How are sinners classified in Dante's Inferno?

In Dante's Inferno, sinners are classified primarily based on the severity of their sins, which reflects the moral and ethical framework of Dante's understanding of sin and divine justice. This categorization is central to the structure of Hell, where Dante portrays different circles, each designated for specific types of sins. The sins are organized from least to most severe, which Dante illustrates through his journey down through the nine circles of Hell.

For instance, those who commit sins of incontinence—such as lust and gluttony—are found in the upper circles, while the more grievous sins, such as violence and fraud, are located in deeper circles. This hierarchy not only serves to illustrate the consequences of one's actions but also emphasizes the idea of divine justice, where the punishment fits the nature of the sin. In this context, the classification based on severity highlights the moral philosophy of retribution that underlies Dante’s work, making it a crucial aspect of his narrative.

The other options do not accurately capture the method of classification used in the story since social class, location, and political affiliations do not dictate one's placement in Hell according to Dante's vision.