Abstract The paper attempts an explanation of hell, according to Dante's epic poem "The Divine Comedy." The paper discusses the second part of the poem, The Inferno. The paper describes Dante's journey as his descent into hell. Finally, the paper compares him to Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
From the Paper "The Descent into Hell: The second part of Dante Alighieri's "The Divine Comedy" that which is known as the Inferno acts as a prime example of a pre-modern version of hell. In this hell are sinners of all kinds from all the centuries. The hell that Dante creates is not the same as the one we imagine today though Dante's vision has certainly shaped the one of the present. As the character Dante descends into hell he is witness to the afterlives of different kinds of sinners."
Abstract This paper analyzes the development of Lawrence Wentworth throughout Charles Williams' novel "Descent into Hell". The paper gives a brief insight into the novel and focus's on Lawrence's relationship to suicide.
Abstract This essay discusses the recurrent patterns that make time cyclic instead of linear in Gabriel Marquez's nove, "100 Years of Solitude", thereby ultimately contributing to the importance of the piece.
Abstract This paper discusses the existence of hell. It analyzes sections in the Bible that refer to hell as a place of physical eternal torment. It then discusses the idea of a universalistic hell which is based on the idea that hell is a temporary punishment with various levels. The paper also discusses the concepts of a conditional hell, a metaphoric hell and a literal hell.
From the Paper "The literal view of hell, as espoused by John Walvoord, claims that hell is exactly what the Bible claims it is. He points out that most of society's view of hell is equivalent to a caricature of the Dark Ages. The human mind can't fathom the idea of eternal righteousness and has trouble placing so much faith in the Scriptures. He adheres to a strict orthodox version of hell wherein there is a literal everlasting punishment that is not redemptive. He uses examples such as Deuteronomy 32:22 and Isaiah 33:14-15, which imply that the wicked will be punished by fire. Walvoord also point out that every time Jesus uses the word gehenna, with the exception of James 3:6, he means to imply everlasting punishment. Jesus also speaks of degrees of punishment in hell, which, if true, would appear to contradict a conditional or purgatorial view. Revelation 14:10-11 clearly proclaim eternal punishment for the wicked. Walvoord also says that the Greek word aionios, the word for eternal punishment, is used seven times. He claims that the problem with accepting a literal view of hell is based on theology, not Biblical exegesis. He sums up his argument with the idea that is people are to accept God's doctrines of love and grace, they just have to accept His doctrine of eternal punishment as well. The doctrine of eternal punishment is based on righteousness."
Abstract Dante's "The Inferno" paints an incredibly vivid picture of what Hell is like. The journey Dante undertakes in order to progress pass his "lost" stage and escape Hell can be likened to the 12-Step Program a recovering alcoholic must complete in order to finally escape from the clutches of drinking to excess. This paper explores Dante's journey through the perspective of this 12-Step Program. By going through each step, one can witness the introspective and emotional self-examination Dante goes through, with a little help from his support group, in order to get out of Hell.
From the Paper "The first step that every recovering alcoholic must take involves the process of admitting his or her problem. Alcoholics must acknowledge that they are helpless when battling their addiction and they must admit that this addiction to drink has wreaked havoc on their lives to the point where they have lost control (Alcoholic Anonymous, 1955, 59). Dante's predicament is no different to that of an alcoholic struggling to regain control over his or her life. At the beginning of the poem, Dante is portrayed as having gotten lost on the path of life and trying to get back on the right path. Using imagery, Dante recalls that ?in the middle of his life, he [finds] himself lost in a dark forest, having lost the right path while half asleep.? "
Abstract This paper plots the evolution of hell by examining the ancient literature of different eras. The paper points out how society's current perception of hell is drastically different from the perception of hell held originally by the masses.
From the Paper "For thousands of years the perception of hell and the afterlife has evolved. Currently society thinks of it as a den of eternal torture, full of fire, sulfur, and brimstone; however, this was not always the case. Relative to the age of the afterlife, hell is a new idea. Nevertheless, hell has changed much in its short lifespan. By studying ancient literature, we are able to track this evolution. Long ago, souls were not judged and went unpunished. Long ago, hell as an inferno of torment was just blooming inside the head of men. In this time, there was no hell."
Abstract This paper discusses some of the attributes of the criminal group, the Hell's Angles. It discusses the organizational history of the motorcycle gang, as well as their structure and members. It then goes on to describe their criminal history and their more current activities. The paper also describes law enforcement strategies with regards to the Hell's Angles.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
History of the Hells Angels
Structure
Participants
Activities
Law Enforcement Strategies
Conclusion
From the Paper "Motorcycle gangs are known to have formed after WWII. Motorcycles were cheap in the 1940's, and former military personnel formed up on weekends riding and partying together. Two of the first such fraternities were the Pissed Off Bastards and the Booze Fighters, groups that established early the notoriety of the outlaw biker image. In 1947, at an American Motorcycle Association convention in the drowsy town of Hollister, Calif., the Pissed Off Bastards rode in drunk, wild and destructive, landing as if behind enemy lines with a belly full of TNT. (Jamison, 2000)."
Abstract The paper introduces and analyzes the topic of organized crime, specifically concentrating on the Hells Angel's motorcycle crime group. The paper highlights the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) as a notorious motorcycle group that evolved into a gang engaging in criminal and organized crime activities. The paper notes that the group, formed in 1948, is notorious today for its violence, drug dealing, and extortion practices. The Hells Angels Bomber Squadron of World War II inspired their name, but none of the bomber squadron members became members of the HAMC.
From the Paper "In addition, many other criminal investigations have turned up large amounts of money, weapons, drugs, and evidence of other illegal activities, such as extortion and coercion by club members and in clubhouses across America and the world. The club Web site maintains that "1 percent of their members are bad, and ruin the reputation of the remaining 99 percent", but the evidence continues to point to the fact that many HAMC activities are gang and crime related, and that many of its members join the organization for reasons other than a passion for motorcycles."
Abstract The paper discusses the book "Four Views on Hell" by William Crockett, theologian at the Alliance Theological Seminary, who invited his three colleagues, John Walvoord at Dallas Theological Seminary, Zachary Hayes at the Catholic Theological Union and Clark Pinnock at McMaster Divinity College, to give their interpretation of hell. The paper summarizes how the four theologians explain how they view God's punishment to wrongdoers from their particularly evangelical perspective.
Outline:
Introduction
Summary
Review of Book
Conclusion
From the Paper "Of course, for most people reading this book, the scholar who provides the best argument is probably the one who comes closest to their own view on the subject of hell and the Bible in general. Looking at these four authors objectively, however, the winner of the debate is the one who: provides the most relevant examples from the Bible to back up his theory; stays closest to the topic and specific question on hand; and not only supports his own views but negates the others. It is up to the reader to decide which he/she felt "objectively" did this best."
Abstract This paper explores the concept of hell as represented by Dante in "The Divine Comedy" and by Publius Vergilius Maro in "The Aeneid". The idea of different tiers for different sinners in hell, present in each of these works, is compared and contrasted.
From the Paper "The journeys through Hell, as described by Dante Alighieri, in "The Devine Comedy", and Publius Vergilius Maro, in "The Aeneid", Book VI, are conceptually similar but different in details. In fact, Dante?s, The Devine Comedy was highly influenced by the writing of Vergil, and it is shown by Dante's choice to make the trip to the underworld with the poet, Vergil.
"The first point that makes their descriptions similar is that each traveler, Aeneas, in The Aeneid, and Dante, in The Devine Comedy, start their journey of Hell in dark, black woods. After making their way through the dark, black woods, they end up at the river shores. Here there is a difference between the two poems."
Abstract All of faiths have a belief about what happens to your body and soul after death. This paper explores the seven different levels of heaven and the seven different levels of hell that Muslims believe in, as well as the heaven and hell that Catholic-Christians believe in. Similarities and differences in the different beliefs are brought out, and all facts are supported by the Bible, Qur'an, and/or primary sources from the religions.
From the Paper "One of the most central things in any religion is what happens to somebody when they die. Some religions believe that nothing happens, others that the dead person's soul is reincarnated, but most, including Islam, believe that dead souls are sent to Heaven or to Hell. Muslims believe in a physical Heaven which Allah created, as well as a physical Hell, also the creation of Allah. Heaven is located in the skies above the earth, and Hell is located underneath this earth. To better understand where one goes after their death, it is important to understand the Islamic teachings of Heaven and Hell and compare them to the Catholic teachings of Heaven and Hell found in the Bible."
Abstract In this paper, the writer considers William Blake's novel "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell" as a reaction to the Enlightenment. William Blake saw the Enlightenment as favoring the rational over the imaginative and explicitly reacts to this thought process in "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell." The paper discusses how Blake contrasts science, poetry, rationality, and imagination to show the limitations and problems that privileging the rational has had by exploring the imaginative in a diabolic way.
From the Paper "Blake dismisses the advantage that has been placed upon good over evil by taking on a diabolical voice and condemns the Church, as it has condemned men, by explaining that "All bibles or sacred codes have been the causes of the following Errors:..."6 (Plate 4), then affirming that "the following Contraries to these are true:..."6 (Plate 4). Blake uses this rejection of the bible to point out the misleading notions that the Church has caused, then blatantly writes "Those, who restrain desire, do so because theirs is weak enough to be/ restrained; and the restrainer or reason usurps its place and governs the unwilling."6 (Plate 5) Here, Blake points out the insufficiencies that "conventional moral[ity]"6 (1377) holds while restraining those who do not wish to follow, as a prediction of the breaking away from Church or State governance."
Abstract Over the many millennia man has walked the earth there are questions that have been asked by many people of differing creeds and faiths. Perhaps the most prevalent, according to the paper's author, are "What will happen to me after I die?", "Where will I go or will I just disappear?" and "What is death?". The paper examines the four things of which, according to Catholic doctrine, man can be sure. These are death, judgment, heaven, and hell. The paper covers all four of these 'last things' and their significance to humanity. After examining each of these ideas, the author presents his final conclusions.
Outline:
The End of Life as We Know It: Death
The Moment of Truth: Judgment
To Be Saved: Heaven
Cast into the Fire: Hell Conclusion
Bibliography
From the Paper "Death itself can be quick or long; merciful or painful; foreseen or sudden. Human beings shamelessly live in sin under the false delusion of earthly pleasure. If you died at this very moment, do you think you would go to heaven? Impenitence is "the absence, the privation, of that contrition which alone can destroy in the sinner the moral consequences of his revolt against God" (Garrigou-Lagrange, 24). There are two types of impenitence, temporal and final. Temporal impenitence can exist throughout life, but may not exist at the moment of death (24). Temporal impenitence is the lack of confession for one's sins (24). If temporal impenitence does exist at the moment of death, it is called final impenitence. Final impenitence is further split into two different forms. The first is the impenitence of fact. The impenitence of fact is the style of final impenitence that is created by the severe lacking or nonexistence of repentance for one's sins (24). The second kind of final impenitence is the impenitence of will. Impenitence of will is similar to impenitence of fact because it has an absence of repentance, however impenitence of the will includes the decision (on part of the individual) not to atone for his or her sins (24). In the Gospel book of Mark, Jesus says "Except you do penance, you shall perish" (Mark 1.15). In other words, if one doesn't rid themselves of temporal impenitence before it leads to final impenitence, they will face certain damnation. Temporal impenitence can be only destroyed by "satisfactory reparation" (Garrigou-Lagrange, 24). Satisfactory reparation includes regret for one's sin and acts of penitence (such as charity toward God) in compensation for the temporal impenitence (24)."
Abstract This paper presents a reflection on CS Lewis' position on heaven, hell and other religious issues in Peter Kreeft's book "Between Heaven & Hel"l. It describes Lewis' point of view as an eminently psychological one, relying on the truth or falsity of the world, embodied by the soul's feeling of "rightness" that is its way of sensing God's love.
Abstract This paper uses the Wesleyan Quadrilateral of Experience, Tradition, Scripture, and Reason to outline the various interpretations and understandings concerning Christ's descent into hell. The paper uses a series of interviews with some of the America's top religion/philosophy instructors, as well as randomized viewpoints.
From the Paper "In general three main arguments have been established: first, that Christ did not descend at all; second that he did descend to the underworld (ei"& ta katacqovnta katelqovta), that is, the place of the dead; and third that he descended into hell (descendit ad inferna) and battled with Lucifer and/or Hades in an effort to rescue those who came before Christ."
