Limbo and Lust By Joshua Evers
Dante has orchestrated a very unique work in writing the Divine Comedy, and specifically, in his account of Hell in Inferno. Appealing to an audience with a somewhat christian background, I see Dante as carefully appealing to Philosophy, Theology, and an overall entertainment. The idea of Hell having differing layers of punishment for unbelievers can be drawn from scripture. Will Brady provides an excellent summary of Dante's attempt to appeal to the scriptures in his post for this week, and rather than deciding to steal it, I encourage everyone to check it out.
As for me, I have a bone to pick with Dante's order of Hell. First, Romans 1:20 states how God made His attributes clearly known to mankind and they are without excuse. I disagree with the concept of Limbo and the omission of guilt to the inhabitants, and further I believe Romans 3 is very blunt about the sinfulness of all men. However, I can understand why Dante included this level. He was able to draw great interest in the reader who was likely familiar with the guest appearances of the philosophers and other famous individuals, while still acknowledging they were not believers of God. He presented Limbo in order to interest the reader, while not offending them in sentencing their favorite characters in history to more embarrassing punishments.
My second disagreement is with Dante's ordering of the levels of Hell. Correct me if I am wrong, but I understand that each corresponding level becomes worse. Then why is lust and sexual sins only the second level?!! The Bible clearly outlines sexual immorality in general as being an especially corrupting sin. 1 Corinthians 6:18 records Paul telling the Corinthians to flee from sexual immorality as it corrupts and defiles the man's own body. Not to mention it is usually the first sin in a list of vices. This is because it is very common, but also because marriage is sacred. This sin can completely destroy the relationship between a man and his wife, who God said should come together as one flesh in Genesis 2:24. All sin is worthy of eternal judgement, but not all sins have the same consequences and affects on others.
Even though Dante has many strange ideas, his account of such a fictitious journey is very entertaining.
P.S. I commented on Sophia and Will's posts.
As for me, I have a bone to pick with Dante's order of Hell. First, Romans 1:20 states how God made His attributes clearly known to mankind and they are without excuse. I disagree with the concept of Limbo and the omission of guilt to the inhabitants, and further I believe Romans 3 is very blunt about the sinfulness of all men. However, I can understand why Dante included this level. He was able to draw great interest in the reader who was likely familiar with the guest appearances of the philosophers and other famous individuals, while still acknowledging they were not believers of God. He presented Limbo in order to interest the reader, while not offending them in sentencing their favorite characters in history to more embarrassing punishments.
My second disagreement is with Dante's ordering of the levels of Hell. Correct me if I am wrong, but I understand that each corresponding level becomes worse. Then why is lust and sexual sins only the second level?!! The Bible clearly outlines sexual immorality in general as being an especially corrupting sin. 1 Corinthians 6:18 records Paul telling the Corinthians to flee from sexual immorality as it corrupts and defiles the man's own body. Not to mention it is usually the first sin in a list of vices. This is because it is very common, but also because marriage is sacred. This sin can completely destroy the relationship between a man and his wife, who God said should come together as one flesh in Genesis 2:24. All sin is worthy of eternal judgement, but not all sins have the same consequences and affects on others.
Even though Dante has many strange ideas, his account of such a fictitious journey is very entertaining.
P.S. I commented on Sophia and Will's posts.
I agree wholeheartedly with your entertainment of Dante's Inferno. I found it more strangely fascinating rather than entertaining, but I guess that technically is entertainment after all. Dante is extremely clever in his formation of hell and the inclusion of all of these characters from famous ancient stories, and now that I am thinking about this it reminds me strikingly of Ralph Breaks the Internet and now I can't look at that awesome movie the same again. Zane Duke
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