# Sordello — The Divine Comedy character guide

> Sordello in The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Sordello backward, the good Sordello, this Sordello

**First appearance:** 0044-canto-vii

## Snapshot

A Mantuan poet of the generation before Dante, who embraces Virgil as a fellow countryman and then guides the two travelers along the mountain.

## Who they are

Sordello appears in Purgatory among the late-repentant, and his sudden, fierce embrace of Virgil on hearing the word 'Mantua' becomes the poem's great rebuke of Italy's warring cities. He is proud, affectionate, and quick to indignation, and his long invective against corrupt rulers gives Dante a mouthpiece for political grief. As a guide he is practical and courteous, pointing out the valleys and the penitents, and his presence shows that poetry and patriotism can survive even in the place of purging.

## Relationships

### [Virgil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/virgil)

_friendship_

Sordello and Virgil share a deep bond as fellow Mantuan poets, greeting each other with intense admiration.

### [Dante Alighieri](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/dante_alighieri)

_friendship_

Dante respects Sordello as a fellow poet and guide in Purgatory, forming a companionable alliance.

### [Godfrey of Bouillon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/godfrey_of_bouillon)

_social_

Godfrey of Bouillon and Sordello are both souls in Purgatory/Paradise, with limited direct interaction.

### [Pope Boniface VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/pope_boniface_viii)

_rivalry_

Pope Boniface VIII is condemned by Dante and Sordello as a corrupt church leader, creating antagonism.

### [Count Ugolino](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/count_ugolino)

_social_

Count Ugolino and Sordello are both souls in Purgatory, with Ugolino representing tragic suffering.

### [Virgil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/virgil)

_friendship_

Sordello and Virgil share a deep bond as fellow Mantuan poets, greeting each other with intense admiration.

### [Dante Alighieri](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/dante_alighieri)

_friendship_

Dante respects Sordello as a fellow poet and guide in Purgatory, forming a companionable alliance.

### [Dante Alighieri](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/dante_alighieri)

_friendship_

Dante respects Sordello as a fellow poet and guide in Purgatory, forming a companionable alliance.

### [Godfrey of Bouillon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/godfrey_of_bouillon)

_social_

Godfrey of Bouillon and Sordello are both souls in Purgatory/Paradise, with limited direct interaction.

### [Virgil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/virgil)

_friendship_

Sordello and Virgil share a deep bond as fellow Mantuan poets, greeting each other with intense admiration.

### [Pope Boniface VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/pope_boniface_viii)

_rivalry_

Pope Boniface VIII is condemned by Dante and Sordello as a corrupt church leader, creating antagonism.

## In the story

### [Canto VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters/canto-vi)

A Lombard soul who initially stands aloof but warmly embraces Virgil upon learning they are both from Mantua.

### [Canto VII: The Valley of the Princes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters/canto-vii)

Sordello greets Virgil with humility and embraces him, then guides Dante and Virgil to the Valley of the Princes.

### [Canto VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters/canto-viii)

The Mantuan poet who explains the angels' role as guardians against the serpent and interacts with the other shades.

### [Canto IX: Dante's Dream of the Eagle and the Gate of Purgatory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters/canto-ix)

Sordello remains in the Valley of the Princes as St. Lucia takes Dante away.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/sordello
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters