"The Haywain" is a symbol of the hell - either as humans' future doom or torment here on earth - with which this painter is obsessed.
The subject of sin and its punishments are central to the artwork done by Hieronymus Bosch. Such symbols and subject matter are common to all painters of his day in the late Middle Ages.
Considering the bizarre demonic creatures and scenes that fill his paintings and his depictions of Hell, Bosch certainly appears to be a stern moralist. He seems to intend his paintings as visual sermons with every detail packed with didactic meaning. Is he trying to tell people to change their evil, slovenly, and greedy ways to avoid the damnation of Hell?
Or is he a sharp-eyed realist and pessimist — haunted by disgust for what he views as hell on earth around him? Perhaps Bosch saw what evil intentions live in the hearts of his fellow humans and then was compelled to paint.
