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
Although both speaking and writing are fundamental forms of communication that convey thoughts and ideas, they differ significantly in their modes of expression, structure, and the degree of audience interaction, each offering unique benefits and challenges in effective communication.
Introduction
Communication is an integral part of human interaction, enabling individuals to express thoughts, share information, and connect with others. Among the various methods of communication, speaking and writing stand out as two primary forms. While both serve to convey messages, they do so in distinct ways, shaped by their unique characteristics. Understanding these differences is key to mastering effective communication in diverse contexts, from personal conversations to professional presentations.
Modes of Expression
The most apparent difference between speaking and writing lies in their modes of expression:
– Speaking is an auditory form of communication that takes place in real-time. It involves verbalizing thoughts using spoken language, often accompanied by non-verbal cues such as tone, pitch, gestures, and facial expressions. This immediate delivery fosters a sense of connection and allows for spontaneous interaction.
– Writing, on the other hand, is a visual form of communication that involves encoding thoughts into written language. It is typically a more deliberate process, allowing writers to carefully choose their words, organize their ideas, and revise their content before sharing it with an audience. This permanence can lead to a more structured and refined message.
Structure and Organization
The structure of speaking and writing reflects their different purposes and contexts:
– Speaking often follows a more informal and conversational structure. It may include pauses, fillers, and repetition as speakers think on their feet. The organization may be less rigid, allowing for flexibility in response to audience engagement and questions.
– Writing demands a clearer organization, often following conventional formats such as essays, reports, or letters. Writers must adhere to grammatical rules and logical flow to ensure clarity and coherence. The structured nature of writing helps readers follow the argument or narrative more easily.
Audience Interaction
The level of interaction with the audience varies considerably between speaking and writing:
– Speaking facilitates immediate feedback and interaction. Listeners can ask questions or provide reactions during or after the speech, creating a dynamic exchange that can enhance understanding and engagement. This immediacy can also lead to a more personalized connection between the speaker and the audience.
– Writing generally lacks this immediate interaction. While readers can respond to written content through comments or discussions later on, the engagement is typically asynchronous. This can allow for deeper reflection but may also result in misunderstandings if the writer’s intent is not clear.
Conclusion
In conclusion, speaking and writing are both essential forms of communication that serve distinct roles in conveying ideas and information. Speaking offers immediacy and dynamic interaction, while writing allows for careful consideration and structured presentation of thoughts. By recognizing the strengths and limitations of each mode, individuals can enhance their communication skills across various contexts, ultimately leading to more effective interactions in both personal and professional environments. Embracing both speaking and writing as complementary skills will foster a richer understanding of communication as a whole.
