Dante’s portrayal of lust and the lustful in Terrace 7 as a reflection of medieval attitudes towards sex and sexuality.

This paper explores Dante’s portrayal of lust and the lustful in Terrace 7 of Purgatorio, examining how it reflects and challenges medieval attitudes towards sex and sexuality. While Dante aligns with traditional theological views, notably Aquinas' interpretation of lust as a psychological vice rooted in excessive desire and the distortion of reason, he also perpetuates medieval gender stereotypes by using female characters to symbolize heterosexual lust. However, his treatment of homosexuality diverges from prevailing medieval norms. Instead of condemning sodomy with harsh, sexualized punishments, as was common in art and vision literature, Dante presents the sodomites in Terrace 7 as penitents purging their excessive love through purifying flames. This nuanced portrayal, influenced by classical and twelfth-century gay literature, contrasts with the violent societal and ecclesiastical views of homosexuality in the thirteenth century. Ultimately, Dante’s depiction of lust is multifaceted—both reflecting orthodox theological views on sin while offering a more compassionate treatment of homosexuality, challenging conventional medieval notions of sexuality.