eschatology

1. The branch of theology that is concerned with the end of the world or of humankind.
2. A belief or a doctrine concerning the ultimate or final things, such as death, the destiny of humanity, the Second Coming, or the Last Judgment.

this word is from dante's divine comedy, which i have just started reading. if nothing else, i am realizing that understanding that poem will take me a very long time. there is too much allegory and too much reference to dante's italy and to the history of that period. however, i will make a pretty good try. ofcourse, time is a factor which may not allow me to read and comprehend at the pace at which i want to. lets see.