what are the fears and desires that come with going viral memes
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
The Fear and Desire of Going Viral: Exploring the World of Memes
I. Introduction a. Hook: In today’s digital age, memes have become cultural phenomenon spreading rapidly across social media platforms and capturing the attention of. b. Purpose: This essay aims to explore the fears and desires come with going viral through memes. c Context: Memes have the power to amplify one’s reach and visibility, but they also come with potential consequences. d. Claim Statement: Going viral with memes can evoke both excitement and anxiety as individuals navigate the unpredictable landscape of online fame.
II. Narration a. Topic sentence: Going viral through memes can happen to anyone, regardless of their intentions or expectations. b. Context: Memes are shared widely and quickly, making it difficult to predict or control their spread. c. Context: The viral nature of memes can lead to unexpected attention, scrutiny, and even backlash. d. Context: Memes often thrive on relatability, humor, and cultural references, making them highly shareable and engaging.
III. Confirmation
a. Confirmation Paragraph I i. Topic sentence (Fear #1): Fear of losing control over public image and privacy. ii. Supporting information: Going viral exposes individuals to a wide audience, potentially invading their personal lives and stripping away privacy. iii. Supporting information with a quote: As author Zeynep Tufekci warns, “The internet keeps a record of everything, and viral fame often comes with a loss of control.” iv. Sentence explaining why the quote supports your reason and/or main claim: Tufekci’s quote highlights the potential consequences of going viral, including the loss of control over one’s public image and personal information. v. Conclusion sentence: The fear of losing privacy can create anxiety and apprehension when considering the potential consequences of viral fame.
b. Confirmation II i. Topic sentence (Desire #1): Desire for recognition, validation, and connection. ii. Supporting information: Going viral can provide a sense of validation and recognition as one’s content resonates with a large audience. iii. Supporting information with a quote: As writer Alexia LaFata explains, “Going viral gives people an opportunity to be heard, seen, and recognized.” iv. Sentence explaining why the quote supports your reason and/or main claim: LaFata’s quote emphasizes the desire for connection and validation that comes with going viral, as individuals feel heard and acknowledged by a larger community. v. Conclusion sentence: The desire for recognition and connection can drive individuals to seek viral fame through memes as a means of validating their ideas or creativity.
c. Confirmation III i. Topic sentence (Fear #2): Fear of backlash, criticism, or becoming a target for online harassment. ii. Supporting information: Going viral exposes individuals to the potential negative aspects of online culture, such as cyberbullying, trolling, or intense scrutiny. iii. Supporting information with a quote: Journalist Whitney Phillips warns, “Viral fame can turn toxic quickly… opening up new avenues for targeted abuse.” iv. Sentence explaining why the quote supports your reason and/or main claim: Phillips’ quote underscores the fear of becoming a target for online harassment or experiencing the negative consequences associated with viral fame. v. Conclusion sentence: The fear of backlash and online harassment can deter individuals from seeking or embracing viral fame through memes.
IV. Refutation a. Topic sentence with a transition word/phrase: However, some argue that going viral through memes is an exciting opportunity for self-expression and influence. b. Further explanation of their counterargument, including a quote: Proponents of viral fame argue that it allows individuals to have a significant impact on cultural discourse and gain influence in their respective fields. c. Concede a point: It is true that going viral can provide opportunities for self-expression and influence; however, it is essential to recognize the potential risks associated with online fame. d. Sentence rebutting the counterargument: The potential risks of going viral cannot be ignored, as they can have long-lasting effects on individuals’ mental health and well-being. e. Sentence providing evidence to support your rebuttal: Research has shown that online harassment and cyberbullying have detrimental effects on individuals’ psychological and emotional well-being. f. Conclusion sentence: It is crucial to strike a balance between embracing the opportunities that come with viral fame while being mindful of the potential risks and taking necessary steps to protect one’s well-being.
V. Conclusion a. Summary of fears and desires: Going viral through memes evokes both fears regarding privacy invasion, backlash, and online harassment, as well as desires for recognition, validation, and influence. b. Remind readers of the risk of not accepting this argument: Failing to acknowledge the potential risks associated with viral fame can contribute to the perpetuation of online toxicity and harm individuals’ mental health. c. Call to action: Let us foster a digital culture that promotes empathy, respect, and responsible engagement with memes to ensure that going viral is an experience that brings joy, connection, and positive impact rather than fear and anxiety.
