Valley of the Dead: The Epicureans

Oddly, in the circle of the heretics, Dante singles out a supposed Epicurean, by which he does not mean (merely) someone who enjoys their food and beverage, but someone who denies the immortality of the soul, which to me is an interesting thing to focus on. Thinking on that distinction really let me fill in a lot of the theology of the Commedia in a heated exchange between the arch sinner and Dante (theology which Dante puts in long asides between himself, Virgil, Beatrice, and various Sts. in heaven, but that would be a pretty clunky way to do it in my version). Though of course the sinner has to come off looking like a lout, I tried my best to make his position ("I'm right, and you're a fool for believing the way you do") and Dante's ("I'm right, and you're a fool for believing the way you do") as indistinguishable as I believe they often are in real life. And once again, the Beatrice character comes the closest to the truth - not expressing an abstract belief in the immortality of the soul or the existence of God, but simply feeling love for those around her, and sharing in their pain.

I don't think I know ANY actresses in their late teens / early 20s to play her in the movie version. Any ideas? (With links, please!)