| CIRCLES AND PUNISHMENTS |
| Dante's Hell is divided into nine circles. As Dante and Virgil go deeper into Hell the circles grow smaller and the sins worse. In Dante's theology (as well as theology of the Church at the time), there is a concept called contrapasso. This means that the punishments in Hell are fitted to the sins in life. Some are very obvious, while others are symbolic. Each, as you will see, is unpleasant. |
| Circle/Region Vestibule First Circle: Limbo Second Circle Third Circle Fourth Circle Fifth Circle Sixth Circle:City of Dis Seventh Circle: -Ring I: Phlegethon -Ring II: Wood of Suicides -Ring III: Abominable Sand Eight Circle: Malbowges: bowge i bowge ii bowge iii bowge iv bowge v bowge vi bowge vii bowge viii bowge ix bowge x Ninth Circle |
| First you may want to read a little about the Structure of Hell. |
| Sinners Futile Ambiguous Unbaptized/Virtuous Pagans Lustful Gluttonous Hoarders/Spendthrifts Wrathful/Sullen Heretics The Violent -Against Others -Self: Suicides/Profiligates -Against God/art/Nature; Usurers Panders and Seducers Flatterers Simoniacs Sorcerors Barrators Hypocrites Thieves Counsellors of Fraud Sowers of Discord Falsifiers Traitors |
| Punishment Constant running chased by bees/Forever pursuing a banner Eternity excluded from God's presence Forever whirled by winds Lie in mud, drenched in cold rain, torn by Cerberus Roll great rocks against one another Beating and chewing each other/sighing in the muck Burn eternally in tombs -Lie in river of boiling blood, guarded by Centaurs -Become trees ripped by harpies/chased by hounds -Fiery rain falls. Lie supine in burning sand/squat in the sand/run aimlessly about in the sand; crouch on edge of circle staring at their pouches Run in opposite directions, scourged by demons Plunged in filth and excrement Headfirst in stone, feet on fire Heads twisted backwarsd Boiling pitch, guarded by demons Lead cloaks plated with gold Serpents. Can't keep own shape for long Wrapped in flame |
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| Note: here it is angels being punished. While Satan's followers became demons and God's followers remained in Heaven, those who waited to see how the chips would fall were doomed to forever chase the banner. Their lack of faith and decision earns them damnation. |
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