Blog Post #10: Infernal Justice

The souls of the Third Circle are punished by heavy eternal rainfall. The dense water droplets fall onto the souls rhythmically without changing the intensity. The dirty rain water is mixed with snow and thick hail that, “come down in torrents through the murky air” (Canto VI, 410). In addition to this heavy precipitation that nearly drowns them, these sinners are guarded by Cerberus who barks thunder and “rips the spirits, flays and mangles them” (Canto VI, 410). These are the punishments these sinners receive for being gluttonous during their lifetime. In a sense, this can arguably be a case where the punishment fits the crime. Gluttony is usually regarded as overly indulging oneself in food. However, it can apply to overindulgence of food, drinks, and luxury items. Being gluttonous is synonymous to being excessive and greedy. It is drowning oneself with food, drinks, and luxury items. So, part of the punishment the Gluttons receive in the Third Circle is drowning from the intense precipitation and thunderous barking from Cerberus. There is excessive precipitation like how the Gluttons excessively consumed food, drinks, and luxury items. Also, since gluttony deals with the over-consumption of food, etc., the other part of the Gluttons’ punishment fits perfectly to their crime. Cerberus tears these souls apart with his jaws, the parts of him used for consumption. By over-consuming during their lifetimes, the Gluttons get consumed “alive” while in the Third Circle. The Gluttons are not exactly receiving an eye for an eye, rather an eye for a head. The punishment is not a pure retaliation for their sins, but rather a hyperbolic retaliation. But this is also justified because gluttony deals with this excessiveness. Concluding, that the Gluttons receive excessive punishment for excessively consuming food, etc. in their lifetimes.