In Canto 10, Dante and Virgil begin their journey down a secret part in the VIth circle of Hell. They walk past the tombs of the Heretics, shades who during their lifetimes, pursued pleasure relentlessly as they did not believe the body contained a soul. Many of these shares were Epicureans, followers of Epicurus, the Greek philosopher whose philosophy was the attainment of happiness, defined as the absence of pain.
According to Dante’s idea of retribution, the Heretics’ punishment is to spend eternity in flaming tombs, until Judgment Day, when the tombs will close and the souls inside will be sealed forever within their earthly bodies.
The philosophy of Epicurus (341–270 B.C.E.) was a complete and interdependent system, involving a view of the goal of human life (happiness, resulting from absence of physical pain and mental disturbance), an empiricist theory of knowledge (sensations, together with the perception of pleasure and pain, are infallible criteria), a description of nature based on atomistic materialism, and a naturalistic account of evolution, from the formation of the world to the emergence of human societies.
You can read more about Epicurus here: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/epicurus/
Dante tells Virgil he wants to speak to some of the shades. Virgil notes that Dante’s has a secret wish but Dante denies it. In fact, Dante wants to see if he recognises any of the shades as being from Florence as he knew certain people who were Epicureans and who he expects to see in this circle. Just then, a shade calls out to Dante recognising him as being from Tuscany. The spirit turns out to be Farinata, whose family is an enemy of Dante’s family, and a fellow Florentine.
According to LitCharts.com Summary & Analysis of Inferno Canto 10:
The local feuds between families in Florence are still a matter of concern for Farinata, even as he spends eternity suffering in hell. This particular feud refers to the fact that Farinata stood on the side of the Ghibellines (supporting the Holy Roman Emperor over the Pope) while Dante was a Guelph (supporting the Pope over the Holy Roman Emperor). This political conflict motivated much of the political strife in Florence and across all of Italy when Dante wrote.
A second shade, Cavalcante dei Cavalcanti, the father of Dante’s friend Guido, rises from the tomb during this conversation. He asks Dante why his son is not with him. Dante suggests that Guido has distained God and uses the past tense with reference to his friend. Cavalcante swoons back into his tomb to grieve as he believes his son is dead.
Dante asks Farinata why the souls in Hell are able to see the future but cannot see the present. Farinata responds that the shades can only see distant things in the past and in the future. Dante feels pity for Cavalcante and asks Farinata to tell him that his son still lives.
Virgil then tells Dante they need to move along and they take a path towards the centre of Dis.
An extract from Canto 10:
“And now my Teacher was recalling me;
with greater haste I therefore begged the spirit
that he would tell me who was with him there.
He said: “With o’er a thousand here I lie;
the second Frederick and the Cardinal
are here within; I speak not of the rest.”
He thereupon concealed himself; and I,
those words recalling which seemed hostile to me,
back toward the ancient Poet turned my steps.
The latter moved; and then, as on we went,
he said to me: “Why art thou so perplexed?”
And him in what he asked I satisfied.”
roberta-writes.com 
This continued journey through the Divine Comedy is interesting, Robbie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Priscilla, I am glad you are enjoying these posts.
LikeLike
I still can’t get over how politically motivated Dante’s writing is. Thanks for this series.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m having the same thought. And Dante does seem to be holding onto grudges.
LikeLike
I know, it is very interesting and informative. Thanks Bernadette.
LikeLike
it’s strange to think that someone is still bothered by a family feud, even after they have died…
it also must have been odd for Dante to interact with people he knew…
LikeLiked by 2 people
I imagine that if you go to Hell, you don’t get relief from any of the things that caused you grief during your earthly life. In fact, the negative passion you felt would be intensified. Interacting with real people was Dante’s way of demonstrating his political points.
LikeLiked by 1 person
good point; I guess that’s part of being in hell; relving all those things that bothered you while living. It was a unique way of getting his political points across…
LikeLike
Interesting that they can see the past and future but not the present. I wonder what that is to signify, and why it matters, as they can no longer impact current events. (I find it most curious, as we’re often told to enjoy the present and not to wallow in past mistakes or spend so much time planning for the future that we miss what’s right in front of us.) Thanks, Robbie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
HI Staci, that is an interesting question and I did look up the answer to that myself. I didn’t want to make the post to long but here it is: “As Farinata informs Dante, souls in the next world have a privileged vantage point from which they can see the earthly future. However, they are blind to what is directly in front of them, which is a kind of punishment in itself as they are left wondering about what is going on to those they knew and cared about. Dante is moved by pity for the punishment of his friend’s father.”
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for the addtional context, Robbie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is tragic. Thanks, Robbie.
LikeLike
Again I am also amazed at how petty feuds infuse Dante’s journey. It seems even in death we can’t let them go. (K)
LikeLiked by 2 people
HI Kerfe, it is interesting how political this book is. Quite fascinating.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love how you are swinging the light on a classic – so many are left undiscovered by new generations…in fact, it seems that forcing classic work on student in class seems to work against the classics!
LikeLike
I can’t remember which text we were studying, but I distinctly remember my Latin teacher waxing lyrical about the Epicureans – whisked me straight back to the dusty classroom of my past!
LikeLike
I am enjoying this in depth look into Dante’s journey. Kudos to you, Robbie for tackling such a big project. Your explanations bring it all to life.
LikeLike
I’m enjoying this journey and your insight as we go.
LikeLike
A second shade, Cavalcante dei Cavalcanti, the father of Dante’s friend Guido, rises from the tomb during this conversation. He asks Dante why his son is not with him. Dante suggests that Guido has distained God and uses the past tense with reference to his friend. Cavalcante swoons back into his tomb to grieve as he believes his son is dead.
This struck me as rather cruel of Dante. He does reassure the father later on, but why put him through this torture to start?
LikeLike
ancient feuds and hedonism, a potent combination … enjoying your translation!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Kate. I am so glad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for these Canto posts, Roberta!
This one was one of the more interesting to me.
This might sound irreverent, but the name Farinata made me laugh. One of my fave things to make at dinner is farinata. (from chick pea flour) It is an Italian dish, and I wonder if a Farinata coined it? I’m sure it’s that old.
LikeLiked by 1 person
HI REsa, I am glad you enjoyed this post. I missed my Divine Comedy post this past week, but will post Canto 11 on Monday. I am finding each canto more and more interesting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Okay! Looking forward!
LikeLiked by 1 person