Underworld Voyage

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Journeys to the Underworld

Much contemplation , debate , and consternation has been directed at the possibility and potential nature of the afterlife . The numerous perspectives have generated an array of overlapping conceptualizations of the experiences that persons might or might not expect after death This will explore how perceptions of the underworld have evolved through time and across cultures . The Greek story of Odysseus ' journey to the underworld will be contrasted with the contemporary film What Dreams May

Come . In the past , the underworld was perceived as a place under the control of some ultimate being wherein people would lose their identities and will power . However , the course of this discussion will show that the underworld is now viewed as more of a personal sojourn for the individual . Heaven or hell is thus relegated to a place that is specified to the particular experience and thought-pattern of each person . Whether or not there is a higher being , it is not such a presence which determines the nature of the state of being of the departed soul

The film What Dreams May Come presents a rather novel perception of the underworld . In the film , Chris , portrayed by Robin Williams , meets death and finds himself in a landscape marked by artistry and vivid colors . In his new world , he meets his old mentor as well as his children who had in a vehicular accident prior to his own death . It takes him some time before he recognizes each of these people as they have taken forms and figures reflective of the people whom each of them had wished to be to the protagonist . As the movie progresses , Chris ' wife commits suicide and lands in Hell . Chris attempts what previously was deemed impossible as he sets out on a journey to rescue his wife

The movie reflects how the afterlife is nothing more than what people imagine it to be . A conversation between Chris and Albert , his son disguised as his afterlife guide , reflects this precise concept

HYPERLINK "http /www .imdb .com /name /nm0000421 " Albert : So what is the "me

HYPERLINK "http /www .imdb .com /name /nm0000245 " Chris : My brain I suppose

HYPERLINK "http /www .imdb .com /name /nm0000421 " Albert : Your brain Your brain is a body part . Like your fingernail or your heart . Why is that the part that 's you

HYPERLINK "http /www .imdb .com /name /nm0000245 " Chris : Because I have sort of a voice in my head , the part of me that thinks , that feels that is aware that I exist at all

HYPERLINK "http /www .imdb .com /name /nm0000421 " Albert : So if you 're aware you exist , then you do . That 's why you 're still here

Thus , the greatest danger a person could face is to lose his or her mind or ability to identify him or herself . This would entail the ceasing of existence itself . In the movie , Chris ' wife goes to hell rather than to...