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From the first slope through the two levels of Antepurgatory, Dante and Virgil reach the main gate which is guarded by an angel with a sword. The Guardian uses a golden and silver key to open the gate, symbolic of the authority to do so, and the skill and wisdom to asses the souls' sincerity of their regrets. The keys were given to him by Peter.
In canto 3, Dante first marvels at the work he sees in front of him:
"I raised my eyes to marvel at the mount
At the Main Gate the Guardian appears:
"I slowly raised my eyes: I saw that he
And in his hand he held a naked sword;"
v. 79, canto IX.
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From the first slope through the two levels of Antepurgatory, Dante and Virgil reach the main gate which is guarded by an angel with a sword. The Guardian uses a golden and silver key to open the gate, symbolic of the authority to do so, and the skill and wisdom to asses the souls' sincerity of their regrets. The keys were given to him by Peter.
In canto 3, Dante first marvels at the work he sees in front of him:
"I raised my eyes to marvel at the mount
At the Main Gate the Guardian appears:
"I slowly raised my eyes: I saw that he
And in his hand he held a naked sword;"
v. 79, canto IX.