Dante's Inferno

Dante Alighieri’s The Inferno is a journey through the depths and inner workings of Hell and all of its varied and numerous inhabitants. Dante’s perception of Hell has been analyzed and interpreted in many different ways. “A single word sums up the system of justice in Dante's Inferno: ‘contrapasso’” (Kirkham). By using this technique, Dante allows his readers to relate to and better understand his version of Hell. “…Dante imagines for every sin a punishment appropriate to the crime. Retribution in Dante’s Hell requires either that the sinners eternally repeat their sin in some symbolic form or, in some cases, that they be eternally reminded of the sin by engaging in behavior that directly contrasts with their sin (Ruud 34).” This concept of equal punishment is also seen in the bible. In the King James Version, Exodus 21:23-25 reads as follows : “And if mischief follow, the thou shalt give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.” Today we have a justice system that is based upon this equality. You serve time based upon the severity of your crimes. Is it not fitting that you would serve time for all of the crimes and sins you have committed throughout your life in hell? Dante’s use of contrapasso allows for equality in his Hell and is supported by his arrangement of hell with its nine circles and multiple levels.

Dante’s Hell is arranged in a way so that the lesser sins reside on the outer bans and the severity of each sin, as well as its punishment, increases as you near the center of Hell. Instead of lumping everyone into one vast space, Dante defines Hell as rings. In each ring reside tortured souls suffering the same fate as those who co...

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...inners must eternally repent for their sins or repeat them in Hell. “The sin itself is its own punishment in Hell- just as, Dante seems to imply, sin is its own punishment on earth” (Ruud 28). Sin corrupts and destroys the joys of life. The sin not only soiled the life of the victim, but also the sinner’s life and afterlife. “In the Bible and Talmudic tradition, 'contrapasso' can apply both to punishments and rewards. Correspondence between the two is clear beginning with Genesis: the serpent who reared up in pride now slithers in dust; Eve who was Adam's equal now is subject to him after imposing her will on his; Adam, who ate the one forbidden fruit now has to labor for all the fruits he disdained” (Kirkham). For every action, or sin, there is an equal and opposite reaction. We must face the consequences of our action whether it be in life or in the afterlife.