11 - The Structure Of Hell

The Structure of Dante's Hell There are nine circles of Hell in all. Limbo is sometimes assumed to be "Ante-Hell", but those in Limbo are damned nonetheless. The circles in order from Limbo down to Malebolge are:

• • • • • • • • •

1. Limbo 2. The Lustful 3. The Gluttonous 4. The Avaricious and the Prodigal 5. The Wrathful and the Sullen 6. Heretics 7. The Violent 8. The Fraudulent 9. The Treacherous

N.B. All of Dante's Hell can be categorized by the three following attributes: Incontinence includes all wrong action due to the inadequate control of natural appetites or desires. Brutishness or Bestiality is characteristic of morbid states in which what is naturally repulsive becomes attractive. Malice or Vice consist of those evil actions which involve the abuse of the specifically human attribute of reason.

(Ante-Hell) Neutrals (Acheron) 1. Limbo 2. carnality INCONTINENCE

3. gluttony 4. . avarice 5. . anger

(Styx) (Walls of Dis) 6. heretics (Phlegethon) VIOLENCE or BRUTISHNESS

i. against neighbor 7. violent

ii. against self [suicides & squanderes] iii. against God [blasphemers, sodomites, usurers]

(Geryon) i. seducerers and panderers ii. flatterers iii. simonists iv. diviners 8. simple (Malebolge)

v. peculators vi. hypocrites vii. thieves

FRAUD or MALICE

viii. fraudolent counselors ix. sowers of dissension x. forgers i. against kin 9. treacherous

ii. against country iii. against hospitality iv. against lords and benefactors

(Cocytus) [Lucifer]