Context: The narrator of this dream allegory has witnessed, in his dream, the long and arduous struggles of Christian to overcome the snares and deceits of temptation in his journey to the Heavenly City. Finally, at the end of Part I, Christian and his companion, Hopeful, reach the gate where they are met by shining angels, who first describe and then admit them to the heavenly Jerusalem. Shortly thereafter, Ignorance, who had accompanied Christian and Hopeful on a portion of their journey, assisted by Vain-hope, approaches the gate. The gatekeepers do not admit him; instead, they demand from over the gate to see his certificate which would merit him admission. But Ignorance has no certificate. The dreamer's final vision is of the terrible fate of Ignorance: