1. Provide a detailed explanation of Indulgence.
2. Provide a detailed explanation of Restraint.
3. Is your preference to live and work in a society/country that practices indulgence or restraint? Please explain.
4. Respond to A or B below.
A. If your preference in Question 3 is to live and work in a society that practices indulgence, would you be willing to move and adapt to living and working in a society that practices restraint for a higher-paying job? Why or why not?
B. If your preference in Question 3 is to live and work in a society that practices restraint, would you be willing to move and adapt to living and working in a society that practices indulgence for a higher-paying job? Why or why not?

 

 

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 Studies4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer 

Sample Answer 

Indulgence and Restraint

  1. Indulgence Indulgence refers to the tendency to gratify one’s desires and impulses without much restraint or self-control. It is characterized by a focus on personal enjoyment, instant gratification, and the pursuit of pleasure, often without considering the long-term consequences or the impact on others. In a society that practices indulgence, individuals prioritize their own desires and seek immediate pleasure and satisfaction.
  2. Restraint Restraint, on the other hand, refers to the act of exercising self-control and moderation in one’s actions and desires. It involves consciously limiting oneself from excessive indulgence or impulsive behavior. Restraint requires individuals to consider the consequences of their actions and make choices that align with their values and long-term goals. In a society that practices restraint, there is an emphasis on self-discipline, delayed gratification, and adhering to societal norms and regulations.
  3. Preference for Indulgence or Restraint in Society As an essay writer, I do not have personal preferences. However, I can provide insights on the topic. The preference for living and working in a society that practices indulgence or restraint is subjective and depends on individual values, priorities, and cultural backgrounds.

Living in a society that practices indulgence may offer immediate pleasures and freedoms. It can provide opportunities for self-expression, individualism, and exploration of personal desires. However, it may also lead to potential negative consequences such as increased materialism, addiction, lack of self-discipline, and a disregard for societal well-being.

On the other hand, living in a society that practices restraint can promote stability, shared values, and a sense of community. It may foster a strong work ethic, discipline, and adherence to social norms. However, it may also limit personal freedoms and self-expression, potentially stifling creativity and individuality.

  1. Response to A or B Since I do not have personal preferences, I cannot provide a direct response to A or B. However, I can offer some considerations for individuals making such decisions.
  1. If an individual’s preference is to live in a society that practices indulgence, the willingness to move and adapt to a society that practices restraint for a higher-paying job would depend on various factors. These may include the individual’s financial needs, career aspirations, personal values, and the potential trade-offs between financial gain and personal fulfillment. Each individual would need to weigh these factors and make a decision based on their own priorities.
  2. Similarly, if an individual’s preference is to live in a society that practices restraint, the willingness to move and adapt to a society that practices indulgence for a higher-paying job would depend on similar considerations. The individual would need to assess whether the financial gain is worth compromising their values and potentially adjusting to a different cultural and societal environment.

Ultimately, the decision would be highly personal and dependent on the individual’s circumstances, priorities, and long-term goals.

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