Dante's version of Hell

1. The suitability of the penalties to the sins in the
Inferno .
-  In Inferno, people are thrown into one of nine circles of Hell suited to their sin.
1. Limbo
2. Lust
3. Gluttony
4. Greed
5. Anger
6. Heresy
7. Violence
8. Fraud
9.Treachery
They are punished for eternity based on the sins they committed on earth
2. The differences between upper and lower Hell.
- Sinners in the upper level of Hell have less severe punishment. They, like Virgil, were born before Christ and were not baptized. They were good people that did good things, but they were not saved. As you go down the circles of Hell the punishments get worse. The ninth circle is the harshest. sinners walk around and are slashed with a sword by Satan. Lower circle sinners are murderous traitors.


3.Possible differences between Dante’s perspective and ours.
- Dante does not believe that there should be purgatory. In other words, a way to be forgiven of sins. Our perspective is that we can ask God for forgiveness of our sins.

The Song of Roland Overview

1. The poet’s attitude toward Roland.

  - The poet spoke very highly of Roland and portrayed his character as a noble hero. Roland's character is brave when he goes to war and fights with half of the army. However, he knows he is courageous and this eventually makes him seem cocky and arrogant. At the end of the poem when Roland is given the horn he refuses to blow it at first because he thinks it will not be needed. He wants to show no sign of weakness. This arrogance leads to his death at the end of the war when all of his men have died. He now knows that he needs help and when he blows the horn too hard his temples burst.

2.Archbishop Turpin and the Crusaders’ attitude.

- Turpin was very loyal to Roland and looked up to him with great admiration. He thought that Roland had the potential to be a powerful leader in combat and willingly took stance with him in battle. The crusaders trusted Roland because of his loyal and brave spirit. They fought hard with him in battle.

3. The supernatural and the superhuman elements in the poem.

- Roland is a type of supernatural character, even though he is not a demi- god. His glory given by others shows that he is somewhat worshiped like a God. Courage and bravery shine through him and these two characteristics are rarely found in normal humans. Also, some supernatural elements have an object that represent their power. The sword Roland uses during the war holds his power. He uses this power to defeat his enemy and defend his fellow men. The horn represents Roland's weakness. He is too arrogant to ask for help and when he finally realizes this it is already too late.

 4.Elements of oral poetry in Roland .

- Most poems are written orally, but this one is written more like a story. The Song of Roland is written with 10 syllables. It is the oldest French poem written that we know of, and the author is unknown.

- This is the movie trailer for The Song of Roland released in 2016.



Differing Gods

1. Compare the recommendations for human conduct

offered in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5.3–11) and those that are

implied in the Greek texts you have read.

- The Beatitudes were Christians that believed in one God. Christian ideas are written in the Bible. Monotheism is what they recommended. There is one almighty God that resides in Heaven, but he is in contact with humans directly without being physical. A person can talk to God through prayer. Gods in the Greek texts take many forms. They also interfere directly in peoples lives in these forms. Greek religions do not have a certain book relaying their beliefs. 

2. How do Islamic perceptions of Heaven and Hell differ from those of Christianity and Judaism? 

- In Islam Warriors are ushered into heaven and enemies are sent to a fiery crater in Hell. People who have good deeds may enter heaven. On your judgment day if your bad deeds outweigh the good you go to hell. Islamic people are judged by Allah. Christianity and Judaism also have a Judgement day. However, they are judged by God. In order to enter heaven, you have to be saved. In other words, you are to accept God into your heart and ask for forgiveness of your sins. Satan takes you to Hell if you are not saved. Getting saved is the only way to heaven. You cannot get in by having good works or deeds. Although, they do help. 

3. What is the Koranic attitude toward women as

revealed in Sura 12 (Joseph)

- The Koranic believed that women were the property of men. They were owned by their husbands and did not have their own rights. Women were only around to satisfy the man. They were under house arrest and were forced to cook, clean, and take care of the children. If a woman were to leave the house they had to be clothed very modestly head to toe.