Who is the Minotaur, and what is his role in Dante's Inferno?

The Minotaur is depicted in Dante's Inferno as a guardian of the seventh circle of Hell, which is designated for the violent. His presence is significant because he embodies the brutal nature of the sins punished in this circle, specifically those who have committed violence against others (the violent against others) and themselves (the suicides). The Minotaur's role as a guardian reflects his mythological background as a creature that is part man and part bull, symbolizing the chaotic and savage aspects of violence that Dante seeks to convey in the narrative.

The seventh circle is divided into three rings, each dealing with different forms of violence, and the Minotaur helps to reinforce the themes of sin, punishment, and retribution that are central to Dante's vision of the afterlife. By placing the Minotaur in this context, Dante highlights the world of violence and the brutal consequences faced by those who succumb to it, making him a fitting symbol for the sins of the seventh circle.