Inferno
Children are taught that there is a punishment for every bad thing they do; "time-outs" prevent them from doing things they are not supposed to do. Similarly, the fear of punishment deters more mature people from committing crimes. The crime a person commits buys time to reflect in the adult "time-out" zone, namely a prison. Dante Alighieri's The Inferno allows the reader to take a glimpse of an afterlife "time-out," where sinners reflect upon their wrong doings for an eternity. Dante writes The Inferno using symbolic retribution with the intention of deterring the reader from a path of error and sin to a path of righteousness. A sin found on the seventh circle of hell is suicide. The suicides are placed near the middle of Hell, placing them below sinners guilty of gluttony, lust, and wrath but above those who sinned against the truth. Those who commit suicide sacrifice their human form and can be found trapped in the body of a tree. These souls are rooted in one place and can neither move nor speak. Harpies feed on the leaves of the trees while a pack of wolves runs through the forest and breaks off branches. The wounds inflicted upon the trees by the wolves and harpies allow the trees to speak. "The Harpies, feeding
The sellers of ecclesiastical favors, or simoniacs, are in bolgia three of circle eight, a collective circle for sins against the truth, or God. Most, if not all, of the souls found here have a connection with the Christian church. The most notable sinner in this place is Pope Nicholas III. Nicholas admits that he sold offices to his relatives, saying "I was a son of the She-Bear, so sly and eager to push my whelps ahead, that I pursed wealth above, and myself here" (Canto XIX 67-69). The punishment for selling indulgences is a bath of fire in an upside-down baptismal font, signifying a reversal of baptism. Just as these people corrupt the church, the sinners are bathed in a tainted baptismal font. Dante is certainly not happy with anyone in this particular bolgia and shows no pity for these sinners. These sinners have unleashed the seven headed one who sits at the waters. The description of the beast suggests the beast is the Christian church, with the seven heads signifying the deadly sins and the ten horns signifying the commandments. Dante's feelings about indulgences suggest that he would like to see reform in the Church to get rid of the corruption. on its leaves then, give it pain and pain's outlet simultaneously" (Canto XIII 101-102). Among those who are found here is Pier Delle Vigne, the minister of Frederick II who was accused of treachery and tortured; he committed suicide to escape the torture he endured. Dante feels that Pier De
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 986
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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