What are your educational goals?
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
My Educational Goals
Introduction
Education is a transformative journey that shapes not only our knowledge but also our character and aspirations. As I navigate through my academic pursuits, I have set clear educational goals that will guide my development and prepare me for a successful future. These goals encompass academic excellence, the acquisition of practical skills, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Achieving Academic Excellence
One of my primary educational goals is to achieve academic excellence in my chosen field of study, [Your Field of Study]. I aim to maintain a high GPA while actively participating in class discussions and collaborative projects. By seeking out opportunities for advanced courses and special programs, I intend to deepen my understanding of key concepts and theories. This commitment to academic excellence will not only solidify my knowledge base but also enhance my critical thinking and analytical skills, which are vital for success in any professional environment.
Developing Practical Skills
In addition to theoretical knowledge, I recognize the importance of developing practical skills that will prepare me for the workforce. I plan to engage in internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer opportunities related to my field. These experiences will allow me to apply classroom learning in real-world contexts, develop essential competencies, and build a professional network. Specifically, I aim to enhance my skills in [specific skills relevant to your field, e.g., communication, problem-solving, technical skills], which are crucial for my future career.
Fostering Interdisciplinary Learning
Another educational goal of mine is to foster interdisciplinary learning. I believe that some of the most innovative ideas arise at the intersection of different fields. Therefore, I plan to take elective courses outside of my major that interest me, such as [examples of other disciplines]. This approach will broaden my perspective, encourage creative thinking, and equip me with a diverse skill set that can be applied in various contexts.
Commitment to Lifelong Learning
Lastly, I am committed to lifelong learning. In an ever-evolving world, staying updated with industry trends and advancements is crucial for success. I plan to pursue further education, whether through graduate studies or professional development courses, to continue expanding my knowledge. Additionally, I will actively seek opportunities for self-directed learning through online courses, workshops, and reading relevant literature in my field.
Conclusion
In conclusion, my educational goals are centered around achieving academic excellence, developing practical skills, fostering interdisciplinary learning, and committing to lifelong education. By setting these goals, I aim to equip myself with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in [Your Field of Study] and beyond. I am excited about the journey ahead and look forward to making meaningful contributions to my field and society as a whole.
