Dante the pilgrim and Virgil walk on to find Antaeus, the unbound giant who can set them down on the floor of hell--otherwise known as the center of the earth.

Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we watch Virgil flail around, cite Lucan's PHARSALIA repeatedly, not get his way, and finally resort of a promise of Dante's own success to get what he needs.

This passage is a wild ride of literary references. Here are the segments of this episode of WALKING WITH DANTE:

[01:47] My English translation of this passage: INFERNO, Canto XXXI, lines 112 - 129. If you'd like to read along or drop a comment, go to my website, markscarbrough. com.

[03:41] Are these giants Titans?

[06:57] More accurate measurements (at least in a medieval context)--and some thoughts as to why precision becomes more important in lower hell.

[11:09] Virgil flatters Antaeus first with three passages from Lucan's PHARSALIA. First up, Scipio's defeat of Hannibal in north Africa.

[15:44] Virgil's third bit of flattery from the PHARSALIA: the Titans' war against the Olympian gods.

[19:03] Virgil's SECOND bit of flattery: an embellished passage from the PHARSALIA.

[20:10] Virgil cannot have read Lucan's PHARSALIA!

[21:52] Our first glimpse of the ninth circle of hell.

[23:15] Unpacking the quick references to Tityus and Typhon.

[25:33] Virgil's failed flattery turns to Dante's poetic hopes.

[27:42] Virgil is at a disadvantage here, unlike when he spoke to Ulysses.

[31:34] Rereading the passage: INFERNO, Canto XXXI, lines 112 - 129.