When Virgil presents himself boldly to the devils of canto 21 Malacoda, ringleader of the devils, exhibits deference to Virgil that verges on fear. Virgil justifies his presence, "Do you think...you would see me here...still safe, without propitioius fate and God's permission?" (263) and Malacoda's "arrogance collapsed" (263). Malacoda shows submission and tells the other devils to beware of Virgil. However for all of Malacoda's drama his actions do not reveal fear of Virgil. Malacoda is simply putting on a charade. Malacoda tells Virgil that the arch is destroyed and six devils will be sent to lead Virgil and Dante to an intact arch. However, Malacoda is lying to Virgil unhesitatingly and convincingly. Malacoda "set the trap for the overly confident, trusting Virgil". A Virgil who does not, for a second, doubt the devil's honesty. Malacoda's apparent wariness of Virgil is questionable. Was he truly scared of Virgil? Were the warnings to not "touch this man" (263) sincere? Dante doubts Virgil's decision to trust the devils when he says to Virgil, "If you're observant, as you usually are, why is it you don't see them grind their teeth...we're in danger!" (264) Perhaps when Virgil "forced himself to look as bold as possible" (262) to the devils he acted too boldly, as well. What is Dante trying to say about reason by Malacoda's thwarting of Virgil? These are the punishers of the simonists of the state and they are the ones to trick Reason. At an earlier point Virgil could not pass through the gates without an angel sent by God. His failure then was one that could not be avoided because Virgil's birth in pagan times prevents him from knowing the true God. The failure in canto 21 is a failure of wit. Virgil is outsmarted by inhabitants of Hell. Why would Dante designate the most comically vulgar creatures the reader has met so far to be the ones to successfully trick Virgil?
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