Microcosm In Dante's Inferno

A microcosm is defined as, “anything that is regarded as a world in miniature” (“Microcosm” 2015). Dante’s version of Hell in The Inferno includes several prominent themes, all of which are found in Canto IX. During this Canto, Dante and Virgil are trying to enter the lower levels of Hell at the Gate of Dis and the begin their journey in the Sixth Circle. This Canto is a microcosm of the entire work because it includes all of the main themes and concepts. This is the only time in the work that these three major themes are present at the same time. This Canto brings together all of the major ideas and themes of The Inferno. This single part of Hell represents the complete vision of Hell Dante created. In The Inferno, Canto IX is a microcosm of the work …show more content…
In The Inferno, Dante uses the rule of contrapasso, which states, “for every sinner’s crime there must be an equal and fitting punishment” (Kameen 2013). Dante uses this rule for every sinner he places in Hell, including the Heretics located in Canto IX. Although this theme transpires throughout the entire work, only in Canto IX does it directly appear with the other two major themes. In this Canto, the Heretic's’ punishment is “an eternal grave in the fiery morgue of God’s wrath” (Dante 67). This punishment fits their sin because in life, they “taught that the soul dies with the body” (Dante 67). For every group of sinners, Dante creates a specific punishment that follows contrapasso. Every punishment is just and specifically inflicted on only the sinners that committed the specific sins for the punishment. Usually, the relationship between the punishment and its respective sin is metaphorical, and not literal. This allowed Dante to have more creative flexibility, while not faulting with contrapasso. Dante made sure every sinner received the punishments they deserve based on the sins they

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