but the other prov-d A goshawk able to rend well his foe Gustave Dore (1832-1883)

In this dramatic engraving, Gustave Doré depicts a scene from Dante Alighieris Inferno. The central focus is a terrifying, bat-winged demon grappling fiercely with a human figure, both contorted in mid-air. The demon, with its muscular body and sharp claws, has a brutal grip on its prey, which struggles in a desperate, almost fetal position. The human figure is rendered with a pale, almost ethereal quality, emphasizing their vulnerability against the monstrous demon.

In the background, on a rocky precipice, two figures stand observing the scene: Dante, the poet, and his guide, Virgil. Their cloaks are draped around them, and they appear contemplative, perhaps awestruck or sorrowful, as they witness this violent struggle. Below them, a turbulent body of water churns, with several submerged heads barely breaking the surface, suggesting the torment of souls within. The overall atmosphere is dark and foreboding, with stormy clouds and rough water contributing to the sense of infernal suffering.

The subtext of this illustration is the depiction of divine or infernal justice. The title, But the other proved a goshawk able to rend well his foe, hints at a struggle where one party, initially perceived as weaker, reveals unexpected ferocity and dominance. This could represent the fate of sinners in hell, where their transgressions lead to eternal torment and punishment. The demon, as an agent of this punishment, embodies the merciless nature of divine wrath. The presence of Dante and Virgil suggests an allegorical journey through the afterlife, exploring themes of sin, punishment, and the consequences of human actions. The image powerfully conveys the brutal and overwhelming nature of hell, a place where physical and spiritual torment are intertwined.