Hannah's Canto 11 thoughts

As Dante and Virgil descend to the rim of the sixth circle, which is covered in broken fragments of rock and ruble, an over-powering stench hits them. Virgil suggests they adjust to the new air before continuing down. Obviously, the stink is part of their torture - but it also represents the horrible and foul deeds those who reside here have committed.

While they wait, Virgil explains to Dante how the lower parts of hell are divided. He says that hell is divided into three sections: malice, fraud, and treason. Each ring becomes smaller (and probably smellier) as you descend.

The ring of the violent is also dived up into three portions, one for those who hurt others, a circle for those who hurt themselves, and the final ring for those who are violent against God. If I wrote Dante's Inferno, I would have put those who hurt other's below those who hurt themselves. It is one thing to end your own life: wrong, but still a choice you can make, but those who hurt others do it in force and hatred. There is a saying called JOY (Jesus, others, yourself) in order of importance. Dante has rearranged the letters to spell JYO.

After the circle of violence comes the ring of fraud. Peculiarly, Dante banishes all those who charge interest on loans. In our time, interest is not considered a sin, just a part of finance.

The only description of the ring of treachery is that Satan sits there. *gulp*

Dante the character now questions Virgil as to why some sins are punished more harshly than others. Virgil reminds him about Aristotle's writings, and how incontinence is less displeasing than malice, which is less displeasing then deranged bestiality.

Next, Dante asks Virgil why he said usury (the act of charging interest) is an offense against God's bounty. Virgil again refers him to Aristotle, and says that human industry can be said to be God's grandchild. But usurers take a different path, making money from money in an unnatural and evil way.

With that, the pair descend into the sixth circle of hell.

~Hannah :)