Compare/ contrast on the topic Speaking/Writing and include a thesis stamement
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
Comparing and Contrasting Speaking and Writing
Thesis Statement
While both speaking and writing are essential forms of communication that facilitate the exchange of ideas and information, they differ fundamentally in their delivery methods, structure, and audience interaction, each presenting unique advantages and challenges.
Introduction
Communication is a cornerstone of human interaction, encompassing various methods through which individuals convey thoughts and emotions. Among these methods, speaking and writing are two of the most prominent. While they serve similar purposes in sharing information and expressing ideas, the nuances of each mode create distinct experiences for both the communicator and the audience. Understanding these differences is crucial for effective communication in personal, academic, and professional contexts.
Delivery Methods
The primary distinction between speaking and writing lies in their delivery methods:
– Speaking is an oral form of communication that involves verbalizing thoughts in real-time. It often occurs in face-to-face conversations, presentations, or speeches. The spontaneous nature of speaking allows for immediate feedback and interaction with the audience, enabling speakers to adjust their message based on listeners’ reactions.
– Writing, conversely, is a more structured form of communication that involves encoding thoughts into written words. This can take place in various formats, including essays, emails, reports, or creative writing. Unlike speaking, writing allows for greater reflection and revision before sharing the final product, often resulting in a more polished message.
Structure and Organization
The structure of speaking and writing varies significantly due to their different contexts:
– Speaking typically follows a more informal and fluid structure. It may include conversational elements such as pauses, interruptions, and changes in tone or volume. Speakers often rely on verbal cues, body language, and facial expressions to convey meaning, which can enhance audience engagement.
– Writing demands a clearer organization and coherence. Written communication often adheres to specific formats (e.g., introduction, body, conclusion) and grammar rules. Writers must carefully consider word choice, sentence structure, and overall clarity to ensure that their message is understood without the benefit of non-verbal cues.
Audience Interaction
The level of audience interaction differs significantly between speaking and writing:
– Speaking fosters an interactive environment where immediate responses are possible. Listeners can ask questions, provide feedback, or express opinions during or after the spoken message. This dynamic exchange can enhance comprehension and engagement but may also lead to distractions or interruptions.
– Writing generally lacks the immediacy of interaction found in speaking. Readers engage with the text at their own pace, which can lead to deeper reflection but may also result in misunderstandings if the writing is unclear. While written communication allows for later responses (such as comments or replies), it lacks the spontaneous dialogue characteristic of spoken exchanges.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while both speaking and writing serve as vital tools for communication, they encompass different methods of delivery, structures, and audience interactions. Speaking allows for immediate feedback and a dynamic exchange of ideas, while writing offers the opportunity for careful composition and thoughtful reflection. By recognizing the unique attributes of each form, individuals can enhance their communication skills across various contexts, ultimately leading to more effective interactions whether speaking or writing. Embracing both modalities will enable a richer understanding and expression of ideas in our increasingly interconnected world.
