In Dante’s Purgatorio we find that the terraces form opposites from the circles of hell in at least two ways. First, Dante and Virgil are now traveling upwards rather than downwards as they did in hell. Second, in hell the offenses range from least to worst whereas here, in purgatory, the first terrace contains those who have committed the worst of the forgivable sins, pride. It may seem strange that pride is the worst, but as C.S. Lewis stated in Mere Christianity “the essential vice, the utmost evil, is Pride. Unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness, and all that, are mere flea bites in comparison: it was through Pride that the devil became the devil: Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind…”
Pride here is purged through the carrying of huge weights upon the shoulders of the prideful. These weights are much different than the lead coats worn by the hypocrites in hell. Those were beautiful on the outside but on the inside full of that which …show more content…
They somehow profit from sculptures portraying the virtue which is opposed to the vice which brought them here. These portrayals of humility are contrasted with examples of the vice the souls are being purged from. They are so life-like that Dante thinks he might actually be able to hear the sounds and smell the smells portrayed by them. There is Mary, humbly accepting the angel’s announcement that she will be used of God to bring the messiah to the world. Another is David dancing unashamedly before the Lord, and replying that he will gladly belittle himself in order for God to appear more glorious. And finally the Emperor Trajan is portrayed, as he delays a military campaign in order to avenge the murder of a widow's son. These are carved into the side of the mountain. On the floor of the terrace are carved examples of the pride of such figures as Lucifer, Briareus, Nimrod and
Pride here is purged through the carrying of huge weights upon the shoulders of the prideful. These weights are much different than the lead coats worn by the hypocrites in hell. Those were beautiful on the outside but on the inside full of that which …show more content…
They somehow profit from sculptures portraying the virtue which is opposed to the vice which brought them here. These portrayals of humility are contrasted with examples of the vice the souls are being purged from. They are so life-like that Dante thinks he might actually be able to hear the sounds and smell the smells portrayed by them. There is Mary, humbly accepting the angel’s announcement that she will be used of God to bring the messiah to the world. Another is David dancing unashamedly before the Lord, and replying that he will gladly belittle himself in order for God to appear more glorious. And finally the Emperor Trajan is portrayed, as he delays a military campaign in order to avenge the murder of a widow's son. These are carved into the side of the mountain. On the floor of the terrace are carved examples of the pride of such figures as Lucifer, Briareus, Nimrod and