Book Review: Divine Comedy: Paradiso

In the third and final book of the Divine Comedy, the poet Dante ascends into heaven with the guidance of his personal acquittance, Beatrice. To him, Beatrice represents everything that is beautiful, pure, joyful, and the total embodiment of love. Although she is not a historically significant figure, like Virgil or the other spirits Dante meets along his journey, she actually was someone Dante knew in his lifetime. She was Dante's first love as a child yet they never shared an actual relationship and she died at the young age of 25. Nonetheless she was forever Dante's ultimate desire and muse of his writings. Considering the fact that both Dante and Beatrice married different people, one could make the claim that Dante was over infatuated with this woman, and partaking in covetous and adulterous behavior. However he never acted immorally towards her and it was ultimately just a fantasy of what could have been with the one that got away. 

Through the guidance of Beatrice, Dante leaves earth and ascends into the mystical cosmos of the universe, that represent the layers of heaven. Just like with the Inferno and Mount Purgatory there are nine levels plus one mystical domain. The levels in Paradiso are actually the planetary orbit as we know it consisting of the planets, the sun, and the stars in outer space. It begins with the moon, Mercury, Venus, the sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, the fixed stars, and the outer rim known as the Primum Mobile. The further Dante gets away from earth, the closer he gets to the highest of heavens known as the Empyrean. While Dante's cosmological description may be somewhat dated it still holds with today's general scientific outline of the planetary orbit. 

I actually really like this theory of the heavens being located up in the stars of outer space. Of course scientifically we know that space is an actual physical place, it still seems unobtainable to human exploration and settlement. Therefore it serves as an endless mass of mystery; an abyss of rocks, energy, maybe extraterrestrial life, or maybe even the countless spirits of the dead. Considering how many stars are in the night sky, it makes for quite a comparable and romantic notion that they represent the righteous souls that have passed on. Dante uses the physical locations of the planets, and even introduces a non-physical domain known as the Empyrean to serve as the home of God. 

Dante's Paradiso

After Dante erases his sinful memories in the river of the Earthly Garden, he is ready to ascend into the heavens with Beatrice. This first includes passage thru the Sphere of Fire, which is more-or-less the earth's atmosphere by which Dante leaves Earth and enters space. The first physical location they arrive to is the moon, which is home to the inconstant. These are righteous souls who broke their vows with God and lacked fortitude. The second tier is the planet Mercury where dwell the righteous souls who were driven by ambition. These beings achieved great fame and glory however lacked justice and devotion to God. In this sphere, Dante meets the Roman emperor Justinian, who ambitiously sought to restore Roman tradition to the Byzantine empire in 500 AD. 

The third sphere is that of Venus, for those who engaged in a life of love yet lacked in temperance. It is also understood by this point that each soul is very content with where they are located and not seeking upward mobility. From this point on Dante visits locations that were not lacking in virtues yet rather exceeding in the virtues of prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude. The fourth sphere is that of the sun, which is home to the wise. These are the souls who displayed great prudence and illuminated humanity with their wisdom and intellect. Historical examples on this sphere include the 12 wise men such as Thomas Aquinas, Albertus Magnus, and King Solomon. 

The fifth sphere is located on the planet Mars, for the warriors of faith who displayed the virtue of fortitude. This includes religious rulers, knights from the crusades and biblical heroes. Historical examples include Joshua, Judas Maccabeaus, Charlemagne, Roland, and Godfrey of Bouillon. The sixth sphere is Jupiter for the just rulers and those who demonstrated the virtue of justice. Historical examples include David, Hezekiah, Trajan, Constantine, William II of Sicily, Ripheus of Troy, and a symbolic imperial eagle. The seventh sphere is Saturn for the contemplatives who demonstrated temperance. Here they meet the monk Peter Damian who describes to them the concept of predestination in which all souls have a determined fate by God. This is the final physical planet they inhabit before entering the sphere of the stars. 

The Eighth sphere is the domain of stars, where dwell the church triumphant who exceeded in the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love. In this realm Dante meets the highest of saints such as the Virgin Mary and St. Peter. The ninth sphere is the outer layer of space known as the Primum Mobile. Here dwell the angels, the celestial servants of God and intermediaries between God and humanity. Dante describes the domain in 9 rings which is in reference to the hierarchy of angels. At the upper realm are God's personal servants known as the Seraphim, Cherubim, and the Thrones. The second realm is for the governors of the heavenly domain, known as the lordships, virtues, and the powers. In the lower tier is the principalities, the archangels, and the angels who govern over humanity. 

The tenth and final sphere is a non-physical domain referred to by Dante as the Empyrean. Here dwells the highest of angels, spirits, and the source and creator of everything, God. Within this mystical domain of light and beauty, Dante sees an enormous rose with angels flying around it. At this point Beatrice bids him farewell and returns to her home in the rose, while Dante transcends into a mystical state. Here he is guided by Saint Bernard who further explains the mystical domain and the concept of predestination. Finally Dante comes face-to- face with God, who takes on the shape of 3 circles that represent the father, the son, and the holy spirit. Within the circles Dante can make out the humanly figure of Jesus Christ. At this point Dante understands God's love and thus ends the epic journey into the afterlife. 

Dante's Spheres of Paradise

What I especially love about this epic poem is Dante's consistent pattern of 10 levels in each of the 3 books. While the underworld of the inferno is broken into tiers and the mount purgatory is broken in terraces, the domain of Paradiso is broken into spheres. These spheres are in accordance to the earth's distance from the planets. As Dante gets deeper into space and further away from Earth, he also gets closer to God and the highest of heavens. Just as the Inferno was ranked by the 7 deadly sins, the levels of heaven are ranked by the 7 virtues and beyond. The upper most spheres are for the angels and the mystical domain of God. 

• 
  Sphere 1: The Moon (Inconstant) Those who broke their vows with God
• Sphere 2: Mercury (The Ambitious) Those who were overly ambitious
• Sphere 3: Venus (The Lovers) Those who put love for one another above God
• Sphere 4: The Sun (The Wise) Those who illuminated the world with wisdom and prudence 
• Sphere 5: Mars (The Warriors of Faith) Those who fought for God and demonstrated great fortitude
• Sphere 6: Jupiter (The Just Rulers) Those who ruled fairly and demonstrated great justice in their leadership
• Sphere 7: Saturn (The Contemplatives) Those who demonstrated great self-restraint, devotion, and temperance to God
• Sphere 8: The Fixed Stars (Faith, Hope, and Love) The highest of saints who embodied the utmost theological virtues 
• Sphere 9: Primum Mobile (The Angels) The outermost realm of the physical universe where dwell the angels in 9 rings
• Sphere 10: The Empyrean (Highest Heaven) The mystical realm of illumination and the abode of God 

Historical Study: The Great Plains War

After returning from my trip out west, I now naturally find myself fascinated with western culture and history. I have begun watching the HBO series, Deadwood and intend to buy the popular western video game, Red Dead Redemption. Western culture has become it's own genre now, with the cliché cowboys, Indians, saloons, shoot-outs, and such. This is certainty not the first time I have emerged myself into a western appreciation phase. It seems every year I get into some sort of Civil War/western appreciation usually around fall time. I have written several times now on topics concerning the Old West; (see The Old West, Removal of Native Americans.) 

Last summer I actually was in a brief Native American phase while playing the video game Assassin's Creed 3 (set during the American Revolution). My studies focused more on the origins of the Native Americans, their role in the American Revolution, and their eventual expulsion via the Removal Act of 1830. However I ended my studies there and did not get into the American-Indian wars out west. By around the time of the Civil War, most Native American strongholds were west of the Mississippi River and the resistance had grown quite strong at this point. Most native tribes knew the American "white man" was there to stay and conquer their land. The movie Dances With Wolves really depicts the western struggle of the time.   

While there were many American-Indian skirmishes and battles in the west, I'm going to focus primarily on one region, the Great Plains of Dakota. This was the region of strong resistance from the Sioux tribes (Lakota, Dakota, and Cheyenne) and resulted in several infamous wars and massacres in the region. I just learned some of this after watching the film Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (which is based off a popular book about the event). I felt very intrigued by the movie and felt the urge to dive deeper into the controversial topic. So in this post I'd like to understand the Sioux tribes and leaders of the Dakota/Black Hills region. I'd also like to understand the Americans' efforts at diplomacy, and further understand the Ghost Movement that lead to violent reaction. 

Dakota Wars

Western migration began to really boom in the 1840s via the Oregon Trail and the gold rush of 1849. However these expeditions were frequently attacked by native tribes, who naturally felt their land was under threat. In an effort to establish peaceful relations, the Americans compromised with the local natives in the Treaty of Fort Laramie (1851). This essentially gave the local natives a reserved region in the Black Hills region of South Dakota. The Indians (which included the Cheyenne and the Sioux) agreed to no longer attack white migrants. Despite this agreement however, the natives felt their territorial and financial dues were not fully paid and thus continued to attack the settlers. 

The attacks throughout the Minnesota and Dakota region eventually hit a boiling point in August of 1862, that caused the American military to get involved. The Dakota War of 1862 was a very brief one (as most American-Indian wars are), and resulted in the surrender of the Dakota insurgents by late September. After various trials were held, 38 Dakotas were mass executed in a single day (the largest single day mass execution in American History). The result of the war exiled the remaining Dakotas out of Minnesota and further west into their allotted reserved territory in South Dakota. 

During the Civil War, it's well documented that the majority of Natives supported the southern confederate states in hopes of better liberties. However just like during the French and Indian Wars and the American Revolution the Natives were once again on the losing side. Following the Civil War, conflicts and skirmishes continued to intensify throughout the Great Plain territory. Union Gen Philip Sheridan was given command to neutralize the Great Plain region and appointed Gen George Custer to command the 7th infantry. These campaigns however only lead to further native massacres and bloodshed such as the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864, Red Cloud's War in 1866, the Washita Massacre of 1868, and the Marias Massacre of 1870. 

Great Sioux War of 1876

Despite their defeat at Red Cloud's War the Lakotas continued to strongly resist western occupation of the Dakota territory. They were lead by strong war leaders such as Red Cloud, Crazy Horse, and the famous Sitting Bull. The tension reached another tipping point in 1875 when a gold rush had reached the Black Hill territory. In a diplomatic effort the US government, offered to buy the reserved land they had given the Dakota and Sioux natives and relocate them further west. The native tribes did not agree to this offer however and refused to leave their territory in the Black Hills. In response to this Gen Custer attacked the Lakota stronghold at the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876. 

The Battle of Little Bighorn began the Great Sioux War and is one of the most famous American-Indian battles for two reasons; it was a rare victory for the Indians yet more so was the heroic last stance of Gen Custard. Fought in the Montana territory, the Lakota tribes were lead to victory by Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull. Gen Custer's fatal mistake was dividing his army into 3 battalions with no knowledge of how large the force he was fighting. Given the hilly terrain the Indians were able to hide their numbers and managed to surround Gen Custer on a hill. Completely outnumbered Gen Custer and his battalion fought to their deaths on the hillside. While it was a major defeat for the Americans it also became a rallying cry for more military engagement. 

Following this shocking defeat, the American military intensified their campaigns throughout the region and were quickly able to subdue the resistant Lakota and Dakota tribes. The Great Sioux War ended with the Agreement of 1877 which made all of the Indian territory official American annexations. The Sioux were still granted reserved territory, however their way of life was now at a major turning point. They could either chose to assimilate with the American culture or continue to stubbornly resist (despite the impossible odds). I can only imagine this fork in the road, and the utter dilemma of choosing to support the enemy or support a dying way of life. 

Ghost Dance Movement

After years of depressive assimilation and rising alcoholism the natives found some brief solace during the Ghost Dance Movement of 1889. This fascinating spiritual practice incorporated traditional native round dances with new philosophical beliefs of recalling the dead spirits. This concept was made popular throughout the west by Paiute religious leader, Jack Wilson also known as the Prophet Wovoka. He shared his vision in which this spiritual dance would call upon the spirits of the dead to fight against western expansionism and unite the native tribes. This movement brought many natives an optimistic return to their heritage, amidst the struggles of assimilating.  

However the American government quickly felt threatened by this sudden spark of Indian unity. The movement was even supported by their heroic war leader, Sitting Bull. American military outposts began to fear this was a precursor to revamped Indian aggression. I suppose it's no different than the police brutality that occurred during the hippie counter-culture years. The establishment felt they had to quickly end what could become a launching pad for a new conflict, and thus they engaged in a preemptive strike. 

Massacre of Wounded Knee

The first major strike came with the murder of Sitting Bull on Dec 14th of 1890. He was shot in the head by local authorities after refusing to comply and end the Ghost Dance movement. This of course only heightened the Lakota's hostility and lead to the infamous Massacre of Wounded Knee. The American Army had arrived to the Wounded Knee Indian Reserve in the Black Hills of South Dakota to neutralize the encampment. Their intentions were to disarm the entire encampment in what they feared was a stronghold of the Ghost Dance Movement. However the local natives did not take well to handing over their arms, and soon the hostility escalated. 

The Massacre occurred on a snowy Dec 29th, 1890 in what was to become the deadliest massacre in American history. It began as a standoff in which the young Lakota warrior, Black Coyote refused to hand over his rifle. This lead to a scuffle that caused his rifle to discharge, however there is speculation as to who pulled the trigger. The discharging rifle lead to an instantaneous gun-fight between the two sides at short range. The American army had the clear advantage in the shoot-out with better guns and experience. However following the shoot-out, chaos erupted all throughout the camp and American soldiers began acting without orders. In fear of their own safety American soldiers began slaughtering the men, women, and children of the encampment. 

The entire event maybe lasted an hour with casualties mounting from 150-300. 25 of these included American soldiers, but the rest were Lakota Indians. This massacre quickly brought public support to the native's struggle who felt it was an unjust use of force. In an effort to quell and repair the situation, the government granted the natives more funds and land reserves. By this point the Ghost Dance movement had lost it's traction and the Sioux people continued onward with their assimilation into American society. To this day the Black Hills region is loaded with historical monuments to their Native leaders. This is an area I would love to explore someday. 

Grand Canyon Trip 2021

This past week I had an incredible vacation with family to see the Grand Canyon for the first time. It's a place I've had on my bucket list for some time, and can say it was very well worth the long trip. I've been in the southwestern region several times for football gigs, visiting cities such as Forth Worth, San Antonio, Phoenix, and Tuscon, AZ. I also had a very memorable visit to Las Vegas for my first time in 2008 with the Palmer family and our friend EJ. However despite all this traveling out west, I had still not seen the Grand Canyon until now. It was about the last major American landmark remaining on my bucket list, and I feel so very gratified to have now seen it. 

I use to think of the Grand Canyon as a giant crater, however it's so much more than that. It's a very long and deep ridge that runs along the Colorado river. While it appears to be high up in the air (at an elevation of around 7000 feet), it actually falls very low into the earth, making for a deadly drop. With it's vast array of mountains, rocks, and winding ledges it's quite frankly one of the most incredible sights I have ever seen. It's a sight that truly needs to be seen with one's own eyes. The photos and videos just don't quite do it justice. It's an overwhelmingly immense and breathtaking site that makes it such an iconic natural wonder. 

Each summer our family tries to make a summer trip to some place new and I'm very grateful we still keep this tradition alive. Last summer our options were limited due to Covid, and we had a mini 4-day wknd in West Virginia. So this summer we decided to go big, and take a flight out to Las Vegas for a week long adventure in the area. Our starting point was in Vegas, then a few days in Flagstaff AZ, and then back to Vegas for the return trip. Our focal point of the trip was of course the Grand Canyon. It was my parents, Gabriel, Andres, my grandma Ofelia, and myself that made the trip. I can gladly say that the vacation was a total memorable success and among my favorite family vacations ever (up there with New York 05, New England 12, and Europe 17 and 18). 

Day 1 and 2: Las Vegas

My parents, Gabriel, and grandma arrived on a separate plane before us on Monday morning. Andres and I had decided to get separate tickets because we wanted to return before Sunday. We caught an Uber from my place and flew via Spirit Airlines (it was a fairly good flight and I played Switch to pass the time). We arrived around noon local time, welcomed by the immense heat of 110 degrees. We once again caught an Uber to our hotel at the Venetian. Although I would have preferred to stay at the Bellagio, this was also a hotel I really wanted to experience. It did take not long to be absorbed by the euphoric allure of a hotel resort and casino. Once we met up with my parents, Andres and I got some lunch and an expensive 9$ beer. Then we checked into our hotel rooms, where I was sharing a room with Gabriel. 

Later that day after a little bit of rest, the four of us guys went outside to the pool. For a little bit I was captivated by the scenery and the many attractive women in bikinis, but it did not take long for the heat to take precedence. We eventually found a spot with some shade and I joined Gabriel and dad in the pool. I also ordered a beer for Gabriel and we hung out in the pool for a bit. It was maybe for about an hour that we all decided the heat was too much and were ready to return inside. We met up with my mom and grandma and decided to take a stroll and find some dinner. We settled on an Asian place and I had Pad Thai. However the place was not Keto-friendly so after dinner we had to find a place for my mom.

It was around evening time that we began to stroll on the iconic Vegas Blvd., loaded with incredible sights and architecture. We eventually found her a Chipotle, and I was glad to see a beer sold at only $4. We then continued our walk to see Caesar's Palace and the Bellagio. The fountains of Bellagio were as incredible as ever, and we watched several shows overlooking the Paris Hotel as the sun set. That evening we walked around a little more and my mom won 18$ on her first attempt at slots. That was really about the only gambling we did. I felt some minor temptation to try, but gladly never gave in the whole trip. I remember that night walking home in the heat was exhausting, especially for my dad and grandma. We eventually made it back around 10pm too tired to continue to party (considering we had traveled all day and it was around 1am on eastern time).

The next morning I awoke early around 6am and ventured down to the lobby to find a coffee spot. I was quite amazed too see so many people awake and gambling on the casino floors so early in the morning. I bought some overpriced coffee and tea for my dad, grandma, and myself. We didn't really have much of a breakfast, minus some snacking in the hotel room. I then joined Gabriel to pick up our car rental at the airport. Once we left our hotel, I was glad to convince everyone to see Old Vegas on our way out of town that day. We found a parking spot and walked along the famous Fremont Street. I remember having a very fun night in 2008 at this place when I visited Vegas with the Palmer family. However this time around I was quite disappointed to see the street so trashy and empty. Could have been because it was daytime and it still had it's iconic LED ceiling. 

Day 2: Hoover Dam and Flagstaff, AZ

That afternoon we left Las Vegas and made a stop along the way at the iconic Hoover Dam. We found a look-out spot of which dad, Gabriel, Andres, and I ascended a path to this very high up bridge. The bridge offered us a clear look at the Hoover Dam in all it's glory. it was a glorious sight, yet the deathly height at which we stood made it for a rather quick view after some photos. After this we visited the actual Hoover Dam and walked around the structure for a while. The biggest reference on everyone's mind was of course the classic Chevy Chase scene in the movie Vegas Vacation, where he climbs up the dam. We walked from one end of the dam to the other, yet once again were quickly exhausted by the immense heat. Ofelia and dad were especially looking fatigued and we had to rest frequently. 

After our visit to the dam, we decided to bypass our visit to the Grand Canyon skywalk and head to Flagstaff. We finally had a late lunch at a gas station, called the Last Stop, which I think helped everyone feel re-energized. I ordered some very tasty wings here. After lunch I took on a driving shift that was loaded with hilly roads, rainy weather, and other obstacles. We hit a total road block coming into Flagstaff and the GPS took us on an epic detour thru a muddy forest. The area was unlike anything we'd seen before, an open forest with random campers and cows walking along the road. My greatest fear was getting stuck in the mud, and after 30 minutes was glad we made it back on road. However when we arrived to Flagstaff, there was an even worse problem of mudslides. I had to quickly find us another detour thru the many road-blocks in the city. Once we arrived to our hotel at the Best Western Inn, we ate dinner at a nearby Mexican food truck. That night Gabriel and I swam at the pool and hot-tub for a little bit before bed.

Day 3: Horseshoe Bend 

The next morning we got to enjoy some Continental Breakfast at the hotel which was quite nice. Afterwards Gabriel drove us to the iconic Horseshoe Bend located in northern Arizona near the town of Page. It was about a 2 hour drive and when we arrived to the parking lot it appeared like it was going to be a major disappointment. As we hiked to the lookout point, there was really nothing to be seen except open fields of desert and mountains in the distance. However once we got to the lookout spot, it immediately became worth the trip. To everyone's astonishment the view was submerged and we were actually standing on a plateau overlooking a river in a canyon. This view was so incredible, because the river was making a very sharp turn to create the shape of a horseshoe. 

The drop-off from the ridge was the most deep and straight rock formation I had ever seen, and made for an incredible yet equally frightening feeling. There was no railings along the ridge, and to fall off the edge would be instant death. Nonetheless we still took many photos and got as close as we could to the ledge. My dad and I climbed up a very large boulder nearby which made for some different views. We spent some time overlooking and enjoying the incredible sight that stood before us. The heat was not as bad as Vegas, but was still a hot one in the 90s. We took our time on the upward return trek to the parking lot. 

I once again volunteered to drive the return trip, which was once again loaded with unique obstacles. Aside from the twisting mountainous roads, we got hit by a very strong storm as we approached Flagstaff. The city was once again overrun by mudslides and road-blocks. I was able to once again navigate us thru the road-blocks however we could not reach the hotel due to traffic, and decided to park in the plaza next to it. Afterwards Gabriel and I walked to a nearby Chinese restaurant to pick up food for everyone. That evening we walked around Flagstaff for a bit, but the rain was an issue. Afterwards we relaxed at the hotel, drank some beers, and watched the Gold Cup on TV.

Day 4: Williams and Sedona, AZ

The next day after some continental breakfast we skeptically planned to visit a wild-life park named Bearizona. The park was like a unique zoo that mixed a drive thru experience with a walk-thru experience. The first stage was the drive thru park where we saw bears, wolves, bison, and various other animals in their natural habitats. We actually got very close to the wild bears in our car, which was very cool, and reminded me of that scene in Jurassic Park. The 2nd stage was a walk-thru which was more like your typical zoo with unique exhibits. Here we saw basic zoo animals with some very cool exhibits of brown bears and a beautiful black panther. I learned right then and there that panthers are actually jaguars with different skin pigment. All-in-all it was an enjoyable visit and I bought some souvenirs when we were finished.

That afternoon we visited the city of Williams, which was renowned for it's Grand Canyon Railway yet more-so it's location at the heart of the iconic Route 66 highway. The city was a hot-spot during the olden days along the main road to-and-from the west. It was now loaded with souvenir shops, bars, and restaurants. We found a nice diner restaurant and sat outside overlooking all the activity. I treated my mom to some beef ribs (that were slightly burnt but still tasty). Our waitress was very friendly with us and with the setting it was a very enjoyable lunch. We returned to the hotel by around 2 or 3ish and rested for a bit, unsure what to do next. That was until our receptionist convinced my dad to visit Sedona. 

So after a little bit of rest we climbed back in the van for a 3rd activity that day to the city of Sedona. This time my dad did the driving and it consisted of some very challenging twists and turns up-and-down the mountains. We decided to pull off at a park, which was pricey but a great discovery along the river. The area was loaded with people swimming in the creek along the rocks, and it was such a cool place. However the rain was really pouring at the time, and our visit there had to be cut short. We returned to the car and continued into the city of Sedona, which just like Williams was a busy tourist strip. The main street was loaded with shops, restaurants, and bars while the view of the distant mountains and cliffs were astonishing. It made for a very impressive sight, and I decided to buy a t-shirt there. 

We returned from Sedona that evening and decided to eat dinner downtown in Flagstaff. We walked around town for a bit, however the Indian restaurant my mom wanted was closed, so we find another one slightly outside of town. I ordered an IPA beer with the butter chicken, and requested it be the top level of spiciness. It was tasty with a bit of a kick, and I was only able to eat half of it (more-so because I was still full from lunch). Afterwards we returned to the hotel, had a couple more beers, and watched the Gold Cup before bed.

Day 5: Grand Canyon National Park

We had considered the train ride all along, but were unsure what exactly it entailed. I for one thought it would take us near the canyon, but after some research it was only a trip to the canyon. However the real sell of the Grand Canyon Railway (located at Williams) was the interactive entertainment it provided. So we all agreed to buy the 80$ tickets that would give us a guided journey of history and entertainment. Our train was scheduled to leave Williams at 10:30am, so we arrived early to catch the opening western shown. While the cowboy actors were good, the story was fairly weak and it was hard to hear them speak. The story ended in a typical sheriff/bandit shootout in the town center. After the 15-min show was over we then boarded our train. 

Onboard the train, each coach had it's own tour guide, ours was a friendly old patriot named Jerry who had was a natural talker. We were also treated to some musical entertainment, mostly folk songs. The train did not get over 40 miles an hour, but still made for an enjoyable experience as we got closer to the park. Once we arrived, we were allowed 3 hours to tour the park before the train departed at 4:30pm. After we got off the train, we had to take some stairs upward, until finally there stood before us the incredible Grand Canyon. It was an unreal sight almost like something out of a fantasy world such as Zelda's Hyrule. Layers and layers of rocks, mountains, craters, and ledges. From our central view at the southern rim we could not even see the river down below. 

We decided to first hike westward along the rim until we got to the Bright Angel Trailhead. Here we were able to descend a winding path, which was a 9-mile downward route to the river. Unfortunately since we were pressed for time, we only went about half-a-mile before we turned around. I then treated everyone to some hot dogs and veggie burgers at a food truck. Afterwards we walked eastward for a bit along the rim, taking as many pictures as we could. It truly felt like we were on top of the world, looking out into some sort of heavenly world. It was an experience I wish could last a life-time, and truly hope to see again with more free time.

Our return trip on the train, was also quite eventful. After some musical entertainment and an interactive train robbery (via the cowboy actors) our train experienced some mechanical difficulties. For nearly 45 minutes we lost power and were at a stand still, maybe 10 miles outside of our destination at Williams. Finally the problem was fixed and we were glad to finally get back to Flagstaff. Despite this hiccup, the train ride was still worth the money and a great way to take on some of the local culture. That evening we had leftover Chinese and Indian food for dinner and went to bed early. The next morning my dad drove Andres and I to the airport. Each day of the vacation was very memorable, enjoyable, and action-packed experience. It was more than just a vacation, rather an adventure in a far off western land that I will never forget. 

Book Review: Divine Comedy: Purgatory

The second book in Dante's epic poem of the Divine Comedy is Purgatorio, which translates to Purgatory. The characters of Dante and his guide Virgil have traveled thru the earth's core of inferno and now approach the next phase of the afterlife. They travel up a mountain, known as Mount Purgatory, and just as there were levels in Inferno, there are levels on the mountain. Each of the tiers pertain to sin, suffering, and spiritual growth. Obviously the higher tiers on the mountain reach closer to heaven, known as Paradiso. Dante eventually reaches a point towards the top of the mountain where his guide Virgil can go no further. At this point he is guided by his past love Beatrice, who represents the total embodiment of love. 

I remember early on as a young Christian understanding that heaven was good and hell was bad, yet wasn't really aware of this middle area known as Purgatory till much later. Purgatory is broadly defined as the intermediate state of the afterlife. I see it as the domain for souls seeking purification with the obvious goal to reach the heavenly domain. So in essence those who are sent to purgatory are not evil yet are also not fully righteous. According to Dante it is a domain where dead souls seek to be righteous with upward mobility and that in itself is an optimistic thing. (Unlike the eternal damnation of the Inferno). 

So in theory purgatory is almost like a cleansing room where souls are cleaned of their wicked ways. In a way, one could almost associate our lives here on earth as a form of purgatory. We are all sinners seeking righteousness, faced with constant trials and tribulations of life. However according to Dante, it is our actions while living on earth that define where exactly we are placed in the afterlife among the tiers of hell, purgatory, and heaven. This is of course in accordance with the Christian teachings, yet I believe still a concept that most religions share. 

I found Dante's Purgatorio to be a little more difficult to comprehend than the Inferno, so I'm going to attempt to further analyze it here. The general premise is that Dante and Virgil are ascending a mountain on an island with tiers. Just like there were 10 rings in hell, there are 10 rings associated to this purgatory. The first two being the bottom ground "pre-purgatory" tiers like a lobby quite similar to the Vestibule of Hell. The next 7 levels on the mountain are once again associated with the 7 deadly sins, however unlike the damned souls of Inferno these souls are seeking purification from their sins. Souls are able to climb upwards while the sun (representing God) is in the sky, yet not at night. At the top of the mountain is the Earthly Paradise known as the Garden of Eden, which serves as a gate into heaven. 

Dante's Purgatorio

After Dante and Virgil clear the underground core of Inferno they ascend upwards until they reach the island of Mount Purgatory. At the shores of the mountain they are first welcomed by the pagan Roman senator, Cato. They then are escorted by an angel on a boat across the sea and thru the Pillars of Hercules, until they reach the foot of the mountain. At the bottom of the mountain are two forms of souls, those who were excommunicated and those who sought forgiveness late in their lives. So essentially the excommunicate was a righteous soul who was later damned, while vice versa the late repentance was a damned soul who later sought righteousness. According to Dante, depending on their sins these two categories are not in Inferno, yet also not on the Mountain of Purgatory.

At the foot of the mountain they approach a gate, known as Peter's Gate, guarded by an angel with a blinding sword. With the sword he inscribes 7 P's on Dante's forehead (which is the Latin word "peccatum" meaning sin). The angel then grants them entrance thru his two keys of remorse and reconciliation. He also warns Dante not to look back as they ascend the tiers. The 7 tiers represent the 7 deadly sins as misdirected love. The first three sins of pride, envy, and wrath are misguided love towards others, sloth is a lack there of love, while avarice, gluttony, and lost is excessive love on oneself. Each of these sinners finds their purification thru the contrasting 7 virtues of humility, kindness, patience, diligence, charity, temperance, and chastity. 

The first level is that of the prideful who seek purification thru humility. In doing so they carry large boulders on their back across the terrace. Dante and Virgil eventually meet the angel of humility who wipes the first P from Dante's forehead and grants them access to the 2nd tier. Virgil explains to Dante that as they get higher they become less encumbered and the climbing gets easier. The 2nd tier is that of the envious whose eyes are sewn shut. However in seeking their purification they share stories of generosity. Once again Dante and Virgil encounter another blinding angel who removes the P and grants them access to the 3rd level. Virgil explains to Dante that as they get higher he will soon be able to see the angels.

In the 3rd level is for the wrathful who walk around the terrace thru a thick unpleasant smoke. However in contrast to their sins they perform acts of meekness and compassion. Once again Dante cannot see the angel of peace however another P is removed from his forehead. In the 4th tier they encounter the slothful/careless souls who are now engaged in diligent/busy activity. At night Dante dreams of a Siren who embodies the sins of self-love (greed, gluttony, and lust). They are then granted entrance to the fifth tier by the Angel of Zeal. On the fifth tier is for the avaricious, those who were greedy in abundance and ambition. To seek their purification these souls lie face down on the ground reciting prayers. At this stage on their journey Dante feels an earthquake, in which the poet Statius explains as the occurrence when a soul reaches heaven. 

At this level of the mountain, Virgil's guidance is replaced by the Christian convert Statius who is more experienced with the rules of purgatory. Statius is a big fan of Virgil's Aeneid and the two share friendly conversation throughout their journey in the higher tiers. The three poets then meet the Angel of Moderation who once again removes a P from Dante's forehead and grants them entry to the 6th tier. This tier is for the gluttonous who face their purification by starving themselves in the midst of abundant fruit trees. When they encounter the Angel of Temperance who removes the P, it is no longer a blinding light yet rather a reddish glow.   

The 7th terrace is for the lustful who must pass thru a wall of flame and give praise to chastity and fidelity. Dante is afraid to pass thru this flame yet is told that the love of his life, Beatrice is awaiting on the other side. He then passes thru the flame and encounters the Angel of Chastity who removes Dante's final P.  At this point Dante must say goodbye to his beloved guide Virgil who did not embody the righteousness required for the next domain. Dante then enters into the Garden of Eden where he is welcomed by a woman named Maltida who prepares him for his entry into the heavenly domain known as Paradiso. 

At this point Dante sees a symbolic procession within the Garden of Eden. This consists of 24 elders that represent the 24 books of the bible; four animals with wings that represent the 4 evangelists; a chariot ridden by Beatrice pulled by a griffin; three women encircling the chariot that represent love, hope, and faith; four other women who represent the four virtues of prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude; two more elders that represent the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles; four humble people that represent the remaining epistles; and a lonely old man that represents the Book of Revelations. 

After the procession is complete, Dante finally comes face to face with the majestic and angelic Beatrice. This is a personal reference for the author, who considered this woman in his life to be the embodiment of love.  In the garden, Beatrice shows Dante to the River Lethe which erases all memory of his past sins and to the River Eunoe which restores all his good memories. At this point Dante's soul has been completely purified. He is then ready to enter the final domain in the sky, Paradiso, where the angels and righteous souls dwell. 

Dante's Levels of Purgatory

Just like as in Inferno, there are 10 total tiers in Purgatory. Once again I really enjoy this concept of tiers in the afterlife, because not every sin or virtue should be judged equally. In this domain Dante once again establishes an outer lobby or vestibule, this time known as the Ante-Purgatory. These souls have not yet been permitted to begin their upward ascension. Then begins the upward climb of the 7 deadly sins. This ascension is a patient journey of purification with the total goal being to acheive the bliss of paradise. What's especially interesting is how the higher the soul gets the easier their burden is. Also the higher they get the more clearly they can see beyond the illumination of the angels. The final and top tier of purgatory is the Garden of Eden, which serves as the entrance into Paradise. 

• 
  Ante-Purgatory
• Excommunicated: Those expelled from the church
• Late Repentance: Those asking for forgiveness and faith at a latter stage in their life
• Terrace 1: (Pride) They carry large boulders to display the virtue of Humility
• Terrace 2: (Envious) Their owns are sewn shot yet they share kind stories to display the virtue of Patience
• Terrace 3: (Wrathful) They are consumed by a putrid cloud of smoke, yet perform acts of meeknees to display the virtue of compassion.
• Terrace 4: (Sloth) They work endlessly and with great effort to display the virtue of diligence
• Terrace 5: (Avarice) They lie down face first in prayer to display the virtue of moderation
• Terrace 6: (Gluttonous) They starve themselves and overcome temptation by staring at fruit trees to display the virtue of Temperance
• Terrace 7: (Lustful) They pass thru a wall of flames to display the virtue of Chastity
• Earthly Paradise: In the Garden of Eden there is a symbolic procession of the Bible and two rivers that erase sin and restore total righteousness.  

Game Review: Skyrim

I remember nearly ten years ago walking around a Best Buy and being very enticed by this game on display, Skyrim. I really knew nothing about the Elder Scrolls, however the game cover had such an alluring illustration to it. It was a mythical world of snowy mountains, warriors, and dragons and clearly appeared to be an epic fantasy game. As a huge fan of Lord of the Rings and the fantasy genre, I was very interested in this game. I remember assessing the box for some time, which I believe was a PC game, and really debated if I should make the purchase. I eventually decided to hold off on the $50 purchase, but ever since that moment, the game always had a bit of interest to me. 

Nearly ten years later, after finishing my Assassin's Creed and Zelda run, I decided to purchase this game. Of course I knew it was ten years old and the graphics would be quite aged, however I was still in it for the open-world setting and the fantasy story. I decided to buy it for the Xbox One instead of the Nintendo Switch, because it was twice as expensive for the Switch. The game was remastered which added a little more updated graphics, however still quite not up to par with the recent Assassin's Creed games I had played. I played the game for a solid three weeks, and would say overall I enjoyed the game, the story, and especially the soundtrack. I found it very challenging but also a good mythical escape which is what I always love about video games.

The Story

This was my first experience with the Elder Scroll franchise, so I knew nothing whatsoever about the backstory and setting. This game is actually the 5th release in the series, that was first introduced in 1994. As I've eluded to the game is a fantasy epic so deals with medieval settings, dragons, warriors, monsters, and magic. For me the setting felt like a return to the Norse mythology I had recently experienced with the game Valhalla. It also very much reminded me of the popular HBO series, Game of Thrones with the warring kingdoms and of course the dragons. I'd say what made Skyrim so different from Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, or Valhalla was the major use of magic. 

The game is the epitome of an RPG game with so much freedom and options to chose from. At the start, you get to chose what species you want your hero to be examples being the Nords (Scandinavians), Bretons (British), Argonians (reptilian-humanoids), khajiits (feline-humanoids) or various elves. I chose the Breton character thinking it to be the most balanced and relatable of the choices. From the onset, the hero is about to be be-headed by the Imperial Army until a dragon attacks the fortification. The hero is able to escape and begin his quest to uncover this dragon mystery. He journey's to the settlements of Riverrun and Whiterun where he learns more of recent dragon attacks.

The hero eventually confronts a dragon, and after defeating it he absorbs the dragon's soul. To everyone's astonishment they realize that this hero is what is known as dragon-born, and has ancient magical powers. He is summoned to meet the elders of Skyrim, known as the Greybeards to train in the ancient art of dragon shouts. He also learns more about the civil war in Skyrim between the Imperials and the Stormcloak rebellion. He then joins up with a group of dragon hunters, known as the Blades to unlock more secrets about the king of dragons, known as Alduin. With further knowledge he later returns to the Greybeards, and their leader Paarthurnax, who happens to be a dragon. Paarthurnax teaches the hero the ancient shout of "dragonrend", which summons the dragon to the ground. 

The hero confronts Alduin, however Alduin escapes. In order to learn more about defeating this ancient dragon, the hero journeys to the depths of the underworld to locate the Elder Scrolls. He then captures another dragon named, Odahviing who agrees to transport him to a fort high up in the mountains. At this fort there is a portal to the afterlife, known as Sovngarde where Alduin is hiding and feeding on souls of the deceased. The hero enters the Hall of Valor (no doubt a reference to Valhalla) and enlists the help of other ancient heroes to help him face Alduin. Thru their help and his new found shouts he is able to defeat Alduin once and for all. 

However just like with most games these days, the story does not have to end here. While this is the main story arch, there is so much more to do in Skyrim. There are countless side quests, civil war tasks, and magical training to achieve. What's especially unique about this game, is that the player is essentially in control of the story and can chose what clan to support and where to live. The map is enormous, with many settlements, dungeons, fortifications, and sights to explore. The hero is constantly upgrading his skills, arsenal, wealth, and magical knowledge which make for an even more immersive game experience.

The Gameplay

From the onset I was quite worried that this would be an entirely 1st person perspective, however after some research I was able to switch to my much preferred 3rd-person view. It still took some extra time to get familiar with the aged graphics and limited mobility. For example the character in this game cannot climb whatsoever and although the map is fairly open there are some areas that are just not accessible. I later found that in order to climb I had to jump a lot, which made for some rather awkward gameplay. The character's hangtime is also abnormally inaccurate to natural physics. The melee fighting also took some time to get use to, where the sword swings have to be targeted (just as with a long range shooting scope). The fighting in this game is very difficult and requires various tactical elements. 

I've come to understand that there are various forms of in-game fighting style, mostly the sword-slasher vs the magic-yielder. I being of old-school warrior mentality preferred the sword slashing approach with a strong collection of weapons and armor. I did however frequently incorporate several magical skills such as the health restoration, the dragon fire breath, and a few instances of the wolf-spirit familiar. I only scratched the surface of the magic in this game however, and barely dabbled with the alchemy, enchantments, potions, and various spells that could be acquired and used on enemies. This is a darker element and very detailed aspect of the game, that crosses into witchcraft and black magic. 

There actually was a point in this game, where I was about ready to call it quits, maybe on the fourth or fifth day. It was on the quest Diplomatic Immunity where I was trapped in a dungeon and overwhelmed by difficult guards and wizards. I kept dying and the game kept bringing me back to the same spot between 4 enemies with no chance to react. This was a major flaw in the game and the only way I was able to remedy the glitch was to load a further back save-point. I was able to eventually get past the mission and realized that quick saves were very necessary in the game. I later incorporated this technique when facing difficult odds, always ensuring that I was in safety before making a  quick save. The game would then load at the exact point and situation just as you had left it.

Another aspect that was new and annoying to me was the economic trade and weight limit. I suppose it makes sense that the hero should have a limit to the inventory he can carry, but trading these items was just as annoying. Innkeepers would only sell or buy food and drinks, while the weaponry could only be sold to the blacksmiths. Furthermore each of these merchants had a limit to what they could spend, which ultimately made it difficult to acquire wealth from trade. This was a component I especially enjoyed about Zelda and AC, however was not quite the case in this game. So often I would have to just offload gear without being able to cash in on it. 

Wealth is probably best acquired in this game by mining and crafting. The game offers a very unique array of crafting options, such as blacksmithing, smelting, mining, woodcutting, farming, and even cooking. By collecting resources in the game the character is able to build weapons, armor, or even cook dishes that will restore health. I thought this was a very cool feature to the game and always a nice break from the intense fighting. It was enjoyable to engage at the settlements such as Whiterun, Windhelm, or Morthal where you could sleep at the inns or even buy your own house with enough money. Unfortunately I never quite got to this point, but who knows maybe I will later continue exploring the game.

Ultimately I kept my experience somewhat limited and decided early on that I just wanted to complete the main quest and unlock the full map. This was mostly due to two reasons, one being the aged graphics that had many instances of limitations and glitches. But more-so due to the dark/gothic element of this game, which I don't care too much for. I love the fantasy genre, but have a limit when it comes to anything pertaining to black magic or witchcraft. I also cannot stand cave/dungeon settings, and this game seemed to have a lot of quests set in these deep underground mazes. So ultimately I would applaud this game for it's vast freeform structure and could certainly see why it was so popular. However it would not make it into my top 25 list. 

Book Review: The Divine Comedy: Inferno

As far as I can remember I've always been quite fascinated with the philosophical theories of the afterlife. Of course there are many various interpretations, mostly pertaining to one's religious faith. Mine will always be biased to a Catholic/Christian interpretation, however I always try to understand life from a multi-cultured scope. For me the two main theoretical doctrines of the afterlife is the biblical book of Revelations, and Dante's Divine Comedy (John Milton's Paradise Lost is also worth a mention). These books give a very allegorical description and visualization of the mystical realm of the dead souls, which we often refer to as hell, purgatory, and heaven. 

There is really no greater work of literature that pertains to the afterlife quite like Dante's Divine Comedy. This philosophical and poetic writing gives a very detailed account of a person's journey through hell, purgatory, and heaven. It is of course very biased to the principle Christian beliefs of God, Jesus, and Satan however still incorporates common themes of morality, sin, and righteousness. The book is also quite personalized from Dante Alighieri's life, as he plays the protagonist in the story. He recounts many of the Florentine people of his time, as well as the political disputes of the age. This being during the 14th century, as the book was completed in 1320, a year before the poet's death. 

What I think makes Dante's narrative poem so unique is his illustration of levels in the afterlife. He uses biblical, historical, and mythical references to demonstrate where they belong on the spectrum of good vs evil. This is a concept I think any faith can get behind (outside of Christianity) in which there are worse sins that deserve greater punishment than others. For example a non-believer or selfish person should not share the same damnation as a murderer or rapist. Dante uses the 7 deadly sins as his markers in the levels of hell, purgatory, and heaven. But before I attempt to summarize the 3 books, I'd first like to give a brief biography of the poet himself. In order to better understand this philosophical work, one must understand the life and philosophy of the writer himself. 

The Life of Dante Aligheiri

Dante Aligheiri is regarded as the most significant writer of the middle ages and the father of the Italian language. While he produced various other writings throughout his life, it was his epic poem of the Divine Comedy, that brought him worldwide fame. The book demonstrates many of his biographical details such as his love of Florence and allegiance to the papacy. He was born in Florence in 1265 with a middle class upbringing with political ties to the local Guelph party. At the age of 9 he met and instantly fell in love with Beatrice Portinari, however this turned to be only shared brief exchanges in the city. They never married nor spent much time together, thus implying that this was merely a romantic fantasy that Dante desired. Nonetheless she is a central figure in his poem as his guide of Paradiso. 

As a young man, Dante was very drawn to poetry and studied classical writings such Cicero, Ovid, and his greatest inspiration Virgil. Through his knowledge of the classical works, he established his own original style of romance. Most of his writings were driving by his love for Beatrice and his political allegiance to the papacy. He later furthered his theological and philosophical studies in religious academies such as Santa Maria Novella. He also served as a prominent political member of the Guelph party in Florence and he fought against the rival Ghibelline party (which favored the Holy Roman Empire over the Papacy states). His papal party of the Guelphs later split into two factions known as the whites and the blacks. Dante sided with the white faction that favored more freedom from Rome. 

In 1301 the Black Guelph faction took control of Florence with Papal support, and Dante and other members of the White party were exiled. Dante spent the remaining years of his life in rural regions of Tuscany where he finished his magnum opus of the Divine Comedy. He was married to Gemma Donati and had 4 children, yet all throughout his life he had a clear infatuation for Beatrice. Dante uses his love of Beatrice and his admiration of Virgil as the key guides in his narrative journey into the afterlife. He died at the age of 56 from malaria in the province of Ravenna. His epic poem was finished shortly before his death. By the 1470s the book was published and quickly became the most popular work of literature during the Renaissance. 

Dante's Inferno

Dante begins his journey by finding himself lost in the woods frightened by the dark mystical environment. He sees terrible beasts such a leopard, lion, and a she-wolf (that represent incontinence, violence, and fraud). Dante however finds hope when the sun begins to arise and he is rescued by his literary influence Virgil (author of the Aeneid). Virgil is considered one of Rome's greatest poets, best known for his epic poem regarding to the Trojan hero Aeneas and the founding of ancient Rome. So it makes perfect sense that the Italian poet Dante, would consider Virgil as his teacher and guide. The spirit of Virgil informs Dante that he will guide him thru the underworld known as Inferno. 

As the two approach the gates of hell, Dante can hear the horrifying screams and agony of the suffering souls. Upon the gate is a sign that reads, "Abandon all hope, ye who enter" which terrifies him however Virgil reassures him to be not afraid.   Near the gate of hell are the uncommitted souls, who chose no side in life yet lived a selfish/cowardly/ignorant life. Although they are not in hell, they are as close as it gets and live a tormented life in what is referred to as the Vestibule of Hell. Once Virgil and Dante enter the gates they are greeted by the ferryman known as Charon, who is convinced by Virgil to allow the living Dante in this dead land. On the Acheron River, Dante can hear the hopeless wails of the damned souls entering hell, in contrast to the hopeful souls entering Purgatory. 

Virgil explains to Dante, that the underworld is divided into 9 circles based on the level of sin, by which Satan resides at it's innermost core. My general visualization of this is that they are basically descending into the earth and with each ring they go deeper and deeper. The first ring is known as "Limbo" for those who did not have faith in life. These are good people who simply did not practice religious beliefs (as according to Dante's Christian beliefs). Some examples of it's historical residents include his guide Virgil, as well other virtuous poets, leaders, and philosophers such as Homer, Julius Caesar, Aristotle, Plato, and Socrates.    

In the second ring they encounter the mythological serpent king Minos, who judges those entering the underworld of sinners. Here resides the lustful, who were overcome by their selfish sexual desires in life and are swayed around by an unforgiving windstorm. Historical residents include Cleopatra, Helen of Troy, Paris, and Achilles. In the third circle they encounter the gluttonous, who were overcome by their appetite, and reside in an endless slush of ice-rain. They are guarded by the three headed dog Cerberus who howls and slashes at them with his claws. In the fourth circle they encounter those who were overcome by Greed, ruled by the mythological Plutus. These hoarders of wealth joust with one another by pushing great rocks endlessly throughout the domain.

In the fifth circle they come upon the River Styx that is overrun by the wrathful souls. These raging souls constantly fight one another in the slimy marshes filled with unending anger and hate. Dante and Virgil then come upon the City of Dis that is guarded by the fallen angels, the Furies, and Medusa. At this point they are mysteriously aided by an angel from heaven who grants them entry into the city walls, that brings them into the lower region of hell. In the sixth circle they encounter the heretics and false prophets such as Epicurus (who claimed there is no afterlife). 

The pair then descends into the seventh circle of violence guarded by a deadly minotaur. This circle has  3 sub-rings that include violence against neighbor, violence against self, and violence against God, nature, and art. Within the first rings resides Alexander the Great and Atila the Hun; in the second ring reside those who committed suicide and are transformed into thorny trees and harpies; the third ring is a domain of burning sand with flames falling from the sky. In this ring include the blasphemers, sodomites, and usurers. They then encounter the beast Geryon, a humanoid/dragon who must fly Virgil and Dante into the lower 8th and 9th rings known as the Malebolge. This bottom region of hell is for the fraudulent and malicious. 

The Malebolge of hell begins with the eight circle for fraud. It it shaped like a funnel of tiers where it's residents dwell in their evil ditches. There are 10 ditches of fraud which begin with panderers/seducers, flatterers, simoniacs (the act of selling forgiveness), sorcerers, barrators (corrupt leaders), hypocrites, thieves, deception, sowers of discord, and falsifiers (imposters, counterfeiters, perjurers). Upon entering the ninth circle, Virgil and Dante encounter mythological giants whose bodies are stuck in the ground. One of these giants agrees to lower Virgil and Dante on his palm, into the lower well of the ninth and final circle.

The Ninth circle of hell is the bottom of the pit, for the most wicked, malicious, and treacherous. Here Dante goes against the stereotypical fire and brimstone and instead portrays a world of ice. Within this lake of ice once again are concentric rings of treachery where the dead souls are entrapped within the ice. The first round is for the traitors to their kindred (such as Cain who killed his brother Able), then traitors to their country, then traitors to their guests, and finally traitors to their lord (such as the infamous Judas Iscariot). 

At the very center of this frozen hell is of course Satan himself entrapped within the ice. Dante refers to him as "Dis" a giant angelic beast with wings and three heads. Within Lucifers' three mouths are the Roman traitors of Brutus and Cassius, and the traitor of Christ, Judas Iscariot. Also worthy of mention is that Lucifer is not depicted as a ferocious powerful demon yet rather a dejected and defeated one. Virgil and Dante are able to descend past Satan's legs, and are suddenly inverted as they begin their upward climb towards the Mount of Purgatory.    

Dante's Circles of Hell

I'd like to give a basic summary here of Dante's 9 circles of hell (10 if you include the Vestibule of Hell). As I mentioned in my intro this is my favorite part of the book, and a concept I believe any religion can get behind. Dante has created a ranking system of sins, by which the worse sin is at a lower depth. I believe some of this is debatable, and would consider violence a worse sin then fraudulence and violence against one's neighbor to be worse than violence against one's self. Nonetheless I still think he's established a fairly agreeable spectrum in regards to the level of sin. 

• 
  The Vestibule: Those who reside outside the gates of hell. These uncommitted souls were ignorant, careless, selfish, agnostic, and cowardly in their life.
• The 1st Circle: (Limbo) Virtuous pagans, atheists, and non-believers. Righteous souls without faith
• The 2nd Circle: (Lust) Those who are overcome by sexual desire and sensation
• The 3rd Circle: (Gluttony) Those who are overcome by an excessive appetite
• The 4th Circle: (Greed) Those who are overcome by avarice, prodigality, wastefulness, and hoarding wealth and material possessions
• The 5th Circle: (Wrath) Those who are overcome by anger, fury, and hatred
• The 6th Circle: (Heresy) The false prophets who preach against faith and religion
• The 7th Circle: (Violence)
• Violence against Neighbors- murderers and war-lords
• Violence against One's Self- suicides 
• Violence against God, Nature, and Art: blasphemers (acts against God), sodomites (irregular sexual intercourse), and usury (taking advantage of other's misfortunes such as financial interest)
• The 8th Circle: (Fraud)
• Bolgia 1: Panderers and Seducers- pimps, prostitutes, brothel keepers and their customers
• Bolgia 2: Flatterer- excessive compliments for personal gain
• Bolgia 3: Simoniacs- religious authorities who sell church offices or indulgences (the forgiveness of sin)
• Bolgia 4: Sorcerers- Witches, wizards, fortune-tellers, soothsayers who practice supernatural and dark magic
• Bolgia 5: Barrators- Corrupt politicians
• Bolgia 6: Hypocrites- Those who contradict their beliefs or feelings
• Bolgia 7: Thieves-  Robbers, rapists, and adulterers 
• Bolgia 8: Counsellors of Fraud- Deception, liars, falsehood, those who mislead or hide the truth
• Bolgia 9: Sowers of Discord- Those who encourage division, chaos, and non-conformity
• Bolgia 10: Falsifiers- Imposters, counterfeiters, and perjurers
• The 9th Circle: (Treachery) Traitors
• Round 1: Traitors to their family (Cain who executed his brother Abel)
• Round 2: Traitors to their country (Benedict Arnold)
• Round 3: Traitors to their guests (Ptolemy welcomed his in-laws then had them killed) 
• Round 4: Traitors to their God (Judas Iscariot)
• Center of Hell: The domain of Satan