How can we know what things will be like after death? This question has been asked in different ways, but it always comes back to the same essential curiosity which impels man to form a religion, to form ideas about higher powers or about things beyond the capabilities of human existence. There are theories upon theories upon theories that have formed philosophies and religions, all based on human curiosity about this one subject: the afterlife. Some have even chosen to deny its existence. However, two explanations have taken root in the world: the living and terrifying afterworlds created by Dante Alighieri and the deeper, non-physical world that Catholics believe they will one day reach. The teachings of the Catholic Church and the descriptions of The Divine Comedy differ greatly in the images they provide of hell, purgatory, and heaven. The first part of The Divine Comedy is Hell, which is a very different representation of hell than that provided by the Church. One of the biggest differences between the two is the physical structure. Throughout Dante's writings he talks about walking through hell, when he says things such as: "My Guide kept to the left and I walked after him. So we left” (Alighieri, Ciardi 142). However, the Church does not believe that such actions are possible. Rather, it describes hell as a state of being in which souls are absent from their physical bodies (“Catholic Doctrine of Hell”). However, whether they believe it or not, they both believe in a kind of "limbo" for souls who could not have known Christ. Dante describes Limbo as home to virtuous pagans, people who have not accepted God, yet have not sinned (Alighieri, Ciardi). The ch...... middle of paper...... "For more information about heaven"). Although the opinions of the Church and Dante differ on their depictions of the nature of hell, purgatory, and heaven, both agree on the existence of an afterlife. While many people choose to deny the existence of an afterlife and believe in a consequence-free lifestyle in which they decide what is right or wrong for themselves, Dante Alighieri and Catholics believe that their actions are not without consequences and that they will. be held responsible for it at the end of their lives. They are willing to accept that they are sinners, but that there is hope in the recognition of their faults. By realizing that one is not blameless for one's actions, one can strive to perform actions that are blameless. Once he is capable of this, he is able to control his destiny, whether it be fire, forgiveness, or loyalty...