Dante's Inferno

Summary

1. The sin is excessive hoarding and excessive spending. The contrapasso is that they have to push heavy weights with their chests around in half circles. This represents the constant burden of material wealth held over these sinners during their lives. In this way, yes, the punishment fits the crime. (Gallagher)

2. Dante names no specific residents of Circle 4, but he notes that many of them are bald as they were the priests, popes, and cardinals who worked for the money and fame as opposed to for God.

3. A mythological creature found in Circle 4 is Pluto, but the text can also be interpreted to mean that it was Plutus. Pluto is a Greek ruler of the underworld and thus it would make sense that he would be found in Dante’s Hell. Plutus is the Roman god of wealth and thus it would make sense that he would be guarding those who were consumed by it in life. The text can be interpreted to mean that either is the guardian of the prodigal and avaricious. (Alford)

4. Excessive greed, both hoarding and spending, are both still very prominent in today’s world. One fictional character I feel would be found in Circle 4 is Ebenezer Scrooge. Of course, pre-A Christmas Carol Scrooge is who would be found in Circle 4, not the Scrooge after the events of Charles Dickens’ story. In the story, Scrooge becomes kind and generous, but before the story began he was a cold-hearted, self-absorbed wealth hoarder. He would never spend more than needed to live, would not spare a dime for someone in need, and only paid his employee, Bob Cratchit, as little as allowed. These are typical characteristics of a greedy man, and thus, Scrooge would fit in well with his fellow money hoarders of Circle 4. Many CEOs and celebrities are known for being greedy. One particular CEO known for his lavish spending is Mukesh Ambani. He is the chairman of Reliance Industries. He is the richest person in India and the second richest in Asia. He has a personal wealth of over $20 billion. His home in Mumbai, India is reported to be the most expensive home on Earth and requires over 600 staff members to maintain it. It is 400,000 square feet, has three helipads, a carpark, and 27 floors. It is estimated to have cost up to $2 billion. If this was not already enough of a display of Ambani’s greed, he built this home in a slum where thousands of impoverished people are suffering.