Dante's Divine Comedy

Alleviated of the constrained vision that pride brings, an angel sweeps down and shows the way up.

With the souls carrying heavy burdens, Dante speaks with them. He learns about the gordian knot of pride.

In Purgatory proper, a zig-zagging path leads to a terrace of beautiful images and burdened souls.

Dante falls asleep and dreams. It's erotic, transformative, and leads to the gate and the gatekeeper of Purgatory.

Still in the lovely valley of the rulers, angels and a serpent dramatically appear, though oddly no-one's concerned.

Virgil and Sordello embrace again, before Sordello explains they must find a safe place for the night.

Hassled by agitated souls, Dante asks Virgil if prayers can effect divine laws. A discussion brings a new state of mind.

At first distracted by the indolent, they encounter a new group of agitated souls, though keep their focus.

Virgil and Dante find the narrow path that leads up, and begin the climb. A break brings another group of souls.

Virgil is troubled. They encounter slowly moving souls, and search for an entry onto the mountain.