The intellectual concept of Capaneus in Canto XIV is one of the great characterizations in the Inferno. The character of Capaneus re-emphasizes one concept of Dante’s Hell—the person retains those very qualities which sent him to Hell. In classical times, Capaneus was a figure who thought himself so strong that not even Jove (Zeus, or Jupiter) could destroy him, but he was destroyed by the thunderbolts of Jove. For his blasphemy on Earth, he is condemned to Hell, and his first words to Dante are “Such as I was alive; such am I also in death.” This emphasizes that he has not changed.
Although Virgil does upbraid Capaneus for his pride, Dante seems to be drawn toward this powerful figure who dared to defy the gods. There is a certain power in Capaneus’ defiance, and even in Hell, he remains as he was on Earth—and has the blind strength to say so. Being condemned to death because of his pride and his blasphemy, in Hell he remains filled with pride and continues to blaspheme against his god. Capaneus is ultimately insulting and defiant by saying that Jove himself will grow weary of trying to punish him before he, Capaneus, will give in to Jove’s punishment. This is the ultimate defiance.
Here the idea expressed is important throughout Hell: In any particular circle, the degree of punishment is not always the same. Capaneus is being punished more than anyone else in this circle, and according to Virgil, as Capaneus keeps blaspheming against God, his punishment will increase throughout eternity.
