Yes, I am here admitting that I have watched “Futurama.” Though it is not the epitome of high-brow entertainment, or what you might think would be associated with a class in 14th century literature, here we are, and here is “Futurama,” Season 1, Episode 9 – “Hell is Other Robots.”
It fascinates me, first of all, that Dante’s work has made its way so far into popular culture that references to it have become entirely commonplace, so much so that they could get right by us if we’re not looking for them. For example, in a bizarre cult-hit cartoon from the 90’s, there is an episode completely dedicated to “Robot Hell” and the punishments associated with the different levels, an ironic play on Dante’s work.
At the beginning of the episode, Bender, the main robot if you will, falls into sinful habits of drinking, smoking, and taking prostitutes. As a result, he is sentenced to “robot hell,” where he’s doomed by the Robot Devil to fry for eternity.
Though through the aid of his friends Bender escapes hell by the end of the episode, it ends on a satirical note when he commits to neither striving to be virtuous or evil, an ambivalence which is considered in the Catholic Church to be as sinful as, well, being sinful.
Though the episode is clearly meant to be a satire on the entire concept of hell, the basic tenants of Dante’s work can still be found here: for different sins there are different levels of punishment.
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