In reading Cantos 4 and 5, I was particularly interested in Limbo in Canto four. Canto five goes into the second circle of Hell and approaches the damned; I find it easier to understand Canto five. Canto four, however, is a struggle for me. The Rim is stated that neither "joy nor suffering" takes place here. Virgil says, "they did not sin". So what was the cause of being sent to Hell? They are not there to suffer physical pain apparently. The only thing they suffer is hopelessness and living forever in desire. The infants who lack baptism are there because they all suffer from original sin. Virgil is sure to point out that baptism is the "one gate to the faith which you believe". For me, it is difficult to agree that an action (baptism) would save someone from Hell. An infant does suffer from original sin, but the responsibility of baptism would be on another human being. I do not believe God would send an infant to Hell based on the inaction of someone else.
I commented on Hannah and Nate's.
I struggled with the infants in Limbo as well. I do not think that baptism is what ultimately saves, so I definitely agree that lack of baptism should not be the reason an infant goes to Hell. I think baptism is way too over-emphasized in this section.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, it is important to note that Dante is Catholic, thus, especially at that time, infant baptism was/is a big deal.
ReplyDeleteSecond, those who are good that are in Hell, if you notice we're not Christian. They are more of a picture of those who are "good men" outside of Christ, still deserving of damnation.
The Catholic faith has a great emphasis on baptism at the infant stage, as a way to start them on the road to faith early, and hopefully prevent them from going to hell, should they die so young. I also find that hard to accept as a truth, but back in Dante's time and still in Catholicism today, infantile baptism is a very big deal.
ReplyDeleteWhat's really sad is, like Daniel said, This is still a rather common Catholic belief. I found Dante's vision of limbo fascinating though.
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