Lucifer, King of Hell by Gustave Doré
FractalVerse/Inferno
Thence we came forth to rebehold the stars.
DanteInferno · Canto XXXIV.139
Circle 9: Treachery
Canto 34 of 34 100% descent

At Hell’s absolute center, Satan is frozen in ice, a grotesque parody of the Trinity with three faces. Virgil and Dante climb down Satan’s body, pass the center of gravity, and emerge on the other side of the earth. After the longest night, they see stars again — the first step toward Purgatory.

Why This Matters

Each cantica of the Comedy ends with the word "stars." After traversing all of Hell, Dante emerges into the open air and starlight.

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Read in Context
Lucifer, King of Hell
Gustave Doré, 1857 · Public Domain
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