Research and write on Criminal Law in the United States
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
Criminal Law in the United States
Criminal law in the United States is a complex and multifaceted system designed to define and penalize dangerous actions, ensuring public safety and upholding justice. This body of law is distinct from civil law, as it focuses on offenses against society rather than individual grievances[1][2][3].
Nature and Scope of Criminal Law
Criminal law encompasses the creation, implementation, and enforcement of laws that govern illegal conduct. It is dynamic, adapting to societal changes and technological advancements to address emerging forms of criminal behavior[1]. The scope of criminal law is vast, covering a wide range of illegal activities, from minor infractions to serious felonies.
Elements of a Crime
For an act to be considered a crime, it must fulfill three essential elements:
1. Actus Reus: The physical act or conduct that constitutes the crime.
2. Mens Rea: The mental state or intent behind the act.
3. Causation: The link between the act and the resulting harm[3][4].
Types of Crimes
Crimes are categorized based on their severity:
1. Felonies: The most serious crimes, punishable by imprisonment in state prison or, in some cases, by death. Examples include murder, robbery, and drug trafficking[2][3].
2. Misdemeanors: Less serious than felonies, punishable by imprisonment in county jail or by a fine. Examples include theft, vandalism, and disorderly conduct[2][3].
3. Infractions: The least serious, punishable by a fine but not by imprisonment. Examples include minor traffic violations and jaywalking[2][3].
Criminal Procedure
The criminal justice process involves several stages:
1. Arrest and Charges: The initial stage where officers must adhere to criminal procedures leading up to the arrest.
2. Preliminary Hearings and Arraignment: Formal charges are presented, and the defendant enters a plea.
3. Trial: Evidence is presented, and a judge or jury deliberates on guilt and sentencing[1].
Key Participants
1. Judges: Oversee legal proceedings, ensure fair trials, and rule on legal issues.
2. Prosecutors: Represent the government and the people, charging and prosecuting criminal cases.
3. Defense Attorneys: Defend the accused, protecting their rights[1].
Legal Defenses
Legal defenses are crucial in criminal cases:
1. Self-Defense: Argues that the accused was defending themselves and should not be held responsible for the resulting harm.
2. Insanity: Claims that the defendant suffered from a severe mental disorder at the time of the crime, impairing their ability to understand the nature of their actions.
3. Duress: Argues that the defendant was coerced into committing the crime under threat of imminent harm or death[1].
Punishment and Rehabilitation
Criminal law includes both punishment and rehabilitation of offenders. The approach varies by jurisdiction, with some emphasizing retribution and others focusing on rehabilitation[2].
Sources of Law
1. Common Law: Developed by judges through legal opinions, though it no longer applies at the federal level.
2. Statutes: Enacted by legislatures, these are the primary source of criminal law in the United States. Federal, state, and territorial governments each have their own penal codes[5].
Federal vs. State Jurisdiction
– Federal Law: Covers crimes that fall under federal jurisdiction, such as drug trafficking and interstate crimes.
– State Law: States have the police power to pass criminal laws, with federal laws supplementing state laws where necessary[5].
Public Morality and Order
Criminal law also addresses acts that are considered harmful to public morality and order, such as prostitution and drug offenses[5].
Sources:
– [1] online.law.pitt.edu
– [2] www.apu.apus.edu
– [3] www.law.cornell.edu
– [4] www.britannica.com
– [5] en.wikipedia.org
