Dante and Virgil walk through the landscape of smoking tombs. Suddenly a voice calls out to them from amid the flames. It is a family member of Dante’s political enemies, Farinata. In mockery of the resurrection, Farinata rises halfway out of the tomb and begins to belittle Dante’s family fortunes. The fact that Farinata is suffering eternal punishment in Hell seems to be less important to him than proving himself superior to Dante.

Farinata also reveals to Dante that those in Hell can remember the past, know something of the future, yet do not know the present. Consequently, as the end of time approaches and there is no past or future, these damned souls will only experience eternal pain in the present. It is a bizarre discussion of politics yet reveals to Dante that he will be exiled from Florence in the future.

Farinata is another example of the damned who are suffering a punishment related to their sins. Since Farinata was a heretic and didn’t believe in life after death, he is condemned to spend eternity in his tomb. …continue the journey… or ...go back…