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kindling the sand like tinder under flint-sparks,

and in this way the torment there was doubled.

Without a moments rest the rhythmic dance

of wretched hands went on, this side, that side,

brushing away the freshly fallen flames

(XIV. 13-14, 19-30, 37-42).

Musa suggested that those who lay flat on the ground were blasphemers, that those who crouched
while tightly hunched were usurers, and that those who were endlessly wandering were
homosexuals.

Although similar in many ways to previous Tours of Hell, Dante has added a few

innovative elements. The descriptions of suffering are expanded, more vivid, more detailed
including some gruesome ones. The travelers periodically conversed with damned individuals,
some of whom were identified as past or contemporary persons. The dark poetic imagery
produces a gloomy mood. The punishments continued to be pictured as primarily physical
torment with no termination or even relief. One can hardly make sense of Dantes Inferno apart
from a traditionalist perspective.

VI. POST REFORMATION THEOLOGY AND MODERN THEOLOGY

The frequency of the appearance of Tours of Hell declined significantly after the

Protestant Reformation. This happened because of (1) an increased Protestant emphasis upon
soteriological issues, (2) the growing popularity of non-traditionalist views of Hell, (3) the
declining emphasis upon Hell as eternal punishment. Replacing the Tours of Hell were poets and
Hellfire preachers who drew from the imagery used in the Tours of Hell to portray their verbal
pictures that dramatized the horrors of Hell.

A. THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY

1. John Milton (1608-1674)

An English poet and literary genius, John Milton was not a professional theologian and

did not write a systematic theology. Influenced by Dante, Miltons picture of Hell was
deliberately fictional and speculative. As with Dante, later writers, ignoring Miltons intent,
treated his material as a literal picture of Hell, ignoring the figurative nature of his poetic
imagery, and repudiated the straw man they had thereby set up.

After describing Satan as the prime instigator of Adams rebellion against God and

consequent expulsion from Paradise (Eden), Milton pictured Satans rebellion and effort to
become equal to God as resulting in his expulsion by God from Heaven into Hell.

If he opposd: and with ambitious aim
Against the Throne and Monarchy of God
Raisd impious War in Heavn and Battle proud
With vain attempt. Him the Almighty Power