Inferno by Dante Alighieri

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Recommended: The impact of Christianity in society

Religion has proven throughout history to be a main influence in the development of ideas in different aspects of culture. Arguably the most influential religion relating to the culture of literature and art would be Christianity. Christianity is currently the biggest religion in the world and the influence it has on society is evident from the holidays celebrated in the world, to the customs it has created. One of the biggest influences Christianity has had lies in the form of literature as evident in Dante’s Inferno. Inferno was written in the fourteenth century by Dante Alighieri and showcases Dante as he travels through his representation of hell while being guided by the poet Virgil. In Dante’s hell, there are nine levels with each level being worse than the one before it. Inferno is just one example of the large influence Christianity has in regards to literature, artwork, and customs and politics in the world.
The influence of Christianity on literature isn’t always as obvious as the customs or celebrations that it has brought into the world, but it is just as important. The Bible is arguably the most important work in literature ever created and the teachings that come from it continue to be taught today. The Bible was a big source of influence on Dante’s Inferno and is widely shown throughout the story. Inferno takes on Dante’s own depiction of hell from what is portrayed in The Bible. In Dante’s version of hell, he shows that there are nine levels of hell with each level getting progressively worse than the one before it. At the very bottom level of hell is where Lucifer resides in the frozen river known as Cocytus. “Beneath each face two mighty wings stretched out, the size you might expect of this huge bird: not feath...

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...ed a newer style of depicting historical and religious moments. Much of the artwork that was created during this time clearly shows the influence that Christianity had during this time period. Many artists have taken biblical stories and accounts and created their own artistic representations. Some of these works include the painting of “The Last Supper” and the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
Throughout Inferno, Dante is able to show the influence that Christianity has on his writing. These influences aren’t limited to just literature as it is seen in aspects such as politics and customs. The influence of Christianity on western civilization is undeniable and can be seen as the most important contribution to the development of the world as it has become known. Inferno happens to be one example of the influence that Christianity has had amongst a variety of others.

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