The Inferno is especially interesting to read is because though it is a work of fiction, Dante incorporates aspects of his own life as well as history and mythology spanning over hundreds of years before his own era. As we have seen in previous canti, Dante uses people from his own life to predict the "future". Up until Canto 29 Dante encounters several acquaintances in Hell most of which he feels deserve to be there and a few whom he feels compassion for but when he reaches the ninth Bolgia and searches for a family member, he lingers though Virgil is hurrying him along. His guide chastises him:
" What are you waiting for? Why do you stare
as if you could not tear your eyes away
from the mutilated shadows passing there?
You did not act so in the other pits."
Dante reveals to us that this is because his relative had been murdered and had not yet been avenged by his family members. So it is guilt that causes Dante to hesitate when it is most important that he move through Hell quickly. I think this is also because this circle of Hell seemed to be the most horrific with the dismembered bodies staring up at him. Their punishment as ever equal to their sin (sowing of discord) they are constantly being brutally torn apart and healing only to be destroyed again.
I found the frozen lake Cocytus to be surprising and ironic considering Hell is always portrayed as being hot and in flames. According to Dante it was the beating of Satan's wings which froze the lake. This adds to the unexpected nature of Satan. His bizarre appearance and surroundings makes him something of a fool.
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