In Greek mythology, Charon ferries the souls of the dead into the Underworld. Hence, why Charon is also a moon of Pluto…
Pluto, of course, being the Roman name of Hades.
Now, one of the most famous literary depictions of the Underworld is Dante’s Inferno, seen here in Eugène Delacroix’s The Barque of Dante — link potentially NSFW; lots of classically artistic naked people in the painting, hence my fairly creative cropping:
The Barque of Dante: Eugène Delacroix. Public Domain.
And, because Dante is really leaning into Classical mythology in laying out his afterlife, Charon makes an appearance to sail Dante and his guide Virgil across the Acheron.
Quick sidebar: if you’re ever going to read the Divine Comedy, read the whole thing. Although the Inferno is the most famous part of the poem, Hell is only part of the story. The full context of the soul’s journey to God only becomes clear after progressing through Purgatory and Heaven. Also, the Purgatorio and Paradiso are legitimately beautiful.
Ahem.
Which brings me to popular German Metal band, (the) Scorpions. And while they’re probably best known for rocking us like a hurricane, my favourite song of theirs is Sails of Charon — and not just because of the Classical mythology angle.
I think this is the point where I gesture over my shoulder to my Classics MA — shout out to the University of Ottawa/salutations à la Université d’Ottawa.
But, seriously, if I’m ever a Pro Wrestler — not unlike a certain Altruistic Arundel Appleby — Sails of Charon is going to be my entrance music.
Footage from a WCW show of unknown date; WCW library now owned by WWE. Video via Imgur.
That opening riff is one of my favourite openings ever.
The lyrics are catchy but kinda simplistic. However, worth noting 1) Heavy Metal is the 70s and 80s was not exactly a bastion of lyrical brilliance 2) German band writing in a second language.
I, mean, I doubt I’d be able to write a triumph of masterful lyrics in German…
And if the song isn’t actually about the Divine Comedy, the parallels are clearly there.
Compare the first verse:
“Dark night, there is no light
Lyrics from Genius.
In the realm of the black magic man
Soul’s flight into the cold blight
Of the destroyer’s magic land.”
To the last:
“Throw out your evil desire
Lyrics from Genius.
The dark king’s kingdom
Is made out of mire
Keep on for the kingdom of light
There is no darkness, there is no night.”
Now, that’s basically Dante’s journey through the Afterlife in the Divine Comedy. The story begins with the descent into Hell — well, technically, it begins with Dante lost in a forest being hassled by a leopard, lion, and wolf — which is an allegory for the recognition of the effects of sin on the soul.
Dante’s subsequent recognition of sin symbolically and narratively leads to the beginning of the ascent through Purgatory, the theological purpose of which is to purify the soul and mend the metaphysical damage caused by sin.
That, in turn, begins Dante’s ascent through the Heavenly Spheres. Which we’ve discussed when I’ve explained the Sublunar Realm.
Image via Wikimedia Commons. Public Domain.
The journey through Heaven is basically the inverse of the journey through Hell, explaining what virtue is and what a virtuous soul looks like. Culminating with Dante literally entering the presence of God at the pinnacle of Heaven. Which is, of course, the entire end of human existence in the Divine Comedy.
Look, it’s a good song, okay?
Give it a listen:
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