Examples Of Contrapasso In Dante's Inferno

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Contrapasso is a law of nature that states, “for every sinner’s crime there must be an equal and fitting punishment.” This law is found in Dante’s Inferno, specifically canto 6. In this level of Hell, the sinners are punished for gluttony, or being greedy. Their punishment is equal and fitting to their sins. For instance, the text states, “In the third circle am I of the rain Eternal, maledict, and cold, and heavy; its law and quality are never new. Huge hail, and water sombre-hued, and snow,” (7-10). As seen, the conditions in the third circle are very wet, which creates mud. The sinners are all laid out in the mud, under the forever rain and snow. This punishment is fitting because since they were greedy like pigs, they now live like pigs.
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