Find one advertisement or commercial (on the internet, in newspapers, in magazines, etc.)
and analyse the texts (i.e., what is written or being said) and images found within it. What
is being sold and who is the intended audience? Is the ad or commercial selling consumers
something more than just the product (for example, a particular identity, social status, or
lifestyle)? If so, what is being sold? How are these ideas being conveyed through the texts
and images found in the ad or commercial? What are the symbols, metaphors, and/or
cultural references that are used to persuade the consumer to purchase the product? Be
sure to attach a copy of the advertisement (or include the hyperlink to the website where
the advertisement or commercial can be found) to your assignment.

2
OPTION 2: Analyzing your consumption of social media
For this assignment, you will need to reflect on your consumption of social media. Select
one or two forms of social media that you consume on a regular basis. This could include
(but not limited to) Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Twitch, etc. Why do
you think you engage with these forms of social media? Is your sense of identity (in terms
of how you see yourself and how you think others see you) and/or ‘community’ (in terms
of feeling connected or a part of something) related to your use of social media? Explain.
Do you see yourself as an active participant in both the consumption and production of
social media? Why or why not? Lastly, are you at all concerned about your consumption
of social media? Why or why not?

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.

God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Solution

I have chosen an ad for the latest iPhone 12 Pro Max from Apple. This commercial (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMn_YVfAqgE) features two different users: a professional video editor and a mother taking pictures of her children with her phone camera. It highlights some of the features of the phone, such as its advanced A14 Bionic Chip and Super Retina XDR display, which is marketed as offering better performance than ever before – perfect for these professionals who need to edit videos or take high-quality photos on their phones. At the same time, it shows both users enjoying their iPhones in casual settings; suggesting that this technology can be used both in professional settings and everyday life.

Sample Solution

I have chosen an ad for the latest iPhone 12 Pro Max from Apple. This commercial (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMn_YVfAqgE) features two different users: a professional video editor and a mother taking pictures of her children with her phone camera. It highlights some of the features of the phone, such as its advanced A14 Bionic Chip and Super Retina XDR display, which is marketed as offering better performance than ever before – perfect for these professionals who need to edit videos or take high-quality photos on their phones. At the same time, it shows both users enjoying their iPhones in casual settings; suggesting that this technology can be used both in professional settings and everyday life.

The ad implies that owning an iPhone 12 Pro Max will make you part of a superior class – those who are technologically savvy and understand top-of-the-line products. Additionally, it suggests that having access to this level of technology will help you stay connected with family and friends (as seen through the mother’s interaction with her kids). The commercial conveys these ideas subtly but effectively – by featuring individuals using their phones in various situations, they show how powerful yet accessible this device is without needing to explicitly state it. Finally, Apple uses symbols throughout the ad – like colorful weather balloons floating in the sky or lush green fields – which serve as metaphors for freedom while also creating a calming atmosphere where viewers can feel at ease while watching.

In conclusion, Apple’s advertisement for its latest iPhone 12 Pro Max sells users more than just a product: they are selling power & sophistication through technological superiority; convenience & accessibility by being able to use their device anywhere anytime; connection & emotionality when staying connected loved ones no matter distance separating them . Furthermore advertisements consistent vibrant visuals cultural references create sense impactful visual appeal encourage viewers aspire idealistic imagery portrayed within commercial thus convincing potentially persuade them purchase product

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