Question

In Canto XIX of the Inferno, Pope Nicholas III mistakes Dante for Pope Boniface VIII. What is most likely the author's purpose in this scene?

A. To emphasize that Nicholas III should not be in Hell
B. To show the audience that he believed that Boniface deserved to be in Hell as well
C. To show the audience that even popes are human and capable of mistakes
D. To emphasize Dante's need to impress Virgil with his knowledge of sinners

Answer 1

When Pope Nicholas is upside down in the third pit, he makes a mistake thinking that Dante is Pope Boniface VIII. After he understands his mistake, Nicholas says that Boniface also has to be in Hell, as well. Although Nicholas was known for his high moral standards and care for the poor, according to himself he was guilty of appointing new cardinals to the power among his own relatives.

Answer 2

The right answer for the question that is being asked and shown above is that: "B. To show the audience that he believed that Boniface deserved to be in Hell as well" In Canto XIX of the Inferno, Pope Nicholas III mistakes Dante for Pope Boniface VIII. Most likely the author's purpose in this scene is to show the audience that he believed that Boniface deserved to be in Hell as well