What sin do the avaricious and the prodigal represent in the fourth circle?

The avaricious and the prodigal represent greed and excessive love of material wealth in the fourth circle of Dante's Inferno. In this circle, Dante depicts individuals who are punished for their sins related to material possessions, showcasing the extremes of human behavior regarding wealth. The avaricious are those who hoard their riches, while the prodigal wastefully squander their resources. Their punishment involves rolling heavy weights against each other, symbolizing the futility and conflict that arises from their distorted relationship with wealth.

This encapsulation of greed illustrates how both ends of the spectrum—hoarding and wastage—are equally destructive in the eyes of Dante’s moral framework. The imagery serves to convey a broader lesson about the dangers of being consumed by material desires, underscoring the importance of moderation.