Looking at the major wars fought by the US (Indian wars may be considered collectively as a single war), with which side (if either) do you most agree, and why? [If you agree with neither, what conclusions would you draw about the impact of wars, and why?]
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
Title: Evaluating the Major Wars Fought by the US: Analyzing Perspectives and their Impact
Introduction:
Throughout its history, the United States has been involved in numerous significant wars that have shaped the nation’s identity and trajectory. When considering which side, if any, one agrees with in these conflicts, it is crucial to approach the topic with an open mind and an understanding of the historical context. While it is important to acknowledge the complexity of each war and the diverse perspectives surrounding them, this essay will explore the impact of wars in general, regardless of personal agreement with either side.
The Impact of Wars:
Regardless of personal agreement with either side in the major wars fought by the United States, it is essential to examine the broader impact of wars on societies and nations. Wars have been catalysts for change, leaving both short-term and long-lasting effects on various aspects of society.
Firstly, wars have often led to significant loss of life and destruction. The human toll of war cannot be understated – families are torn apart, communities are devastated, and countless lives are lost. This loss extends beyond soldiers to civilians caught in the crossfire, exacerbating human suffering and trauma.
Secondly, wars have economic implications. The financial cost of waging a war is substantial, diverting resources that could have been allocated to other pressing needs such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Furthermore, wars can lead to inflation, debt accumulation, and economic instability, impacting not only the present generation but also future generations.
Wars also have political consequences. Conflicts can strain diplomatic relations between nations, leading to long-standing tensions and hostility. Additionally, wartime measures sometimes result in a curtailment of civil liberties and an expansion of government powers, raising questions about the balance between national security and individual freedoms.
Conclusion:
In evaluating the major wars fought by the United States, it is important to consider the impact of these conflicts rather than solely focusing on personal agreement with one side or another. Wars have wide-ranging effects on societies, including loss of life, destruction, economic ramifications, and political consequences.
While it is natural for individuals to hold differing opinions on specific wars and their justifications, it is crucial to approach historical analysis with an objective perspective. By examining the impact of wars in a holistic manner, we gain a deeper understanding of their complexities and can draw conclusions about the profound consequences they have on nations and societies.
Ultimately, the impact of wars underscores the importance of pursuing peaceful resolutions to conflicts whenever possible. By prioritizing diplomacy, dialogue, and understanding, nations can strive to mitigate the devastating consequences that arise from armed conflicts.
