Where Achilles Would Reside Based on Dante Alighieri's Inferno

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According to Dante Alighieri, if one were to commit suicide, one would end up in the seventh circle of Hell. If someone does not believe in God, they would probably be in circle six. These are part of the nine circles of Hell, which are described in The Inferno, by Dante Alighieri. He believed that anyone who did unacceptable deeds would be punished eternally in the nine circles of Hell. Undoubtedly, people such as Cleopatra, Alexander the Great, and Achilles went to these circles. More specifically, Achilles was in the second circle of Hell. The qualifications for the second circle of Hell are being incredibly selfish, the lack of self control, raging passions, and in some cases, betraying your country. Unfortunately, Achilles possesses all of these qualities, and so does Romeo Montague.

It is with the second circle that the real tortures of Hell begin. There lie the most heavy-hearted criminals in all of Hell, those who died for true love. Here, those who could not control their sexual passion, are buffeted and whirled endlessly through the murky air by a great windstorm. This symbolizes their confusing of their reason by passion and lust. According to Dante, ?SEMIRAMIS is there, and DIDO, CLEOPATRA, HELLEN, ACHILLES, PARIS, and TRISTAN? (Alighieri 57).

Achilles Thetis was in Dante?s second circle for obvious reasons. His lack of self-control, pride in his country and out of control passions led him to the events that would wind him up in The Inferno. It all began when he first caught a glimpse of Polyxena, daughter of the king of Troy. Initially, he was there to kill his enemy and brother of Polyxena, Troilus, but ended up falling in love at first sight. Blinded by love, Achilles agreed to desert his people, the Greeks...

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...uld assume that Romeo is claiming that with her, his last name and family does not matter and he is willing to give it all up for Juliet. This puts Romeo and Achilles in a very similar situation. Therefore, Romeo Montague could represent a modern day Achilles.

In John Ciardi?s words, ?In the second circle are punished those who sinned by excess of sexual passion.? (Alighieri 63). ?Excess of sexual passion? sounds like an odd reason for punishment, although in Dante?s The Inferno, there is a whole circle for them. Therefore, Achilles residing there is no surprise. His betrayal for his country and people makes him a perfect candidate for the second circle. Seeing as how Achilles fits the requirements, it could be assumed that Romeo Montague would also be sent to the second circle. It could even be said that Montague is a somewhat modern version of Achilles.

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