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The Divine Comedy · Character

Adam

First man, appears in the Heaven of the Fixed Stars.

minor

Also known as Master Adam

First appearance: canto xxv

Adam shows up with force in Canto XXX. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Master Adam, a counterfeiter, describes his punishment of dropsy and unquenchable thirst, recalling his crime of debasing the florin at Romena and naming his accomplices Guido,…
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In Canto XXX: Master Adam, a counterfeiter, describes his punishment of dropsy and unquenchable thirst, recalling his crime of debasing the florin at Romena and naming his accomplices Guido, Alessandro, and their…

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See Adam in canto xxv

Character Web

19 connections

A slice of how Adam sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

GOGodfrey of Bou…GGGuido Guinizze…SPSt. PaulJCJesus ChristSPSt. PeterADAdam

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Sinners and Historical Figures
  • Heavenly Guides and Saints

+14 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.

SetupAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

In this canto, the dramatic climax occurs when Dante, having been emboldened to ask Virgil to teach him the na…

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In the story

Adam appears across 4 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

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See Adam in canto xxv
Who is Adam in The Divine Comedy?