Abstract

The study discusses Dante's inferno and the some of the sins in relation to other sins. The study highlights why sins such as violence and fraud have been considered as more severe than other sins such as incontinence. Furthermore, the study also discusses why Dante has arranged the sins as he has in the poem.

Table of Contents

Abstract1

Introduction3

Discussion3

Incontinence and Violence3

Traitors of Benefactors4

Conclusion5

Works Cited6

Dante's Inferno

Introduction

Hell is shaped like an inverted cone where Lucifer is at the top. There are nine circles, which form the hell. The first five circles are the high Hell and the last four constitute the lowest hell, which are surrounded by iron walls. According to the structure that Dante has created, the path to hell descends from the surface forming a narrowing cone shape that gradually goes down to the center of the globe. It is based on a medieval city. Each of the nine circles is entirely different that is home to guilt and punishment, getting to hell and resuming the climb to purgatory (Gage, Pp. 123-144). Dante introduced a symbolism based on the numeral nine, number that identifies with Beatrice. However, number of special importance to hell is eleven. Apparently, this one with its multiple twenty-two, determines the extent of the main scenes of hell. The numbers 515 and 666 add the lines that separate the hell. Dante adopts the medieval city model to appeal to the architectural dimension of hell (as Hell's Gate), which suggests an identification with our reality.

Discussion

Incontinence and Violence

According to Dante, incontinence is sin, which is not as severe as the other sins. As a result, sinners who commit incontinence are punished outside the walls of city of Dis. On the other hand, there is also a sin of violence and malice (Gage, Pp. 123-144). The walls of the city form boundaries that ...