Emerson intended for his work to be inspiring. In keeping with Emerson, think about things that move you beyond convention. Who or what inspires you? Particularly, who or what inspires you to reach beyond what you think you’re capable of? Contemplate what the word-inspire-means and how it works in your own life.
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
Beyond Convention: Finding Inspiration in the Extraordinary
Ralph Waldo Emerson, a prominent figure in the transcendentalist movement of the 19th century, believed in the power of individualism and self-reliance. Central to his philosophy was the idea of breaking free from societal norms and conventions to pursue one’s own path and potential. In a world that often dictates conformity, it is crucial to seek inspiration from sources that push us beyond our perceived limitations and comfort zones.
Thesis Statement:
In a society that often values conformity over individuality, seeking inspiration from unconventional sources can propel us to surpass our perceived boundaries and achieve personal growth.
Exploring Unconventional Inspiration:
Inspiration can come from various sources – a piece of art, a powerful speech, a personal mentor, or even nature itself. What sets unconventional inspiration apart is its ability to challenge our preconceived notions and push us towards uncharted territories. For me, unconventional inspiration stems from individuals who defy societal expectations and carve out their own unique paths.
Personal Experience:
One individual who inspires me to reach beyond what I think I am capable of is Malala Yousafzai. Despite facing adversity and threats to her life, she continues to advocate for girls’ education worldwide. Her unwavering courage and determination in the face of extreme challenges serve as a constant reminder that resilience and perseverance can lead to meaningful change.
Understanding the Essence of Inspiration:
The word “inspire” originates from the Latin word “inspirare,” meaning to breathe life into. True inspiration has the power to breathe new life into our aspirations and dreams, igniting a fire within us to pursue our goals relentlessly. It acts as a catalyst for personal growth, nudging us out of our comfort zones and urging us to explore our full potential.
Conclusion:
In a world where conformity often stifles individuality, seeking inspiration from unconventional sources is essential for personal growth and self-discovery. By embracing the extraordinary and pushing beyond conventional boundaries, we can unlock hidden capabilities within ourselves and embark on a journey of self-realization. Just as Emerson intended for his work to be inspiring, let us strive to find inspiration in the extraordinary and transcend the limitations that society imposes on us.
