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[[Image:Gustave_Dore_Inferno1.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Dante lost in the dark forest: ''In the midway of this our mortal life / I found me in a gloomy wood, astray'' (Canto I)]]

[[Image:Looneyleft.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Dante lost in the dark forest: ''In the midway of this our mortal life / I found me in a gloomy wood, astray'' (Canto I)]]

The '''Inferno''' is the first of the three cantiche in [[Dante]]'s poetic work, ''[[The Divine Comedy]]'', about his imagined trip to [[Hell]] ('Inferno' is the Italian word for 'Hell').  It is very frightening. According to Dante, the inscription at the entrance to Hell reads "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here."

The '''Inferno''' is the first of the three cantiche in [[Dante]]'s poetic work, ''[[The Divine Comedy]]'', about his imagined trip to [[Hell|<b><span style="color:red;font-size:36pt">HELL</span></b>]] ('Inferno' is the Italian word for '<b><span style="color:red;font-size:36pt">HELL</span></b>').  It is very frightening. According to Dante, the inscription at the entrance to <b><span style="color:red;font-size:36pt">HELL</span></b> reads "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here."

''The Divine Comedy'' was most famously illustrated by Gustave Doré, whose very literal interpretations of the punishments sinners suffer in Hell are truly horrifying.

''The Divine Comedy'' was most famously illustrated by Gustave Doré, whose very literal interpretations of the punishments sinners suffer in <b><span style="color:red;font-size:36pt">HELL</span></b> are truly horrifying.

[[Category:Poetry]]

[[Category:Poetry]]

[[Category:Sin]]

[[Category:Sin]]

==Structure of Hell==

==Structure of <b><span style="color:red;font-size:36pt">HELL</span></b>==

Dante's vision of Hell is a very ordered one. Hell is an enormous conical pit that leads down to the centre of the Earth. Within the pit are nine circles of decreasing size, where those condemned to Hell are punished. Every kind of sin has its own allotted place, either an entire circle or, lower down, a subdivision of a circle. Down the side of the entire pit runs a crack, which was caused by the [[earthquake]] that happened at the [[Resurrection]].

Dante's vision of <b><span style="color:red;font-size:36pt">HELL</span></b> is a very ordered one. <b><span style="color:red;font-size:36pt">HELL</span></b> is an enormous conical pit that leads down to the centre of the Earth. Within the pit are nine circles of decreasing size, where those condemned to <b><span style="color:red;font-size:36pt">HELL</span></b> are punished. Every kind of sin has its own allotted place, either an entire circle or, lower down, a subdivision of a circle. Down the side of the entire pit runs a crack, which was caused by the [[earthquake]] that happened at the [[Resurrection]].

===The gate of Hell===

===The gate of <b><span style="color:red;font-size:36pt">HELL</span></b>===

At the gate of Hell there is an inscription, famously ending 'Abandon all hope, ye who enter here', because those condemned to Hell have lost their chance of salvation for good. Beyond the gate is the river [[Acheron]], the first of four rivers in Hell. As in classical mythology, [[Charon]] the ferryman carries the souls of the dead across the river. Gathered on the near bank are the Futile, souls of the dead who did nothing remarkable in their lives and are condemned to be forgotten.

At the gate of <b><span style="color:red;font-size:36pt">HELL</span></b> there is an inscription, famously ending 'Abandon all hope, ye who enter here', because those condemned to <b><span style="color:red;font-size:36pt">HELL</span></b> have lost their chance of salvation for good. Beyond the gate is the river [[Acheron]], the first of four rivers in <b><span style="color:red;font-size:36pt">HELL</span></b>. As in classical mythology, [[Charon]] the ferryman carries the souls of the dead across the river. Gathered on the near bank are the Futile, souls of the dead who did nothing remarkable in their lives and are condemned to be forgotten.

===Limbo===

===Limbo===

The first circle of Hell is [[Limbo]], home to those who led good lives but were not Christians, so cannot enter Heaven. Although it is in Hell, Limbo is relatively pleasant - the only punishment is disappointment and regret. Limbo in the Divine Comedy is analogous to the [[Elysian Fields]] in classical mythology.

The first circle of <b><span style="color:red;font-size:36pt">HELL</span></b> is [[Limbo]], home to those who led good lives but were not Christians, so cannot enter Heaven. Although it is in <b><span style="color:red;font-size:36pt">HELL</span></b>, Limbo is relatively pleasant - the only punishment is disappointment and regret. Limbo in the Divine Comedy is analogous to the [[Elysian Fields]] in classical mythology.

[[Image:Ferdinand_Victor_Delacroix_006.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Dante and Virgil are ferried across the River [[Styx]], towards the City of Dis: ''And thus the good instructor: "Now, my son, / Draws near the city, that of Dis is named"'' (Canto VIII) (Illustration by [[Eugene Delacroix]]).]]

[[Image:Ferdinand_Victor_Delacroix_006.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Dante and Virgil are ferried across the River [[Styx]], towards the City of Dis: ''And thus the good instructor: "Now, my son, / Draws near the city, that of Dis is named"'' (Canto VIII) (Illustration by [[Eugene Delacroix]]).]]

===The lesser circles===

===The lesser circles===

The next four circles are known as 'lesser Hell', because the sins that are punished there are the result of weakness rather than malicious intent. These are:

The next four circles are known as 'lesser <b><span style="color:red;font-size:36pt">HELL</span></b>', because the sins that are punished there are the result of weakness rather than malicious intent. These are:

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===The City of Dis===

===The City of Dis===

The four lower circles of Hell (known collectively as lower or nether Hell) are inside a walled city called Dis (one of the names of [[Satan]]). From outside the city looks like a bustling metropolis of [[evil]], but inside it is revealed to be an eerie and deserted graveyard. This is the sixth circle of Hell, where [[heretic]]s are buried in tombs and set on fire.

The four lower circles of <b><span style="color:red;font-size:36pt">HELL</span></b> (known collectively as lower or nether <b><span style="color:red;font-size:36pt">HELL</span></b>) are inside a walled city called Dis (one of the names of [[Satan]]). From outside the city looks like a bustling metropolis of [[evil]], but inside it is revealed to be an eerie and deserted graveyard. This is the sixth circle of <b><span style="color:red;font-size:36pt">HELL</span></b>, where [[heretic]]s are buried in tombs and set on fire.

===The seventh circle: Violence===

===The seventh circle: Violence===

* Violence against [[God]] or nature. This category includes [[blasphemy|blasphemers]], [[Usury|usurers]] and [[homosexuals]]. All are punished in a desert of unbearable heat where fire rains from the sky.

* Violence against [[God]] or nature. This category includes [[blasphemy|blasphemers]], [[Usury|usurers]] and [[homosexuals]]. All are punished in a desert of unbearable heat where fire rains from the sky.

The only way to cross the desert is to walk along the dykes that guide the river Phlegethon towards the center of Hell. Beyond the desert, this river flows down a sheer drop into the eighth circle.

The only way to cross the desert is to walk along the dykes that guide the river Phlegethon towards the center of <b><span style="color:red;font-size:36pt">HELL</span></b>. Beyond the desert, this river flows down a sheer drop into the eighth circle.

===Malebolge===

===Malebolge===

These sins are known as minor fraud, as distinct from treachery (see below), which is considered a worse form of fraud. The imaginative, cruel and grotesque punishments of the eighth circle provide some of the most enduring images in the Inferno, and are what most people have in mind when they think of the works of Dante.

These sins are known as minor fraud, as distinct from treachery (see below), which is considered a worse form of fraud. The imaginative, cruel and grotesque punishments of the eighth circle provide some of the most enduring images in the Inferno, and are what most people have in mind when they think of the works of Dante.

[[Image:Gfdyte7y6.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Satan in the Ninth Circle of Hell: ''That Emperor, who sways / The realm of sorrow, at mid breast from the ice / Stood forth'' (Canto XXXIV)]]

[[Image:Gfdyte7y6.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Satan in the Ninth Circle of <b><span style="color:red;font-size:36pt">HELL</span></b>: ''That Emperor, who sways / The realm of sorrow, at mid breast from the ice / Stood forth'' (Canto XXXIV)]]

===The ninth circle: Treachery===

===The ninth circle: Treachery===

The ninth and lowest circle, situated at the bottom of a deep well leading down to the center of the earth, is set aside for [[Treachery|traitors]]. The circle takes the form of a frozen lake called Cocytus (the fourth river of Hell), and the traitors are frozen into the [[ice]]. Some have their heads free, while others are completely covered, according to the severity of their treachery.

The ninth and lowest circle, situated at the bottom of a deep well leading down to the center of the earth, is set aside for [[Treachery|traitors]]. The circle takes the form of a frozen lake called Cocytus (the fourth river of <b><span style="color:red;font-size:36pt">HELL</span></b>), and the traitors are frozen into the [[ice]]. Some have their heads free, while others are completely covered, according to the severity of their treachery.

In the ultimate depths of this circle, the travelers come upon [[Satan]] and the three worst human offenders: [[Judas Iscariot]], [[Brutus]] and [[Cassius]]. Satan is depicted as a three-headed, winged [[demon]] of immense size, yet at the same time he is a pathetic figure: he is unable to move except to beat his wings ineffectually, and he cries constantly. The three worst traitors are punished by being chewed by Satan himself, and Judas, as the worst of all, is also lacerated by Satan's claws.

In the ultimate depths of this circle, the travelers come upon [[Satan]] and the three worst human offenders: [[Judas Iscariot]], [[Brutus]] and [[Cassius]]. Satan is depicted as a three-headed, winged [[demon]] of immense size, yet at the same time he is a pathetic figure: he is unable to move except to beat his wings ineffectually, and he cries constantly. The three worst traitors are punished by being chewed by Satan himself, and Judas, as the worst of all, is also lacerated by Satan's claws.

In Dante’s time, [[Julius Caesar]] was honored as the first emperor of Rome, and Rome brought the ‘[[Pax Romana]]’. Hence, his assassins Brutus and Cassius are seen as betraying the divinely-ordained natural order.<ref> [[The Divine Comedy]], By Dante Alighieri, Translated by Charles Singleton, Bollingen Series 80, Vol 1: Inferno. Copyright 1970 by Princeton University Press.  </ref>

In Dante’s time, [[Julius Caesar]] was honored as the first emperor of Rome, and Rome brought the ‘[[Pax Romana]]’. Hence, his assassins Brutus and Cassius are seen as betraying the divinely-ordained natural order.<ref> [[The Divine Comedy]], By Dante Alighieri, Translated by Charles Singleton, Bollingen Series 80, Vol 1: Inferno. Copyright 1970 by Princeton University Press.  </ref>

==Denizens of Hell==

==Denizens of <b><span style="color:red;font-size:36pt">HELL</span></b>==

===Sinners===

===Sinners===

As he and Virgil travel through Hell, Dante speaks to many of the people he meets. Each circle is home to a multitude of sinners who are punished there, but the ones Dante identifies are mainly taken from antiquity, the [[Bible]], and Florentine and Italian history.

As he and Virgil travel through <b><span style="color:red;font-size:36pt">HELL</span></b>, Dante speaks to many of the people he meets. Each circle is home to a multitude of sinners who are punished there, but the ones Dante identifies are mainly taken from antiquity, the [[Bible]], and Florentine and Italian history.

Some notable encounters are:

Some notable encounters are:

===Demons and monsters===

===Demons and monsters===

As well as the shades of humans, Hell is home to a number of supernatural creatures. Some of the punishments are carried out by demons, for example a demon with an enormous sword mutilates the sunderers in the eighth circle. In addition, each circle is guarded by a creature who personifies the sins punished there:

As well as the shades of humans, <b><span style="color:red;font-size:36pt">HELL</span></b> is home to a number of supernatural creatures. Some of the punishments are carried out by demons, for example a demon with an enormous sword mutilates the sunderers in the eighth circle. In addition, each circle is guarded by a creature who personifies the sins punished there:

[[Image:canino.png|right|thumb|200px|A carving of Cerberus, guardian of the third circle: ''Cerberus, cruel monster, fierce and strange'' (Canto VI)]]

[[Image:canino.png|right|thumb|200px|A carving of Cerberus, guardian of the third circle: ''Cerberus, cruel monster, fierce and strange'' (Canto VI)]]

* '''Minos''', mythical king of [[Crete]], guards the second circle (lust). He is depicted as a monstrous creature with a tail, who has the task of assigning new arrivals in Hell to their allotted place.

* '''Minos''', mythical king of [[Crete]], guards the second circle (lust). He is depicted as a monstrous creature with a tail, who has the task of assigning new arrivals in <b><span style="color:red;font-size:36pt">HELL</span></b> to their allotted place.

* [[Cerberus]] the ravenous three-headed dog guards the third circle (gluttony).

* [[Cerberus]] the ravenous three-headed dog guards the third circle (gluttony).

* '''Plutus''', the personification of wealth, guards the fourth circle (greed). He speaks the unintelligible phrase 'Pape Satan, Pape Satan aleppe!', which has caused much debate among scholars as to its meaning.

* '''Plutus''', the personification of wealth, guards the fourth circle (greed). He speaks the unintelligible phrase 'Pape Satan, Pape Satan aleppe!', which has caused much debate among scholars as to its meaning.