The Fourth Circle: Plutus and the Avaricious

Dante and Virgil descend to the fourth circle, where the avaricious and the prodigal are punished. The demon Plutus, guardian of this circle, cries out gibberish, but Virgil silences him by invoking the will of Heaven. The sinners are divided into two groups, rolling great weights with their chests, clashing together and then turning back, crying 'Why keepest?' and 'Why squanderest thou?' Many are clerics, popes, and cardinals, their shaven crowns visible. Virgil explains that they were blind to true measure in life and are now forever locked in this futile struggle. He then delivers a discourse on Fortune, describing her as a minister of God who distributes worldly goods according to divine will, and who is blissful and hears not the curses of men. This episode introduces the concept of Fortune as a divine instrument and condemns the misuse of material wealth.