The Divine Comedy · Character
Pope Nicholas III
Simoniac pope punished head-down in a hole in Hell.
minor
Also known as Nicholas III, Nicholas
First appearance: Canto XIX: The Simoniacs and Pope Nicholas III
Pope Nicholas III shows up with force in Canto XIX: The Simoniacs and Pope Nicholas III. The page is where that presence becomes real.
A simoniac pope punished upside down in a hole, who mistakes Dante for Boniface VIII.
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In Canto XIX: The Simoniacs and Pope Nicholas III: A simoniac pope punished upside down in a hole, who mistakes Dante for Boniface VIII. Later, in Canto XXX: Not directly present, but Master Adam refers to the 'false…
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See Pope Nicholas III in Canto XIX: The Simoniacs and Pope Nicholas IIICharacter Web
10 connectionsA slice of how Pope Nicholas III sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Other
Character groups
- Sinners and Historical Figures
- Heavenly Guides and Saints
- Protagonist
+5 more in the full Character Web
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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Pope Nicholas III appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Pope Nicholas III unlock in the free preview.
See Pope Nicholas III in Canto XIX: The Simoniacs and Pope Nicholas III