Select any issue that has been the subject of protest or propaganda at any time between the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, The Romantic, or Modern eras. Then write a paper detailing the issues of the protest/propaganda, putting the issues in the context of some sort of text or object. The text/object can be a literary or musical work; a sculpture or painting; a building; a symbolic act; or a historical moment. The overarching questions to address in the paper are: What historical forces — technological, political, cultural — brought this protested issue or point of propaganda to a critical point at the moment you are looking at? What are the specific arguments being raised in the protest or propaganda? How does your object/text embody these historical forces and detailed arguments?
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: The French Revolution: Protest and Propaganda Through Delacroix’s “Liberty Leading the People”
Introduction
The French Revolution, a watershed moment in history characterized by political upheaval and social transformation, sparked intense protests and propaganda campaigns that sought to challenge the existing power structures and advocate for revolutionary ideals. One of the most iconic representations of this era is Eugène Delacroix’s painting “Liberty Leading the People,” which captures the spirit of revolution and the fervor of protest during this tumultuous period. This paper explores the historical forces that led to the critical point of the French Revolution, analyzes the specific arguments raised in protest and propaganda, and delves into how Delacroix’s masterpiece embodies these forces and arguments.
Historical Forces Behind the French Revolution
The French Revolution was fueled by a confluence of technological, political, and cultural forces that brought longstanding grievances to a boiling point. Technological advancements, such as the printing press, enabled the dissemination of revolutionary ideas and mobilized public opinion against the monarchy. Politically, the oppressive feudal system, economic inequality, and absolutist rule of King Louis XVI created a powder keg of discontent among the masses. Culturally, the Enlightenment ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity inspired intellectuals and commoners alike to challenge traditional authority and demand fundamental rights for all citizens.
Specific Arguments in Protest and Propaganda
The protests and propaganda of the French Revolution centered around themes of liberty, equality, and democracy, as embodied in slogans like “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité.” The revolutionaries sought to dismantle the entrenched privileges of the aristocracy and clergy, establish a constitutional monarchy, and create a more just and equitable society for all citizens. Propaganda materials, such as pamphlets, newspapers, and political speeches, galvanized support for the revolutionary cause and demonized the monarchy as oppressive and tyrannical.
Delacroix’s “Liberty Leading the People”
Eugène Delacroix’s painting “Liberty Leading the People” serves as a powerful symbol of the French Revolution and encapsulates its spirit of defiance and hope. The central figure of Liberty, personified as a strong and heroic woman wielding the tricolor flag, leads a diverse group of revolutionaries representing different social classes in their struggle for freedom. The painting’s dynamic composition, vibrant colors, and sense of movement convey the energy and momentum of the revolutionary forces in their quest for liberation.
Delacroix’s masterpiece embodies the historical forces of the French Revolution through its portrayal of popular uprising against authoritarian rule, the unity of diverse social groups in pursuit of common goals, and the idealistic vision of a society founded on principles of liberty and equality. The painting captures the essence of protest and propaganda by glorifying the revolutionary cause, inspiring solidarity among the people, and immortalizing the spirit of resistance against oppression.
Conclusion
The French Revolution stands as a defining moment in history when protest and propaganda intersected to challenge entrenched power structures and advocate for radical political change. Through works like Delacroix’s “Liberty Leading the People,” the revolutionary ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity were immortalized in art and continue to resonate with audiences today. By understanding the historical forces that shaped the French Revolution and analyzing the specific arguments raised in protest and propaganda, we gain insight into the enduring legacy of this transformative period in shaping modern democratic societies.
