As Dante and Virgil approach the next valley, they are accosted by a disgusting stench accompanied by shrieks of pain. They then see thousands of souls sprawled out, dragging themselves through the filth. All of these souls are afflicted by horrible, eternal, painful diseases, many scratching the skin off their bodies.
This is the valley of the Falsifiers, including the alchemists, the falsifiers of things. The corruption of their bodies in Hell, mimics the corruption of God’s creation on earth. While Dante speaks to the alchemists the discussion is interrupted in an amazing sequence by two other sinners.
Next – The Floor of Hell