Looking at the "poetic justice" of the inferno the reader has to think why are some serious sins today like murder less punishable than less serious sins like fraud.
But before Dante descends into the many levels of hell we are introduced to .
Purgatory, where you your sins of life on earth are forgiven, you cleanse your soul as you make your way up the mountain to enjoy the pleasure of paradise. .
After crossing the river Acheron Dante finds him self in Level 1- Limbo is the first circle in hell where things are not so bad, there is no punishment here, there is a seven walled- castle, some trees, a stream which all serves as a home to Dante's guide through hell, the great philosopher Virgil as well as many other great philosophers. Limbo also serves a home to other peaceful souls that can't make it to heaven like honorable Pagans and unabaptized Children.
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As Dante moves down we come to a level where there is no light, where the lustful are being punished for there betrayal on earth due to there lustful appetite. Level 2 of hell is home to many people who couldn't control there desires on earth, you can find Cleopatra and Helen of Troy here being punished by the powerful winds that blow them around endlessly. .
Level 3 is reserved for the gluttonous; the greediest on earth are punished here. The punishment of those who lived in excess is to live beneath a storm of rain and hail, who lie in sticky, dirty mud. Cerebus a three headed dog growls dwells in this level as he chews and claws those who were greedy.
Moving on downward Dante and Virgil find themselves in level 4 where the sin here is those who wasted their lives and lived greedily without sharing any of their wealth. The punishment here is to roll weights back and forth against one another. As Dante and Virgil move on quickly they come across the river Styx. .
The river Styx runs through this level of Hell. Level 5 is where the enraged people on earth resign, all angry stuck in a thick black mud, furious tearing at each other naked for all of eternity.