Howl Like Dogs in the Freezing Storm: Circle Three (The Gluttons) Feraco Myth to Science Fiction 16 November 2011

Canto VI: Data File Setting: The Third CircleSetting: The Third Circle Figures: Cerberus, Ciacco, PlutusFigures: Cerberus, Ciacco, Plutus Allusions: Florentine Politics, JudgmentAllusions: Florentine Politics, Judgment Punishable Sin: GluttonyPunishable Sin: Gluttony Summary: Dante awakens and finds himself in the Third Circle. The poets discover Cerberus slashing at the gluttons, but elude him by feeding him some of the foul waste the souls beneath them writhe in. When Dante passes, one soul, Ciacco, rises and speaks with him, sharing a prophecy regarding Florence – one we already know comes true. The poets move on.Summary: Dante awakens and finds himself in the Third Circle. The poets discover Cerberus slashing at the gluttons, but elude him by feeding him some of the foul waste the souls beneath them writhe in. When Dante passes, one soul, Ciacco, rises and speaks with him, sharing a prophecy regarding Florence – one we already know comes true. The poets move on.

The Punishment The Third Circle is reminiscent of a giant trash heap, or the runny inside of a foul dumpsterThe Third Circle is reminiscent of a giant trash heap, or the runny inside of a foul dumpster The sinners lie in waste, both human and otherwise, freezing at all times (their obsession with material left their souls cold), while they are consumed by a ravening beast (Cerberus, the personification of their unchecked desires)The sinners lie in waste, both human and otherwise, freezing at all times (their obsession with material left their souls cold), while they are consumed by a ravening beast (Cerberus, the personification of their unchecked desires) Why does Dante seem to consider gluttony as a worse sin than lust?Why does Dante seem to consider gluttony as a worse sin than lust? They’re both Deadly Sins, and both are considered “Sins of the She-Wolf” (i.e., sins of immoderation)They’re both Deadly Sins, and both are considered “Sins of the She-Wolf” (i.e., sins of immoderation) Not everyone shared Dante’s view; others believed lust was the greater evilNot everyone shared Dante’s view; others believed lust was the greater evil

Gluttony For Dante, the relationship between lust and gluttony stretched back to Biblical timesFor Dante, the relationship between lust and gluttony stretched back to Biblical times –Eve eats (consumes) the fruit she isn’t supposed to eat –She then tempts Adam, who consumes it in turn Temptation and consumption link both sins; in both cases, we’re supposed to resist instinctTemptation and consumption link both sins; in both cases, we’re supposed to resist instinct Gluttony, however, only requires the weakness of one (as opposed to shared desire)Gluttony, however, only requires the weakness of one (as opposed to shared desire) Just as Dante added complexity to lust during his study, he seems to add complexity to it hereJust as Dante added complexity to lust during his study, he seems to add complexity to it here The gluttony we encounter is not confined to matters of food or money; the figures battling endlessly over power in Florence are gluttons in their own rightThe gluttony we encounter is not confined to matters of food or money; the figures battling endlessly over power in Florence are gluttons in their own right

Cerberus In most portrayals, Cerberus is a three- headed dog; in some (Dante’s included), at least one of his heads retains some human qualitiesIn most portrayals, Cerberus is a three- headed dog; in some (Dante’s included), at least one of his heads retains some human qualities –He popped up in The Aeneid as well; Aeneas’s retainer (the Sybil) feeds him something that causes him to fall asleep Here, Virgil throws something foul down his throat, and he moves away choking…a very different toneHere, Virgil throws something foul down his throat, and he moves away choking…a very different tone Cerberus is an appropriate figure here because he represents unhinged consumption; just as the Gluttons consumed everything they could reach, so they are consumed by Cerberus as soon as he can reach themCerberus is an appropriate figure here because he represents unhinged consumption; just as the Gluttons consumed everything they could reach, so they are consumed by Cerberus as soon as he can reach them Dante’s physical descriptions – greasy beard, clawed hands, swollen gut – are meant to conjure up an image of gluttony itselfDante’s physical descriptions – greasy beard, clawed hands, swollen gut – are meant to conjure up an image of gluttony itself

Ciacco An interesting figure, yet one whom we know little aboutAn interesting figure, yet one whom we know little about Boccaccio’s portrayal shows us a man who was both pleasant and ravenous, someone who could fit in well with polite company yet was utterly unable to control his appetitesBoccaccio’s portrayal shows us a man who was both pleasant and ravenous, someone who could fit in well with polite company yet was utterly unable to control his appetites Dante should have known him – Florence was small, so Dante knew everyoneDante should have known him – Florence was small, so Dante knew everyone Yet Ciacco’s gluttony was so great that it destroyed his very substance, rendering him unrecognizable to DanteYet Ciacco’s gluttony was so great that it destroyed his very substance, rendering him unrecognizable to Dante That fear – the fear of being forgotten, even if it meant being notorious – is palpable, and one wonders if Dante shared itThat fear – the fear of being forgotten, even if it meant being notorious – is palpable, and one wonders if Dante shared it

The Last Judgment At the end of Canto VI, Virgil alludes to the Last Judgment (i.e., the Apocalypse).At the end of Canto VI, Virgil alludes to the Last Judgment (i.e., the Apocalypse). According to medieval Christian thought, time ends when God descends (as Christ) and judges all souls, at which point he’ll separate the virtuous from those who cannot be savedAccording to medieval Christian thought, time ends when God descends (as Christ) and judges all souls, at which point he’ll separate the virtuous from those who cannot be saved The former go to Heaven, and the latter to HellThe former go to Heaven, and the latter to Hell

The Last Judgment (cont’d) Raffa: “Souls would be judged immediately after death and would then proceed either to hell (if damned) or purgatory (if saved); this judgment would be confirmed at the end of time, and all souls would then spend eternity either in hell or in heaven (as purgatory would cease to exist).Raffa: “Souls would be judged immediately after death and would then proceed either to hell (if damned) or purgatory (if saved); this judgment would be confirmed at the end of time, and all souls would then spend eternity either in hell or in heaven (as purgatory would cease to exist). “The Divine Comedy presents the state of souls sometime between these two judgments. The souls of the dead will be reunited with their bodies at the end of time. The suffering of the damned (and joy of the blessed) will then increase because the individual is complete and therefore more perfect [or flawed].” “The Divine Comedy presents the state of souls sometime between these two judgments. The souls of the dead will be reunited with their bodies at the end of time. The suffering of the damned (and joy of the blessed) will then increase because the individual is complete and therefore more perfect [or flawed].”

In Conclusion The Third Circle is fairly minorThe Third Circle is fairly minor It’s noteworthy mainly for its introduction of politics (which will have a more important role as we proceed), for its graphic depiction of depravity’s ultimate price, and for the interesting questions it raises about reputation, identity, and the legacies we leave (or never leave) behindIt’s noteworthy mainly for its introduction of politics (which will have a more important role as we proceed), for its graphic depiction of depravity’s ultimate price, and for the interesting questions it raises about reputation, identity, and the legacies we leave (or never leave) behind