Dante's Vision of Hell
There are nine Circles of Hell, each for a different sin. Dante's vision of Hell has a very carefully worked out structure, that not only indicates punishments for particular crimes, but which also ranks sins according to their seriousness. The punishments used for specific sins are an important part of Dante's vision of Hell. Contrapasso, or punishment that suits the crime, is well utilized in this epic. It is also important to note the arrangement of the sinners. Each Circle of Hell houses a different type of sin. As Dante and Virgil near the Center of Hell, the sins become increasingly more severe. The imagery that Dante used to draw a mental picture of Hell is also worth evaluating. Also, there is significance to which sins Dante places closer to the center and believes are more severe. It is important to look at the contrapasso in this epic. Inferno is riddled with allegory and one of the recurring allegories of this epic are the several different ways in which the sinners are punished. Each punishment has a significant meaning and is fitting to the sin that has been committed. One example of this is the first group of people Dante meets, those who are in "Ante-Inferno" because they mad
Each Circle of Hell houses a different type of sin. And of course Lucifer, Lord of the underworld is at the core of the earth. Circle eight is home to the Fraudulent. Hypocrites have deceived someone else by appearing to be holy and preaching one thing, but doing another, so in Hell they look holy on the outside, but are unholy under their robes. In addition to the structure of Hell, it is important to notice which sins Dante places closer the center and considers more serious. The appearance of the robes makes the hypocrites seem holy, but underneath, there is a deceit which the soul must bear for all eternity (197). The worst sin, in Dante's eyes, is when a person betrays his master. The way in which Dante allots significance to sins is congruent with the Classical or Christian way of thought. Aside from each punishment tailored to the sin, Dante has mapped out Hell. After the wrathful, we move into the city of Dis, circle six, where the heretics reside. Dis also represents the move from Upper Hell into Lower Hell. Each part of Hell has significance and each sin is punishable in a way that suits the sin committed. The modern view of Hell may differ slightly from this early model illustrated by Dante, but the vision still has an impact on the way in which many people view Hell. There is a further break down into different types of sins; there are sins of incontinence, sins of violence, and sins of malice or fraud. Also, there is a significance in which sins Dante places closer to the center and believes are more severe.
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