These individuals are frozen up to their necks in ice, the cold symbolizing a lack of human love and warmth, which they denied others in life. ... In the outermost layer of Cocytus, the frozen lake at the bottom of hell kept cold by the endless beatings of Satan's wings, reside those who betrayed their families, and among them are Alesandro and Napoleoni Degli Alberti. ... The social structure in medieval Florence relied heavily on familial relationships; clans held all the power, marriages were done for political reasons, and blood feuds often lasted for generations. ...

• Word Count: 870
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate