francesca, lovers, famous even in Dante’s time. Unfortunately, Paolo was not married to Francesca, he was her brother in law and was murdered by her husband, caught in the act.

As with all sinners in Hell, they are unrepentant, never taking responsibility for their transgressions. In her case, Francesca blames her act on a book they were reading together, the story of Lancelot and Guinevere. This moment is also strangely comical, since Francesca believes Dante is in Hell just to pay her a social call.

When Francesca tells Dante the story of her death, she spins it to try and evoke pity from Dante. Dante is taken in by her false charm and misplaced compassion. The canto ends with Dante weeping and fainting, overcome by sadness. This points out another aspect of the Divine Comedy, Dante’s moral growth. As he progresses through Hell, Dante learns to discern the truth from the lies that the damned actually tell him. continue the journey… or …go back…