Life is full of options that go through many different paths. Since humans are given free will, some choose to obey the commands of God for their own good while others do the opposite, harming themselves. But the majority, unfortunately, are “on the fence,” living in between the good and bad, picking and choosing “buffet style” what to believe/follow. The latter lifestyle leads people to say they don’t need to follow any religion/way of life, but they will just live a “good” life. People fool themselves, justifying their “good” behavior and saying they won’t be punished for having a neutral position in life. Dante writes about his journey through Hell in Inferno, including a level for neutrals where individuals, who lead uncommitted lives, choosing neither good nor evil during their time on earth, are punished. Dante answers the questions of why and how neutrals are punished and he gives an example of someone he meets on his journey who suffers such a fate.
Primarily, in Canto III, Dante asks Virgil who the people that are crying out in pain are. Virgil replies, "This is the sorrowful state of souls unsure, whose lives earned neither honor nor bad fame. And they mingled with angels of that base sort who, neither rebellious to God nor faithful to Him, choose neither side, but kept themselves apart" (Alighieri 698-699). According to Dante, neutrals have a place within Hell and are still punished for not committing to either good or bad. He compares this to some "fallen" angels who did likewise.
Dante further inquires of Virgil what the punishments of these souls are, which Virgil explains: "Now heaven expels them, not to mar its splendor, and Hell rejects them, lest the wicked of earth take glory over them" (Alighieri 699). Dante looks to see “a whirling banner sped at such a rate it seemed it might never stop; behind it a train of souls… Hapless ones never alive, their bare skin galled by wasps and flies, blood trickling down the face, mingling with tears for harvest underfoot by writhing maggots” (Alighieri 699). Virgil tells Dante upon this scene that neutrals don’t deserve Heaven and all its glory while Hell won't accept them either, in case people on earth who are also neutral become hopeful for a position in the afterlife or praise them. The blank banner that these souls chase symbolizes the meaningless lives neutrals lived on Earth. Because the neutrals didn’t commit to either side, wasps, flies, and maggots continuously keep them moving in pain.
Dante comes across an individual amongst the neutrals. This person "who made the Great Refusal, impelled by cowardice" (Alighieri 699), is probably a reference to Pope Celestine V. The pope was elected in 1294 at age 80 and resigned five months later (Alighieri 699). His resignation made it possible for corrupt leaders to rule, thus the pope is being punished just like the other neutrals. While there is no way to guarantee the actions of others, being in a high position means one should be capable of leadership, thus one is responsible for corruption that may happen under one's watch.
As for the neutrals of the past and present who say they don’t need to follow any religion/ way of life, but will just live a “good” life, the question becomes what is "good" and according to whose standards? For example, there is a country in central Africa where stealing isn't punishable (Purpose). Societies like these determine what is acceptable or not. Yet what one person/society may accept, others won't. There is no universal standard for good and bad in situations like these. Thus, God needs to tell His human creations what is acceptable and what isn't for their own good in this life and the next through messengers and scriptures.
Additionally, people fool themselves, justifying their “good” behavior and saying they won’t be punished for having a neutral position in life. What if one sees someone stealing? Knowing that stealing isn't good, is it okay not to stop the thief? If someone says, "It's not my business," then just like the situation involving the pope mentioned previously, one is letting evil to take place. The world will only get more corrupted with this attitude. If one doesn’t stop wickedness from occurring when one has the power to do so, then that should be punishable, just like Dante believes. It is only fair. If our stuff was being stolen we would care and want help, but we feel we do not need to do the same for others. Whether or not Dante was right in his descriptions of neutrals being punished in Hell is one thing, but one needs to understand that not forbidding bad (or promoting good) is bad in itself.
Dante gives a brief glimpse of the fate of neutrals according to what he believes. His journey to Hell and back is one version in literature of what happens when one dies. Dante establishes justification for neutrals being punished for sinning, since they chose to do evil while alive. God gave humans free will, and because He is Just, God punishes people for their bad choices in Hell and rewards those who do good actions according to His commands in Heaven. Every action humans do in life should be well thought through, because it will come back to bite.
Works Cited
Alighieri, Dante. "Inferno Canto III." The Bedford Boston
Purpose of Life. Perf. Kamal El Mekki. YouTube. N.p., 21 Mar. 2009 . Web. 8 Apr. 2013 . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn5gXHINbNc.
