1) Give an example of a symbolic object and its meaning.
2) Define symbolism and iconography, and describe the difference between them.
3) Describe the relationship between symbolism and visual literacy.
4) What did objects found at the Sutton Hoo Ship Burial visually communicate?
5) What are some commonalities in what is represented in the Column of Trojan and the Bayeux Tapestry?
6) Describe changes in the symbolic motif of winged creature in human form (today an angel) prior to Christianity. 7) Describe how symbolic motifs can be used to indicate divinity or a ruler.
8) Give an example of metaphoric meaning in art.
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
Example of a Symbolic Object and its Meaning: An example of a symbolic object is the olive branch, which is often used to represent peace. This symbolism originated from ancient Greek mythology, where the goddess Athena was said to have gifted an olive tree to the city of Athens, bringing prosperity and peace. Over time, the olive branch became associated with peace and reconciliation, and it continues to symbolize these concepts in various cultures and contexts.
Symbolism and Iconography: Symbolism refers to the use of symbols to represent ideas, concepts, or qualities. It involves using objects, images, or actions that have deeper meanings beyond their literal interpretation. Iconography, on the other hand, refers to the study or interpretation of symbols and their meanings within a specific cultural or historical context. While symbolism is the broader concept of using symbols, iconography delves deeper into the analysis and interpretation of those symbols.
Relationship between Symbolism and Visual Literacy: Symbolism plays a significant role in visual literacy, which is the ability to interpret and understand visual representations. Visual literacy involves analyzing and comprehending the visual elements, such as symbols, colors, shapes, and composition, in order to grasp the intended meaning or message. Understanding symbolism enhances one’s visual literacy skills as it allows individuals to recognize and interpret the deeper meanings conveyed through visual symbols.
Objects at the Sutton Hoo Ship Burial: Objects found at the Sutton Hoo Ship Burial visually communicated the status, wealth, and power of the deceased. The burial site contained a treasure trove of artifacts, including gold jewelry, weaponry, and a prominently displayed helmet with an intricate design. These objects symbolized the high social status and importance of the individual buried there, conveying their connection to royalty or nobility.
Commonalities between the Column of Trojan and the Bayeux Tapestry: Both the Column of Trojan and the Bayeux Tapestry depict historical events through visual narratives. They share commonalities in terms of their storytelling techniques, use of sequential imagery, and incorporation of symbolic elements to convey meaning. Both artworks provide insights into the cultures and societies of their respective time periods and are valuable historical sources.
Changes in Symbolic Motif of Winged Creature prior to Christianity: Prior to Christianity, winged creatures in human form, such as angels today, were often depicted in ancient Near Eastern cultures as protective deities or supernatural beings associated with divine powers. In Mesopotamian art, for example, winged creatures known as Apkallu were depicted as part-human and part-bird or part-lion. These beings had protective roles and were associated with wisdom, fertility, and divine presence.
Symbolic Motifs indicating Divinity or Ruler: Symbolic motifs can be used to indicate divinity or a ruler by incorporating specific attributes or symbols associated with power and authority. For example, in ancient Egyptian art, pharaohs were often depicted with a headdress called the “nemes” combined with a cobra known as the “uraeus.” These symbols represented their divine status and authority. Similarly, halos or aureoles are used in Christian art to denote divinity and holiness.
Example of Metaphoric Meaning in Art: An example of metaphoric meaning in art can be seen in Vincent van Gogh’s painting “Starry Night.” In this artwork, the swirling and expressive brushstrokes are used metaphorically to convey the artist’s emotions and inner turmoil. The tumultuous sky and vibrant colors represent Van Gogh’s mental state rather than a literal depiction of a night sky. The painting transcends its physical subject matter to evoke deeper emotional responses from viewers.
