Screaming as They Go: Circles Screaming as They Go: Circles Four and Five (The Hoarders Four and Five (The Hoarders and Wasters / The Wrathful and Wasters / The Wrathful

and Sullen)and Sullen)

FeracoFeraco

Myth to Science FictionMyth to Science Fiction

28 November 201128 November 2011

Canto VII: Data FileCanto VII: Data File• Settings: The Fourth and Fifth CirclesSettings: The Fourth and Fifth Circles• Figures: Plutus, FortuneFigures: Plutus, Fortune• Allusions: StyxAllusions: Styx• Punishable Sins: Hoarding and Wasting (Fourth Punishable Sins: Hoarding and Wasting (Fourth

Circle), Wrath and Sullenness (Fifth Circle)Circle), Wrath and Sullenness (Fifth Circle)• Summary: After leaving the Third Circle, the Poets Summary: After leaving the Third Circle, the Poets

encounter Plutus, who shouts an unintelligible encounter Plutus, who shouts an unintelligible warning to Satan upon seeing them. Virgil silences warning to Satan upon seeing them. Virgil silences him by reminding him of God’s will, recalling the him by reminding him of God’s will, recalling the poets’ escape from Charon and Minos. Dante sees poets’ escape from Charon and Minos. Dante sees men fighting over great stones, and realizes that men fighting over great stones, and realizes that these men grew obsessed with money – either their these men grew obsessed with money – either their ability to hoard it or waste it. None of them are even ability to hoard it or waste it. None of them are even recognizable, and the poets move toward Styx as recognizable, and the poets move toward Styx as Virgil discusses Fortune’s purpose. When they arrive, Virgil discusses Fortune’s purpose. When they arrive, Dante witnesses a ferocious, unending battle between Dante witnesses a ferocious, unending battle between the Wrathful; the Sullen lie beneath the swamp’s the Wrathful; the Sullen lie beneath the swamp’s surface, denied the light of day forever.surface, denied the light of day forever.

Hoarding and WastingHoarding and Wasting• Also referred to as Avarice and ProdigalityAlso referred to as Avarice and Prodigality• Just as Dante elevated lust above gluttony, he Just as Dante elevated lust above gluttony, he

chooses to place financial avarice and prodigality chooses to place financial avarice and prodigality below consumptionbelow consumption– Timothy 6:10 claims avarice is "the root of all evils,” Timothy 6:10 claims avarice is "the root of all evils,”

and Raffa asserts that “medieval Christian thought and Raffa asserts that “medieval Christian thought viewed the sin as most offensive to the spirit of love”viewed the sin as most offensive to the spirit of love”

– At least with consumption, someone benefits At least with consumption, someone benefits (temporarily); no one benefits from obsessive (temporarily); no one benefits from obsessive miserliness, nor from money wasted rather than miserliness, nor from money wasted rather than invested or spent wiselyinvested or spent wisely

• Just as he compared man’s hunger for political Just as he compared man’s hunger for political power with gluttony via Ciacco’s prophecy, Dante power with gluttony via Ciacco’s prophecy, Dante explicitly blames avarice for the corruption explicitly blames avarice for the corruption gripping his citygripping his city

• Unlike his fairly sympathetic portrayals of sinners Unlike his fairly sympathetic portrayals of sinners in the first three circles (Homer, Francesca, in the first three circles (Homer, Francesca, Ciacco), Dante merely scorns the sinners we find Ciacco), Dante merely scorns the sinners we find herehere

The PunishmentThe Punishment• The Fourth Circle’s punishment is shared by The Fourth Circle’s punishment is shared by

Hoarders and Wasters alike; both parties strain Hoarders and Wasters alike; both parties strain against giant rocks, yelling angrily at one against giant rocks, yelling angrily at one another as they charge and collide repeatedlyanother as they charge and collide repeatedly

• The rocks symbolize the mundane nature of the The rocks symbolize the mundane nature of the things the sinners obsessed over; now that things the sinners obsessed over; now that obsession is just dead weightobsession is just dead weight

• Also, Dante notes that he can’t recognize any of Also, Dante notes that he can’t recognize any of them individually; the combination of anger and them individually; the combination of anger and empty greed has dimmed their souls so greatly empty greed has dimmed their souls so greatly that there’s nothing much left of themthat there’s nothing much left of them

• In order to drive home his view that Greed In order to drive home his view that Greed destroys the light of God within a person, Dante destroys the light of God within a person, Dante takes special care to note how many religious takes special care to note how many religious officials – even popes! – appear hereofficials – even popes! – appear here

PlutusPlutus• It’s not clear what Plutus is exactly supposed to It’s not clear what Plutus is exactly supposed to

be; some translators take Virgil’s “you wolf of be; some translators take Virgil’s “you wolf of Hell!” statement literally and give him canine Hell!” statement literally and give him canine features, while others claim he’s humanfeatures, while others claim he’s human– Dante seems to be splitting the difference, giving him Dante seems to be splitting the difference, giving him

speech while rendering him incapable of delivering it in speech while rendering him incapable of delivering it in a fully human languagea fully human language

– His anger seems animalistic, hinting yet again at our His anger seems animalistic, hinting yet again at our darker naturedarker nature

• Also, it’s not clear which god he’s supposed to Also, it’s not clear which god he’s supposed to represent; Pluto was the Lord of the Underworld represent; Pluto was the Lord of the Underworld in many myths, whereas Plutus was simply a God in many myths, whereas Plutus was simply a God of Wealthof Wealth

• Dante seems to be fusing Pluto’s ability to rule Dante seems to be fusing Pluto’s ability to rule with Plutus’s traditional status, thus creating a with Plutus’s traditional status, thus creating a creature who hungers for both power creature who hungers for both power andand wealth wealth – “the great enemy”– “the great enemy”

FortuneFortune• Dante believed that everything you did came Dante believed that everything you did came

back to you in the end, particularly due to divine back to you in the end, particularly due to divine influence; influence; The Inferno’sThe Inferno’s system of divinely- system of divinely-governed poetic justice makes this perfectly governed poetic justice makes this perfectly clearclear

• However, what about what happens along the However, what about what happens along the way?way?

• Dante elevates Fortune above the fray of the Dante elevates Fortune above the fray of the mortal world, painting her as a distributor; just mortal world, painting her as a distributor; just as God distributes light and goodness throughout as God distributes light and goodness throughout creation, Fortune distributes worldly goodscreation, Fortune distributes worldly goods

• She is, in many ways, impossible for mortals to She is, in many ways, impossible for mortals to understand (think understand (think Gilgamesh’sGilgamesh’s divinities) divinities)

FortuneFortune• Boethius' Boethius' Consolation of Philosophy,Consolation of Philosophy, which Dante which Dante

read following Beatrice’s death, clearly inspires read following Beatrice’s death, clearly inspires Dante’s use of Fortune, although the former’s is Dante’s use of Fortune, although the former’s is more negativemore negative

• He believed you should ignore what Fortune He believed you should ignore what Fortune brings you, concentrating instead on what you brings you, concentrating instead on what you knew to be permanent and certain (divine love knew to be permanent and certain (divine love and justice, for example)and justice, for example)

• Boethius illustrates this in Boethius illustrates this in ConsolationConsolation by by showing himself as he’s gradually stripped of showing himself as he’s gradually stripped of everything – possessions, honor, freedomeverything – possessions, honor, freedom– This obviously would have more relevance for Dante in This obviously would have more relevance for Dante in

the years the years afterafter he read the book! he read the book!• He eventually argues that the easiest way to He eventually argues that the easiest way to

learn his lesson about Fortune is to experience learn his lesson about Fortune is to experience bad luck, for there is no better teacher that only bad luck, for there is no better teacher that only the immutable is worthwhilethe immutable is worthwhile

Wrath and SullennessWrath and Sullenness• It’s interesting that both the Fourth and Fifth It’s interesting that both the Fourth and Fifth

Circles contain linked sins; that said, they’re Circles contain linked sins; that said, they’re linked in different wayslinked in different ways

• The Hoarders and Wasters have different sins, The Hoarders and Wasters have different sins, but they sin according to the same principle but they sin according to the same principle (their attitudes toward material wealth are (their attitudes toward material wealth are corrupt); this is why their punishments are corrupt); this is why their punishments are identicalidentical

• The Wrathful and the Sullen, on the other hand, The Wrathful and the Sullen, on the other hand, embody the embody the samesame sin, but in different forms: sin, but in different forms: anger that’s expressed immoderately (the anger that’s expressed immoderately (the Wrathful) and anger that’s harmfully repressed Wrathful) and anger that’s harmfully repressed (the Sullen); this is why their punishments differ, (the Sullen); this is why their punishments differ, even though they live in the same areaeven though they live in the same area

The PunishmentThe Punishment• The Wrathful and the Sullen occupy the Styx’s The Wrathful and the Sullen occupy the Styx’s

swamp-waters togetherswamp-waters together• The Wrathful are locked in an endless, desperate The Wrathful are locked in an endless, desperate

physical battle in which every soul fights the physical battle in which every soul fights the others; they can only see and do hateful thingsothers; they can only see and do hateful things

• The Sullen lie beneath the water, gurgling out The Sullen lie beneath the water, gurgling out something approaching a hymn – a darkly ironic something approaching a hymn – a darkly ironic twist, considering that Dante believes they twist, considering that Dante believes they wasted the light of God within themselves by wasted the light of God within themselves by sulking (rather than celebrating their fortune in sulking (rather than celebrating their fortune in life)life)

• The water over their heads symbolizes the anger The water over their heads symbolizes the anger they internalized, using it to distance themselves they internalized, using it to distance themselves from Godfrom God

StyxStyx• Styx was long used in mythology as Hell’s Styx was long used in mythology as Hell’s

major river, although it turns up major river, although it turns up elsewhere as a marsh or swamp (Virgil did elsewhere as a marsh or swamp (Virgil did this in this in The AeneidThe Aeneid))

• As usual, Dante’s descriptions are more As usual, Dante’s descriptions are more physically realistic than his predecessors’physically realistic than his predecessors’

• Dante turns it into a swamp here in order Dante turns it into a swamp here in order to heighten the sense that we’re to heighten the sense that we’re encountering corrupted morality; here, encountering corrupted morality; here, the swamp the swamp isis the Fifth Circle the Fifth Circle

• Like Acheron, Styx doubles as a border; it Like Acheron, Styx doubles as a border; it separates Upper Hell from Dis, the Walled separates Upper Hell from Dis, the Walled City of Lower HellCity of Lower Hell

Canto VIII: Data FileCanto VIII: Data File• Settings: The Fifth Circle, Styx, and DisSettings: The Fifth Circle, Styx, and Dis• Figures: Phlegyas, Filippo Argenti, Rebellious AngelsFigures: Phlegyas, Filippo Argenti, Rebellious Angels• Allusions: The Harrowing of HellAllusions: The Harrowing of Hell• Punishable Sins: Wrath and Sullenness (Fifth Circle); Punishable Sins: Wrath and Sullenness (Fifth Circle);

unofficially, the denial of God’s will also countsunofficially, the denial of God’s will also counts• Summary: As the poets watch great flames shoot up Summary: As the poets watch great flames shoot up

from towers on the other side of Styx, Phlegyas races from towers on the other side of Styx, Phlegyas races across the marsh in order to shuttle them over to Dis. across the marsh in order to shuttle them over to Dis. He’s angry to see a mortal in Hell (yet He’s angry to see a mortal in Hell (yet another another Threshold Guardian!), but Virgil deals with him in the Threshold Guardian!), but Virgil deals with him in the usual fashion. One member of the Wrathful, Filippo usual fashion. One member of the Wrathful, Filippo Argenti, approaches the poets, but he’s set upon and Argenti, approaches the poets, but he’s set upon and torn apart by his fellow sinners (to Dante’s delight). torn apart by his fellow sinners (to Dante’s delight). When the poets reach the gate of Dis, they’re denied When the poets reach the gate of Dis, they’re denied entrance by the Rebellious Angels, and even Virgil entrance by the Rebellious Angels, and even Virgil can’t force his way past them; the Canto ends with can’t force his way past them; the Canto ends with the poets nervously awaiting divine intervention from the poets nervously awaiting divine intervention from a Messenger.a Messenger.

PhlegyasPhlegyas• Just like the other figures we’ve encountered – Just like the other figures we’ve encountered –

Minos as the last vanguard of Reason, Cerberus Minos as the last vanguard of Reason, Cerberus as Gluttony personified, and Plutus as the as Gluttony personified, and Plutus as the representation of Financial Avarice – Phlegyas is representation of Financial Avarice – Phlegyas is associated with his realm’s sin (in this case, associated with his realm’s sin (in this case, uncontrollable wrath)uncontrollable wrath)

• That said, he’s angry for a reason; not only is he That said, he’s angry for a reason; not only is he the son of the old war god (Ares), but another the son of the old war god (Ares), but another god, Apollo, raped his daughtergod, Apollo, raped his daughter– The furious father burned Apollo’s temple to the ground, The furious father burned Apollo’s temple to the ground,

and was promptly slain by himand was promptly slain by him– He was then cast down to Hell for showing contempt for He was then cast down to Hell for showing contempt for

the gods; this is where Virgil shows him in the gods; this is where Virgil shows him in The AeneidThe Aeneid

Filippo ArgentiFilippo Argenti• It’s not clear why Dante hates Filippo Argenti so It’s not clear why Dante hates Filippo Argenti so

deeply, and it’s a little unsettling to see the poet deeply, and it’s a little unsettling to see the poet react so happily to the sight of a soul being torn react so happily to the sight of a soul being torn to shredsto shreds– Virgil often has to rebuke Dante for showing compassion Virgil often has to rebuke Dante for showing compassion

for the sinners he encounters (after all, he’s supposed for the sinners he encounters (after all, he’s supposed to be recognizing and to be recognizing and rejectingrejecting sin), so the elder man sin), so the elder man approves of Dante’s hateapproves of Dante’s hate

• We know little about him, save that he belonged We know little about him, save that he belonged to the Neri faction (which would have placed him to the Neri faction (which would have placed him at odds with Dante)at odds with Dante)

• Some critics suggest that Argenti had wronged Some critics suggest that Argenti had wronged Dante in the past somehow, proposing that Dante in the past somehow, proposing that Argenti’s brother took possession of Dante’s Argenti’s brother took possession of Dante’s property after his exile, or that Filippo himself property after his exile, or that Filippo himself had slapped Dante during an argumenthad slapped Dante during an argument– Boccaccio just shows him beating someone in order to Boccaccio just shows him beating someone in order to

highlight his violent temperhighlight his violent temper

The Rebellious AngelsThe Rebellious Angels• The Rebellious Angels plummeted into The Rebellious Angels plummeted into

Hell after choosing the wrong side in the Hell after choosing the wrong side in the great battle between God and Satan (this great battle between God and Satan (this separates them from the Angels who separates them from the Angels who chose no sides, who ended up in the chose no sides, who ended up in the Vestibule)Vestibule)

• All traces of their former beauty have All traces of their former beauty have been erased; now they’re simply hideous, been erased; now they’re simply hideous, transformed by their wrath and hatred transformed by their wrath and hatred into monstersinto monsters

• They lie in wait outside of Dis (the walled They lie in wait outside of Dis (the walled city of Lower Hell), trying to stop the city of Lower Hell), trying to stop the poets from entering; it’s reminiscent of poets from entering; it’s reminiscent of their failed resistance to Christ during the their failed resistance to Christ during the Harrowing of HellHarrowing of Hell

The ResistanceThe Resistance

• In theory, the Rebellious Angels don’t In theory, the Rebellious Angels don’t have the right to deny Dante and Virgil have the right to deny Dante and Virgil entrance to Dis; God’s will still reigns entrance to Dis; God’s will still reigns supreme heresupreme here

• However, these beings ended up where However, these beings ended up where they are because they habitually resist they are because they habitually resist God; it’s not like they haven’t done things God; it’s not like they haven’t done things like this beforelike this before

• What’s surprising is how troubled Virgil What’s surprising is how troubled Virgil seems; the end of the Canto leaves seems; the end of the Canto leaves readers worried and tensereaders worried and tense

In ConclusionIn Conclusion

• Circles Four and Five close out our Circles Four and Five close out our experiences with the Sins of the She-experiences with the Sins of the She-Wolf, although we can (and will) Wolf, although we can (and will) lump the Heretics in with themlump the Heretics in with them

• As we approach Dis, Dante’s travels As we approach Dis, Dante’s travels through Hell slow markedly; there’s through Hell slow markedly; there’s more time for conversation and more time for conversation and encountersencounters

• None of these sins are “light” – but None of these sins are “light” – but we’re about to get we’re about to get seriousserious