Canto XIV

Line 62-65 “O Capaneus, since…other than your rage.”

Capaneus was a mortal, the son of Hipponous and Astynome. He was inhumanly strong and a great fighter, but arrogant about his skills and capabilities. During the siege of Thebes he yelled out that he would climb the walls of the city, but Zeus threw one of his thunderbolts at him and killed him. Since the gods did not like it when people showed too much confidence in themselves, Zeus decided it was ideal to strike him down. In Inferno, Capaneus still has his pride and is therefore punished more. (MB)