To what extent do the lyrics of Tupac in “Changes”, reflect the social conflicts that ocurred in the 90’s and 2000’s in the United states?
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
Reflecting Social Conflicts through Music: Analyzing Tupac’s “Changes”
Tupac Shakur, a legendary figure in the world of hip-hop, used his music as a platform to address social issues and advocate for change. The song “Changes” is a poignant reflection of the social conflicts that occurred in the 90’s and early 2000’s in the United States. Through its powerful lyrics, Tupac sheds light on systemic inequalities, racial injustices, and the struggles faced by marginalized communities. Let’s delve deeper into how the lyrics of “Changes” resonate with the social conflicts of that era.
Systemic Inequalities:
In the lyrics of “Changes,” Tupac addresses the pervasive disparities that exist within society, particularly in relation to race and socio-economic status. He highlights issues such as poverty, police brutality, and lack of educational opportunities that disproportionately affect African American communities. These themes were prevalent during the 90’s and early 2000’s, marked by racial tensions, urban decay, and economic hardships in many inner-city neighborhoods.
Racial Injustices:
Tupac’s lyrics in “Changes” also touch upon the deep-rooted racial injustices that plagued American society during this period. He calls out the prejudice and discrimination faced by people of color, emphasizing the need for unity and solidarity in the face of systemic racism. The song captures the frustration and anger felt by many individuals who were marginalized and oppressed due to their race, echoing the sentiments of the civil rights movements of the past.
Struggles of Marginalized Communities:
Moreover, “Changes” reflects the struggles and hardships experienced by marginalized communities, including the cycle of poverty, violence, and lack of opportunities for advancement. Tupac’s raw and introspective lyrics paint a vivid picture of life in inner-city neighborhoods, where residents grapple with daily challenges and systemic barriers that hinder their progress and well-being.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Tupac’s “Changes” serves as a powerful commentary on the social conflicts that unfolded in the United States during the 90’s and early 2000’s. Through his poignant lyrics and evocative storytelling, Tupac sheds light on the systemic inequalities, racial injustices, and struggles faced by marginalized communities during that tumultuous period. The song remains a timeless anthem for social change, urging listeners to confront injustice, advocate for equality, and strive for a better future for all.
