As these sinners let lust drive them constantly through life, day or night, in Hell, their lust now manifests as the whirlwind that keeps forcing them to move eternally without allowing them to stop for rest. As such, aside from the virtuous pagans of the previous circle (Limbo), the sinners in this circle received a relatively light punishment. In the Divine Comedy, the Deadly Sin of Lust is considered the least offensive of the seven.The corresponding Heavenly Virtue which was the opposite to Lust was Chastity ( Castitas), which encompassed moderation of comforts, virginity, sexual temperance and sexual morality. It could also be defined as disproportionate, overzealous longing for something or someone. Lust originally was not only an obsessive desire for sex, but also for expensive items and excessive comforts (over-pampering of the body), as well as sexual misconduct. The sin of Lust (in Latin luxuria) was listed among the Seven Deadly Sins, which were used by Dante Alighieri to craft his versions of Hell and Purgatory in The Divine Comedy.In the Divine Comedy, Dante sees Semiramis, Dido, Cleopatra, Helen of Troy, Achilles, Paris, Tristan, Francesca da Polenta, Paolo Malatesta and others blowing around in the Winds of Lust.Its architecture, walls, pillars and floors resembled human genitalia. The Carnal Tower: A giant, phallic-shaped tower in the center of the circle which Cleopatra climbed, taunting Dante and trying to hinder his journey.Dante used a bolt of energy to open a breach in the winds and enter the tower. The Tempest of Lustful Shades: A giant vortex storm summoned by Cleopatra, which surrounded The Tower of Lust and punished the lustful shades.A wind-powered elevator system is the only method of reaching the upper floors and pinnacle of the Tower. Statues of the lustful in intimate poses are also present. For example, the pillars and columns resembled penises, the doors and arches are reminiscent of the vagina and the rooms resemble the womb. The Tower itself had many floors, and its architecture and decor continued with the theme of sex and human genitalia. As well as a throne to the circle's guardian, Queen Cleopatra, the tower also acted as a focal point for the violent purple lightning storms that swirled around it, ensnaring the souls of the lustful for eternity. The center piece and main section of the circle was The Carnal Tower, a massive, phallic-shaped structure which rose out of the chasm between the bridges. The bridge itself was lined in gold statues of the lustful, separated at the left and right of the bridge with purple lightning arching between them. The Circle of Lust was comprised of a vast and rocky chasm, with the structural ends of a broken bridge residing on each side.
Upon their departure, Dante proceeded to defeat Queen Cleopatra and Marc Antony who ruled the circle as Lucifer's regents. To press his case, Lucifer showed Dante's betrayal to her by having sex with the Slave Girl. Here, Dante discovered that Lucifer intended for Beatrice to be his bride. Dante journeyed to the Carnal Tower in the center of this circle's massive hurricane of souls who are ruled by sexual desire. Below Limbo was the second circle of Hell, Lust.
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