Writing Assignment 11 - Essay Example

Dante’s journey Dante’s inferno is a self-narrative about a dream journey of a befuddled individual, who takes a journey through the gates of hell. The nine hells of circle that Dante undergoes is crucial and paints a gloomy depiction of hell. The narrative itself is divided into three separate parts that consist of Inferno, Purgatory, and Paradise. The ghost accompanies him throughout the journey, in which he witnesses the bitter souls who have not committed good, are condemned to hell. Although the penalties seem to be harsh for these crimes, I think the penalties suit the crime.

For example, a person who was involved in lust was blown by violent winds and storms. Lust, was a very element of sin that was a focal point back in that time period. In addition, people who were obsessed with money, which resulted in greed, were tied to huge bags of wealth. Every sin was associated with some sort of penalty. I do agree with the punishment that was assigned to each sin because it possessed a symbolizing agent to make the sinner reimburse for the sins. A classical example can be seen when individuals who possessed too much unnecessary anger were drowning the swamp of boiling water.

The “boiling” of the water symbolizes the boiling blood that their body endured unnecessarily in minimal matters. There are many differences between upper and lower hell. The lower hell is reserved for those individuals who undoubtedly committed more sins. Individuals who were engaged in heresy, violent criminal activities, and pursued usury were penalized by being beaten with withered wood. In addition, their bare bodies were dragged against the scorching sands of hell. Again, the gloomy picture of hell is perfectly portrayed in this scene.

The upper hell was for those individuals who sin, lower crimes, and unethical behavior. The upper hell consisted of more chaos and torture. One of the most unique features that is presented in Dante’s Inferno is the fact that it almost foreshadows the fate of numerous figures that are presented in myth and history. For instance, Cleopatra and Helen of Troy, are also mentioned to be punished in the first ring of hell for those who were indulged in lust.My depiction if hell is similar as Dante’s.

Although in reality, I did not imagine hell to have nine circles, I do firmly believe that hell is reserved for sinners. For instance, individuals who commit adultery according to my perspective will be stones as they are bare. Similarly, Dante’s hell is a testament to sinners about how vital factors such as greed, lust, heresay, fraud, violence can be detrimental to individuals. Something small such as anger can also be a misdemeanor as the individuals who possessed anger were forced to trapped in flaming tombs.

I always imagined hell to be filled with fire everywhere. In addition, my perspective of hell also consisted of large monsters that would embed fear at the hearts of the sinners. In Dante’s depiction of hell, much of the punishment was caused through objects and not animals. However, Dante gives an excellent and comprehensive outlook of hell that is similar to mine as blood and tears eat the flesh of individuals who have back bitted and have made false accusations. Overall, Dante’s Inferno gives a very unique and comprehensive depiction of hell.

Even Satan is mentioned as he is waist deep in ice, weeping tears from his eyes, reminiscing about the sins and his crusade against God himself.I chose Hitler, Pharoh, Robespierre, Ivan IV, Stalin, Idi Amin Dada, Casey Anthony, Pol Pot, and Napoleon. I chose these individuals not only for the crimes they committed, but their mere obsession with no regard to human life and to pursue their own self-interests. Most people would think twice about human life; however, these individuals had no mercy for human lives.

It seems as nothing will fulfill their egoistic dreams about fulfilling their flawful self-proclaimed prophecies they created in their minds.Works Cited"Dante; Poetry of Dante Alighieri; full text of Dantes Divine Comedy - Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso, at everypoet.com." .: poems and poets :. .: classic poetry, worlds largest critical poetry forums, poetry links from everypoet.com :.. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2011.