Write an essay of about on Are Shakespeare’s tragedies politically radical? Answer using King Lear and Hamlet as your primary sources.
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
Shakespeare’s Tragedies: A Political Exploration through King Lear and Hamlet
William Shakespeare, widely regarded as one of the greatest playwrights in history, is known for his profound understanding of human nature and the complexities of power dynamics. Two of his most famous tragedies, “King Lear” and “Hamlet,” delve into themes of betrayal, corruption, and the consequences of unchecked political ambition. This essay aims to explore whether Shakespeare’s tragedies can be considered politically radical through an analysis of these two seminal works.
Thesis Statement
Shakespeare’s tragedies, particularly “King Lear” and “Hamlet,” can be interpreted as politically radical due to their critique of absolute power, corruption, and the devastating effects of political intrigue on both individuals and society as a whole.
Political Critique in “King Lear”
In “King Lear,” Shakespeare presents a stark portrayal of a kingdom in turmoil, where the titular character’s misguided decision to divide his kingdom among his daughters leads to chaos and destruction. The play explores themes of authority, justice, and the consequences of political folly. Lear’s descent into madness can be seen as a metaphor for the instability that arises from unwise leadership decisions.
Furthermore, the subplot involving the Earl of Gloucester and his sons Edmund and Edgar highlights the corrupting influence of power and the lengths to which individuals will go to secure their political ambitions. The play’s tragic conclusion serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked authority and the importance of moral governance.
Political Themes in “Hamlet”
Similarly, in “Hamlet,” Shakespeare examines the nature of political power through the lens of Denmark’s royal court. The play delves into themes of betrayal, revenge, and political intrigue as Prince Hamlet seeks to avenge his father’s murder. The character of Claudius, who ascends to the throne through deceitful means, represents the epitome of political corruption.
Hamlet’s internal struggle with morality and duty reflects a broader critique of the moral ambiguity inherent in political systems. The play raises questions about the legitimacy of power, the role of leadership in maintaining social order, and the consequences of political manipulation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Shakespeare’s tragedies, particularly “King Lear” and “Hamlet,” offer a profound exploration of political themes that challenge conventional notions of authority and governance. Through complex characters and intricate plots, Shakespeare critiques the abuse of power, the erosion of moral values in political spheres, and the devastating impact of political machinations on both individuals and society.
By delving into the darker aspects of human nature and the complexities of political power dynamics, Shakespeare’s tragedies invite audiences to reflect on the implications of unchecked ambition and corruption in positions of authority. Therefore, it can be argued that Shakespeare’s tragedies are indeed politically radical in their critique of power and its consequences on both a personal and societal level.
