What Evil Marked the HourWhat Evil Marked the Hour

FeracoFeracoMyth to Science FictionMyth to Science Fiction

7 December 20117 December 2011

Circle EightCircle Eight

• There are two types of fraud, with many There are two types of fraud, with many other sub-types: Simple Fraud (Circle 8) other sub-types: Simple Fraud (Circle 8) and Compound Fraud (Circle 9)and Compound Fraud (Circle 9)

• The two types are separated by the The two types are separated by the sinner’s relation to his victim, with sinner’s relation to his victim, with Compound Fraud referring to betrayal, i.e. Compound Fraud referring to betrayal, i.e. Fraud that violates those with special ties Fraud that violates those with special ties to the sinner, and works particularly well to the sinner, and works particularly well thanks to those ties (the victim lowers thanks to those ties (the victim lowers their guard)their guard)

Circle EightCircle Eight

• Special ties include relatives, Special ties include relatives, political/civic comrades, trusted political/civic comrades, trusted friends, guests, and friends, guests, and masters/benefactorsmasters/benefactors

• While Dante believes we all share a While Dante believes we all share a bond given to us by God – human bond given to us by God – human being to human being – none of the being to human being – none of the other victim/sinner relationships are other victim/sinner relationships are strong enough to count as Compound strong enough to count as Compound FraudFraud

Circle EightCircle Eight

• Remember Dante’s reason for Remember Dante’s reason for viewing fraud as the worst of the viewing fraud as the worst of the Three-Beast Sins: only humans Three-Beast Sins: only humans commit itcommit it

• Moreover, Dante was not merely a Moreover, Dante was not merely a religious man; he was also a creature religious man; he was also a creature of human reasonof human reason

Circle EightCircle Eight

• Fraud is always the corruption of Fraud is always the corruption of reason, both on the part of the victim reason, both on the part of the victim (believing something he shouldn’t) (believing something he shouldn’t) and the liar (using their knowledge to and the liar (using their knowledge to their perverse advantage)their perverse advantage)

• Therefore, fraud results in the Therefore, fraud results in the combined corruption of God, reason, combined corruption of God, reason, and the human spiritand the human spirit

MalebolgeMalebolge

• Malebolge retains the circular structure of Malebolge retains the circular structure of the other circles, but it’s a multi-level the other circles, but it’s a multi-level realm – think movie theatre seating, which realm – think movie theatre seating, which slopes downward fairly dramaticallyslopes downward fairly dramatically

• The series of stone ditches (ten in all) are The series of stone ditches (ten in all) are connected along the slope by a series of connected along the slope by a series of stone bridgesstone bridges

• Male = bad; bolge = series of bolgia = Male = bad; bolge = series of bolgia = pouch and ditchpouch and ditch

MalebolgeMalebolge

• The Bolgia were ditches full of bad The Bolgia were ditches full of bad people, to the point that they’re people, to the point that they’re almost swollen with sinners – hence almost swollen with sinners – hence the ditch/pouch dual meaningthe ditch/pouch dual meaning

• The poets will use the bridges to The poets will use the bridges to descend to the Central Pit of descend to the Central Pit of Malebolge, where they’ll encounter Malebolge, where they’ll encounter the Giantsthe Giants

DegradationDegradation• The first two ditches present the poets with The first two ditches present the poets with

images of degraded sexuality, but degradation in images of degraded sexuality, but degradation in particular links the Bolgia as we move down the particular links the Bolgia as we move down the bridgesbridges

• The degradation results not just from presenting The degradation results not just from presenting a false face to a trusting world (thus violating the a false face to a trusting world (thus violating the divine connection between individuals), but from divine connection between individuals), but from essentially trying to upset the natural balance of essentially trying to upset the natural balance of power by trading what shouldn’t be traded – sex, power by trading what shouldn’t be traded – sex, honor, God, power – in order to garner more honor, God, power – in order to garner more influence over their worldinfluence over their world

• Remember the Usurers? They made “bad trades Remember the Usurers? They made “bad trades as well” – thus linking Circle Seven with Circle as well” – thus linking Circle Seven with Circle EightEight

Bolgia OneBolgia One

• In Bolgia One, In Bolgia One, PanderersPanderers were pimps, many of were pimps, many of whom pitched their family members to powerful whom pitched their family members to powerful figures in order to curry influence, while figures in order to curry influence, while SeducersSeducers used others for sexual purposes with no real used others for sexual purposes with no real intention of committing to their partnersintention of committing to their partners– The two groups walk on either side of the ditch in The two groups walk on either side of the ditch in

opposite directions, while horned demons lash at them opposite directions, while horned demons lash at them to keep them walkingto keep them walking

– The lashing fits because both groups goaded others in The lashing fits because both groups goaded others in order to benefit themselves, driving others in life as they order to benefit themselves, driving others in life as they are now driven in death (with the demons representing are now driven in death (with the demons representing the sinners’ guilty consciences)the sinners’ guilty consciences)

Bolgia TwoBolgia Two

• In Bolgia Two, In Bolgia Two, FlattersFlatters merely spouted merely spouted worthless words – the equivalent of the worthless words – the equivalent of the excrement they wallow in – but one figure, excrement they wallow in – but one figure, Thais, links back to the sex-based Thais, links back to the sex-based debasement of Bolgia Onedebasement of Bolgia One

• She was a prostitute who supposedly used She was a prostitute who supposedly used flattery to maintain a relationship with one flattery to maintain a relationship with one member of her clientele (Thais actually member of her clientele (Thais actually didn’t do so; Dante just misread a passage didn’t do so; Dante just misread a passage from Cicero)from Cicero)

Bolgia ThreeBolgia Three• Even the Even the SimoniacsSimoniacs in Bolgia Three – corrupt religious in Bolgia Three – corrupt religious

officials who sold ecclesiastic favors and offices in order to officials who sold ecclesiastic favors and offices in order to enhance their material wealth and earthly influence – serve enhance their material wealth and earthly influence – serve as pimps, albeit of a spiritual sort, prostituting the church as pimps, albeit of a spiritual sort, prostituting the church while pretending to act in the name of divine lovewhile pretending to act in the name of divine love

• Here, the sinners are placed upside down in tubes, round Here, the sinners are placed upside down in tubes, round holes meant to recall baptismal fontsholes meant to recall baptismal fonts

• Their feet are coated in oil and set on fire, with the Their feet are coated in oil and set on fire, with the temperature of the flame corresponding to the gravity of temperature of the flame corresponding to the gravity of their sinstheir sins

• None of the sinners get to stay in the tubes; as new sinners None of the sinners get to stay in the tubes; as new sinners arrive, the old sinners are shunted into crevices in the rock arrive, the old sinners are shunted into crevices in the rock below, where they’ll be sealed in, upside down, foreverbelow, where they’ll be sealed in, upside down, forever

Bolgia ThreeBolgia Three• They’re upside down because they reversed the duties of They’re upside down because they reversed the duties of

the office (always be good and honorable), and set on fire the office (always be good and honorable), and set on fire in order to draw a cruel distinction between a sinner’s in order to draw a cruel distinction between a sinner’s baptism in life (water) and in death (fire) baptism in life (water) and in death (fire)

• The oil on their feet mocks the oil used while performing The oil on their feet mocks the oil used while performing the Last Rites for the Dying; this is the last experience the Last Rites for the Dying; this is the last experience (outside of their eternal imprisonment in the rock) that (outside of their eternal imprisonment in the rock) that these souls will ever havethese souls will ever have

• As for that imprisonment, instead of emerging into the As for that imprisonment, instead of emerging into the world (birth), they’re being forced back into the darkness world (birth), they’re being forced back into the darkness from whence their souls once issued (into the earth-womb)from whence their souls once issued (into the earth-womb)

Bolgia FourBolgia Four

• The The Fortune-TellersFortune-Tellers in Bolgia Four further in Bolgia Four further degrade spirituality by attempting to use degrade spirituality by attempting to use dark arts in order to gain more power dark arts in order to gain more power (seeing the future and benefitting from it) (seeing the future and benefitting from it) than God meant for any human to than God meant for any human to possess; Simon Magus (the original possess; Simon Magus (the original Simoniac) betrayed God by turning to Simoniac) betrayed God by turning to sorcery in order to gain more control over sorcery in order to gain more control over his worldhis world

• Thus Bolgia Four’s corruption links Thus Bolgia Four’s corruption links spirituality (Bolgia Three) and responsible spirituality (Bolgia Three) and responsible use of power (Bolgia Five) use of power (Bolgia Five)

Bolgia FourBolgia Four

• Since they tried breaking the rules to Since they tried breaking the rules to look too far forward, their heads are look too far forward, their heads are forever reversed on their bodies, so forever reversed on their bodies, so that they must look and walk that they must look and walk backwards for all eternity, weeping backwards for all eternity, weeping all the whileall the while

• Since sorcery distorts God (and His Since sorcery distorts God (and His Will), the sinners’ bodies are Will), the sinners’ bodies are distorted in Helldistorted in Hell

Bolgia FiveBolgia Five• The The GraftersGrafters of Bolgia Five are corrupt political of Bolgia Five are corrupt political

officials – those who used their high office to officials – those who used their high office to curry favor or monetary gain – who essentially curry favor or monetary gain – who essentially pimp government in the same way that the pimp government in the same way that the Simoniacs pimped the church and the Panderers Simoniacs pimped the church and the Panderers pimped their sisterspimped their sisters

• Remember, this was the crime Dante was Remember, this was the crime Dante was accused of when he left Florence; it’s been hinted accused of when he left Florence; it’s been hinted at in other Circles, and is made explicit hereat in other Circles, and is made explicit here

• The Grafters profess to be working for the public The Grafters profess to be working for the public good while they’re really only working for their good while they’re really only working for their own benefit, which links them with Bolgia Sixown benefit, which links them with Bolgia Six

Bolgia FiveBolgia Five• The Grafters are sunk in sticky, boiling, blackened The Grafters are sunk in sticky, boiling, blackened

pitch, and set upon by demons (the Malebranche) pitch, and set upon by demons (the Malebranche) who tear them apart with claws and hooks if they who tear them apart with claws and hooks if they ever surfaceever surface

• The Malebranche (Evil Claws), like the Grafters, The Malebranche (Evil Claws), like the Grafters, always hunger for more, and their tools hook and always hunger for more, and their tools hook and tear as well (just as the Grafter grapples and tear as well (just as the Grafter grapples and tears at that which he skims from); Malacoda tears at that which he skims from); Malacoda (Bad End) is their leader(Bad End) is their leader– The stickiness of the Grafters’ pitch symbolizes their The stickiness of the Grafters’ pitch symbolizes their

sticky fingers when it came to skimming funds that sticky fingers when it came to skimming funds that weren’t theirsweren’t theirs

– The black pitch hides their souls from sight, just as their The black pitch hides their souls from sight, just as their deeds were always hiddendeeds were always hidden

Bolgia SixBolgia Six• The The HypocritesHypocrites in Bolgia Six walk in endless in Bolgia Six walk in endless

circles around a narrow track, weighed down by circles around a narrow track, weighed down by leaden robes – looking for all the world like a leaden robes – looking for all the world like a monk’s habit – that shine brilliantlymonk’s habit – that shine brilliantly– That which shines may pass for holiness, but when That which shines may pass for holiness, but when

deceit lies beneath it, the deceiver must bear that deceit lies beneath it, the deceiver must bear that terrible weight – especially in Hell, where such weight terrible weight – especially in Hell, where such weight lasts for all timelasts for all time

• Everyone walks on Caiaphas, who advised the Everyone walks on Caiaphas, who advised the Pharisees to crucify Christ for expediency’s sakePharisees to crucify Christ for expediency’s sake– He now suffers the weight of the world’s hypocrisy, and He now suffers the weight of the world’s hypocrisy, and

he’s nailed to the ground in a reflection of the pose he’s nailed to the ground in a reflection of the pose Christ assumed during crucifixionChrist assumed during crucifixion

Bolgia SevenBolgia Seven• Bolgia Seven is a pit full of Bolgia Seven is a pit full of Thieves Thieves mixed with mixed with

monstrous reptiles; after all, theft is a “reptilian” monstrous reptiles; after all, theft is a “reptilian” sinsin

• The Thieves suffer three fatesThe Thieves suffer three fates– The luckiest are merely set upon by reptiles that The luckiest are merely set upon by reptiles that

proceed to slither all over their bodies while binding proceed to slither all over their bodies while binding their hands behind their backs, because their hands their hands behind their backs, because their hands were the tools they used to commit their crimeswere the tools they used to commit their crimes

– Others must dodge reptiles that launch themselves at Others must dodge reptiles that launch themselves at the sinners; if one lands on you, it sinks its fangs into the the sinners; if one lands on you, it sinks its fangs into the sinner until the afflicted shade explodes in flames, only sinner until the afflicted shade explodes in flames, only to reform painfully from its own ashesto reform painfully from its own ashes

– Since each sinner made his fellow man’s substance Since each sinner made his fellow man’s substance disappear in life (see: Squanderers), his substance is disappear in life (see: Squanderers), his substance is annihilated time and time againannihilated time and time again

Bolgia SevenBolgia Seven

• The final state for each sinner is endless, The final state for each sinner is endless, painful transformation; other shades set painful transformation; other shades set upon them, trying to steal their substance upon them, trying to steal their substance for their ownfor their own

• Some, having been reduced to reptilian Some, having been reduced to reptilian form, forcibly steal the human forms of form, forcibly steal the human forms of others, who then try to do the sameothers, who then try to do the same

• In the end, no one really has anything In the end, no one really has anything anymore; only desperation, fear, and anymore; only desperation, fear, and obsessive hunger remainobsessive hunger remain

Bolgia EightBolgia Eight• The The Evil CounselorsEvil Counselors in Bolgia Eight move about while in Bolgia Eight move about while

encased within tongues of flame; the fire burns so brightly encased within tongues of flame; the fire burns so brightly that it’s virtually impossible to see the soulsthat it’s virtually impossible to see the souls

• They abused God’s gift – in this case, stealing and They abused God’s gift – in this case, stealing and repurposing man’s ability to trust other men – for their own repurposing man’s ability to trust other men – for their own ends, working in hidden ways all while presenting a public ends, working in hidden ways all while presenting a public faceface– Thus the sinners are hidden away within the flames that Thus the sinners are hidden away within the flames that

symbolize their own consciences’ burningsymbolize their own consciences’ burning• Finally, the Thieves sinned with their hands, and their Finally, the Thieves sinned with their hands, and their

hands were incorporated into their punishments; the Evil hands were incorporated into their punishments; the Evil Counselors’ wicked tools are their tongues, so they’re Counselors’ wicked tools are their tongues, so they’re punished within tongues of flamepunished within tongues of flame– Rhetoric lies at the foundation of human reason, but the Evil Rhetoric lies at the foundation of human reason, but the Evil

Counselors use it to break reasonCounselors use it to break reason

Bolgia NineBolgia Nine

• The The Sowers of DiscordSowers of Discord in Bolgia Nine exist in Bolgia Nine exist in various horrifying states of evisceration in various horrifying states of evisceration (depending, once more, on the gravity of (depending, once more, on the gravity of each sinner’s wrongdoing), with their each sinner’s wrongdoing), with their wounds knitting and reforming as they wounds knitting and reforming as they walk in an endless paradewalk in an endless parade

• The three types of Discord prominently The three types of Discord prominently featured here are Religious Discord, featured here are Religious Discord, Political Discord, and Familial Political Discord, and Familial Discord/Discord Between KinsmenDiscord/Discord Between Kinsmen

Bolgia NineBolgia Nine

• Dante argues that God wants us to be united Dante argues that God wants us to be united (hence the real value of Love, which is a way of (hence the real value of Love, which is a way of permanently unifying human beings); by sowing permanently unifying human beings); by sowing discord, these sinners have torn apart that which discord, these sinners have torn apart that which God meant to be joined (especially for those who God meant to be joined (especially for those who sowed discord within families)sowed discord within families)

• Therefore, God’s punishment is to violently tear Therefore, God’s punishment is to violently tear them apart, over and over again, while they’re them apart, over and over again, while they’re forced to walk in circles long enough to let their forced to walk in circles long enough to let their wounds heal before enduring them againwounds heal before enduring them again

Bolgia TenBolgia Ten

• We see four classes of We see four classes of FalsifiersFalsifiers in Bolgia in Bolgia Ten: Alchemists, Evil Impersonators, Ten: Alchemists, Evil Impersonators, Counterfeiters, and False WitnessesCounterfeiters, and False Witnesses

• The Falsifiers’ bodies are warped, The Falsifiers’ bodies are warped, diseased, and dysfunctional, and they face diseased, and dysfunctional, and they face a terrifying gamut of punishments – we a terrifying gamut of punishments – we see just about anything horrible that see just about anything horrible that Dante can conceive of (darkness, filth, Dante can conceive of (darkness, filth, disease, thirst, stench, shrieks, immobility, disease, thirst, stench, shrieks, immobility, quasi-cannibalism) herequasi-cannibalism) here

Bolgia TenBolgia Ten• These sinners corrupted society in various ways, These sinners corrupted society in various ways,

so what we see here is what society would look so what we see here is what society would look like if we had like if we had nono morals or capacity for reason – if morals or capacity for reason – if we were simply instinctive creatures forever we were simply instinctive creatures forever pursuing our own self-interestpursuing our own self-interest– We would have burned out the world’s light long agoWe would have burned out the world’s light long ago

• Here, every single sense you have betrays you by Here, every single sense you have betrays you by adding to your suffering, rather than guiding you adding to your suffering, rather than guiding you – just as falsifiers deceive you, particularly the – just as falsifiers deceive you, particularly the False Witnesses (who are the closest one can False Witnesses (who are the closest one can come to Compound Fraud/Betrayal without come to Compound Fraud/Betrayal without actually committing it)actually committing it)

The Central Pit of MalebolgeThe Central Pit of Malebolge

• The The GiantsGiants live in the Central Pit of Malebolge, live in the Central Pit of Malebolge, guarding its farthest reaches by standing within guarding its farthest reaches by standing within the pit that leads to Cocytusthe pit that leads to Cocytus

• They are the sons of the earth and embodiment They are the sons of the earth and embodiment of the primal and primitive, buried deep within of the primal and primitive, buried deep within the earth the earth

• They’re desire unbalanced by morals, especially They’re desire unbalanced by morals, especially love, and acknowledge no law – political, love, and acknowledge no law – political, theological, etc.theological, etc.

• They symbolize the essence of primitive passion They symbolize the essence of primitive passion at the heart of every man – an essence that man at the heart of every man – an essence that man must confront, recognize, and purge in order to must confront, recognize, and purge in order to elevate himself and reach salvationelevate himself and reach salvation