Share three virtues you see in yourself and locate an example in your life to clarify these virtues.
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
Personal Reflection on Virtues
Reflecting on personal virtues is an essential exercise in self-awareness and growth. Here, I will share three virtues that I recognize in myself—integrity, empathy, and perseverance—along with examples from my life that illustrate these qualities.
1. Integrity
Definition: Integrity involves being honest, ethical, and consistent in one’s actions and decisions, even when no one is watching.
Example: A few years ago, I was working on a team project at work that involved creating a marketing strategy for a new product. During the development process, I discovered a significant error in our financial projections that, if overlooked, could have led to substantial losses for the company. Despite the potential consequences of admitting the mistake, I felt it was my responsibility to bring it to my team’s attention. I presented the issue during our next meeting, outlining the implications and suggesting a revised plan. My honesty not only helped us correct the course but also reinforced a culture of transparency within our team. This experience solidified my belief in the importance of integrity in both professional and personal settings.
2. Empathy
Definition: Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, allowing for deeper connections and support.
Example: During my time volunteering at a local homeless shelter, I encountered individuals facing various challenges, including mental health issues and substance abuse. One particular evening, I spoke with a young man named David who had recently lost his job and was struggling to find stability. Instead of offering generic advice, I took the time to listen to his story, validating his feelings of frustration and hopelessness. By showing genuine interest and compassion for his situation, I was able to help him connect with resources that could assist him in finding employment and addressing his mental health needs. This experience deepened my understanding of empathy’s role in building meaningful connections and offering support to those in need.
3. Perseverance
Definition: Perseverance is the steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.
Example: During my academic journey, I faced significant challenges while pursuing my degree. Balancing coursework, part-time work, and family responsibilities often felt overwhelming. There were moments when I considered giving up, particularly during exam periods when stress levels peaked. However, I reminded myself of my long-term goals and the reasons I started this journey. I developed a study schedule, sought help from professors when needed, and formed study groups with peers. Through dedication and hard work, I not only completed my degree but also graduated with honors. This experience taught me that perseverance can lead to rewarding outcomes, even when the path becomes difficult.
Conclusion
Recognizing and reflecting on personal virtues such as integrity, empathy, and perseverance allows for greater self-awareness and personal growth. Each virtue has played a significant role in shaping my interactions with others and my approach to challenges. By continuing to embody these qualities, I aim to contribute positively to my community and inspire those around me.
