On YouTube or another video sharing service, find a music video for a song by one of the artists discussed in the unit on the 1980s Use Land of confusion by genesis and Write at least 650 words about the video and how it impacts the meaning of the song.
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
Analyzing the Music Video “Land of Confusion” by Genesis
Genesis, the iconic progressive rock band of the 1980s, released the song “Land of Confusion” in 1986. Known for its powerful lyrics and social commentary, the song delves into political themes and societal issues of the time. The music video for “Land of Confusion” further amplifies the message of the song through its vivid imagery and thought-provoking visuals.
Description of the Music Video
The music video for “Land of Confusion” is a masterpiece of puppetry and animation created by the British comedy duo known as Spitting Image. The video features grotesque and exaggerated caricatures of world leaders and celebrities, including then-President Ronald Reagan, then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and pop culture icons like Michael Jackson and Madonna. The puppets are portrayed in a surreal and dystopian landscape, reflecting the chaotic and tumultuous nature of the world during the 1980s.
The video opens with a scene of a television set being turned on, revealing a news broadcast reporting on various global crises. As the song progresses, the puppets of world leaders engage in absurd and comedic antics, highlighting their flaws and shortcomings. The video juxtaposes these scenes with images of ordinary people suffering from the consequences of political decisions and environmental degradation, creating a stark contrast between the powerful and the powerless.
Impact on the Meaning of the Song
The music video for “Land of Confusion” enhances the meaning of the song by visually representing the themes of political corruption, social injustice, and nuclear anxiety that are prevalent in the lyrics. Through its satirical portrayal of world leaders as bumbling and inept figures, the video critiques the abuse of power and the disconnect between rulers and their constituents. By using puppets instead of human actors, the video creates a sense of distance and absurdity that underscores the surreal nature of politics and media manipulation.
Moreover, the juxtaposition of extravagant puppetry with scenes of real-world suffering serves to underscore the consequences of political inaction and indifference. By showing the impact of decisions made by those in power on ordinary individuals, the video conveys a sense of urgency and moral outrage. The use of dark humor and exaggerated visuals also adds a layer of complexity to the song’s message, inviting viewers to reflect on the absurdity and tragedy of human affairs.
Visual Symbolism and Metaphor
Throughout the music video, there are several instances of visual symbolism and metaphor that enrich the interpretation of the song. The recurring motif of television screens and media broadcasts suggests the role of mass communication in shaping public perception and political discourse. The use of puppets as stand-ins for real-world figures raises questions about authenticity, agency, and accountability in leadership.
Additionally, the video’s apocalyptic imagery, including scenes of destruction and decay, evokes fears of nuclear war and environmental catastrophe that loomed large during the Cold War era. By weaving together these visual elements with the song’s lyrics, the music video creates a multi-layered narrative that invites viewers to engage critically with the issues at hand.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the music video for “Land of Confusion” by Genesis is a striking and provocative work of art that complements and enriches the meaning of the song. Through its use of puppetry, animation, and dark humor, the video offers a scathing critique of political power, social inequality, and global unrest. By bringing to life the themes and emotions expressed in the lyrics, the video serves as a powerful visual companion to the music, inviting viewers to reflect on the complexities and contradictions of the world we inhabit.
