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.
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Hey Fean,
This was a great analysis of the damned souls of the Third Circle. The souls are punished with the naturally overflowing of rain and by the gluttony of Cerberus. At first I was questioning how the rain was a fitting punishment for these souls because I automatically associated gluttony with the overconsumption of food. Since the souls were figuratively drowning themselves and eaten when alive but are literally drowning and eaten alive while in hell. I like how you drew the connection that the punishment for gluttony is severe gluttony.
I agree with Catherine, spot-on analysis. What I find interesting about this canto and punishment is that, to an extent, gluttony is subjective. Someone with nothing may decide someone who eats a piece of chocolate every day after dinner is a glutton. However, the text, as far as I’ve noticed, does not support the argument that the gluttons are punished in moderation. Everyone is attacked where they ate 1 piece of chocolate or feasted like a king on a daily basis. I would say that is a flaw in the organization of the inferno.