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Contrapasso During a moment of extreme pleasure and indulgence, the act of committing a sin is wonderful, so much so that he or she is committing. Temptations can be so strong that a screen is created, blocking the logical side of the psyche, leaving power to the lustful heart, which yearns to be fulfilled. Contrapasso illustrates how a sin would actually be carried out, if all the beauty, temptation, and glory were taken away. In every circle of hell sinners are punished according to how they spent their lives on earth, whether their crime was too much love, food, or hate. By looking at the Contrapasso in each circle of Hell, we can understand the downward spiral into gravity, how the punishment fits the crime, and how the connection is made between Hell, God, and the City of Man. The first circle of Hell represents the Virtuous Pagans, who had faith that was not placed in God. Virgil explains that these men, women, and children lack understanding of the Trinity; therefore “without hope [they lived] on in desire” (Ciardi, 51). Although these people appeared sinless on earth, their lack of faith condemned them into Hell’s first circle, where they will spend eternity with no hope, yet remain without torture. They will