The View Of The Afterlife Essay - 1762 Words

Classical World Influences Introduction The aim of my report is to explain how the view of the afterlife in Ancient Greece has shaped works of art, books and the mentality of people. In order to do this I am going to explore how ancient Greek people saw the underworld as well as Roman people and the Renaissance period. Because Greeks saw the underworld as a dark, dreadful and gloomy place, many of the works that refer to it, either in Roman times or the Renaissance, are influenced by this view. In particular works like the Odyssey by Homer or The Phaedo by Plato, explained to a certain level the structure of the afterlife in ancient Greece. These two pieces of literature severely influenced works like the book VI of the Aeneid by Virgil where he depicts the underworld referencing to the Greek point of view. But a deeper description of the underworld is given by Dante in his Divine Comedy where he uses Virgil as his guide, from the depths of hell to the Purgatory while Beatrice, Dante’s ideal woman, guides him throu gh heaven. All these time periods shared the idea of the underworld as being a place where souls pay the sins they committed during their lives. Afterlife in Ancient Greece The afterlife in ancient Greece was Known as Hades. It was a grey world ruled by Hades, the Lord of the Dead. If they had a virtuous life they could enjoy the sunny pleasures of the Elysium or paradise, if they had a wicked life, then they fell into the dark pits of Tartarus, while if theyShow MoreRelatedEgyptian View of the Afterlife Essay1687 Words   |  7 PagesThe Egyptians believed very much in life after death. As Taylor states in Death and the Afterlife in Ancient Egypt, â€Å"It is often observed that they appear to have devoted greater efforts and resources to preparing for the afterlife than to creating a convenient environment for living† (Taylor, 2001:12). The Egyptians viewed life on earth as one stage and death as the beginning of another. They believed that, â€Å"human existence did not end with death and that survival of the body played a part in theRead MorePlato s Views On Death And The Afterlife1815 Words   |  8 PagesOne of the most ancient mystery y et unsolved is the question pertaining to death and the afterlife. This mystery is one of the fundamental studies in both field of philosophy and religion. Comparing those who believe in a god-existing religion against those who don’t, we often see many differences in the answers relating to death. In the contrary, the similar answers to theist and atheist are evident strongly in two great thinkers and their works. The focus will be on Socrates’ speech in the ApologyRead MoreAfterlife from a Christian Point of View1936 Words   |  8 PagesNovember 21, 2012 Afterlife from a Christian Point of View Have you ever thought about what happens after you die; if there is something after this life? There are many different approaches to whether there is life after death or not, but in this paper we will be looking at the Christian perspective towards the afterlife. Christianity is the largest religion in the  world today due to it being branched down into different groups, and it is a known fact that there is no  other religion today that  hasRead MoreHow Did Aztecs View The Afterlife And Its Significance?1494 Words   |  6 PagesHow did Aztecs view the afterlife and its significance? What would one’s journey entail? Could you change your afterlife by living a certain way? The Aztecs strongly believed in an afterlife. It was believed that the way you died decided how your afterlife would go, not the way you lived. â€Å"They are not places of bliss or damnation, merely multiple levels of existence divided in purpose.† In a normal death, (specify normal), you wo uld go through the nine levels hell; in the ninth you would (ceaseRead MoreHow Did Aztecs View The Afterlife And Its Significance?2000 Words   |  8 PagesLiterature Review How did Aztecs view the afterlife and its significance? What would one’s journey entail? Could you change your afterlife by living a certain way? The Aztecs strongly believed in an afterlife. It was believed that the way you died decided how your afterlife would go, not the way you lived. â€Å"They are not places of bliss or damnation, merely multiple levels of existence divided in purpose.† In a normal death, (specify normal), you would go through the nine levels hell; in the ninthRead MoreDeath, Mortality, And The Afterlife938 Words   |  4 PagesFreud once said that death is inevitable and yet inconceivable. The idea of death, mortality, and afterlife has been a question for the human race since the beginning of time. Throughout time and space these ideas have changed and have been modified according to their own views depending in what region they were born in and the time period. To look at what has changed over the periods we have to look at our history start ing with writings like the Epic of Gilgamesh, the Hebrew texture, the Bible andRead MoreHamlets Understanding Of Death And The Afterlife1143 Words   |  5 PagesThroughout the play, Hamlet’s understanding of death and the afterlife shifts to accommodate his emotional state and the needs of his conscience. Deep down, Hamlet doesn t believe in a true â€Å"afterlife†. After seeing the sins of man, he has a hard time believing that we deserve such a fate and seems to almost hope that all that awaits is peaceful nothingness. However, certain situations cause Hamlet to shift his views as a way to console his conscience and help him to avoid facing his own problemsRead MoreChristina Rossettis Afterlife751 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"Afterlife† What kind of afterlife do you believe in? Human condition is something that all humans have and in this essay I will be talking about peoples take on the afterlife. So humankind, regardless of geography, gender, sexual orientation, religion, race, education or economic status and nearly all have a belief in afterlife and it is through literature that authors provide insight, comfort, and oftentimes advice to help us cope with our humanity. The first kind of people that believe in theRead MoreThe Afterlife Of Egypt And Early Greece934 Words   |  4 PagesThe afterlife is usually thought of as something even better than life as we know it. Having certain beliefs about one’s destiny after passing can help with coping and believing that one is where they belong. Thoughts about the afterlife have always varied greatly. Even so, all cultures and religions are alike in one way; they stick with their own specific beliefs because their way is the only â€Å"right† way. Although all believed in deities, the views on the afterlife of Egypt and Early Greece believedRead MoreAnalysis Of Death And The Afterlife1334 Words   |  6 PagesThe questions behind death and the afterlife have existed among all people from an immemorial time. Where do we go, what is it like, who or what is there, is what I’m doing today have an impact on where I end up? From the moment of conception to the day people die, there are life choices that are made through certain religious beliefs, this may have an impact on how life is in the afterlife. For Christians and Buddhists the purpose and meaning of their life and how it is lived out is determined