2. Circle Eight There are two types of fraud, with many other sub-types: Simple Fraud (Circle 8) and Compound Fraud (Circle 9). There are two types of fraud, with many other sub-types: Simple Fraud (Circle 8) and Compound Fraud (Circle 9). The two types are separated by the sinner’s relation to his victim, with Compound Fraud referring to betrayal, i.e. Fraud that violates those with special ties to the sinner, and works particularly well thanks to those ties (the victim lowers their guard). The two types are separated by the sinner’s relation to his victim, with Compound Fraud referring to betrayal, i.e. Fraud that violates those with special ties to the sinner, and works particularly well thanks to those ties (the victim lowers their guard).

3. Circle Eight “Special ties” include relatives, political/civic comrades, trusted friends, guests, and masters/benefactors. “Special ties” include relatives, political/civic comrades, trusted friends, guests, and masters/benefactors. While Dante believes we all share a bond given to us by God – human being to human being – none of the other victim/sinner relationships are strong enough to count as Compound Fraud. While Dante believes we all share a bond given to us by God – human being to human being – none of the other victim/sinner relationships are strong enough to count as Compound Fraud.

4. Circle Eight Remember Dante’s reason for viewing fraud as the worst of the Three-Beast Sins: only humans commit it. Remember Dante’s reason for viewing fraud as the worst of the Three-Beast Sins: only humans commit it. Moreover, Dante was not merely a religious man; he was also a creature of human reason. Moreover, Dante was not merely a religious man; he was also a creature of human reason.

5. Circle Eight Fraud is always the corruption of reason, both on the part of the victim (believing something he shouldn’t) and the liar (using their knowledge to their perverse advantage). Fraud is always the corruption of reason, both on the part of the victim (believing something he shouldn’t) and the liar (using their knowledge to their perverse advantage). Therefore, fraud results in the combined corruption of God, reason, and the human spirit. Therefore, fraud results in the combined corruption of God, reason, and the human spirit.

6. Malebolge Malebolge retains the circular structure of the other circles, but it’s a multi-level realm – think movie theatre seating, which slopes downward fairly dramatically. Malebolge retains the circular structure of the other circles, but it’s a multi-level realm – think movie theatre seating, which slopes downward fairly dramatically. The series of stone ditches (ten in all) are connected along the slope by a series of stone bridges. The series of stone ditches (ten in all) are connected along the slope by a series of stone bridges. Male = bad; bolge = series of bolgia = pouch and ditch. Male = bad; bolge = series of bolgia = pouch and ditch.

7. Malebolge The Bolgia were ditches full of bad people, to the point that they’re almost swollen with sinners – hence the ditch/pouch dual meaning. The Bolgia were ditches full of bad people, to the point that they’re almost swollen with sinners – hence the ditch/pouch dual meaning. The poets will use the bridges to descend to the Central Pit of Malebolge, where they’ll encounter the Giants. The poets will use the bridges to descend to the Central Pit of Malebolge, where they’ll encounter the Giants.

8. Degradation The first two ditches present the poets with images of degraded sexuality, but degradation in particular links the Bolgia as we move down the bridges. The first two ditches present the poets with images of degraded sexuality, but degradation in particular links the Bolgia as we move down the bridges. The degradation results not just from presenting a false face to a trusting world (thus violating the divine connection between individuals), but from essentially trying to upset the natural balance of power by trading what shouldn’t be traded – sex, honor, God, power – in order to garner more influence over the material world. The degradation results not just from presenting a false face to a trusting world (thus violating the divine connection between individuals), but from essentially trying to upset the natural balance of power by trading what shouldn’t be traded – sex, honor, God, power – in order to garner more influence over the material world. Remember the Usurers? They made “bad trades” as well – thus linking Circle Seven with Circle Eight. Remember the Usurers? They made “bad trades” as well – thus linking Circle Seven with Circle Eight.

9. Bolgia One In Bolgia One, Panderers were pimps, many of whom pitched their family members to powerful figures in order to curry influence, while Seducers used others for sexual purposes with no real intention of committing to their partners. In Bolgia One, Panderers were pimps, many of whom pitched their family members to powerful figures in order to curry influence, while Seducers used others for sexual purposes with no real intention of committing to their partners. The two groups walk on either side of the ditch in opposite directions, while horned demons lash at them to keep them walking. The two groups walk on either side of the ditch in opposite directions, while horned demons lash at them to keep them walking. The lashing fits because both groups goaded others in order to benefit themselves, driving others in life as they are now driven in death (with the demons representing the sinners’ guilty consciences). The lashing fits because both groups goaded others in order to benefit themselves, driving others in life as they are now driven in death (with the demons representing the sinners’ guilty consciences).

10. Bolgia Two In Bolgia Two, Flatterers merely spouted worthless words – the equivalent of the excrement they wallow in – but one figure, Thais, links back to the sex-based debasement of Bolgia One. In Bolgia Two, Flatterers merely spouted worthless words – the equivalent of the excrement they wallow in – but one figure, Thais, links back to the sex-based debasement of Bolgia One. She was a prostitute who supposedly used flattery to maintain a relationship with one member of her clientele (Thais actually didn’t do so; Dante just misread a passage from Cicero). She was a prostitute who supposedly used flattery to maintain a relationship with one member of her clientele (Thais actually didn’t do so; Dante just misread a passage from Cicero).

11. Bolgia Three Even the Simoniacs in Bolgia Three – corrupt religious officials who sold ecclesiastic favors and offices in order to enhance their material wealth and earthly influence – serve as pimps, albeit of a spiritual sort, prostituting the church while pretending to act in the name of divine love. Even the Simoniacs in Bolgia Three – corrupt religious officials who sold ecclesiastic favors and offices in order to enhance their material wealth and earthly influence – serve as pimps, albeit of a spiritual sort, prostituting the church while pretending to act in the name of divine love. Here, the sinners are placed upside down in tubes, round holes meant to recall baptismal fonts. Here, the sinners are placed upside down in tubes, round holes meant to recall baptismal fonts. Their feet are coated in oil and set on fire, with the temperature of the flame corresponding to the gravity of their sins. Their feet are coated in oil and set on fire, with the temperature of the flame corresponding to the gravity of their sins. None of the sinners get to stay in the tubes; as new sinners arrive, the old sinners are shunted into crevices in the rock below, where they’ll be sealed in, upside down, forever. None of the sinners get to stay in the tubes; as new sinners arrive, the old sinners are shunted into crevices in the rock below, where they’ll be sealed in, upside down, forever.

12. Bolgia Three They’re upside down because they reversed the duties of the office (always be good and honorable), and set on fire in order to draw a cruel distinction between a sinner’s baptism in life (water) and in death (fire). They’re upside down because they reversed the duties of the office (always be good and honorable), and set on fire in order to draw a cruel distinction between a sinner’s baptism in life (water) and in death (fire). The oil on their feet mocks the oil used while performing the Last Rites for the Dying; this is the last experience (outside of their eternal imprisonment in the rock) that these souls will ever have. The oil on their feet mocks the oil used while performing the Last Rites for the Dying; this is the last experience (outside of their eternal imprisonment in the rock) that these souls will ever have. As for that imprisonment, instead of emerging into the world (birth), they’re being forced back into the darkness from whence their souls once issued (into the earth-womb). As for that imprisonment, instead of emerging into the world (birth), they’re being forced back into the darkness from whence their souls once issued (into the earth-womb).

13. Bolgia Four The Fortune-Tellers in Bolgia Four further degrade spirituality by attempting to use dark arts in order to gain more power (seeing the future and benefitting from it) than God meant for any human to possess; Simon Magus (the original Simoniac) betrayed God by turning to sorcery in order to gain more control over his world. The Fortune-Tellers in Bolgia Four further degrade spirituality by attempting to use dark arts in order to gain more power (seeing the future and benefitting from it) than God meant for any human to possess; Simon Magus (the original Simoniac) betrayed God by turning to sorcery in order to gain more control over his world. Thus Bolgia Four’s corruption links spirituality (Bolgia Three) and responsible use of power (Bolgia Five). Thus Bolgia Four’s corruption links spirituality (Bolgia Three) and responsible use of power (Bolgia Five).

14. Bolgia Four Since they tried breaking the rules to look too far forward, their heads are forever reversed on their bodies, so that they must look and walk backwards for all eternity, weeping all the while. Since they tried breaking the rules to look too far forward, their heads are forever reversed on their bodies, so that they must look and walk backwards for all eternity, weeping all the while. Since sorcery distorts God (and His Will), the sinners’ bodies are distorted in Hell. Since sorcery distorts God (and His Will), the sinners’ bodies are distorted in Hell.

15. Bolgia Five The Grafters of Bolgia Five are corrupt political officials – those who used their high office to curry favor or monetary gain – who essentially pimp government in the same way that the Simoniacs pimped the church and the Panderers pimped their own sisters. The Grafters of Bolgia Five are corrupt political officials – those who used their high office to curry favor or monetary gain – who essentially pimp government in the same way that the Simoniacs pimped the church and the Panderers pimped their own sisters. Remember, this was the crime Dante was accused of when he left Florence; it’s been hinted at in other Circles, and is made explicit here. Remember, this was the crime Dante was accused of when he left Florence; it’s been hinted at in other Circles, and is made explicit here. The Grafters profess to be working for the public good while they’re really only working for their own benefit, which links them with Bolgia Six. The Grafters profess to be working for the public good while they’re really only working for their own benefit, which links them with Bolgia Six.

16. Bolgia Five The Grafters are sunk in sticky, boiling, blackened pitch, and set upon by demons (the Malebranche) who tear them apart with claws and hooks if they ever surface. The Grafters are sunk in sticky, boiling, blackened pitch, and set upon by demons (the Malebranche) who tear them apart with claws and hooks if they ever surface. The Malebranche (Evil Claws), like the Grafters, always hunger for more, and their tools hook and tear as well (just as the Grafter grapples and tears at that which he skims from); Malacoda (Bad End) is their leader. The Malebranche (Evil Claws), like the Grafters, always hunger for more, and their tools hook and tear as well (just as the Grafter grapples and tears at that which he skims from); Malacoda (Bad End) is their leader. The stickiness of the Grafters’ pitch symbolizes their sticky fingers when it came to skimming funds that weren’t theirs. The stickiness of the Grafters’ pitch symbolizes their sticky fingers when it came to skimming funds that weren’t theirs. The black pitch hides their souls from sight, just as their deeds were always hidden. The black pitch hides their souls from sight, just as their deeds were always hidden.

17. Bolgia Six The Hypocrites in Bolgia Six walk in endless circles around a narrow track, weighed down by leaden robes – looking for all the world like a monk’s habit – that shine brilliantly. The Hypocrites in Bolgia Six walk in endless circles around a narrow track, weighed down by leaden robes – looking for all the world like a monk’s habit – that shine brilliantly. That which shines may pass for holiness, but when deceit lies beneath it, the deceiver must bear that terrible weight – especially in Hell, where such weight lasts for all time. That which shines may pass for holiness, but when deceit lies beneath it, the deceiver must bear that terrible weight – especially in Hell, where such weight lasts for all time. Everyone walks on Caiaphas, who advised the Pharisees to crucify Christ for expediency’s sake. Everyone walks on Caiaphas, who advised the Pharisees to crucify Christ for expediency’s sake. He now suffers the weight of the world’s hypocrisy, and he’s nailed to the ground in a reflection of the pose Christ assumed during crucifixion. He now suffers the weight of the world’s hypocrisy, and he’s nailed to the ground in a reflection of the pose Christ assumed during crucifixion.

18. Bolgia Seven Bolgia Seven is a pit full of Thieves mixed with monstrous reptiles; after all, theft is a “reptilian” sin. Bolgia Seven is a pit full of Thieves mixed with monstrous reptiles; after all, theft is a “reptilian” sin. The Thieves suffer at least one of three separate fates. The Thieves suffer at least one of three separate fates. The luckiest are merely set upon by reptiles that proceed to slither all over their bodies while binding their hands behind their backs, because their hands were the tools they used to commit their crimes. The luckiest are merely set upon by reptiles that proceed to slither all over their bodies while binding their hands behind their backs, because their hands were the tools they used to commit their crimes. Others must dodge reptiles that launch themselves at the sinners; if one lands on you, it sinks its fangs into the sinner until the afflicted shade explodes in flames, only to reform painfully from its own ashes. Others must dodge reptiles that launch themselves at the sinners; if one lands on you, it sinks its fangs into the sinner until the afflicted shade explodes in flames, only to reform painfully from its own ashes. Since each sinner made his fellow man’s substance disappear in life (see: Squanderers), his substance is annihilated time and time again. Since each sinner made his fellow man’s substance disappear in life (see: Squanderers), his substance is annihilated time and time again.

19. Bolgia Seven The final state for each sinner is endless, painful transformation; other shades set upon them, trying to steal their substance for their own. The final state for each sinner is endless, painful transformation; other shades set upon them, trying to steal their substance for their own. Some, having been reduced to reptilian form, forcibly steal the human forms of others, who then try to do the same. Some, having been reduced to reptilian form, forcibly steal the human forms of others, who then try to do the same. In the end, no one really has anything anymore; only desperation, fear, and obsessive hunger remain. In the end, no one really has anything anymore; only desperation, fear, and obsessive hunger remain.

20. Bolgia Eight The Evil Counselors in Bolgia Eight move about while encased within tongues of flame; the fire burns so brightly that it’s virtually impossible to see the souls. The Evil Counselors in Bolgia Eight move about while encased within tongues of flame; the fire burns so brightly that it’s virtually impossible to see the souls. They abused God’s gift – in this case, stealing and repurposing man’s ability to trust other men – for their own ends, working in hidden ways all while presenting a public face. They abused God’s gift – in this case, stealing and repurposing man’s ability to trust other men – for their own ends, working in hidden ways all while presenting a public face. Thus the sinners are hidden away within the flames that symbolize their own consciences’ burning. Thus the sinners are hidden away within the flames that symbolize their own consciences’ burning. Finally, the Thieves sinned with their hands, and their hands were incorporated into their punishments; the Evil Counselors’ wicked tools are their tongues, so they’re punished within tongues of flame. Finally, the Thieves sinned with their hands, and their hands were incorporated into their punishments; the Evil Counselors’ wicked tools are their tongues, so they’re punished within tongues of flame. Rhetoric lies at the foundation of human reason, but the Evil Counselors use it to break reason. Rhetoric lies at the foundation of human reason, but the Evil Counselors use it to break reason.

21. Bolgia Nine The Sowers of Discord in Bolgia Nine exist in various horrifying states of evisceration (depending, once more, on the gravity of each sinner’s wrongdoing), with their wounds knitting and reforming as they walk in an endless parade. The Sowers of Discord in Bolgia Nine exist in various horrifying states of evisceration (depending, once more, on the gravity of each sinner’s wrongdoing), with their wounds knitting and reforming as they walk in an endless parade. The three types of Discord prominently featured here are Religious Discord, Political Discord, and Familial Discord/Discord Between Kinsmen. The three types of Discord prominently featured here are Religious Discord, Political Discord, and Familial Discord/Discord Between Kinsmen.

22. Bolgia Nine Dante argues that God wants us to be united (hence the real value of Love, which is a way of permanently unifying human beings); by sowing discord, these sinners have torn apart that which God meant to be joined (especially for those who sowed discord within families). Dante argues that God wants us to be united (hence the real value of Love, which is a way of permanently unifying human beings); by sowing discord, these sinners have torn apart that which God meant to be joined (especially for those who sowed discord within families). Therefore, God’s punishment is to violently tear them apart, over and over again, while they’re forced to walk in circles long enough to let their wounds heal before enduring them again. Therefore, God’s punishment is to violently tear them apart, over and over again, while they’re forced to walk in circles long enough to let their wounds heal before enduring them again.

23. Bolgia Ten We see four classes of Falsifiers in Bolgia Ten: Alchemists, Evil Impersonators, Counterfeiters, and False WitnessesWe see four classes of Falsifiers in Bolgia Ten: Alchemists, Evil Impersonators, Counterfeiters, and False Witnesses The Falsifiers’ bodies are warped, diseased, and dysfunctional, and they face a terrifying gamut of punishments – we see just about anything horrible that Dante can conceive of (darkness, filth, disease, thirst, stench, shrieks, immobility, quasi-cannibalism) hereThe Falsifiers’ bodies are warped, diseased, and dysfunctional, and they face a terrifying gamut of punishments – we see just about anything horrible that Dante can conceive of (darkness, filth, disease, thirst, stench, shrieks, immobility, quasi-cannibalism) here

24. Bolgia Ten These sinners corrupted society in various ways, so what we see here is what society would look like if we had no morals or capacity for reason – if we were simply instinctive creatures forever pursuing our own self-interest. These sinners corrupted society in various ways, so what we see here is what society would look like if we had no morals or capacity for reason – if we were simply instinctive creatures forever pursuing our own self-interest. We would have burned out the world’s light long ago… We would have burned out the world’s light long ago… Here, every single sense you have betrays you by adding to your suffering, rather than guiding you – just as falsifiers deceive you, particularly the False Witnesses (who are the closest one can come to Compound Fraud/Betrayal without actually committing it). Here, every single sense you have betrays you by adding to your suffering, rather than guiding you – just as falsifiers deceive you, particularly the False Witnesses (who are the closest one can come to Compound Fraud/Betrayal without actually committing it).

25. The Central Pit of Malebolge Finally, the Giants live in the Central Pit of Malebolge, guarding its farthest reaches by standing within the pit that leads to Cocytus. Finally, the Giants live in the Central Pit of Malebolge, guarding its farthest reaches by standing within the pit that leads to Cocytus. They are the sons of the earth and embodiment of the primal and primitive, buried deep within the earth. They are the sons of the earth and embodiment of the primal and primitive, buried deep within the earth. They’re desire unbalanced by morals, especially love, and acknowledge no law – political, theological, etc. They’re desire unbalanced by morals, especially love, and acknowledge no law – political, theological, etc. They symbolize the essence of primitive passion at the heart of every man – an essence that man must confront, recognize, and purge in order to elevate himself and reach salvation. They symbolize the essence of primitive passion at the heart of every man – an essence that man must confront, recognize, and purge in order to elevate himself and reach salvation.