Here is Giotto’s Last Judgment from the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua. It was painted 200 years before Michelangelo’s.
The organization of the scene is similar. Giotto really let his imagination fly when it came time to show what will happen to the sinners, his naked little cartoon people. Michelangelo turned all humanity into beautiful demigods—even the sinners, who still retain their dignity, like tragic heroes.
Thanks for another great read, swallows! I think you could also do some theology with your idea that a sinner could in fact be some tragic hero.