Like many belief systems that deal with the concept of a life after death, Dante--in his Divine Comedy--is focused on people receiving a fitting prize or torture based on a major aspect of their lives. For example, people who died while consumed by lust are forced to forever whirl in a wind that drives them in directions they cannot control as they are buffeted and cut by the forces within it--similar to how people driven by their passions feel no sense of control and feel they cannot stop themselves. Also as an example, people who betrayed their masters are in the lowest level of hell, frozen forever in contorted positions which likely symbolize the way that they twisted their allegiances and promises.
As I prepared for teaching this epic tale, I spent a little while examining my own views of the afterlife. In general, I believe in the reality of there being a hell, purgatory, and heaven in the life beyond this one. However, I don't want my fear of hellish punishment or hope for heavenly reward to be my primary motivation for doing what is right and avoiding evil. In fact, I hold in high regard those who actively disbelieve in the concept of an afterlife, but who still strive to make themselves better people and the world a better place for their presence in it. In a sense, their actions are purer in motivation than most of the most zealous believers in religion.
I believe that God has created wonders for us that are beyond this mortal realm. However, I also think that we should take an active role in our present world to make it as close to the ideal Good as is possible. We should do so without our desires of an eternal treasure or our fears of an eternal torment; such concerns only pollute our actions. Instead, I believe that in doing the best we can in this life, we better appreciate the next.