Brutus Iscariot's Betrayal

Moreover, not only is the presence of the three individuals in the ninth circle and last division an indicator of why they are the worst sinners, but also the punishment they endure helps in indicating how adverse their actions were. In the Bible, Judas Iscariot is the ultimate betrayer because not only was he a disciple of Jesus but also because he exploited his position to get riches and betray the Savior of the world. Consequently, Dante describes how he is enduring the worst punishment even more than that of Brutus and Cassius. “That soul up there which has the greatest pain … is Judas Iscariot” (Dante XXXIV. 428). It can be argued that Judas did not only betray Jesus but also those who followed him because when Jesus was captured in his hidings, his followers were persecuted and he was crucified. …show more content…
Their act of betrayal to the nation would secure them a place in the ninth circle of hell. Dante describes their predicament as “The one who hangs from the black jowl is Brutus; see how he writhes himself, and speaks no word” (and) “the other, who so stalwart seem, is Cassius” (Dante XXXIV. 428). They both suffer some of the adverse punishments because they were politicians big with envy over Caeser’s rise to power and despite his authoritarian rule, his impressive transformation of the Roman Empire. In effect, since they assassinated Julius Caeser just prematurely into his leadership and, thereby failed in advancing the Roman Empire because it led to a power struggle. Essentially, the justice and retribution that all of these betrayers got were deserved because their actions were as a result of selfish