Video Summation of Canto XIX

Historic Analysis

The term Simonist originates from Simon Magus who was a magician that tried to buy the rights and power to administer the holy ghost.

The soul of the sinner that Dante address is Pope Nicholas III. He was the chief sinner in the pit demonstrated by the height of the flames on  his feet.

Pope Nicholas was known for his excessive nepotism(favoritism granted in politics/business to relative regardless of merit). he had elevated three of his closest relatives to cardinal and gave other important positions.

Artistic representation of Pope Nicholas III

Pope Nicholas foreshadowed that Pope BonifaceVII will soon be placed there and after him and even more corrupt pope will follow him Pope Boniface Clement V.

Theme of Canto XIX

The theme of religious retribution is what is being displayed in cantos XIX. The Simonist are upside-down in holes resembling baptismal fonts which illustrate that their sin debased their office. Their feet are on fire most likely lit by the oil of the last rites. Their time in the font is limited because when a new sinner comes he takes the previous sinner's place, and the previous sinner is shoved down into the rock for eternity. This is similar to the succession of Simonists in office.

Canto XIX Summary

Dante and Virgil are on the rim of the third pitch in circle eight . In this pitch those who are there have committed Simmony(used their positions in the church for personal monetary gain). The punishment for the Simonists is that they are upside-down in round holes the size of baptismal fonts. From each of these holes protrude the feet and legs of a spirit, with the rest of the body upside down in the hole and the soles of their feet are on fire. Dante identify one soul who is apparently suffering more torment than others.The soul mistakes Dante for Pope Boniface. This soul wore the "the Great mantle" of the office of the pope below him in the cracks was others who committed the same sin. When pope boniface joins them Nicholas III will be pushed further into the stone.