The Nine Circles In Dante's Inferno

In Dante’s Inferno, written by Dante (1265 – 1321) himself, the audience is given an intricate and well thought out view of the underworld. Without this book, many of us would not have the ideas and images of Hell that we hold today. Surprisingly enough, the Bible does not given any sort of adjectives or insight into the physical appearance of Hell or of who resides there beside Satan and his demons. Hell is described as a place that contains nine circles (The Nine Circles of Hell). In each of these “circles” or “levels” of hell, different punishments are endured by the people in hell who have sinned in different ways. It is said that Hell is shaped like a sort of funnel, with these circles that make up the funnel. Each level is watched

Level 2 contains those who were lustful in life and are attached to their sexual partner in winds that carry them around endlessly. Level 3 contains those were gluttonous in life, meaning they ate food for more than the need to satisfy one’s hunger. They endure hail and rain. Level 4 contains those who were greedy on Earth. They endure being stuck in a smelting pot of gold and attempt to climb out but are always unsuccessful. Level 5 contains those were filled with Anger on Earth. They endure fighting with souls for eternity. Level 6 contains those who committed Heresy on Earth. They are similar to those who were greedy and are stuck in a pit of flames, similar to a traditional idea of hell, and cannot escape as there are various demons that surround the pit. Level 7 contains those who were violent on Earth. This also includes those who self-harmed or committed suicide. These people were turned into trees. Blasphemy is also punished here. Sodomites are also punished here, as it is considered that they were violent to Nature (against the nature of things, heteronormative behavior and tradition). Here, Dante see his friend Brunetto Latini, a Sodomite, whom he cries for. Circle 8 contains those who were fraudulent on earth. They are tortured and are stuck in another pit, this time a pit of darkness. Level 9 (Cocytus) contains those who were traitors, such as Judas. Their bodies are stolen by reptiles. Satan (Dis) can be found in this level. He is covered in ice in the middle of hell and has three heads and contains bat