Sunday, November 29, 2009

Flattery, an awful sin that condemns you to one of the lowest levels of Hell... errrr...?

On page 187 in Canto 18, we are first introduced to the flatterers. These people are sunk in a pit of excrement. Dante talks to one of these, who says his name is Alessio Interminei from Lucca. He says he could not stop his tongue from incessant flatteries. Another woman is pointed out to Dante, Thais, who was sent here for flattering her lover by saying, "You are marvelous."

Now, take a step back and look at this situation. Not only are these people punished in such a way, they are in one of the lowest levels of Hell, all for telling your lover, "You are marvelous."? These seems like a cruel punishment for merely telling the man you might marry that you think they are wonderful.  And even if Alessio was constantly flattering, is it really worthy of being in one of the lowest levels of Hell?

Although people who constantly flatter their superiors in order to move up the in world, sin by doing so, a little, "I like your dress" or "You are wonderful" should not be so cruelly punished.

Why then are these poor souls banished to such a foreboding place as Malebogle, for somewhat minor offenses?

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