Disney's Inferno ~ Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear
"...He wasn’t anyone’s friend. He took over Sunnyside, rigged the whole system." ~Chuckles
Claim
In Dante's Inferno, Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear from Disney's Toy Story 3 belongs in Circle Eight, Bolgia 9: Sowers of Discord.
Data 1
Looking for a better life at Sunnyside, Buzz Lightyear went in search for a room change only to find that Lots'o and his gang were not as they had first seemed: "Family man, eh? I understand. Put him back in the 'Time Out' chair" (Toy Story 3). While trying to keep his social hierarchy at Sunnyside Daycare Center, Lots'o became dictator-like and held Buzz hostage. While in holding, Buzz is turned to demo mode at the command of Lots'o himself.
Warrant 1
By punishing Buzz for requesting better living accommodations, Lots'o uses Buzz's natural tendency to help against him, benefiting himself. The new addition not only inhibits rebellions, but it also keeps Lots'o safe on the top of his power pyramid. Furthermore, by taking Buzz away, the strawberry scented bear diminishes almost all hope in the toys' life at Sunnyside.
Backing 1
In John Ciardi's translation of The Inferno, he calls the eighth circle "The Fraudulent and Malicious." Lots'o, purposefully damaging for the betterment of himself, lands in the "malicious" category of this circle.
Data 2
After Woody throws a token of Lots'o and Big Baby's past across the dumpster, Big Baby begins to question Lots'o's authority, which caused the bear to snap: "What -- you want your Mommy back? She
never loved you! Don’t be such a baby!" (Toy Story 3).
Warrant 2
In telling Big Baby that her mommy never loved her, Lots'o manipulates the doll in order to suit his needs as dictator over the daycare. If Big Baby knew the truth, Lots'o would not have the intimidation and backing necessary to maintain his power.
Backing 2
During his journey through circle eight, Dante came across an"[...] outcast [that] settled Caesar's doubts that day [...]" (The Inferno XXVIII.97). Just as this man twisted the truth to calm Caesar for his personal gain, Lots'o told Big Baby lies in order to remain in control.
Data 3
At the dumpster, Lots'o fury gets the best of him and he slips out: "Push ‘em in! All of ‘em! This is what happens when you dummies
try to think!" (Toy Story 3).
Warrant 3
Commanding his personal army, Lots'o accidentally reveals his true plans of suppression. By pushing Andy's toys into the trash, Lots'o suppresses the revolutionaries from overthrowing his power. In continuation, Lots'o reveals his attempts to keep his kingdom in the dark, allowing him the knowledge to stay on top of the power pyramid.
Backing 3
Just entering circle seven, the poets encounter the Minotaur:"'Run now! While he is blind with rage!" (The Inferno XII.26). Being blinded by the rage, the Minotaur unknowingly lets Virgil and Dante pass. In similar, Lots'o rage outbreak allowed Andy's toys to discover a weakness to use against Lots'o. His overarching rule became too much to handle, causing him to fail.
Data 4
Realizing the dooming fate facing the toys, Lots'o makes the decision of saving himself, while tricking the others into thinking they will be saved as well. "Sheriff...! The button! Help me! [...] Where’s your kid now, Sheriff?!" (Toy Story 3).
Warrant 4
Instead of truly helping Andy's toys from their impending doom, Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear uses their natural willingness to help others against them in order to save himself.
Backing 4
After facing the outcast who settled Caesar's doubt, Dante reacts: "[...] Curio [...] with a bloody stump in his throat in place of the tongue which once had dared to speak so recklessly!" (The Inferno XXVIII.100-101). Lots'o, with lies spoken so recklessly, earned a spot right next to Curio, as their actions were one in the same.
Counterclaim
Although Lots'o may seem like a Circle-8-Bolgia-9 kind of guy, one might say that he actually belongs in circle seven, part one: Violence against others. In Toy Story 3, Lots'o "breaks" toys: "I’m sorry, Cowboy! They broke me..." (Toy Story 3). During Dante's visit of the first round of circle seven, he encountered "'Nessuss, who died in the wood for insulting Dejanira" (The Inferno XII.67-68). In "breaking" a toy, Lots'o damages it so that no child would dare play with them anymore. In doing so, Lots'o is purposefully harming others.
Rebuttal
While yes, Lots'o does harm others, his sowing of discord is still his greatest sin. Further backed by the evidence of the strawberry-scented bear "breaking" toys, Lots'o uses vulnerabilities of others to gain power at Sunnyside Daycare Center. By breaking these toys, he is indeed harming them, but he is also using their vulnerable state as an example for others not to challenge his authority.
