Dante's Inferno, a pilgrimage through hell

 Dante Alighieri was a prolific author of the 13th century. He wrote many pieces, but one that he is most well known for is his book Inferno. This book follows Dante as he travels through the seven rings of hell, he is guided by his now dead mentor Virgil. This book was the first piece of media from this time period to really explore the idea of what hell would entail. Each ring is split into level of sin, it starts with purgatory, an eternal waiting room for people who are between heaven and hell. The first ring is the tamest, with the least appalling of the eternal punishments. The last ring is for only the most atrocious of sinners and hold the worst punishments.

    Dante travels through hell as a living man, so he has no fear of being tortured as he journeys deeper into the pit of mans greatest threats. Dante begins cautious but excited, he has been given an opportunity of a life time, to document such a prolific place that is so deeply rooted in the core of society. As he continues his journey, his pilgrimage of curiosity and knowledge, his fear and madness begin to rise. He is horrified of the reality of hell, his fear overwhelms him, leaving deep scars on his mind. The horrocity he has witnessed, of both the punishments he beholds and the people he speaks with, drive him to a point no man should be sent to. His pilgrimage of knowledge a success, but at what cost.

    When Dante wrote this book, it was a massive controversy for the time. This was a horror book of horror in the time of its publishing. Although a work of fiction, it still heeds a good warning for its readers. Wanting to know the truths of things outside of you can be fascinating and intensely motivating. But what is the cost of this knowledge? Knowing everything can unlock horror's that far exceed a mortal comprehension. Being driven to the brink of insanity in order to unlock the truth of a secret meant to stay hidden, this was Dante's fate at the end of his pilgrimage. Although his quest was completed with success, was it worth the cost? Some pilgrimages are better left untraveled.

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