Hell

Just recently I finished the first book of the Divine Comedy by Dante the "Inferno." And I can justly say that I have yet to see or read a book that mutilates all of five of my senses within a matter of a few pages!! As weird as it may sound, I meant that as a compliment. Dante has a way of getting across what he is talking about by giving one the ability to see what he is talking about with the eyes of their imagination.

Dante starts off his story by describing a time about "Midway along the journey of our life..", a time when he has found himself in a dark wood. He does not remember how he got there only he was feeling drowsy when he began to stray from the "straight path." He later runs into two beasts (a leopard and a she-wolf) whom he cannot get past on his own. Dante (I should mention that Dante the poet, writes himself as a character in his own book) runs into Virgil who tells him that he has been sent by God to lead him to the Gates of Saint Peter (aka. Heaven).

It is here that Dante sets up his theme as Virgil being a symbol of reason. Virgil becomes Dante's guide through Hell and Purgatory but later tells him that he will be unable to guide Dante through paradise. However, it is Virgil that slowly but surely brings Dante to his senses as they journey through hell.

While entering the gates of eternal punishment, Dante begins to feel pity for the wretched souls that must endure such punishments for their sin. Virgil quickly reproves Dante by telling him that they are receiving their just punishment because of their carelessness while in this life. They were given mercy and grace while they lived beneath the sun, however, now they are experiencing true justice without mercy. Down through the circles of hell, one begins to see Dante grow and rebuke those souls whom he engages in dialogue. It is at these times that Virgil (aka. reason) praises Dante.

When recognizing Vigil as a representation of reason, it is interesting to note that he cannot guide Dante through heaven. Virgil says that he can bring Dante to the gates of heaven but no further. There seems to be an implication of the boundaries of reason and the need for faith. Sheldon Vanauken describes it as "the leap". That great chasm where reason will lead but cannot build the bridge in order to cross. Reason (for most people) is a very tangible guide by which we are led. A leader that can get us through most struggles in life. But reason also seems to be a very humanistic ideology in that it is confined mostly to our physical realm. Reason is the back bone to math and science and most philosophy. However, it is not the back bone to theology. When discussing the death of Jesus Christ, God incarnate, it usually (to non-believers) sounds like an irrational, unreasonable conversation. And when faith is left on the way side, it is!!

Reason does not make someone a Christian; much less get them into heaven. It is like that old saying, "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink." So it is with Virgil, he can lead Dante to the Gates of Saint Peter, but he cannot make him cross. I have not read the rest of the divine comedy, but I am curious what Dante's guide through heaven will represent. Will it be a figure of faith?? That seems to be the only "reasonable" answer! :~)