The Wood Of Suicide In Dante's Inferno

The Wood of the Suicides The Wood of the Suicides are punished in Circle Seven of Dante’s Inferno. Dante classifies suicide as a sin of violence. Although most would have pity on those who mercilessly ended their own life in order to achieve a seemingly better alternative, Virgil rebukes Dante for having such feelings. One would think such an act would be a result of those who possess nothing but contempt and disdain for themselves and the life God has given them. Suicide, an overvaluing of the body, treasures life on Earth and therefore, disregards God’s Will for their life. Suicide is an overvaluing of the precious, yet fleeting, life we are given on Earth. It does not undervalue the worth of the body but yet does the exact opposite: overvalues the earthly body. We have a life after this earthly one to look forward to and by killing oneself, they are completely disregarding the eternal life ahead of us. By taking your own life to relieve yourself of pain and suffering we face on Earth, we are treating it as the ultimate reality …show more content…
Suicide seeks to follow one’s own will over the Will of God. “Then he moved on and I behind him followed. (1.36)” This idea of following our master is central theme throughout the Divine Comedy. Dante’s example of following Virgil, is a symbol of what we are called to do in our walk with Christ. By taking your own life, you are taking control of your life. Suicide implies your belief that taking your own life was better than you continuing to exist in this world. If one trusted God’s plan for their life, they would have faith even through hardships that He will not “leave or forsake you. (Deuteronomy 3:16)” We should have faith in God that whatever pain we are facing in life, He use to draw us closer to Him and bring glory to His kingdom. Suicide displays a lack of faith in God’s Will for our