"Everything in Moderation. Nothing in excess." - Socrates

3) Choose one circle that Dante visits in Upper Hell and carefully analyze how the punishment of the sinners embodies the law of contrapasso. To develop this topic to the proper degree, you will need to very closely analyze specific language and imagery utilized in this circle. Make sure to consider the description of the circle itself, the way the sin is described, and the way the punishment is described. What does Dante seem to be asserting about this sin specifically through the punishment he chooses.

   Contraposso is the manifestation of a person's sins in life as a symbolic punishment in Dante's Inferno. Although each circle has a contraposso of its own, the punishment in the second circle of Upper Hell definitively symbolizes the sin of carnality - "And this, I learned, was the never-ending flight/of those who sinned in the flesh, the carnal and lusty/who betrayed reason to their appetite" (37).

      This canto (V) begins with the introduction of Minos, the semi-bestial judge who determines the punishment of each soul. Minos coils a long tail to illustrate the circle number they are banished. This long tail is similar to that of a snake. I found it interesting that in Greek mythology, the Minoan Snake Goddess is symbolic of fertility. Fertility is in connection with the lust of the sinners sent to Circle II in this canto. Also, the dis-union of Minos's body (half beast, half man) symbolizes Dante's ambivalent feelings toward love and lust. Love is good, and love is evil.

Francesca and Paolo, lovers condemned to Circle II
 because of adultery.

      Souls who loved and lusted too much were sent to Circle II. As punishment for their excessive passion and carnal actions, these people were condemned to an eternity amidst violent storms, wind, and tempest, which strained and whirled the shrieking souls constantly inflicted with anguish. The contraposso of this punishment is the idea that the sinners' carnal and passionate actions in life represent wind in that they both serve as a distraction, throwing people off course and leading them away from reason. Love and lust altar the focus of life to one of flesh and stimulus.

      The imagery used in this circle also embodies the law of contraposso and symbolism. Dante describes the circle as dark. Although this detail seems minute, there is hidden meaning behind it. The carnals are forced to live forever in the darkness because (blatantly enough...) most of the lustful sins committed in their lives took place in the dark. By sinning, the carnals chose their punishment of darkness. Also, Dante spots cranes flying above the tempest, crying. When a group of souls see the cranes, they attempt to join them-- but are once again set off course by the lashing of the sharp winds. In Greek culture, cranes were admired for their endurance and conduct, and their triangular flocking pattern which mimics the Holy Trinity and Dante's obsession with the number 3. The sinners' failed to follow the path of the focused birds because the wind caused them to lose sight of their reason and destination, leading them astray similarly to the way lust caused them to lose sight of reason in life.

      Dante in the story cries and faints at the end of this circle. He has much pity on the souls and is confused about how people could be punished for great love. Beatrice the Love Goddess is said to be a representation of a "perfect" woman who he was madly in love with for his whole life- even during his marriage. It seems to me that Dante feels relatable to the sinners of this circle in that he loved another woman while he was married. In my opinion, Dante is also presenting the idea that love is based on good, heavenly intentions, but excess of it is evil.

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• Beware if you get nightmares easily - this video is kind of scary! However, it provides a vivid illustration of Dante's imagery in Canto V Circle II.