Explain the concept of deviance. How does deviant behavior differ from criminal behavior? Please give examples.
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
Exploring Deviance: Understanding the Differences Between Deviant and Criminal Behavior
Introduction
Deviance is a concept that refers to behaviors, beliefs, or characteristics that violate social norms and expectations within a particular society. While deviance is often associated with criminal behavior, it is important to distinguish between the two as they encompass distinct aspects of social behavior. This essay aims to explore the concept of deviance, differentiate deviant behavior from criminal behavior, and provide examples to illustrate these differences.
Understanding Deviance
Deviance can be viewed as a departure from societal norms and values that are considered acceptable or appropriate within a given culture or community. Deviant behavior challenges established norms and expectations, leading to perceptions of nonconformity or abnormality. Deviance can manifest in various forms, including actions, beliefs, lifestyles, or appearances that deviate from the mainstream or dominant culture.
Deviant Behavior vs. Criminal Behavior
Deviant behavior and criminal behavior are often conflated, but they represent distinct categories within the realm of social behavior. Deviant behavior encompasses a broader range of actions or traits that depart from societal norms, without necessarily violating formal laws or regulations. For example, body modifications such as tattoos or piercings may be considered deviant in some cultures but are not inherently criminal.
In contrast, criminal behavior involves actions that are explicitly prohibited by law and are subject to legal sanctions and penalties. Criminal acts are defined by statutes and codes that outline specific behaviors deemed harmful to individuals or society at large. For instance, theft, assault, and drug trafficking are examples of criminal behaviors that violate established laws and regulations.
Examples Illustrating the Differences
To further elucidate the distinctions between deviant and criminal behavior, consider the following examples:
1. Deviant Behavior: Participating in subcultures that embrace unconventional fashion styles, music preferences, or recreational activities can be viewed as deviant behavior if they diverge from mainstream cultural norms but do not involve illegal activities.
2. Criminal Behavior: Engaging in activities such as burglary, fraud, or driving under the influence of alcohol are clear examples of criminal behavior that contravene existing laws and regulations, resulting in potential legal consequences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, deviance encompasses behaviors, beliefs, or characteristics that deviate from societal norms and expectations, challenging established conventions and values. While deviant behavior may not necessarily entail legal repercussions, criminal behavior involves actions that violate specific laws and regulations, leading to legal sanctions. By understanding the distinctions between deviant and criminal behavior and recognizing the diverse forms of social nonconformity, we can gain insights into the complexities of human behavior and the multifaceted nature of deviance in society.
