LITERARY ESSAYIn this poem, Ella Wheeler Wilcox asserts many truths about human nature. Do you agree with her assertions? Write an essay of 250-300 words in which you defend your argument.Substantiate your argument with reference to any three
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.
Exploring Human Nature in Ella Wheeler Wilcox’s Poetry
In her poem “Solitude,” Ella Wheeler Wilcox delves into the depths of human nature, offering insights and truths that resonate across time and experience. While some may find her assertions about human nature to be profound and enlightening, others may question the universality of her perspectives. In this essay, I will defend the argument that Wilcox’s reflections on human nature are indeed insightful and relevant, drawing upon three key aspects of her poetry.
1. Self-Reflection and Growth
Wilcox emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and personal growth in understanding human nature. In lines such as “Laugh, and the world laughs with you; Weep, and you weep alone,” she highlights the reality that human connections are often based on shared emotions and experiences. This assertion speaks to the fundamental human need for empathy and connection, underscoring the significance of emotional intelligence and self-awareness in fostering meaningful relationships.
2. Resilience and Optimism
Another truth about human nature that Wilcox explores is the resilience and optimism that can be found even in the face of adversity. In lines like “Hate is a feeling that injures the hater,” she conveys the idea that negative emotions have a destructive impact not only on others but also on oneself. By promoting forgiveness, love, and positivity, Wilcox celebrates the capacity of individuals to overcome challenges and find hope in difficult circumstances.
3. Empathy and Compassion
Wilcox’s poetry also underscores the importance of empathy and compassion in understanding human nature. Through verses such as “But the soul that is kind and loving merits our trust,” she emphasizes the transformative power of kindness and empathy in building deeper connections and fostering mutual respect. By highlighting the inherent goodness within individuals, Wilcox challenges readers to embrace empathy as a guiding principle in their interactions with others.
In conclusion, Ella Wheeler Wilcox’s poetry offers profound insights into various facets of human nature, from self-reflection and resilience to empathy and compassion. While some may question the universality of her assertions, her words continue to resonate with readers across generations, inviting us to contemplate the complexities of the human experience and strive for personal growth and understanding in our interactions with others.
