The Seven Deadly Sins In Dante's Inferno

History Behind Each of the 7 Deadly Sins

According to the Roman Catholic Church, the Seven Deadly Sins are considered the vilest sins that a person can act upon God. In the bible, each sin is condemned in different periods throughout the text and is mentioned in the list of Proverbs 6:16-19.

Dante Alighieri, an Italian poet, wrote three poems under the Divine Comedy including the Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. In these poems, Dante describes his visions when he descended and entered the gates of hell while facing the 7 deadly sins.

Here are the 7 deadly sins:

1. Lust – Lust or fornication is due to an unlawful desire for sex outside marital union or intense sexual craving. The most extreme practices of lust lead to adultery, sodomy, rape, and other immoral sexual acts. It can also mean a different things such as lust for power, money, and other sinful deeds.

It is

Avarice – Avarice is also known as greed. The Church sees it as an excessive longing for material possessions. In Dante’s “Purgatory,” the sinners were punished for having too much desire for earthly belongings.

4. Sloth – Sloth or laziness is considered a sin because naturally, people are taught to work hard. Dante sees it as an act of insufficient love and considers it as a middle sin.

5. Wrath – Wrath or unrighteous anger and hatred is considered as the root of murder and assault. According to the Dante, vengeance is a desire for justice caused by revenge.

6. Envy – Envy is also related to jealousy which is often the root of self-loath and theft. Envy is often said to be the reason why Cain killed his brother Abel because he believed that Abel was more favored by God. In Dante’s “Purgatory,” the envious are punished by having their eyes sewn shut with wire.

7. Pride – Pride, vanity or narcissism is the excessive love for one’s self. In the bible, pride is known to have been the reason that led to the downfall of Lucifer.

Read the original story at the New World