What purposes do the references to Minos and the lustful fugues from mythology serve?

Minos is a figure from Classical mythology: he was the son of Zeus and Europa. Hell is divided into seven circles, according to the seriousness of the sins. Thus the first, Limbo, is the least blame-worthy, and the second, where the lustful are tormented, is also relatively mild. This moral structure gives us insight into the relative gravity of different sins in Dante's mind. As we see here, carnal sins are relatively unimportant, and lust (which is so closely linked with love, to which Dante is not immune) is viewed with a great deal of compassion. One should note the relative abundance of female sinners here: in medieval Christian thought lust was often closely associated with women. A priest who felt himself tempted by the flesh might commonly associate the object of his desire with the desire itself: if men are tempted, women are seductresses. Dante's inclusion of many women in this circle is, however, a very mild form of this kind of prejudice.

Minos was the child of Zeus and Europa. Hell is separated into seven circles, agreeing to the reality of the sins. In this way the primary, Limbo, is the least blame-worthy, and the moment, where the prurient are tormented, is additionally generally gentle. This ethical structure gives us understanding into the relative gravity of distinctive sins in Dante's intellect. As we see here, carnal sins are relatively insignificant, and desire is seen with a awesome bargain of kindness. One ought to note the relative wealth of female heathens here: in medieval Christian thought desire was frequently closely related with ladies. A cleric who felt himself enticed by the substance might commonly relate the question of his crave with the crave itself: if men are enticed, ladies are seductresses. Dante's incorporation of numerous ladies in this circle is, be that as it may, a really mellow frame of this kind of partiality.