Dante is saved from momentary madness, before Beatrice leads him to a display of spiritual corruption.

Beatrice continues to berate Dante, until he collapses. Then, he's carried through the Lethe and changes.

Cries, angels and light shock and bring a chastising Beatrice, Virgil's disappearance, and Dante's bitter tears.

He follows the enchanting lady along the stream before, with a flash of light, the most extraordinary vision begins.

They are an enchanting, if mysterious, forest. A solitary lady approaches at Dante's request. They converse.

Dante is before the flames. He hesitates, terrified. But he gathers his will, with the help of Virgil and the angels.

Dante is before the flames that would render him capable of divine love. He pauses. He desires and fears.

Dante is bursting with questions. Virgil and Statius to describe the creation of our physical and subtle bodies.

Dante and Forese continue to talk on the nature of desire and perception. They encounter another tree and angel.

Dante meets a friend from life, and it becomes clearer how their communing did and didn't truly sustain him.