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Harrowing of Hell
Harrowing of Hell, a semi-dramatic poem of 250 lines in octosyllabic couplets from about 1250, based on the legend that Christ descended into Hell to lead out the souls of the just condemned there by the closing of the gates of Heaven by Adam's sin. Christ reproves Satan and claims Adam; Satan replies that he will win one of mankind on Earth for every soul released. But Christ breaks down the door, binds Satan, and frees his servants.
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Cite this article
MARGARET DRABBLE and JENNY STRINGER. "Harrowing of Hell." The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MARGARET DRABBLE and JENNY STRINGER. "Harrowing of Hell." The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O54-HarrowingofHell.html MARGARET DRABBLE and JENNY STRINGER. "Harrowing of Hell." The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature. 2003. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O54-HarrowingofHell.html |
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Harrowing of Hell
Harrowing of Hell in medieval Christian theology, the defeat of the powers of evil and the release of its victims by the descent of Christ into hell after his death. It is a subject of mystery plays and of Orthodox icons; in medieval religious art Christ is shown treading down the gates of hell to release the souls of the faithful who have died before his Coming.
Harrowing here comes from harrow, a by-form of the verb to harry. |
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Cite this article
ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Harrowing of Hell." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Harrowing of Hell." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-HarrowingofHell.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Harrowing of Hell." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-HarrowingofHell.html |
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Harrowing of Hell
Harrowing of Hell. Medieval Christian term for the belief that on Holy Saturday, Jesus descended into hell and defeated the powers of the devil. In consequence, he was able to set free the souls of those who had been faithful to God (and conscience) before the incarnation and its associated atonement.
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Cite this article
JOHN BOWKER. "Harrowing of Hell." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN BOWKER. "Harrowing of Hell." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-HarrowingofHell.html JOHN BOWKER. "Harrowing of Hell." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-HarrowingofHell.html |
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Harrowing of Hell
Harrowing of Hell. The medieval English term for the defeat of the powers of evil at the Descent of Christ into Hell after His death.
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Cite this article
E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Harrowing of Hell." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Harrowing of Hell." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-HarrowingofHell.html E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Harrowing of Hell." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-HarrowingofHell.html |
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