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Circle 2: The Lustful


Canto V
SINS OF THE WOLF: INCONTINENCE

Minos:
Minos is the beast judge of Dante's Hell. In mythology he was a wise, though stubborn judge, but Dante twists his form into the shape of a bull. He now has a tail, which he uses to judge the sinners.
Sinners entering hell appear before Minos, tell him what they have done, and he assigns them their proper place in one of Hell's circles by the number of times he winds his long tail around his body.

The Lustful:
Their punishment is to be whirled around forever in a gale (wind).
Paolo and Francesca (a married woman) were lovers while they lived.
Their contrapasso is to be stuck together forever in the act of making love without satisfaction—their sinful pleasure in life is now their torchure.


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