Demons are an essential part of human morality. From the popular image of the devil on your shoulder, to the beings written in occultist texts, such as the Malleus Maleficarum and the Keys of Solomon, there’s no doubt demons play a crucial part in human history. Many of them are beyond our understanding, and because of the stigma they have, many people tend to avoid these demons completely. 

Unlike the angels, I was afraid to study the demons. In fact, the only things I’ve ever heard about them are that they’re denizens of Hell, and that they take pride in the torment of human souls. From the dark, macabre work of Marlowe’s Dr. Faustus, to the more light-hearted, paranormal romance of Mohr’s Betting on the Devil, to even popular television shows such as Lucifer and Supernatural, demons have made their impact on our society, whether we wanted them to or not. 

But what makes demons so enticing? Why would anyone wish to write about them, considering the demented reputation they’ve nurtured over the centuries? Why would writers keep their audiences entertained with these creatures of darkness? 

The Hierarchies: There are different layers in Hell, many of which have been debated by theologists, philosophers, and self-proclaimed witch hunters, etc. One of the most famous classifications was taken from Sebastien Michaelis, who detailed three possible hierarchies for the rankings of Hell. Other classifications include those from King James, as well as Alighieri’s Dante’s Inferno. However, a particularly well-known one comes from the Catholic Church, and the fact that specific demons represent a particular sin. For instance, in the seven sins, Lucifer represents pride, Leviathan envy, Satan wrath, Belphegor sloth, Mammon greed, Beelzebub gluttony, and Asmodeus lust. 

The Deal: Popularized by Dr. Faustus, the Deal with the Devil emphasized the contract, which binds the soul of a human being to Hell, forever slated to burn in the fires. This contract often uses blood to sign the deal, and once you have that, whatever the deal promises you, it will give to you. You’ll have a select number of years to capitalize on those earnings. After that, no matter what, you must go to Hell, no matter what you used that deal for. 

The Demons: As I’ve said before, there are various types of demons. From the Ruler of Hell himself, to the nobles, to even the slaves who toil beneath the boilers. These demons, after all, were once angels who were graced with innocence. It’s also the reason why authors love using these demons so much, simply because of that lost innocence they want to reclaim, of the memories of when everything was so much simpler, of when they weren’t forsaken. 

There’s no doubt demons are complicated creatures, especially when they view the world as a human does. After all, there’s very little in this world that’s strictly black and white. It’s something that many writers have taken advantage of; emotions such as love, hate, joy, and sorrow have little to do with what makes up our sense of morality. And who knows? Perhaps our own demons may not really be demons; they may just be us, trying to drown ourselves in our own sins.