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The Divine Comedy · Character

Rahab

Biblical harlot who appears in the Heaven of Venus.

minor

Also known as the harlot Rahab

First appearance: Canto IX

Rahab shows up with force in Canto IX. The page is where that presence becomes real.

The harlot of Jericho, placed in the highest grade of this heaven as a trophy of Christ's victory, for aiding Joshua's conquest.
In the storyCanto IXOpen this moment free
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In Canto IX: The harlot of Jericho, placed in the highest grade of this heaven as a trophy of Christ's victory, for aiding Joshua's…

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See Rahab in Canto IX

Character Web

9 connections

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

BLBrunetto LatiniJCJesus ChristJOJoshuaPBPope Boniface …GOGodfrey of Bou…RARahab

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Sinners and Historical Figures
  • Heavenly Guides and Saints

+4 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

Rahab 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 Rahab in Canto IX
See Rahab in Canto IX