As we know Dante wrote the “Inferno” in the 14th century, but we still read it and learn a lot from it. While reading “Inferno,” it makes us think about the way we live and try to analyze some of the things we do. The description of hell is very illustrative. We see how people suffer for their sins, their pain and torment. It brings up a question: if people had a chance to relive their lives, would they live it differently without committing sins? Punishments depend on the gravity of each sin. Each punishment is suitable for the committed wrongdoing.
In the first cycle of hell called Limbo, there are people who were born in B.C., not baptized pagans who will never meet God. In the second circle, there are people who were overcome by lust and can’t find peace because of the strong wind, which blows them back and forth. Other circles include people who were guilty of gluttony, greed, anger, heresy, violence, fraud, treachery.
What in your opinion is the worst sin in Inferno and what in your opinion is the worst punishment around 9 circles of hell?
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Interesting points. I do think that if given the chance, people would relive their lives over again, knowing what they did wrong. The sinners can see into the future with insight of what is going to happen but they cannot go back to the land of the living. However, if they were to relive them their lives, they may be placed into a different circle of hell and may be facing a more worst punishment. They face pain and torture for the rest of eternity. I think that the worst punishment is in circle eight, fraud where they have the most sub-sections with detailed reason why the sinner would be placed in there.
Hi Yekaterina,
I was actually surprised that sins like torture or rape or murder weren’t at the very bottom of the pit as the worst sins imaginable. Dante placed the sin of betrayal at the very bottom, illustrated by the three famous figures associated with betrayal that he chose to imprison immediately next to Lucifer forever (Brutus, Cassius, and Judas). Brutus and Cassius were involved in the plot to assassinate their benefactor, Julius Caesar, and Judas betrayed our Lord.
Yes, betrayal is disgraceful, but worse than violence like rape? More evil than taking a life? I’ve thought about why Dante chose betrayal as the worst of the sins, and what his thinking might have been. Of course the fact that Dante himself was the victim of a ugly betrayal, and that might have influenced his writing.