Question

How are medieval ideas about the Great Chain of Being expressed in The Inferno? Give at least two specific examples from Dante's poem and explain how each fits into the medieval idea of hierarchy.

Answer 1

The Great Chain of Being refers to hierarchy in a system,which definitely exists in Dante's Inferno. You can see as the protagonist goes through Hell that first he goes into Limbo, where the least serious criminals and people who haven't been Christened are located. As he goes through nine circles of Hell, he comes across more serious offenders and demons who guard them, until he comes into the very core of Inferno where Satan is keeping 3 people prisoners: Judas, Brutus, and Cassius. 
Hope this helps! :)