How does this approach redefine European history in significant ways? What is revealed when we periodize history according to these turning points rather than more traditional moments of change defined by politics, religion, or war?
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
Title: Rethinking European History: Redefining Turning Points
Introduction:
European history has long been studied and understood through traditional moments of change defined by politics, religion, and war. However, a new approach to periodizing history based on significant turning points offers a fresh perspective that challenges conventional narratives. This essay aims to explore how this approach redefines European history in significant ways and uncovers hidden insights that are often overlooked when examining historical events solely through political, religious, or war-related lenses.
Thesis statement:
By periodizing European history according to turning points rather than traditional moments of change defined by politics, religion, or war, we gain a deeper understanding of the social, cultural, and economic transformations that have shaped the continent.
Body:
Shifting the focus from politics to societal transformations:
Traditional periodization emphasizes political events like wars, revolutions, and the rise and fall of empires.
By analyzing turning points such as the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, or the Industrial Revolution, we shift the focus to societal changes that had profound impacts on European history.
This approach highlights the emergence of new ideas, artistic movements, scientific advancements, and economic shifts that shaped Europe’s development.
Recognizing the influence of cultural and intellectual movements:
Periodizing history according to turning points helps us appreciate the significance of cultural and intellectual movements.
The Renaissance challenged medieval traditions and laid the foundation for modern Europe by promoting humanism, scientific inquiry, and artistic expression.
The Enlightenment fostered the growth of reason, individual rights, and democratic values that played crucial roles in shaping contemporary European society.
Understanding economic transformations:
Traditional periodization often neglects the importance of economic changes.
By focusing on turning points such as the Commercial Revolution or the Industrial Revolution, we gain insights into how economic shifts influenced European society.
These turning points demonstrate how trade networks expanded, economic systems evolved, and technological advancements revolutionized production methods, leading to profound societal changes.
Revealing interconnectedness and global influences:
By examining turning points rather than isolated events, we recognize the interconnectedness of European history with the wider world.
Exploration and colonization periods reveal Europe’s engagement with other regions, exchange of ideas, and cultural fusion.
This approach highlights how European history is not an isolated narrative but a result of interactions with other civilizations.
Conclusion:
Redefining European history through the lens of turning points offers a fresh perspective that goes beyond traditional moments of change defined by politics, religion, or war. This approach allows us to uncover hidden insights into societal transformations, cultural movements, economic shifts, interconnectedness, and global influences. By embracing this alternative periodization method, we gain a more comprehensive understanding of how Europe has evolved over time and appreciate the complexities that have shaped its rich history.