So apparently there’s this fairy tale about Virgil, written by Andrew Lang. It goes like this:
Virgil is born. Dad dies. Kinsmen rob the family. Mom sends boy away for protection.
Later in the story, Virgil is walking around when he sees a trapped evil spirit. in exchange for freedom, the spirit gives Virgil some books. Spirit is pretty scary, so Virgil tricks it into being trapped again.
Then Virgil studies the book and learns magic powers. When Virgil goes back home to take care of his mom, the kinsman attack one again; but Virgil uses his powers to stop them. So then a magician, sent from the emperor, tries to stop Virgil because Virgil just won’t stop fighting the kinsman. Virgil tells the emperor he’ll stop if justice is served.
Then Virgil falls in love, the woman tricks and embarrasses Virgil, Virgil gets his retribution, and then Virgil disappears and eventually carries off the princess of some sultan. He then builds the city of Naples for her.
Here’s a version of the story (http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/lfb/vi/vifb36.htm).
I just think it’s kind of cool that people have actually made up fairy tales about Dante’s guide through Hell, considering the Divine Comedy itself is pretty fantastic at times.
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