Have you ever seen anyone dance who you would consider to be an outstanding performer? What was so special about that person and what made you feel this way about them?
Include a youtube clip (Title and URL) of your favorite performer that exemplifies their outstanding performing qualities and tell me why you like them in this clip so much. If your favorite performer is not featured online, you may pick another performer you admire and talk about their online clip.
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 Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Outstanding performers based on popular opinion and critical acclaim.
One performer who is widely regarded as an outstanding dancer is Mikhail Baryshnikov. Baryshnikov is a renowned ballet dancer known for his exceptional technique, artistry, and versatility. His performances have left a lasting impact on audiences around the world.
One of my favorite clips showcasing Baryshnikov’s exceptional performing qualities is from his collaboration with legendary choreographer Twyla Tharp in the ballet “Sinatra Suite.” In this clip, Baryshnikov performs to Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” with incredible grace, precision, and charisma.
Mikhail Baryshnikov – Sinatra Suite
What makes Baryshnikov special in this clip is his ability to seamlessly blend classical ballet technique with a contemporary style. His movements are not only technically flawless but also emotionally expressive. He effortlessly captures the essence of the music and the story being told through his body language and facial expressions.
Baryshnikov’s performance exudes a magnetic stage presence that captivates the audience from the moment he enters. His impeccable control, breathtaking leaps, and precise footwork demonstrate his mastery of the art form. Additionally, his ability to convey vulnerability, strength, and sensuality through his movement adds depth and richness to his performance.
Beyond his technical skill, Baryshnikov’s commitment to the art of dance is evident in every aspect of his performance. He fully embodies the character he portrays and brings an authenticity that resonates with viewers. His passion, dedication, and artistic interpretation make him a truly exceptional performer.
