Discussing biography of a specific artist and their repertoire, connecting that discussion with your personal class journey and experience with jazz. Having picked an artist and related biography, discuss that musician’s output, life, and influence on jazz specifically and music in general, as well as discussing the musical and historical contexts of that musician. Use this as an opportunity to use (and demonstrate) what you have learned in this class, through general course readings, lectures, and discussions, as well as from your concert review experiences. Discuss your personal starting point with jazz, and how your perceptions about the music and musicians has changed, especially with regard to the artist you chose. Were you aware of that artist before this class? Why did you pick that artist?
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 the Legacy of Miles Davis: A Journey through Jazz
Introduction
In the vast landscape of jazz music, one name stands out as a beacon of innovation, influence, and revolution: Miles Davis. Born on May 26, 1926, in Alton, Illinois, Miles Dewey Davis III would grow up to become one of the most iconic figures in the history of jazz. His unparalleled musicianship, fearless experimentation, and relentless pursuit of new sounds have left an indelible mark on the world of music. As I delve into Miles Davis’ life, repertoire, and impact on jazz and beyond, I cannot help but reflect on my own journey through the realm of this captivating genre.
Miles Davis: A Musical Trailblazer
Miles Davis, with his trumpet in hand, transcended the boundaries of traditional jazz and ventured into uncharted territories. His discography reads like a roadmap of artistic evolution, from the bebop era with Charlie Parker to the modal experiments of “Kind of Blue” and the fusion explorations of “Bitches Brew.” With albums like “Birth of the Cool,” “Sketches of Spain,” and “In a Silent Way,” Davis showcased his chameleon-like ability to adapt and innovate, constantly pushing the boundaries of what jazz could be.
Influence on Jazz and Music at Large
Davis’ influence on jazz is immeasurable. He was a driving force behind the cool jazz movement of the 1950s, a pioneer of modal jazz in the early 1960s, and a key figure in the development of jazz fusion in the late 1960s and 1970s. His collaborations with legendary musicians like John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, and Wayne Shorter have shaped the course of jazz history. Moreover, his willingness to embrace new technologies and cross musical boundaries has had a lasting impact on genres beyond jazz, influencing artists in rock, hip-hop, and electronic music.
Contextualizing Miles Davis
To truly appreciate Miles Davis’ work, one must understand the musical and historical contexts in which he operated. The post-World War II era was a time of immense social change and artistic experimentation. Jazz was evolving rapidly, mirroring the shifting cultural landscape of America. Davis, with his restless creativity and refusal to be confined by genre conventions, embodied this spirit of innovation.
Personal Journey with Jazz
My own journey with jazz began with a curiosity sparked by a few iconic recordings that I stumbled upon. However, it was through this class that I truly delved into the rich tapestry of jazz history. As I listened to Miles Davis’ albums with a newfound appreciation for his artistry, I was struck by the depth of emotion and complexity woven into his compositions. The more I learned about his life and music, the more I came to admire his fearlessness in the face of convention.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Miles Davis stands as a towering figure in the pantheon of jazz music. His legacy is not just in the notes he played or the albums he recorded but in the boundaries he shattered and the paths he paved for future generations of musicians. As I look back on my journey through jazz, I am grateful for the opportunity to explore the life and work of this remarkable artist. Miles Davis has not only expanded my musical horizons but has also deepened my understanding of the power of artistry and innovation.
