The Divine Who What Where?  Epic poem written by Dante Aligheri  Allegorical to the max!  Entrenched in Christianity (Catholicism)  Illustrates a vivid view of the afterlife, namely HELL, based on religious views, secular stories, and Dante’s own imagination.  Called “comedy” because Dante considered it a “common” story. Great works were the tragedies.

Dante Dante Dante Author Character Cat

DISCLAIMER: This unit will require us to talk about religion.

Things to adhere to when discussing religion in an academic context:  Bring your beliefs, but treat their discussion as an intellectual exercise. Detach from spiritual passion.  Exhibit tolerance, respect, and curiosity for the beliefs of others.  Refer to a religious belief/worldview as a belief, worldview, tradition, cultural stance, etc., rather than The Truth. (It may be YOUR truth, but it may not be the truth of others.)  Do not openly react to a belief-oriented comment which offends you.  Do not try to convert others to your point of view, or condemn your classmates. (If you must, condemn silently in your head.)  Seek commonalities between traditions.  Describe cultural impact of religious traditions.  Be able to have discussions on ethics/morality that stand upon foundations other than that of religious tenets.

This is the state, not the church. However, intelligent people understand that these two impact one another. Religion is powerful, and to shy away from discussing it is to water down your understanding of the world.

Judeo-Christian Religious Motifs/Structures that Culturally Aware Scholars Recognize:  The Hero’s Journey (The Passion, Death/Resurrection)  Fall from grace/Cain and Abel/Betrayal of Judas  Temptation (accepting/rejecting Satan)  God’s wrath/judgment upon the wicked  The prodigal son, light upon the hill, etc., “Give Cesar what is due Cesar,” dividing lambs/goats (Jesus’ parables)  Virgin birth  The plagues/The passover/journey out of Egypt/manna in the desert  The trinity, significance of three  Creation, being cast out of Eden

With that in mind, time to write!  What would you say are the three most severe sins and why?  What about the next three severe sins after that (and why)?  What should punishment for these actions look like in this world (describe a spectrum)?  What should punishment for these actions look like in the next world? (Let's assume we know there is a "next world" for the sake of this discussion.)

I AM THE WAY INTO THE CITY OF WOE I AM THE WAY TO A FORSAKEN PEOPLE I AM THE WAY INTO ETERNAL SORROW SACRED JUSTICE MOVED MY ARCHITECT. I WAS RAISED HERE BY DIVINE OMNIPOTENCE, PRIMORDIAL LOVE AND ULTIMATE INTELLECT. ONLY THOSE ELEMENTS TIME CANNOT WEAR WERE MADE BEFORE ME, AND BEYOND TIME I STAND. ABANDON ALL HOPE YE WHO ENTER HERE.