Hell. The damnation of man once heaven has rejected him. In every culture there is a different definition of hell. In fact there is a different definition of hell in almost everything. Though a lot of the details are the same. In the Inferno during the first four cantos it gives us yet another idea of hell. It combines the Christian idea of hell and the Greek idea of hell.
The Christian idea of hell is a place where you would be sent to because your sins and faith have been bad enough that you could not get past the gates of heaven. In the Inferno he talks about the gates of St.Peters aka gates of heaven and how he walks past them. I can’t exactly remember if the bible talks about nine levels of hell or not, but I don’ think it ever mentions having multiply levels. Just that it is a fiery inferno where you will pay for your sins. But people are starting to question the translation of the bible and the meaning of hell. According to http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/770193/the_original_christian_view_of_hell.html?cat=38, they say that the words that usually meant hell were translated wrong. When we read words that we thought meant hell they actually mean grave or resting place so not exactly burning inferno of death. This kind of puts a whole different spin on the belief of paying for sins and the existence of hell all together.
Then the Greek idea was incorporated with the river of sticks and Charon. It is mentioned when Dante refuses to go with Charon, Charon says it is all a matter of time you will come with me in one way or another. I don’t know if the number three thing has to do with the Greek idea of hell but it is present in the book. First I think there are the three ladies that are nice and loving and divine, except the one in the very beginning that it was talking about eating him. Then there were the three men that welcomed him into their group of poets and he made number six. I personally think it is directly going to lead to the whole 666 thing and we just got the numbers wrong.
So far this book is confusing with its hellish ways but not too bad in general. Sorry if this article offends anyone it was not my point in doing so; please correct anything that does not add up historically or biblically, I have been wrong before J I am extremely interested in the whole wrong idea of hell thing though so if anyone has any information on that tidbit of information it would be really cool to hear your incite.
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Well what you have said about the whole hell issue and how you weren't sure whether or not the bible mentioned specific levels of hell; Well just so you know, you were right it does not, but it does mention about how the people that went to hell got treated differently like liers weren't tortured as much as say murderers. Also the thing that you said the threes are going to messure up to 666, well you may be right because I too had the same conclusion so did a couple of my other friends.
ReplyDeleteThe Bible has many many different translations to it. There are also many many different holy books out there in the world with different translations. What Im trying to get at is that there is no 1 translation of any holy book of any holy book that humans know forsure is true. Only one person of that religion (the creator)knows the truth behind it so pretty much it is whatever you believe in. That is what the meaning of religion is.. to have a certain belief in something.
ReplyDeleteYes, in the Bible it does give the people in hell a different viewing to most people. When most people think of hell (including myself) I think of the place that all of the sinners go. To be perfectly honest we all are sinners whether we want to admit it or not. So I guess that brings the questions why doesn't every body go to hell? Are there levels of hell, really? Is hell a real place? In reading Caitlin's post I do now have another definition of hell to keep in mind although I don't know if I agree that hell would necessarily be considered a resting place or burial place...in my mind that would be considered heaven. Then again, this all goes back to your own beliefs.
ReplyDeleteIf you believe in something, even just a little bit, it has a hold on you. Maybe that's Dante was trying to do: scare people into religion, much like Puritan settlers in the early Americas. Their view of Hell or even Satan was...somewhat radical. "Words of hell fire and brimstone flowed from the mouths of eloquent ministers as they warned of the persuasiveness of the devil's power." http://www.nd.edu/~rbarger/www7/puritans.html
ReplyDeleteThe Devil is portrayed as a supernatural terror who was behind every evil deed in the world, but Dante's view seems to differ. It's really not Satan who punishes them, but ultimately it's themselves. Either way, whichever Hell is real, they should both be...cautiously evaluated; does anyone really want to go to it?
Dante didn't really change my persepetion on Hell. But I guess I had never considered the possibily of different layers of punishment. However I was taught those who don't believe in Jesus go to hell, not all sinners, because we all sin. Dante's version seems to harsh for what the Bible tried to explain. I never thought of the 666 though. I also find it interesting to mix the Bible and Greek beliefs into one story. The two are so different in ideas that only a work of fiction could bring them together. And that's where The Inferno fits.
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