Who here has read Dante's Inferno?

Question

In case you haven't, it's a story of a man's guided tour through hell, where hell has many layers depending on how bad the sin was.

It's a fascinating look at which sins were considered worse in Dante's day, and it may not agree with today's ideals. For example, the Gluttonous (sinning regarding excesses of food & wine) were considered to be worse than the Lustful (sins regarding sex & adultery).

If you have a second, what rank-order would you give to various types of sin? Begin with the lowest threshold thing you think would get in you thrown into hell, and work up to the worst.

and if you have more time to waste, take this test and see what layer of hell YOU belong in! (it's actually fun)

http://www.4degreez.com/misc/dante-inferno-test.mv

Answer 1

My boyfriend has the book, but I have yet to read it. I took the test and here are my results: Looks like I'm really ******!


The wretched King Minos has decided your fate. His tale wraps around his body 7 times.
The sweet light no longer strikes against your eyes. Your shade has been banished to... the Seventh Level of Hell!
Seventh Level of Hell

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Guarded by the Minotaur, who snarls in fury, and encircled within the river Phlegethon, filled with boiling blood, is the Seventh Level of Hell. The violent, the assasins, the tyrants, and the war-mongers lament their pitiless mischiefs in the river, while centaurs armed with bows and arrows shoot those who try to escape their punishment. The stench here is overpowering. This level is also home to the wood of the suicides- stunted and gnarled trees with twisting branches and poisoned fruit. At the time of final judgement, their bodies will hang from their branches. In those branches the Harpies, foul birdlike creatures with human faces, make their nests. Beyond the wood is scorching sand where those who committed violence against God and nature are showered with flakes of fire that rain down against their naked bodies. Blasphemers and sodomites writhe in pain, their tongues more loosed to lamentation, and out of their eyes gushes forth their woe. Usurers, who followed neither nature nor art, also share company in the Seventh Level.


Here is how you matched up against all the levels:
(Click on a level for more info)
Level Who are sent there? Score
Purgatory Repenting Believers Very Low
Level 1 - Limbo Virtuous Non-Believers Very Low
Level 2 Lustful Very High
Level 3 Gluttonous High
Level 4 Prodigal and Avaricious Moderate
Level 5 Wrathful and Gloomy Extreme
Level 6 - The City of Dis Heretics Extreme
Level 7 Violent Extreme
Level 8- the Malebolge Fraudulent, Malicious, Panderers Very High
Level 9 - Cocytus Treacherous Very High

Answer 2

I read the Inferno in college many years ago. We had a discussion on why gluttony was worse than lust and came up with the fact that since food was harder to grow and come by in that time period without modern agricultural techniques that having too much while others had not enough was the greater sin than getting a leg up....

I don't have time to list all the sins because I think if you look hard enough practically anything can get you thrown into Hell.. at least according to what I was told when I was growing up (gotta love those fire and brimstone preachers....).

As far as taking that test, I'll do that later this afternoon when I get home.. it's 3 AM and I gotta jet.... time for work.

Answer 3

I've read parts of it. (The juicy parts, of course. Heaven is booooring.) The lowest ring I believe is Satan chewing on three of Dante's favorite jerks.

Rank order for sin? Well, I think stupidity should be way down there, especially if they have the ability to educate themselves and choose not to.

"Those that know not, and know they know not, they are ignorant. Teach them. Those that know not and don't know they know not, they are fools. Ignore them. Those that know, and know they know, they are wise. Follow them."

There are of course heinous crimes committed by humans, the list is long and undistinguished. TV Evangelists ought to be down there somewhere. Rapists, murderers, liars, thieves, mean people, there's a place for all in that wishful-thinking imaginary place.

To forgive is divine, but I can only "forgive" so much. Maybe it's all a joke and every last human on earth that ever lived and died will all get together and have a good laugh over it all. As long as I'm dreaming, I'd like a Lear jet.

Answer 4

I have I liked it to, it's said to be the greatest poem ever written. I like how angels have power over the demons in hell and Satan suffers worse that anything else there. Also it's cool how they salute each other. :)

A far as order of sins Atheist suffer the least which makes sense because they can't be judged on something they don't believe in, that also makes me think there is a good chance of there being a God because that's too intelligent for humans to think of. Worst of sinners are traitors to God, they reside with Satan himself.

The only sin I feel I could suffer for is lust, forever blown by strong winds.

Answer 5

Lets see the seven are Pride, vanity, lust, gluttony, and I can't remember the rest. I have read "Dante's Inferno", and I even have the message above the gates of hell over my front door. "Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here".

Answer 6

You know I remember that book. I read it in junior college and that was about thirty years ago. It really made an impact on me, I thought it very interesting. I think the one thing I remember most was where he had the suicides; their punishment wasn't anything more than being separated from God for all eternity.

I'm sure glad I came into contact with the bible.

Answer 7

I've read it. Fine literature. Interesting theology based in part on the 7 days of creation. It is, also, by the way, a fine introduction to modern Italian.

Answer 8

The wretched King Minos has decided your fate. His tale wraps around his body 2 times. The sweet light no longer strikes against your eyes. Your shade has been banished to... the Second Level of Hell! >>Amusing test; some people.

Answer 9

Yes, I read it in college..

My order of sins:
Wrath
Lust
Greed
Envy
Gluttony
Pride
Sloth

(Learned by watching Full Metal Alchemist...)

I took the test:

Sixth Level of Hell - The City of Dis

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You approach Satan's wretched city where you behold a wide plain surrounded by iron walls. Before you are fields full of distress and torment terrible. Burning tombs are littered about the landscape. Inside these flaming sepulchers suffer the heretics, failing to believe in God and the afterlife, who make themselves audible by doleful sighs. You will join the wicked that lie here, and will be offered no respite. The three infernal Furies stained with blood, with limbs of women and hair of serpents, dwell in this circle of Hell.

Answer 10

LOL! I've taken that test before! It's awesome! I usually end up in Limbo.