The Divine Comedy · Character
Francesca da Rimini
Lover condemned to the second circle for adultery.
minor
Also known as Francesca, Madonna Francesca
First appearance: Canto V: The Second Circle – Minos and the Carnal Sinners
Francesca da Rimini shows up with force in Canto V: The Second Circle – Minos and the Carnal Sinners. The page is where that presence becomes real.
A soul in the second circle, who recounts her adulterous love with Paolo and their murder, evoking Dante's deep sympathy.
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In Canto V: The Second Circle – Minos and the Carnal Sinners: A soul in the second circle, who recounts her adulterous love with Paolo and…
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Relationship types
- Other
Character groups
- Sinners and Historical Figures
- Protagonist
- Heavenly Guides and Saints
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Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- 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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Francesca da Rimini appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
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See Francesca da Rimini in Canto V: The Second Circle – Minos and the Carnal Sinners