Dante’s InfernoDante’s Inferno

The Details of HellThe Details of Hell

Dante AlighieriDante Alighieri Excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Excommunicated from the Roman Catholic

Church.Church. Exiled from his home, Florence, Italy.Exiled from his home, Florence, Italy. Authored The Divine Comedy, an epic poem Authored The Divine Comedy, an epic poem

split into three parts: The split into three parts: The InfernoInferno (Hell), (Hell), PurgatorioPurgatorio (Purgatory), and (Purgatory), and ParadisoParadiso (Paradise)(Paradise)

The Divine Comedy is a Religious AllegoryThe Divine Comedy is a Religious Allegory

AllegoryAllegory ““Is the discussion of one subject by Is the discussion of one subject by

disguising it as another which resembles disguising it as another which resembles the first in some striking way.” the first in some striking way.”

Derived from Dante’s last nameDerived from Dante’s last name In an allegory the characters, setting and In an allegory the characters, setting and

plot have a hidden or symbolic meaning plot have a hidden or symbolic meaning beyond their literal meaning. beyond their literal meaning.

An Allegory teaches a moral lesson.An Allegory teaches a moral lesson.

VirgilVirgil Roman author of Roman author of The AeneidThe Aeneid, the national , the national

epic of Rome. epic of Rome. Virgil is Dante’s guide through Hell. Virgil is Dante’s guide through Hell. ““forbids me to come there…” Virgil lived forbids me to come there…” Virgil lived

and died before the establishment of and died before the establishment of Christ’s teachings in Rome and cannot Christ’s teachings in Rome and cannot therefore enter Heaven.therefore enter Heaven.

The InfernoThe Inferno Dante is the main character in The Divine Dante is the main character in The Divine

Comedy. Comedy. The Inferno is a telling of Dante’s journey The Inferno is a telling of Dante’s journey

through the nine circles of Hell. through the nine circles of Hell. Dante begins his journey through Hell on Dante begins his journey through Hell on

Good Friday and ends on Easter Sunday. Good Friday and ends on Easter Sunday. This symbolizes the journey of Jesus, crucified This symbolizes the journey of Jesus, crucified

on Good Friday, descended into Hell and was on Good Friday, descended into Hell and was resurrected to live again on Easter Sunday.resurrected to live again on Easter Sunday.

The Nine Circles of HellThe Nine Circles of Hell Circle 1- LIMBO Circle 1- LIMBO Circle 2- The LustfulCircle 2- The Lustful Circle 3- The GluttonousCircle 3- The Gluttonous Circle 4- Misers and SpendthriftsCircle 4- Misers and Spendthrifts Circle 5- Wrathful and SullenCircle 5- Wrathful and Sullen Circle 6- HereticsCircle 6- Heretics Circle 7- The Violent (Murder & Suicide) Circle 7- The Violent (Murder & Suicide) Circle 8- The FraudulentCircle 8- The Fraudulent Circle 9- Traitors Circle 9- Traitors

Circles 2-5 are Sins without

Malice. They do not hurt

others.

Canto I- Chapter 1Canto I- Chapter 1

The Dark Wood of Error: When Dante The Dark Wood of Error: When Dante wrote The Divine Comedy he was wrote The Divine Comedy he was going through his own mid-life crisis. going through his own mid-life crisis.

He had been abandoned and tossed He had been abandoned and tossed aside by both church and country and aside by both church and country and was now “lost,” experiencing a crisis of was now “lost,” experiencing a crisis of faith.faith.

““Midway in our life’s journey, I went Midway in our life’s journey, I went astray from the straight road and woke astray from the straight road and woke to find myself alone in a dark wood.”to find myself alone in a dark wood.”

Canto I, lines 1-3Canto I, lines 1-3

The Dark Wood of Error is symbolic of Dante’s The Dark Wood of Error is symbolic of Dante’s “lost faith,” and the three beasts chasing him are “lost faith,” and the three beasts chasing him are manifestations of Dante’s sin. manifestations of Dante’s sin.

His sins are quite literally chasing him to the His sins are quite literally chasing him to the entrance of Hell.entrance of Hell.

The Leopard of Malice and FraudThe Leopard of Malice and Fraud The Lion of Violence and AmbitionThe Lion of Violence and Ambition The She-wolf of Incontinence The She-wolf of Incontinence (Lack of self-restraint, especially with regard to sexual activity)(Lack of self-restraint, especially with regard to sexual activity)

Canto III- Chapter 3Canto III- Chapter 3 Virgil leads Dante through the Gates of Hell. Virgil leads Dante through the Gates of Hell. As they pass under them Dante reads the As they pass under them Dante reads the

inscription on the threshold: inscription on the threshold:

I am the way into the City of Woe.I am the way into the City of Woe.I am the way to a Forsaken People.I am the way to a Forsaken People.I am the way into eternal sorrow.I am the way into eternal sorrow.

Who do you think wrote this inscription?Who do you think wrote this inscription?

Abandon all hope ye who enter here.Abandon all hope ye who enter here. This is the end of the fateful inscription each This is the end of the fateful inscription each

of the damned would read as they entered into of the damned would read as they entered into the gates of Hell. the gates of Hell.

How would you feel if these words were How would you feel if these words were inscribed above the classroom door on your inscribed above the classroom door on your first day of classes next year? first day of classes next year?

The FerrymanThe Ferryman In the entrance to Circle 1In the entrance to Circle 1 the dead the dead

must pay the Ferryman, Charon, to must pay the Ferryman, Charon, to cross the River Acheron. The souls of cross the River Acheron. The souls of the damned are in a hurry to cross the the damned are in a hurry to cross the river and appear before Minos for river and appear before Minos for judgment. This is the beginning of judgment. This is the beginning of their punishment, the desperate need to their punishment, the desperate need to be punished despite their despair at be punished despite their despair at being in Hell.being in Hell.

Charon does not want to let Dante Charon does not want to let Dante Pass because he is alive and does not Pass because he is alive and does not belong in Hell.belong in Hell.

Circle I- LIMBOCircle I- LIMBO Fallen Angels- race endlessly after a blank flag; Fallen Angels- race endlessly after a blank flag;

These are the fallen angels who took no stand for or These are the fallen angels who took no stand for or against the rebellious angels during the War in against the rebellious angels during the War in Heaven between Lucifer and God.Heaven between Lucifer and God.

They are now forced to run after a black banner or They are now forced to run after a black banner or flag because they chose no banner to support in the flag because they chose no banner to support in the war of Heaven. The race after the flag without war of Heaven. The race after the flag without stopping for eternity. stopping for eternity.

Also in Circle IAlso in Circle ITHE INNOCENT SOULSTHE INNOCENT SOULS::

Blameless but un-baptized babiesBlameless but un-baptized babies Old Testament patriarchs (Noah, Abraham, Moses, Old Testament patriarchs (Noah, Abraham, Moses,

etc.)etc.) Great Pagan and Roman poets and philosophers Great Pagan and Roman poets and philosophers

comfortable (living in a castle) but separate forever comfortable (living in a castle) but separate forever from God.from God.

Though they are in Hell, these souls live in relative Though they are in Hell, these souls live in relative comfort. The only sin they committed was not being comfort. The only sin they committed was not being baptized as a Christian.baptized as a Christian.

Canto VCanto V Virgil and Dante leave Limbo and moves into the Virgil and Dante leave Limbo and moves into the

22ndnd Circle. Circle.Here is where Dante encounters those who suffer the Sins of LUST and PHYSICAL

PLEASURE

•Dante sees many historically famous lovers during his time here.Dante even gets to speak with a couple who had recently died in his time and went to hell for their sins.•Francesca and Paolo tell Dante that they were seduced by reading the story of Lancelot and Guinevere, and became lovers. Subsequently they were surprised and murdered by Francesca’s husband before they were able to repent.

Circle II- The LustfulCircle II- The Lustful The second circle is the real beginning of hell. Here The second circle is the real beginning of hell. Here

we see a giant tornado, sinners are whirled by winds we see a giant tornado, sinners are whirled by winds as in life they were helpless in tempests of passion. as in life they were helpless in tempests of passion.

Paolo and Francesca go swirling by in Canto 5. Paolo and Francesca go swirling by in Canto 5. They were murdered before they could repent carnal They were murdered before they could repent carnal courtly love as sin. (Dido, Cleopatra, Anthony and courtly love as sin. (Dido, Cleopatra, Anthony and Achilles are all also here) Achilles are all also here)

These are all sinners of LUST and These are all sinners of LUST and CARNAL/SEXUAL LOVECARNAL/SEXUAL LOVE

Other Historic Lovers in Circle 2Other Historic Lovers in Circle 2 Dido – Queen of Carthage/Lover of AeneasDido – Queen of Carthage/Lover of Aeneas Cleopatra- Queen of Egypt/Lover of Mark Anthony Cleopatra- Queen of Egypt/Lover of Mark Anthony Helen- Princess of Greece/Troy/Lover of Paris Helen- Princess of Greece/Troy/Lover of Paris Polyxena- Princess of Troy/Lover of AchillesPolyxena- Princess of Troy/Lover of Achilles Isolde- Princess of Ireland/Lover of TristanIsolde- Princess of Ireland/Lover of Tristan

These lovers and more have been swept up in the Tornado of their passion endlessly reaching for each other, yet eternally kept

apart by the winds of Hell.

Circle III- The GluttonousCircle III- The Gluttonous These are the sinners of EXCESS. These are the sinners of EXCESS. People who eat too much, take too many drugs, People who eat too much, take too many drugs,

drink too much…drink too much… This circle is guarded by Cerberus (from Greek This circle is guarded by Cerberus (from Greek

Mythology, he is the 3 headed dog who guarded the Mythology, he is the 3 headed dog who guarded the entrance to the Greek Underworld) entrance to the Greek Underworld)

In Dante’s Inferno the 3 headed dog continuously In Dante’s Inferno the 3 headed dog continuously chews on the sinners who are stuck in clumps of chews on the sinners who are stuck in clumps of mud.mud.

Gluttons who feasted away their lives now lie like Gluttons who feasted away their lives now lie like pigs in the mud while the three headed dog takes pigs in the mud while the three headed dog takes him time eating them- forever.him time eating them- forever.

Circle IV- Misers and SpendthriftsCircle IV- Misers and Spendthrifts

Misers are generally cheap old men who hoard their Misers are generally cheap old men who hoard their money, like Ebenezer Scrooge.money, like Ebenezer Scrooge.

Spendthrifts are people who spend too much money.Spendthrifts are people who spend too much money. Pluto, Roman god of riches, guards the entrance to Pluto, Roman god of riches, guards the entrance to

the fourth circle. the fourth circle. Sinners take turns rolling stones at each other to Sinners take turns rolling stones at each other to

crash against one another- FOREVER.crash against one another- FOREVER.

Circle V- Wrathful and SullenCircle V- Wrathful and Sullen The Wrathful sought Revenge in life while the The Wrathful sought Revenge in life while the

Sullen were silently angry and made others Sullen were silently angry and made others miserable with that anger.miserable with that anger.

The Styx (river of hate) forms a swamp holding the The Styx (river of hate) forms a swamp holding the openly wrathful who strike and bite one another; the openly wrathful who strike and bite one another; the sullen lie under the surface of the marsh, just as sullen lie under the surface of the marsh, just as their silent anger lay hidden during their lives. their silent anger lay hidden during their lives.

Dante wrote Dante wrote The Divine ComedyThe Divine Comedy as a form of as a form of revenge against those that would send him into revenge against those that would send him into exile; this was his sin, which is why revenge is not exile; this was his sin, which is why revenge is not one of the more extremely punished sins. one of the more extremely punished sins.

Circle VI- The HereticsCircle VI- The Heretics Heretics choose their own opinions instead of Heretics choose their own opinions instead of

following the teachings of the Church. following the teachings of the Church. Heretics are anyone who commits any crime against Heretics are anyone who commits any crime against

the church. They get to spend eternity set on fire and the church. They get to spend eternity set on fire and then buried alive. Their bodies forever burning in then buried alive. Their bodies forever burning in their graves.their graves.

Atheists, or those who don’t believe in God, are also Atheists, or those who don’t believe in God, are also here.here.

Circle VII- Violence Circle VII- Violence Violent Sinners are divided into 3 sub-circles:Violent Sinners are divided into 3 sub-circles: Violent against Neighbors Violent against Neighbors Violent against Self Violent against Self Violent against God Violent against God

First Ring: Violence against othersFirst Ring: Violence against others; includes murderers and ; includes murderers and robbers - NOTE: Dante does not really distinguish between robbers - NOTE: Dante does not really distinguish between lives and property; stealing a life is the same to Dante as lives and property; stealing a life is the same to Dante as stealing someone’s property. The damned are submerged in stealing someone’s property. The damned are submerged in the Phlegethon – the river of blood, drowning in the blood the Phlegethon – the river of blood, drowning in the blood of all of Hell’s sinners. of all of Hell’s sinners.

Second Ring: Violence against themselvesSecond Ring: Violence against themselves - suicides - suicides (wasted their bodies) and squanderers (wasted their (wasted their bodies) and squanderers (wasted their goods)goods)

Suicides (with harpies) - Harpies in Greek Suicides (with harpies) - Harpies in Greek Mythology steal anything, so here they symbolize Mythology steal anything, so here they symbolize stealing away of the souls by suicides, they puck out stealing away of the souls by suicides, they puck out the eyes of their victims. Eyes are the gateway to the the eyes of their victims. Eyes are the gateway to the soul.soul.

Third Ring: Violence against GodThird Ring: Violence against God - blasphemy and - blasphemy and denial; the worst kind of violence in Dante's world-denial; the worst kind of violence in Dante's world-view. Blasphemy can be anything- from denouncing view. Blasphemy can be anything- from denouncing God before a crowd of people to saying the Lord’s God before a crowd of people to saying the Lord’s name in vain.name in vain.

Monsters as GuardsMonsters as Guards Yet another Greek Mythological reference Yet another Greek Mythological reference

mentioned in The Inferno is the character of mentioned in The Inferno is the character of Chiron – the centaur teacher of Hercules.Chiron – the centaur teacher of Hercules.

Warrior-centaurs patrol this entire circle; they Warrior-centaurs patrol this entire circle; they are half man, half horse and easily angered; are half man, half horse and easily angered; they patrol & torture those who killed others they patrol & torture those who killed others violently. violently.

Circle VIII- FraudCircle VIII- Fraud There are ten different sub-circles of FraudThere are ten different sub-circles of Fraud.. 1.Panderers/Seducers (those who tell you what you want 1.Panderers/Seducers (those who tell you what you want

to hear to get something from you)to hear to get something from you) 2.Flatterers2.Flatterers 3.Simoniacs (sell church favor)3.Simoniacs (sell church favor) 4.Fortunetellers4.Fortunetellers 5.Grafters (sell political favor)5.Grafters (sell political favor) 6.Hypocrites6.Hypocrites 7.Thieves7.Thieves 8.Evil Counselors8.Evil Counselors 9.Sowers of Discord9.Sowers of Discord 10.Falsifiers (Alchemists & Counterfeiters)10.Falsifiers (Alchemists & Counterfeiters)

The Fraud Monster- a reference to The Fraud Monster- a reference to the Serpent Archetypethe Serpent Archetype

The Circle of Fraud starts at the base of an abyss, so The Circle of Fraud starts at the base of an abyss, so Dante and Virgil must descend on the back of the Dante and Virgil must descend on the back of the Fraud Monster, Geryon.Fraud Monster, Geryon.

Geryon has a pleasant face and a snake-like body, to Geryon has a pleasant face and a snake-like body, to symbolize the pleasant first appearance of fraud and symbolize the pleasant first appearance of fraud and its twisted snake-like dealings. its twisted snake-like dealings.

This is very much like the pleasant first appearance This is very much like the pleasant first appearance of the snake in the Garden of Eden as the friend and of the snake in the Garden of Eden as the friend and advisor of Eve. The snake gives a false appearance advisor of Eve. The snake gives a false appearance in order to trick Eve into eating the apple.in order to trick Eve into eating the apple.

Circle IX- TraitorsCircle IX- Traitors Dante was betrayed by his countrymen and fellow Dante was betrayed by his countrymen and fellow

politicians. This betrayal sent him into exile which politicians. This betrayal sent him into exile which is why betrayal is considered the most serious sin in is why betrayal is considered the most serious sin in Dante’s version of Hell.Dante’s version of Hell.

The 9The 9thth Circle of hell consists of a frozen lake of ice; Circle of hell consists of a frozen lake of ice; Satan is frozen from the shoulders down at the Satan is frozen from the shoulders down at the center. Satan’s wings continuously flap as he tries to center. Satan’s wings continuously flap as he tries to get free from his frozen jail. The wind created by his get free from his frozen jail. The wind created by his wings is what actually freezes the lake and makes wings is what actually freezes the lake and makes the rest of the circle cold. the rest of the circle cold.

In essence, he is trapping himself.In essence, he is trapping himself.

Canto XXXIV (34)Canto XXXIV (34) ““On march the banners of the King of Hell,” On march the banners of the King of Hell,”

my Master said. “Torward us. Look straight my Master said. “Torward us. Look straight ahead: can you make him out at the core of the ahead: can you make him out at the core of the frozen shell?”frozen shell?”

As Canto XXXIV begins Virgil is leading As Canto XXXIV begins Virgil is leading Dante down into the very last circle of Hell. Dante down into the very last circle of Hell.

SatanSatan Satan has three faces. Satan has three faces. In each mouth is a historic betrayer eternally being In each mouth is a historic betrayer eternally being

chewed on. chewed on. In mouth 1 and mouth 2 are Brutus and Cassius the In mouth 1 and mouth 2 are Brutus and Cassius the

assassinators of Julius Caesar (considered the assassinators of Julius Caesar (considered the greatest Roman leader who sacrificed his life for his greatest Roman leader who sacrificed his life for his country.)country.)

In Mouth 3 is Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus In Mouth 3 is Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus Christ to his enemies. Christ was put to death Christ to his enemies. Christ was put to death sacrificing his life for his people. sacrificing his life for his people.

They observe that Satan has three faces. They observe that Satan has three faces. This is a gross parody of the Catholic This is a gross parody of the Catholic Holy Trinity. Holy Trinity.

Dante and Virgil have to actually climb Dante and Virgil have to actually climb around Satan in order to reach the exit of around Satan in order to reach the exit of Hell. Hell.

This is the end of Dante’s journey This is the end of Dante’s journey through Hell. Virgil must leave him at the through Hell. Virgil must leave him at the bottom of the mountain of Purgatory to bottom of the mountain of Purgatory to climb up and out of Hell alone.climb up and out of Hell alone.

The final Circle of Hell is divided The final Circle of Hell is divided into 4 sub circles:into 4 sub circles:

Traitors to KindredTraitors to Kindred or family- Caina named after or family- Caina named after Cain, the first murderer of a kinsman Cain, the first murderer of a kinsman

Traitors to CountryTraitors to Country - Antenora; named after the - Antenora; named after the Trojan Antenor who in the Middle Ages was Trojan Antenor who in the Middle Ages was believed to have betrayed Troy to the Greeks.  believed to have betrayed Troy to the Greeks. 

Traitors to GuestsTraitors to Guests - Ptolomea, named after Ptolemy, - Ptolomea, named after Ptolemy, a captain of Jericho who invited guests to a banquet a captain of Jericho who invited guests to a banquet and then murdered them while they were eating.and then murdered them while they were eating.

Traitors to MastersTraitors to Masters (or benefactors) (or benefactors)

- Judecca is where Satan is munching on Judas, - Judecca is where Satan is munching on Judas, Cassius and Brutus Cassius and Brutus

Judecca is named for Judas Iscariot who betrayed Judecca is named for Judas Iscariot who betrayed Christ. Also includes Cassius and Brutus who Christ. Also includes Cassius and Brutus who betrayed Julius Caesar. This puts together the betrayed Julius Caesar. This puts together the betrayal of masters of betrayal of masters of Church and State.Church and State.

The frozen center contains Satan - total absence of The frozen center contains Satan - total absence of goodness; absolute distance from God; Virgil and goodness; absolute distance from God; Virgil and Dante climb down Satan's side to the center of the Dante climb down Satan's side to the center of the earth; exit Hell, and start climbing up toward earth; exit Hell, and start climbing up toward Purgatory, but that's another story.Purgatory, but that's another story.

The Image of StarsThe Image of Stars As a part of the epic’s symbolism, Dante ends each of As a part of the epic’s symbolism, Dante ends each of

the three parts of the three parts of The Divine ComedyThe Divine Comedy with the word with the word “stars.”“stars.”

Every conclusion of the upward soul is toward the Every conclusion of the upward soul is toward the stars, God’s shining symbols of hope and virtue.stars, God’s shining symbols of hope and virtue.

At the end of each part in At the end of each part in The Divine ComedyThe Divine Comedy Dante Dante also travels upward in pursuit of his journey to also travels upward in pursuit of his journey to salvation.salvation.

Further symbolism can be found in the mythological Further symbolism can be found in the mythological names of the constellations. Further emphasizing the names of the constellations. Further emphasizing the Greek/Roman mythological influences in the work.Greek/Roman mythological influences in the work.