Literary Representations of Hell

3 units

This course will examine different representations of Hell in Eastern and Western literary and religious texts. By studying closely the concept of Hell, students will investigate artistic influences, compare different religions and literature, and examine individual and cultural value systems. Some of the authors and texts we will read and discuss include Gilgamesh, Homer, Vergil, Ovid, Augustine, The Quran, Dante, Chaucer, Milton, Baudelaire, Wilfred Owen, and The Far Side.