Dante's Deadly Sins is a unique study of the moralphilosophy behind Dante's master work that considers theCommedia as he intended, namely, as a practical guide tomoral betterment. Focusing on Inferno and Purgatorio,Belliotti examines the puzzles and paradoxes of Dante's moralassumptions, his treatment of the 7 deadly sins, and how 10 of hismost powerful moral lessons anticipate modern existentialism.* Analyzes the moral philosophy underpinning one of the greatestworks of world culture* Summarizes the Inferno and Purgatorio, whileunderscoring their moral implications* Explains and evaluates Dante's understanding of the'Seven Deadly Sins' and the ultimate role they play asthe basis of human transgression.* Provides a detailed discussion of the philosophical concepts ofmoral desert and the law of contrapasso, using charactercase studies within Dante's work* Connects the poem's moral themes to our own contemporarycondition

About the Author xPreface xiiThe Rationale xiiThe Origin xiiiAcknowledgments xviiIntroduction 1The Historical Context 1The Life of Dante 3Later Writings 8The Commedia 12Dante's Death 14Aims of this Book 15Dante as Moral Philosopher 171 Inferno 19Dante's Mission 19The Journey Begins 20Vestibule (Ante-Hell): The Indecisive Neutrals 21Upper Hell: Sins of Unrestrained Desire (the Wolf) 23River Styx, Walls of the City of Dis 28Lower Hell: Sins of Malice Leading to Violence (the Lion) 30Lower Hell: Sins of Malice Leading to Fraud (the Leopard) 34Dante's Existential Lessons in Hell 462 Purgatorio 48Purgatory in a Nutshell 48The Journey Continues 50Ante-Purgatory: Late Repentants 50Gate of Purgatory 56The First Three Terraces: Misdirected Love 57The Fourth Terrace: Deficient Love of the Good 62The Final Three Terraces: Excessive Love of Secondary Goods64Dante's Existential Lessons in Purgatory 713 The Notion of Desert and the Law of Contrapasso 73The Notion of Desert 73The Contrapasso 81The Problem of Proportionality 87First Case Study: Francesca 90Second Case Study: Brutus and Cassius 92Third Case Study: Epicurus 99Dante's Moral Conception 1024 Paradoxes and Puzzles: Virgil and Cato 104The Paradox of Virgil 105Summary of the Paradox of Virgil 111The Strange Case of Cato 116"The Perfect Stoic" 117Dante's Decision 120Dante and Conflict 1235 The Seven Deadly Sins 124Historical Background 124Superbia (Pride) 127Invidia (Envy) 129Ira (Wrath) 133Acedia (Sloth) 137Avaritia (Avarice) 138Gula (Gluttony) 139Luxuria (Lust) 140The Antidote: Righteous Love 142The Bridge to Salvation 1486 Dante's Existential Moral Lessons 149Dante and Existentialism 149Jean-Paul Sartre and Hell 150Dante's Ten Existential Lessons 157Individualism and Community 176Personal Strategies 179Bibliography 185Index 193