Critique-- Burning Tombs

The drawing of “Burning Tombs”, by Gustav Dore, is one of great interest and curiosity. The picture was originally used to illustrate the literary work of Dante’s Inferno. The drawing is dramatic but at the same time calm, and simple. It makes the viewer ponder over issues such as hell and salvation.
This drawing is realistic as well as balanced. The focal point of the picture is two men standing next to a burning tomb. They are highlighted by a lighter shade of gray so one gets the feeling that they are the good amongst the evil. They stare solemnly down at man in a tomb. He looks as though he is trying to escape with the two figures but he is to weak to climb out of his own tomb. Other tombs can be viewed in the background as well as the foreground. They seem to stretch on throughout all of hell.
When one looks upon this fascinating drawing they experience the sensory feeling of fear and almost a sense of wonder. Questions can run trough a views mind. Why are these people trapped in these tombs: What did they do to deserve this. One may wonder if this is their fate. Also, it brings the question of the definition of hell. Is it a place or a state of mind? Is it simply suffering alone?