Annotated Bibliography--so far

Annotated Bibliography

Benét, Stephen Vincent, and Townsend Ludington. The Devil and Daniel Webster and Other Writings. New York: Penguin, 1999. Print.

In this short story we are introduced to the Devil as a deal maker of sorts. When the dealt-to cannot pay up, he is tried by a jury of traitors. The reason this particular text is important is that it places the Devil in a “modern” context, providing an example of how he is characterized in the west. Understanding how he is characterized, throughout time, throughout culture is critical to an understanding of his core qualities. Through a superimposition of his representations, can we begin to identify what is common to them all.

Blake, William, and Geoffrey Keynes. The Marriage of Heaven and Hell. London: Oxford UP, 1975. Print.

In this text, we are introduced to the Devil as a record corrector of sorts. That is, previous to his "Contraries," ( his counter "arguments" to our assumed truths) we were led to believe certain things about ourselves, particularly the nature of our souls. Here, the Devil serves to set the record straight as it were by identifying our mistakes: namely our dependence on reason and logic. This text is important because it calls attention to the Devil's roles as counterbalance and skeptic.

Carus, Paul. History of the Devil. [S.l.]: Munsey'S, 2008. Print.

            I just received my copy of this book. In it I have discovered—so far—what seems to be a pretty comprehensive history of the Devil: his origins, development and various representations, not only in literature, but in the religions of the world as well. Understanding the history of the Devil is of course VITAL to discovering/establishing his core essence.

Dante, Alighieri, and Mark Musa. Dante's Inferno. Bloomington: Indiana UP, 1971. Print.

 This classic poem presents us with not only one of the most vivid physical representations of the dark lord, but also, furnishes the reader with an explanation of his sin (treachery).

Klamer, Ronald, Tine Haze, and Hans Croiset. Lucifer: Joost Van Den Vondel 1654. Amsterdam: Het Toneel Speelt, 2001. Print.

This lesser known text supposedly provided Milton with much of the inspiration for Paradise Lost. In my humble opinion, this poem cannot begin to compete aesthetically with Milton’s, but does provide this researcher with some insight into the psyche of the dark prince, which is critical to discovering his essence.

Milton, John, and Philip Pullman. Paradise Lost. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2005. Print.

 No research on the Devil and his importance in literature would be worthwhile without a deep consideration of Milton’s classic epic. In this tremendous piece, we are given the deepest of insight into the Devil’s mind state.

Nietzsche, Friedrich, and Walter Kaufmann. The Gay Science with a Prelude in Rhymes

            and an Appendix of Songs. New York: Vintage, 1974. Print.

This volume presents us with not so much a devil, but a demon. In the section of the work known as “The Greatest Weight” we are presented with the doctrine of Eternal Return. What is curious about this presentation though is the fact that it is not delivered by the philosopher himself, or even his Zarathustra, but through the cold lips of a demon.

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm, and Walter Arnold. Kaufmann. Thus Spoke Zarathustra: a

            Book for All and None. New York: Modern Library, 1995. Print.

Throughout this philosophical novel of sorts, we encounter the demon of gravity. Again, though we are not dealing directly with the Devil himself, we are one of his envoys; which begs the question: why a devil? Why would Nietzsche choose to deliver profound knowledge via such a dark conduit? Of course the answer might be as simple as: well, it’s Nietzsche!...but then again, maybe not. I suspect there is much more to the Devil than meets our Reason. The question as to what that is demands exploration

Rosenberg, David. A Literary Bible. Berkeley: Counterpoint, 2009. Print.

Obviously no inquiry into the Devil, whether it be with the object of establishing his essence or anything else, would be worthwhile without a consideration of where most of the western world is introduced to him, namely in the bible, and particularly in the book of Genesis.

Twain, Mark, and William M. Gibson. Mark Twain's Mysterious Stranger Manuscripts. Berkeley: University of California, 1969. Print.

In this work, the Devil seems only concerned with causing mischief.  This is important because it provides us insight into his malevolent motivation, at least how it is normally perceived of in the occident.