The Inferno:The Inferno:Screaming as They Go: Screaming as They Go: Circles Four and Five Circles Four and Five

(The Hoarders and Wasters / (The Hoarders and Wasters / The Wrathful and Sullen)The Wrathful and Sullen)

FeracoFeraco

Myth to Science FictionMyth to Science Fiction

14 November 201214 November 2012

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 Prodigality; just Also referred to as Avarice and Prodigality; just

as Dante elevated lust above gluttony, he chooses to as Dante elevated lust above gluttony, he chooses to place financial avarice and prodigality below place financial avarice and prodigality below consumptionconsumption

Timothy 6:10 claims avarice is "the root of all Timothy 6:10 claims avarice is "the root of all evils,” and Raffa asserts that “medieval Christian evils,” and Raffa asserts that “medieval Christian thought viewed the sin as most offensive to the spirit thought viewed the sin as most offensive to the spirit of love.”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 wisely.invested 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 gripping explicitly blames avarice for the corruption gripping his city.his city.

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

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 repeatedly.another as they charge and collide repeatedly.

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

Also, Dante notes that he can’t recognize Also, Dante notes that he can’t recognize any of them individually; the combination of any of them individually; the combination of anger and empty greed has dimmed their souls anger and empty greed has dimmed their souls so greatly that there’s nothing much left of them.so greatly that 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 here.officials – 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 Hell!” be; some translators take Virgil’s “you wolf of Hell!” statement literally and give him canine features, a la statement literally and give him canine features, a la Cerberus, while others claim he’s human.Cerberus, while others claim he’s human.

Dante seems to be splitting the difference, Dante seems to be splitting the difference, giving him speech while rendering him incapable of giving him speech while rendering him incapable of delivering it in a fully human language.delivering it in a fully human language.

His anger seems animalistic, hinting yet again His anger seems animalistic, hinting yet again at our darker nature – a nature faith enables us to at our darker nature – a nature faith enables us to supress.supress.

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 in represent; Pluto was the Lord of the Underworld in many myths, whereas Plutus was simply a God of many myths, whereas Plutus was simply a God of Wealth.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,” as he’s called in Ciardi’s “the great enemy,” as he’s called in Ciardi’s translation.translation.

FortuneFortune

Dante believed that everything you did Dante believed that everything you did came back to you in the end, particularly due to came back to you in the end, particularly due to divine influence; divine influence; The Inferno’sThe Inferno’s system of divinely- system of divinely-governed poetic justice makes this perfectly governed poetic justice makes this perfectly clear.clear.

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

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

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

FortuneFortune Boethius’s Boethius’s Consolation of Philosophy,Consolation of Philosophy, which which

Dante read following Beatrice’s death, clearly Dante read following Beatrice’s death, clearly inspires Dante’s use of Fortune, although the inspires Dante’s use of Fortune, although the former’s is more negative: He believed you former’s is more negative: He believed you should ignore what Fortune brings you, should ignore what Fortune brings you, concentrating instead on what you knew to be concentrating instead on what you knew to be permanent and certain (divine love and justice, permanent and certain (divine love and justice, for example).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, freedom. (This everything – possessions, honor, freedom. (This obviously would have more relevance for Dante obviously would have more relevance for Dante in the years in the years afterafter he first read the book!) he first read the book!)

He eventually argues that the easiest way He eventually argues that the easiest way to learn his lesson about Fortune is to experience to 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 and permanent is worthwhile.the immutable and permanent is worthwhile.

Wrath and SullennessWrath and Sullenness

It’s interesting that both the Fourth and It’s interesting that both the Fourth and Fifth Circles contain linked sins; that said, Fifth Circles contain linked sins; that said, they’re linked in different ways.they’re linked in different ways.

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

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

The PunishmentThe Punishment

The Wrathful and the Sullen occupy the The Wrathful and the Sullen occupy the Styx’s swamp-waters together.Styx’s swamp-waters together.

The Wrathful are locked in an endless, The Wrathful are locked in an endless, desperate physical battle above the water, one in desperate physical battle above the water, one in which every soul fights the others; they can only which every soul fights the others; they can only see and do hateful things.see and do hateful things.

The Sullen lie beneath the water, gurgling The Sullen lie beneath the water, gurgling out something approaching a hymn – a darkly out something approaching a hymn – a darkly ironic twist, considering that Dante believes they ironic 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 The water over their heads symbolizes the anger they internalized, using it to distance anger they internalized, using it to distance themselves from God.themselves from God.

StyxStyx

Styx was long used in mythology as Styx was long used in mythology as Hell’s major river, although it turns up Hell’s 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 As usual, Dante’s descriptions are more physically realistic than his more physically realistic than his predecessors’.predecessors’.

Dante turns it into a swamp here in Dante turns it into a swamp here in order to heighten the sense that we’re order 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 Like Acheron, Styx doubles as a border; it separates Upper Hell from Dis, border; it separates Upper Hell from Dis, the Walled City of Lower Hell.the Walled City 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 Just like the other figures we’ve encountered – Minos as the last vanguard of encountered – Minos as the last vanguard of Reason, Cerberus as Gluttony personified, and Reason, Cerberus as Gluttony personified, and Plutus as the representation of Financial Avarice Plutus as the representation of Financial Avarice – Phlegyas is associated with his realm’s sin (in – Phlegyas is associated with his realm’s sin (in this case, uncontrollable wrath).this case, uncontrollable wrath).

That said, he’s angry for a reason; not only That said, he’s angry for a reason; not only is he the son of the old war god (Ares), but is he the son of the old war god (Ares), but another god, Apollo, raped his daughter.another god, Apollo, raped his daughter.

The furious father burned Apollo’s temple to The furious father burned Apollo’s temple to the ground, and was promptly slain by him.the ground, and was promptly slain by him.

He was then cast down to Hell for showing He was then cast down to Hell for showing contempt for the gods; this is where Virgil shows contempt for the gods; this is where Virgil shows him in him in The Aeneid.The 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 to react so happily to the sight of a soul being torn to shreds.shreds.

Virgil often has to rebuke Dante for showing Virgil often has to rebuke Dante for showing compassion for the sinners he encounters (after all, compassion for the sinners he encounters (after all, he’s supposed to be recognizing and he’s supposed to be recognizing and rejectingrejecting sin), so sin), so the elder man approves of Dante’s hate.the elder man approves 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 at to the Neri faction (which would have placed him at odds with Dante).odds with Dante).

Some critics suggest that Argenti had wronged Some critics suggest that Argenti had wronged Dante in the past somehow, proposing that Argenti’s Dante in the past somehow, proposing that Argenti’s brother took possession of Dante’s property after his brother took possession of Dante’s property after his exile, or that Filippo himself had slapped Dante exile, or that Filippo himself had slapped Dante during an argument.during an argument.

Boccaccio just shows him beating someone Boccaccio just shows him beating someone without cause in order to highlight his violent temper.without cause in order to highlight his violent temper.

The Rebellious AngelsThe Rebellious Angels

The Rebellious Angels plummeted The Rebellious Angels plummeted into Hell after choosing the wrong side in into Hell after choosing the wrong side in the great battle between God and Satan the great battle between God and Satan (this separates them from the Angels who (this 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 monsters.into monsters.

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

The ResistanceThe Resistance

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

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

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

In ConclusionIn Conclusion

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

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

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