Read the passages on Egyptian poetry, and answer the questions. Time new Roman 12 double spaced MLA citation.
1.)What does it mean to be human? How is the human experience expressed through the selected readings?
2.)What is the “good life”? How should people live?
What are the cultural expectations/duties of men? Of women? Of children?
3.)What can be gained from learning about the cultures and beliefs of other people?
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
Egyptian Poetry: Exploring the Human Experience and Cultural Expectations
Introduction: Egyptian poetry provides a window into the ancient Egyptian civilization, offering insights into their beliefs, values, and the human experience. Through an exploration of selected readings, this essay aims to answer questions about what it means to be human, how the human experience is expressed in Egyptian poetry, the concept of the “good life,” cultural expectations and duties of men, women, and children, and the benefits of learning about other cultures and beliefs.
The Human Experience in Egyptian Poetry: The selected readings of Egyptian poetry reveal that the human experience is multifaceted and deeply connected to the natural world, spirituality, and the quest for immortality. Egyptians believed in the existence of an afterlife and sought to attain eternal life through rituals and religious practices. This desire for immortality is evident in their poetic expressions, which often revolve around themes of life’s transience, the inevitability of death, and the longing for eternity. Through their poetry, Egyptians contemplated the meaning of life, the fragility of human existence, and the pursuit of spiritual fulfillment.
The Concept of the “Good Life” and Cultural Expectations: In ancient Egyptian society, the concept of the “good life” was closely intertwined with religious beliefs and societal norms. The good life was characterized by a harmonious balance between one’s duties towards the gods, society, and oneself. Men were expected to fulfill their roles as providers and protectors of their families and communities. They were also obligated to participate in religious ceremonies and maintain a strong connection with their ancestors. Women held important roles as mothers and caretakers of the household, ensuring the well-being and education of their children. They also played significant roles in religious rituals, particularly as priestesses. Children were expected to respect their parents and elders, as well as learn from them the values and traditions of their society.
Benefits of Learning about Other Cultures and Beliefs: Learning about the cultures and beliefs of other people provides numerous benefits. Firstly, it fosters a greater understanding and appreciation for diversity, promoting empathy and tolerance. By exploring different cultural perspectives, individuals can broaden their own worldview and challenge preconceived notions. It also helps to break down stereotypes and promote intercultural dialogue, leading to increased cooperation and peace among nations. Furthermore, studying other cultures allows individuals to gain insights into their own cultural heritage and values, enabling them to reflect on their own identities.
Conclusion: Egyptian poetry offers a unique insight into the human experience, cultural expectations, and beliefs of ancient Egyptians. Through their poetry, Egyptians grappled with existential questions about life’s meaning, sought spiritual fulfillment, and expressed their desires for immortality. The concept of the “good life” was closely intertwined with religious beliefs and societal norms, with men, women, and children having specific roles and duties within ancient Egyptian society. Lastly, learning about other cultures and beliefs promotes understanding, tolerance, and personal growth. It enables individuals to broaden their perspectives, challenge stereotypes, and reflect on their own cultural heritage. By studying Egyptian poetry and other cultural artifacts, we can gain a deeper appreciation for humanity’s collective history and diversity.
