Circle 7 (The Violent People)

Circle 7

Round 1

The Violent Against Neighbors (Murderers and Warlords and George Bush)

"These were the kings of bloodshed and despoilment. Here they pay for their ferocity."


The is another moment where in my opinion, the punishment doesn't fit the crime. Why does Dante seem to find Violence just a little bit worse then heresy? In my Inferno, murders would very close to the bottom of hell. These guys aren't even near the final circle! How are thieves and liars worse than murders and warlords? What was the norm back in his day? Were people killed that often, because to killers should be punished and considered much worse then they are in the Inferno. These guys only have to sit in boiling blood up to where their guilt allows them wile liars are being ripped apart by demons with hooks and then boiled in a lake of glue! That is soo not fair!



Round 2

The Violent Against Themselves

"I was born in the city that tore down Mars and raised the Baptist."

I really did not understand this quote. I knew Mars was a metaphor but for what? So I look at the notes and here's what they think, the city of which he speaks is Florence. Mars was the first patron of the city when the city converted to Christianity. They tore down his statue and biult a church on top of his temple. It was cool to find that out. Personally, I think Dante's Inferno is great if your a history lover. It gives a lot of first person insight into some famous and legendary characters from the past.



Round 3

The Violent Against God, Nature, and Art

"Love of that land that was our common source moved me to tears; I gathered up the leaves and gave them back."


Ok, Dante. Pretty much he's saying that he wouldn't have felt sorry for the sinner ifit hadn't been form the same place. Dante is must really love his city because he mentions it so many times in his book. Florence, Florence, Florence. Matter of fact, most of the people that he talks to or about are from Florence. He is very much a patriot to his land. He probably saved himself from being shunned by his own peers by constantly mentioning Florence. Its just like if I had wrote a book about George Bush going to hell but every few sentences I would stop to say " I love America!" Its funny. At least to me.


Round 3

Violence Against Nature


"Ser Brunettto are you here?"


Poor Brunetto, from what the notes said, Brunetto was a writer who Dante really looked up to. What they aren't able to understand, which I can't understand either is why he is in hell. The thing is there was never any written evidence of him ever being guilty of sodomy. No rumors no nothing, so exactly what is Dante getting at by putting Brunetto here? Its really weird. if Dante was still alive this is probably something I would ask him about. By he way this might really piss off some people today. In the SEVENTH circle of hell guess who's there, Sodomites (anyone who has any type of sex besides vaginal sex which is basically more than half of the planet).


Round 3


Violence Against Nature and Art


" Do as they ask" he said "For these are forms to whom respect is due."


This was a real eye opener, This is the first time since the outer rings of hell that Dante has ever been told to respect any of the Dead souls living there. Why do certain souls still have enough clout to deserve respect in hell. That does send out a good message, respect others wheter they deserve it or not because normally we wouldn't expect people to be treated with respect in hell of all places.



Violence Against Art

"From each neck there hung an enormous purse, each marked with its own beast and its own colors like a coat of arms."

I at first didn't really catch on to the fact that the purses were coats of arms that represented feuding families. I wonder now if Romeo and Juliets family would have been included among those sinners. However I wouldn't consider that so ba that it was in the final circles of violence. I would think that violence against God would come last if anything. This is once again another example of Dante's different approac to certain sins.