[[Purgatory]] is depicted as an incredibly high mountain on an island in the world's southern hemisphere. The mountain is encircled by seven ledges, known as cornices, where each of the [[Seven Deadly Sins]] is cleansed. As Dante goes up the mountain, his own sins are also cleansed to prepare him for his journey into [[Heaven]]. As they travel through Purgatory, Virgil and Dante again meet many historical figures as well as Dante's contemporaries. There are many references to [[Florence]] and other cities in [[Italy]], and he uses the various levels of Purgatory to malign his political foes, and corrupt Church leaders. Classical figures are mainly absent, as their lack of Christian faith prevents them from entering. | [[Purgatory]] is depicted as an incredibly high mountain on an island in the world's southern hemisphere. The mountain is encircled by seven ledges, known as cornices, where each of the [[Seven Deadly Sins]] is cleansed. As Dante goes up the mountain, his own sins are also cleansed to prepare him for his journey into [[Heaven]]. As they travel through Purgatory, Virgil and Dante again meet many historical figures as well as Dante's contemporaries. There are many references to [[Florence]] and other cities in [[Italy]], and he uses the various levels of Purgatory to malign his political foes, and corrupt Church leaders. Classical figures are mainly absent, as their lack of Christian faith prevents them from entering. |