The Inferno

 THE INFERNO

For those unsubscribed, The Inferno is a poem - - a fourteenth century Italian poem written by a guy named Dante.  It has become, more or less, the average Christian's view of what hell is like for those of less than required obedience and worship.  How it  became the vision of hell for the modern believer is difficult to understand since it was completed in 1314.

For those with computational difficulties, that is 710 years ago.  Yes there was a civilization back then and once again it was located in Italy.  The Italians seem to have a proclivity of advancing civilization every thousand years or so.  I'm certainly ready for the next effort.  But back to The Inferno.

The Inferno is a poem, it is not a report from someone who has visited hell and given us a full scenario upon their return; nor has any of the underworld creatures portrayed there risen and presented documentaries of life in Hades.  Once again, for those unacquainted with poetry, or literature of any kind, poetry is literature - - in this case someone's visualization of somewhere else or in this case an extended metaphor.  A poem is a collection of words that create meaning in the person reading them, in this instance Hell.

Dante's Hell fairly well represented life in 1300 for those who couldn't cope for one reason or another.  It must have occurred to a few that what Dante was really doing was portraying life as it was - topside.  From what I understand, and because of this depiction,  Dante didn't create a very good impression on the folks in charge of Florence at the time and it was suggested that he be a candidate for burning at the stake.  Hence he fled Florence for safer environs.  He apparently wasn't up for experiencing hell while still alive.

Today poets are simply ignored, so no danger there of burning to a crisp over an open fire.  But our standard version of Hell has Dante to thank.  I'm sure others have opted for their own characterizations, but Dante is the king of Hell.  His was the best and by the best I mean the most complete depiction.  I'm sure that such figures as Calvin, Knox, Wesley, Increase and Cotton Mather, Billy Graham, Jerry Falwell, and Oral Roberts all had their particular visions of Hell for those who fall away from the faith and would share their visions every Sunday with the faithful.

Hell has always been and probably will always be the method by which you keep the unlearned and needy in fear and in line.  Do what I tell you or Hell is the result with concurrent suffering, agony, and serious pain for ever and ever.  This has worked for thousands of years and seems unabating.  Wouldn't surprise me if the Incas, the Aztecs, and Mayas had a similar place for those so chosen.  If it works, use it; and they do.

Richard E H Phelps II

Mingo