The End of Blogging

I am sorry to report that blogging for our class has been... discontinued. This might be my last post, for anyone who actually cares to check their blogs anymore. Here is my last contribution to the blogging community:

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(For those of you who don't understand, those are frowney faces.)

The Climax of the Divine Comedy

Today in class we discussed Dante's vision of God and the Trinity. Dante reaches the last level of paradise, or the Empyreum, where God lives. With the help of the Virgin Mary, he is able to see a vision of God. In the vast reaches of infinity, he sees three circles: the second is a reflection of the first, and the third is a reflection of both. He sees the form of a man in the center of the circles. I thought that this was very interesting, because Cathlics believe that God had no form, yet Dante sees a form of a man. I am pretty sure Dante is catholic. They also believe that God, Christ, and the Holy Ghost are all the same being, yet he sees three seperate circles, although they are a reflection of each other.
One of our discussions in class was on the action point of climax in the Divine Comedy. Is it the view of Satan, or the vision of God? I personally think that it is the vision. All Satan serves as is a passageway through the bottom of Hell. The entire journey through the Inferno was to just get to the other side of the world, so Dante could get to the goal he is seeking (As stated in Canto I). I think the real goal is to reach God and have his eyes opened.

The INFERNO!!!

In class we have begun to read Dante's Inferno, a story of a man who must travel through Hell in order to get to Heaven, or Paradise. This book gives a very interesting view on Hell, or the Inferno, where there are several levels that are assigned to the varying degrees of sin. We have had several interesting discussions in my period.
Do people in Dante's Inferno have free will? In the varying levels or circles, the people are assigned a task or punishment that they must live for the rest of eternity. If they are trapped repeating the same punishment, such as pushing boulders, should they not eventually have the desire to leave the task? Or are they forced to stay there without a consciousness, simply living the punishment? The text states that it is the Justice of God that drives them to their punishment, turning fear into desire. I think that this means their guilt is what keeps them in Hell.
Another discussion was on what the white flag in the Ante-Inferno represents. I personally think that the Ante-Inferno is an unfair punishment, because people who lived a neutral life, who knew no other way, are forced to chase a white banner while hornets sting them and worms feast on their flesh. This is an overly harsh punishment for doing nothing. Anyways, I believe that the white banner represents hope. Hope for the people to escape their sins and consequences, but they can never reach it. Instead they wail and mourn for eternity.
I think the the Inferno has many interesting ideas and values and is a great center for discussion. We will continue our discussions in class.