Genesis B Annotation

Throughout the history of literature, countless authors have attempted to capture and offer unique interpretations on the concept of Hell. Many texts differ in their imaginations of Hell, largely because there is no definitive explanation as to whether Hell is a physical place or a mental experience. One of the most fascinating descriptions of Hell, and one which offers a stimulating perspective on Satan, is the Old English poem Genesis B found within the Junius Manuscript. Genesis B follows Lucifer’s fall from Heaven which occurs as a consequence of his arrogance, pride, boasting, and disobedience to God. Lucifer, who was once the bearer of light, is thrown into the depths of Hell and transforms to represent pure darkness with his new name Satan and position as Hell’s malevolent ruler. Throughout the poem, both the narrator and Satan use vivid imagery and descriptive words which suggest that Hell is a literal place. However, the poem also focuses on the suffering that takes place in Hell, which contrasts the former in suggesting that Hell is more so an experience. Genesis B presents Hell as a place and a mental experience to give a multidimensional view of Hell with both the location and experiential punishment it represents. In this respect, the poem’s imagination of Hell begins as a state of mind which then turns into a real place– proving that Hell is both a place and a state of mind and putting forth the notion that the ultimate torment is one that is both experiential and literal. …show more content…
The narrator first calls attention to the mental suffering and experience of Hell by referencing the apostate angels and their