How is divine justice manifested in the punishments of Hell?

Divine justice in Dante's Inferno is fundamentally illustrated through the way punishments are directly correlated to the sins committed on Earth. This concept is known as contrapasso, where the nature of the punishment reflects the sin in a poetic manner, ensuring that each soul's suffering is a direct consequence of their earthly actions. For example, those who were greedy in life might find themselves eternally rolling heavy weights, symbolizing the burden of their avarice.

This alignment of punishment with sin underscores the moral order of the universe as envisioned by Dante, where justice is not arbitrary but gives each sinner a fitting consequence for their transgressions. This thematic element of retributive justice serves a dual purpose: it not only affirms the moral fabric of the cosmos but also aims to instill a sense of awareness and reflection in the reader about the repercussions of their actions on Earth. Thus, the manifestation of divine justice is intricately linked to the principle that one’s earthly deeds dictate their eternal fate in Hell.