Dante and Se7en - A Retribution of Sin
by April Pogue
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Dante is renowned for his imagery and description of hell and the torments that lie within for the sinners who failed to receive absolution on earth. His vivid descriptions describe terror and torture and for the believers, a dire warning to stray from the sins of continence, violence, and fraud. It is for the various forms of these sins that one must receive eternal damnation, each punishment, dealt according to their sin. Unlike Inferno, in Purgatorio there is more light, and hope. While Inferno dealt with categories of sin, Purgatorio deals with what is known as the seven deadly sins. Dante who was influenced by the teachings of Aquinas and medieval tradition had knowledge of these and was no doubt influenced by these writings. While the background and imagery paint a picture of the sinner's plight, what stands out more is the actual study of the sin itself. What is the cause of this sin, and why was it perpetrated to the extent that purgatory was necessary? It is this question and study that has remained for centuries and permeates throughout modern culture in various ways. This fascination with sin has had a huge influence on art and literature as well as with art expressed through the modern day movie genre dedicated to the horrors committed by serial killers. Various forms of art have been either directly or indirectly been influenced by Dante but his take on the seven deadly sins was the basis of the most evident allegories in modern times.The movie “Seven”, released in 1995, directed by David Fincher, starring Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, and Kevin Spacey. The seven sins act as a template in both Purgatorio and the movie. In the movie the arbiter of justice is the serial killer John Doe, whereas in Purgatorio it is the pen and imagination of Dante the author. One difference to be noted is that in Purgatorio we are dealing with souls, Dante is the only one living. The souls are dealing with their sin in the afterlife whereas in the movie “Seven”, John Doe is dealing with the sins directly while they are still alive. One could argue that this is a direct action of atonement. Dante’s Divine Commedia could be seen as a cautionary tale, a warning to stay on the path of righteousness. It displays the horrors that wait, either in eternity or a lifetime, in hell or purgatory. The movie “Seven” deals with this warning in a direct and graphic manner as well, regardless of whether an afterlife is believed in or not. Despite modern attempts to recreate Purgatorio through various formats, what is most often missed in their version is Dante’s understanding of redemption and his focus on love. My project analyzes and compares the 7 deadly sins according to the movie S7ven and Dante’s Purgatorio.
Works Cited
Primeo. (2023, May 19). Seven (1995) plot summary, Review & Movie Trailer. Totally History. https://totallyhistory.com/seven-plot-summary/
Wenzel, S. (1965). Dante's Rationale for the Seven Deadly Sins (" Purgatorio" XVII). The Modern Language Review, 60(4), 529-533.
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