Question

Compare & contrast the hell of the Bible with Dante's hell in the Inferno

Answer 1

Authority is the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience. The bible has many authoritarians even Kings who only enforced strict obedience to authority that came from God. The Bible and Dante’s Inferno have many differences and similarities, especially how both perceive authority. King Solomon whose stories and life is spread throughout many books in the bible is a good example of authority in the Bible, and how it relates to Dante’s Inferno. He made decisions that weren’t accepted in the Bible by God, and that wouldn’t be acceptable in Dante’s Inferno by God, but the results of his actions differ between the two. Dante’s Inferno has nine circles of hell and King Solomon’s actions on earth could’ve landed him in a few. The perception of authority in the bible and in Dante’s Inferno is that how man copes with it determines where they receive their punishment, or where they’ll end up either heaven or hell when they die.

Dante’s Inferno has nine circles of Hell, and the one that best fits King Solomon is, “Violence” the seventh circle. According to the History List, “The Seventh Circle of Hell is divided into three rings. The Outer Ring houses murderers and others who were violent to other people and property”. In the Bible, King Solomon persecuted his own people to build the temple. Before he was even given the throne his father King David gave him the Cardinal rule virtue to prosper to keep the Torah. He also was visited by God in his dreams where God told him, “ Because you have not requested riches and honor but only that which would benefit all the people, I will give you not only an understanding heart like none other before or after you ... but also riches and honor like no other king in your days." (1 Kings 3:7-13). God visited him personally, and he rewarded him just for King Solomon to let God down, his people down, and even himself down. Persecution of your own people would land him in the seventh circle because it makes him a murderer, and persecution is violent. King Solomon abused his authority he was given by God, but how he was punished is the difference between the Bible and Dante’s Inferno.

In Dante’s Inferno Dante has a certain perspective of hell. He believes everyone goes to purgatory then through hell before they’re able to go to heaven. In the bible, scripture displays that when you die you’re either sent to hell or heaven for eternity. You don’t have to experience hell before you go to heaven in the bible. Solomon was arguably pulled out of limbo which is the first circle of hell, but in the story of Dante, he went through all nine circles of hell before he was able to rise to heaven. Not only was King Solomon chosen, but he suffered on earth which freed him from being sent to hell, and having to go through all nine circles of hell like Dante.

The perception of authority in the bible and in Dante’s Inferno is that how man copes with it determines where they receive their punishment, or where they’ll end up either heaven or hell when they die. I chose King Solomon as an example of authority in the Bible and Dante’s Inferno because his authority is perceived differences between the two sources. The Bible and Dante’s Inferno are similar, but different perceptions of people. King Solomon was considered as one of God’s people which is the reason why in both stories he was let into the kingdom of heaven. If he wasn’t, or it wasn’t punished on earth for his actions in both stories he would’ve arguably been sent to hell. God used King Solomon, and other kings such as his father to show his people what comes with wanting a king. Not every king is bad, but King Solomon is a strong source for comparing and contrasting the Bible and Dante’s Inferno.

Works Cited

Finlay , Matthew. “The Authority of The Bible .” Bible, 29 Sept. 2004, bible/seriespage/1-authority-bible.

Pil, Greg. Allusion to Dante. 2013, Allusion to Dante,