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seventh circle of hell punishment

by Prof. Leonel Deckow MD Published 4 years ago Updated 2 years ago

The souls of people who indulged in violence are put to punishment and torture in the Seventh Circle of Hell. It is further divided into three Rings. The souls are sent to suffer in the circles depending on the severity of their violence. The First Ring tortured souls of people who are violent against their neighbors.

Ring One in the Seventh Circle of Hell
The river of boiling blood is a punishment for violence against neighbors, including murders and war crimes. Sinners are submerged according to their guilt.
Mar 4, 2022

Full Answer

What are the punishments in the 9 circles of Hell?

Virgil proceeds to guide Dante through the nine circles of Hell. The circles are concentric, representing a gradual increase in wickedness, and culminating at the centre of the earth, where Satan is held in bondage. The sinners of each circle are punished for eternity in a fashion fitting their crimes: each punishment is a contrapasso, a symbolic instance of poetic justice.

Who is in the 7th level of Hell?

The three infernal Furies stained with blood, with limbs of women and hair of serpents, dwell in this circle of Hell. G uarded by the Minotaur, who snarls in fury, and encircled within the river Phlegethon, filled with boiling blood, is the Seventh Level of Hell.

What are the Nine Circles of Hell?

  • 2.1 Overview.
  • 2.2 First Circle (Limbo)
  • 2.3 Second Circle (Lust)
  • 2.4 Third Circle (Gluttony)
  • 2.5 Fourth Circle (Greed)
  • 2.6 Fifth Circle (Wrath) 2.6.1 Entrance to Dis.
  • 2.7 Sixth Circle (Heresy)
  • 2.8 Seventh Circle (Violence)

What is the seventh level of Hell?

Within Hell, there is nine circles that are divided into these three levels. The sixth circle and the seventh circle are for the violent sins, level two. The sixth circle of hell is reserved for those who are guilty of heresy. The seventh circle of hell is for those who are guilty of violence towards themselves, property, or other people.

Who is punished in Circle 7?

Those who perpetrate violence against other people or their property--murderers and bandits--are punished in the first ring of the seventh circle, a river of blood (Inferno 12).

What happens in the seventh layer of Hell?

Round and Round. The Seventh Circle of Hell, the Circle of Violence, embodies three levels of souls who have committed acts of brutality. Each soul is assigned to a level of the circle according to the kind of violence that was committed while on Earth.

What are the punishments for each level of Hell?

More severe sins are punished in the lower circles of hell and a corresponding punishment is inflicted for each:Circle two - lust.Circle three - gluttony.Circle four - greed.Circle five - wrath.Circle six - heresy.Circle seven - violence.Circle eight - fraud.Circle nine - treachery.

What is the punishment for violence against God in Dante's Inferno?

Those who committed suicide or violence against themselves are placed as part of the Wood of the Suicides and they are condemned to writhe in eternal pain as gnarled trees.

What is the punishment for greed in Dante's Inferno?

Although hoarding can be caused by a psychological disorder, for Dante, it's a hell-worthy offense. The Fourth Circle of Hell, found in Canto Seven, is reserved for those guilty of avarice, or greed, who either spend or hoard too much money in pursuit of material gain.

What is the punishment in limbo?

The souls in Limbo are not punished directly, but are condemned to "suffer harm through living in desire"; their punishment is to be left desirous of salvation.

What is the punishment in circle 8?

In Dantes Inferno circle 8, the eighth pit, is for those who are considered counselors of fraud and brought about the downfall of others; they intentionally misled others for their own gain by feeding them lies. Their punishment is to be burned in flames here in the 8th circle of Hell.

Who is punished in the fourth circle of hell?

The person who condemns the sin of greed is punished in the fourth circle of hell. The Circle is divided into two groups of people- the ones who spent lavishly and those who hoarded for the great and imperial possession, which is irrelevant.

What are the nine circles of hell?

It is a long narrative poem in the Italian language. The poem has three parts, and the narrative describes Dante’s journey through the three realms namely Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso.

What is succeeded by the second circle of hell?

Limbo is succeeded by the Second Circle of Hell. People who were driven by Lust are tormented here. In the poem, Dante says that strong violent winds blow in the Second Circle of Hell.

What is the third ring?

The Third Ring has souls of people who showed violence against God, Nature or Art. In the First Ring of Seventh Circle, souls of people who committed violent crimes against other humans are being tortured. It includes criminals like the murderers, tyrants, war-makers, looters and many more.

What is the third round of the ninth circle called?

The Third Round of Ninth Circle is called Ptolomaea, called after Ptolemy. He called his father-in-law along with his sons for a treat and killed them. Here, traitors who betrayed their guests are punished. The Fourth Round of Ninth Circle is called Judecca named after Judas Iscariot.

What is the meaning of the first circle of hell?

They had to cross the river Acheron on a boat to reach Limbo. The literal meaning of Limbo is ‘boundary’ or ‘edge.’ The First Circle contains people who did not accept Christ.

What does each circle represent?

Each circle represents sin and the punishment deserved by one who commits the sins. The circles are divided into two parts- the Upper Hell and Lower Hell. The first sin is self-indulgence such as Lust, Gluttony, Greed, and Wrath. The two to five circles are for the Upper Hell.

What are the three rings in the 7th circle of Hell?

Here, Dante sees Alexander the Great (disputed), Dionysius I of Syracuse, Guy de Montfort and many other notable historical and mythological figures such as the Centaurus, sank into a river of boiling blood and fire. In the Middle Ring, the poet sees suicides who have been turned into trees and bushes which are fed upon by harpies. But he also sees here profligates, chased and torn to pieces by dogs. In the Inner Ring are blasphemers and sodomites, residing in a desert of burning sand and burning rain falling from the sky.

What is the second circle of hell?

Second Circle (Lust) In the Second Circle of Hell, Dante and his companion Virgil find people who were overcome by lust. They are punished by being blown violently back and forth by strong winds, preventing them from finding peace and rest.

How many Bolgias are there in the circle of Hell?

This circle of Hell is divided into 10 Bolgias or stony ditches with bridges between them. In Bolgia 1, Dante sees panderers and seducer. In Bolgia 2 he finds flatterers. After crossing the bridge to Bolgia 3, he and Virgil see those who are guilty of simony.

What are the 4 rounds of Hell?

Those who committed more severe sin are deeper within the ice. Each of the 4 Rounds is named after an individual who personifies the sin. Thus Round 1 is named Caina after Cain who killed his brother Abel, Round 2 is named Antenora after Anthenor of Troy who was Priam’s counselor during the Trojan War, Round 3 is named Ptolomaea after Ptolemy (son of Abubus), while Round 4 is named Judecca after Judas Iscariot, the apostle who betrayed Jesus with a kiss.

What are the two groups in the Fourth Circle of Hell?

They are divided into two groups – those who hoarded possessions and those who lavishly spent it – jousting.

What does the vile slush symbolize?

The vile slush symbolizes personal degradation of one who overindulges in food, drink, and other worldly pleasures, while the inability to see others ly ing nearby represents the gluttons’ selfishness and coldness.

What does the poet see in the middle ring?

In the Middle Ring, the poet sees suicides who have been turned into trees and bushes which are fed upon by harpies. But he also sees here profligates, chased and torn to pieces by dogs. In the Inner Ring are blasphemers and sodomites, residing in a desert of burning sand and burning rain falling from the sky.

The second circle of Hell: Lust

According to Dante’s Inferno 9 Circles of Hell, Lust, the second circle of Hell, exceeds Limbo. People, who were driven by Lust, suffer from torment here.

The third circle of Hell: Gluttony

In the third circle, the souls of those who indulged in voracious feasting and appetite are tortured.

The fourth circle of Hell: Greed

The person who condemns the sin of greed is explicitly punished in the fourth circle of Hell.

The Fifth Circle of Hell: Wrath

The fifth circle of Hell is present in the stinking decaying of the Styx River.

The Sixth Circle of Hell: Heresy

The sixth circle of Hell marks the beginning of lower Hell. They torture souls in successive processes, who committed heinous crimes.

The Seventh Circle of Hell: Violence

Consequently, the souls of people who indulge in violence are punished and tortured in the seventh circle of Hell.

The Eighth Circle of Hell: Fraud

The eighth circle of Hell is Mailbuch, meaning evil ditches. Dante divided this circle into ten trenches or Bolgia.

What are the three rings in the 7th circle of hell?

Here, Dante sees Alexander the Great (disputed), Dionysius I of Syracuse, Guy de Montfort, and many other important traditional and imaginary figures such as the Centaurus, submerged into a river of boiling blood and fire. In the Middle Ring, the poet sees self-murders who have been transformed into trees and bushes which are fed upon by harpies. But he also sees here profligates, scattered and torn to pieces by dogs. In the Inner Ring are blasphemers and sodomites, residing in a desert of burning sand and burning rain falling from the sky.

What is the first circle of hell?

1st Circle of Hell (Limbo) Dante’s First Circle of Hell is inhabited by virtuous non-Christians and unbaptized pagans who are punished forever in an inferior form of Heaven. They live in a palace with seven gates which symbolize the seven virtues.

What monster is in the third circle of hell?

When reaching the Third Circle of Hell, Dante and Virgil find souls of gluttons who are faced by a worm-monster Cerberus. Sinners in this circle of Hell are penalized by being compelled to lie in a vile slush that is presented by never-ending icy rain.

What are the two groups of people in the Fourth Circle of Hell?

They are divided into two groups – those who acquired possessions and those who lavishly filled it – jousting. They use great weights as a weapon, forcing it with their chests which symbolizes their selfish drive for fortune during their lifetime. The two groups that are guarded by a character called Pluto (probably the old Greek ruler of the underworld) are so controlled with their actions that the two poets don’t try to speak to them. Here, Dante speaks to see many clergymen including cardinals and popes.

How many circles of hell are there in Dante's Inferno?

Dante’s Inferno 9 Circles of Hell. Dante’s ‘Inferno’, an epic poem written by Dante Alighieri in 1300, chronicles the journey of Dante as he is guided through the Nine Circles of Hell by an ancient poet named Virgil. This lesson will focus on the Seventh Circle of Violence. Dantes Inferno 9 Circles of Hell.

What are the 4 rounds of Hell?

Those who performed more severe sin are more buried within the ice. Each of the 4 Rounds is called after an individual who represents the sin. Thus Round 1 is named Caina after Cain who killed his brother Abel, Round 2 is called Antenora after Anthenor of Troy who was Priam’s counselor during the Trojan War, Round 3 is named Ptolomaea after Ptolemy (son of Abubus), while Round 4 is named Judecca after Judas Iscariot, the apostle who betrayed Jesus with a kiss.

Who are the heretics in Dante's Sixth Circle?

Here, Dante talks with a couple of Florentines – Farinata degli Uberti and Cavalcante de’ Cavalcanti – but he also sees other renowned historical characters including the ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus, Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, and Pope Anastasius II. The latter, however, is according to some convenient scholars denounced by Dante as a heretic by confusion. Instead, as some scholars claim, the poet probably meant the Byzantine Emperor Anastasius I.

What is the final circle of the Inferno?

the final circle of the inferno is exactly opposite of an inferno. it is a frozen lake filled with sinners, cocytus. the reason for this ice is a symbol of the cold-blooded hatred that possessed these traitorous murders. there are 4 regions of this circle, and each are for a different severity of the sin of treachery.

What is the 8th circle?

CIRCLE 8: the 8th circle holds more sinners than any of the other circles of hell. it has 10 bolgias or ditches. this circle is for the sinners who Committed acts of fraud. BOLGIA 1: the first Bolgia is for the sinners who were seducers or panders. these sinners are punished by being driven by devils with whips.

What are the nine circles of Hell?

Virgil proceeds to guide Dante through the nine circles of Hell. The circles are concentric, representing a gradual increase in wickedness, and culminating at the centre of the earth, where Satan is held in bondage. The sinners of each circle are punished for eternity in a fashion fitting their crimes: each punishment is a contrapasso, a symbolic instance of poetic justice. For example, later in the poem, Dante and Virgil encounter fortune-tellers who must walk forward with their heads on backward, unable to see what is ahead, because they tried to see the future through forbidden means. Such a contrapasso "functions not merely as a form of divine revenge, but rather as the fulfilment of a destiny freely chosen by each soul during his or her life". People who sinned, but prayed for forgiveness before their deaths are found not in Hell but in Purgatory, where they labour to become free of their sins. Those in Hell are people who tried to justify their sins and are unrepentant.

How many circles does Dante have in Hell?

As a Christian, Dante adds Circle 1 (Limbo) to Upper Hell and Circle 6 (Heresy) to Lower Hell, making 9 Circles in total; incorporating the Vestibule of the Futile, this leads to Hell containing 10 main divisions. This "9+1=10" structure is also found within the Purgatorio and Paradiso.

What does Dante perceive in the distance?

In the distance, Dante perceives high towers that resemble fiery red mosques. Virgil informs him that they are approaching the City of Dis. Dis, itself surrounded by the Stygian marsh, contains Lower Hell within its walls. Dis is one of the names of Pluto, the classical king of the underworld, in addition to being the name of the realm. The walls of Dis are guarded by fallen angels. Virgil is unable to convince them to let Dante and him enter.

What is the name of the circle in Canto IV?

Canto IV#N#Dante wakes up to find that he has crossed the Acheron, and Virgil leads him to the first circle of the abyss, Limbo, where Virgil himself resides. The first circle contains the unbaptized and the virtuous pagans, who, although not sinful enough to warrant damnation, did not accept Christ. Dorothy L. Sayers writes, "After those who refused choice come those without opportunity of choice. They could not, that is, choose Christ; they could, and did, choose human virtue, and for that they have their reward." Limbo shares many characteristics with the Asphodel Meadows, and thus, the guiltless damned are punished by living in a deficient form of Heaven. Without baptism ("the portal of the faith that you embrace") they lacked the hope for something greater than rational minds can conceive. When Dante asked if anyone has ever left Limbo, Virgil states that he saw Jesus ("a Mighty One") descend into Limbo and take Adam, Abel, Noah, Moses, Abraham, David, and Rachel (see Limbo of the Patriarchs) into his all-forgiving arms and transport them to Heaven as the first human souls to be saved. The event, known as the Harrowing of Hell, would have occurred in AD 33 or 34.

Where do Canto V#N#Dante and Virgil enter the second circle?

Canto V#N#Dante and Virgil leave Limbo and enter the Second Circle – the first of the circles of Incontinence – where the punishments of Hell proper begin. It is described as "a part where no thing gleams". They find their way hindered by the serpentine Minos, who judges all of those condemned for active, deliberately willed sin to one of the lower circles. Minos sentences each soul to its torment by wrapping his tail around himself a corresponding number of times. Virgil rebukes Minos, and he and Dante continue on.

What does Dante say about the gate of hell?

Dante passes through the gate of Hell, which bears an inscription ending with the famous phrase " Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate ", most frequently translated as "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here." Dante and his guide hear the anguished screams of the Uncommitted. These are the souls of people who in life took no sides; the opportunists who were for neither good nor evil, but instead were merely concerned with themselves. Among these Dante recognizes a figure implied to be Pope Celestine V, whose "cowardice (in selfish terror for his own welfare) served as the door through which so much evil entered the Church". Mixed with them are outcasts who took no side in the Rebellion of Angels. These souls are forever unclassified; they are neither in Hell nor out of it, but reside on the shores of the Acheron. Naked and futile, they race around through the mist in eternal pursuit of an elusive, wavering banner (symbolic of their pursuit of ever-shifting self-interest) while relentlessly chased by swarms of wasps and hornets, who continually sting them. Loathsome maggots and worms at the sinners' feet drink the putrid mixture of blood, pus, and tears that flows down their bodies. This symbolizes the sting of their guilty conscience and the repugnance of sin. This may also be seen as a reflection of the spiritual stagnation in which they lived.

What is the ruined slope in the circle?

The "ruined slope" in this circle is thought to be a reference to the earthquake that occurred after the death of Christ.

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