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Examples Of Contrapasso In Dante's Inferno

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In the poem Dante’s Inferno, the depiction of Satan is not a common visual that the reader is accustomed to. The fact that Satan has three faces on one head allows the reader to take a not so satisfying insight to him. Moreover from this fact, Satan as depicted, does not represent the theme of contrapasso in the fourth ring of the ninth circle due to solely the description of the ring and the depiction of Satan.

To begin with, Satan’s appearance strives from Virgil when he states, “Where he was fair once as he is now foul, and lifted up his brow against his maker” (Dante 47). This explains the reason why he is described the way he is. It is merely to show the results of being the greatest sinner of all time. In addition, Satan’s faces have different colors, each …show more content…
The red face represents anger, the yellow representing impotence and the black representing ignorance. To prove the point on his appearance, Each face represents a sin, therefore, Satan should appear in different circles, and not just one. Contrapasso means that the punishment fits the sin; in this case, the ninth circle portrays the treacherous, as well as all three face of Satan. Satan’s appearance also strives from Dante’s fear of Satan. Before they approach the final circle of hell, Virgil warns Dante that to beware of what he is about to see. To add, Satan’s actions also prove why this circle is not proving contrapasso. Satan’s faces proves this when Dante says, “Each face had two eyes, which continually cried. Each mouth chewed on a sinner.” (Dante 49). Due note that that treachery is the worst sin you commit, it is a bit ironic that Satan is allowed to deal punishment on to Judas, Brutus, and Cassius though he rebelled

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