Various Interpretations of the Personification of Horror

Throughout history, we have always been interested in things that scare us, whether it be in TV, movies, books, or even in folklore and religious and sacred texts. Dark entities have always had the effect of enticing us, while also terrifying us, but nowadays, they are not easily found. This scenario poses the question: are they even real? If so, where did they come from? One entity that was more of an underlying fear, infamous but not always associated when monsters are spoken about, is the Devil.

This figure, infamous for being the antithesis of God, reigns from a place you wouldn’t want to visit much less inhabit permanently.

But who, or what, is the devil? With so many interpretations of the Devil, Demons, and Fallen Angels, it’s difficult to pin down one depiction. Infamously, he is known as the archenemy of God, the diabolical King of Death, the Overlord of the Underworld, the Prince of Darkness. The list goes on. Some view him as the counterpart to God. Others portray him as an angel who was once beautiful and loved in the eyes of God but now reigns in Hell. Described as “the liar, tempter, and accuser,” he is believed to represent the darkest side of humanity, as God is supposed to represent humanity’s best. He is associated with death and believed to possess sacred knowledge of good and evil.

Most of our information about this supernatural being comes from the Old and New Testaments, which provide different interpretations of Satan. Christian beliefs vary, viewing him as everything from a personification of human evil and sin, as described in the New Testament, to the deceptive serpent who tricked Eve into eating the forbidden fruit in the Old Testament. The Abrahamic religious traditions have much to say about the Devil and his evolution. The ongoing battle between God and Satan for the souls of humanity is a theme represented not only in religious traditions but also in folklore and modern fiction and television shows. He is often portrayed as the polar opposite of God, for obvious reasons. According to author Elaine Pagels, the concept of Satan arises whenever there is a split in communities, with each side labeling the other as the devil.

But why should we learn from, or even contemplate why we shouldn’t aspire to be like the Prince of Darkness? “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8). This suggests that you should always stay on the right path of life and never stray. Nor should you do anything that wouldn’t be deemed righteous in the eyes of God. The Devil’s existence serves as a guiding example to humans of what we shouldn’t become. Furthermore, it is a reminder that we should always try to do the right thing or else we might find ourselves in an unfavorable place. The Devil instills fear in us, thereby forcing us to maintain a virtuous life. It is necessary to personify the Devil as the embodiment of humanity’s worst attributes so as to remind us of the pitfalls to avoid. The Devil’s appearance in media didn’t occur until the tenth century, eventually taking shape in literature in the pre-millennial era. In most modern depictions, the Devil is either portrayed as horrifying and terrifying or cunning and charismatic.

Dante’s “Inferno” depicts a Devil confined to the deepest depths of Hell, defeated by God. In medieval times, Satan was often portrayed as a loser who had been defeated by God, sometimes serving as comic relief. However, Dante opted for a different portrayal. He depicted the Devil, and Hell itself, as intensely horrifying, creating an image “so grotesque that audiences stood at a distance, terrified.” But Dante’s Devil also has a mischievous side, engaging in wicked antics, thereby bringing a touch of comedy to the narrative. While this depiction of Satan has gained some popularity, its emphasis on portraying him as a mere loser is somewhat exaggerated. This portrayal appears particularly bizarre when compared to other interpretations, especially when juxtaposed with John Milton’s Satan, who is frightening yet charismatic.

John Milton took a distinctly more sinister and antagonistic approach to Satan. According to Poole, Milton’s Satan “provides the blueprint for the modern Satan, Prince of Darkness and evil incarnate, foe of God and enemy of all that is good” (Poole). After being overcome by God and expelled from heaven, Satan decides to challenge God indirectly by attacking humanity. However, Wernick observes that many readers don’t get to Book Ten, thus missing the full transformation of Satan, and only interpret him as either an archenemy or a rebel. Satan himself declares, “better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven” (120), indicating his persistence in maintaining his freedom. However, his declaration is brushed aside as it is mostly driven by revenge, defiance, and jealousy.

Although the thought of Satan, or going to Hell, is terrifying, the primordial fears of him have decreased (Torre and Hernandez). He is now increasingly portrayed as a trickster in texts, like in Hollywood Horror House. However, the silent film of Dante’s Inferno significantly elevated the Devil’s presence, as well as concepts of demons, evil, and suffering, leading to the success of the horror film genre. This portrayal crafted a Satan who is “terrifying in his seductive power, a threat not only to humanity but to God himself” (Poole 5), thereby creating an immensely powerful antagonist.

Satan’s presence in humanity is deemed important, as it is believed that he unconsciously guides people in the right direction so they do not follow his path and end up in a place full of torture, where even he himself is being tortured. It is beneficial to fear something; in this case, it is Satan and his demonic beings. Even if he is portrayed as comedic relief in some plays, there are still those who see him as terrifying, especially when compared to God. It is fascinating to observe how Satan’s portrayal, and the origins of those portrayals, shape our picture of him. To fully understand, it takes time and exposure to various interpretations and perspectives. These include witnessing John Milton’s antagonistic Satan as well as Dante’s portrayal of the Devil as a loser. Regardless of whether you fear Satan due to the horror he represents, or because you desire heaven, both motivations underline the existence of the Devil, the adversary to God. This existence fuels fear, driving individuals to do things “right,” whatever that may mean to them. After all, fear can powerfully manipulate people, pushing them to avoid falling into the depths of Hell alongside Satan.

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