In Relation to Boyd

• It is “patriotic pride” that causes Dante to gather the leaves and return them to the soul as requested
• Lack of foliage leads the plain to be described as a “sterile bed”
• Texture of the sound is compared to the sand of the Libyan desert Cato walked on
• Alexander referenced
• “Took care the soil to tramp” –Feet being used
• “Like tinder under steel, were turned to flame” emphasis on how quickly the fire is spreading
• In frenzied wreathings thrown/Flesh flakes to pluck from souls all desperate grown” Plant terminology utilized in relation to the souls
• Virgil defines the King as “one of seven”
• “Keep back within the wood’s protecting hem” -woods are portrayed as helpful and protective in Virgil’s speech
• Reference to “sinful women”
• “With founts and foliage glad” -Foliage itself is not described, but positive language is used in its description in relation to the mountain
• The statue’s back is described as being towards the city of Damietta
• Statue’s head is made of gold, arms and breast are made of silver, and groin is made of bronze, and the rest of iron (overall more valuable metals)

In Relation to Langdon

• “The tree-imprisoned soul, already hoarse” -focus on the tree as a means of containment
• “Sterile bed”, reference to reproduction and infertility
• “Keep back within the wood’s protecting hem” -woods are presented as a place of refuge among the burning sand and fire that they surround
• “As from Bulicamé comes a thread” -water imagery is not as emphasized
• “That he on me that sustenance would bestow” -comparison to food
• “Each rivulet sad the mount’s foundation seeks” -emphasis on the sadness and water flowing representing tears
• Dante adresses Virgil as “Master”
• “Was young, with founts and foliage glad, but now, An old and wrinkled thing from foot to brow” -negative depictions of age and aging
• “Then flow they on through kindling grot on grot” -mention of the river running through trees/wood, with both elements portrayed as dirty

In Relation to Kline

• “Permits no plant raise its peeping head” -the sand does not appear to repel vegetation, but rather finds itself unable to sustain any that may attempt to grow
• The souls lying on the ground are said to be in the most pain, but it is not clear what Dante observes that leads him to this conclusion (likely greater surface area touching the sand)
• “Now here, now there, in frenzied wreathings thrown” –wreathings could be read as an allusion to plants/trees; potentially coming to represent foliage when is none otherwise
• The soul Dante speaks with references “Jove”
• “Yet should he not in victory’s wreath delight” -mention of wreaths again