Canto 9&10

Canto 9
1. "if you looked at her- there would be no returning above" (pg. 89). Once again, we are shown the danger that stands between Dante and his journey to get out of Hell. If he were to look at this woman, there would be no way of escaping and he would be trapped forever. The author uses this to emphasize the importance of completing this journey. It is also showing how it is much more risky for a writer to travel through Hell than one of the great warriors of Rome or Greece.
2. "Some sepulchers grow hotter, and some less" (pg. 93). It is very interesting the way Dante chose to classify the sins of the condemned souls. Many religious people just believe that a person is cursed to burn in Hell if they don't follow the way of God. Dante's view makes the suffering greater or less depending on how bad the person's sins against God are.
Canto 10
1. "If it should please you, stop a moment here" (pg. 97). Each time that Dante and Virgil speak to another dead soul, they have to stop. It has to be their choice to speak to the soul. This is possibly making it easier for them to complete their journey undisturbed. If the souls were the ones choosing to do the talking, Dante wouldn't ever be able to move forward and he would become completely bogged down by the needy souls that are trying to remember what it was like to be living on earth. He would become trapped because of the weight of their pain and problems and his inability to move would be a curse in itself.
2. "no evidence or knowledge, except if others bring us word" (pg. 103). It is interesting how the author shows that the tortured souls do still have some abilities, but the things that once seemed so simple to them and were a part of everyday life have now become impossible. They have no way of keeping track of their loved ones and because of that, their suffering is increased.