Write an Argumentative essay on rape- canterbury tales
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: The Complex Portrayal of Rape in Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales”
Geoffrey Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales” is a literary work that offers a multifaceted depiction of human nature, society, and morality. Within the collection of tales, the theme of rape emerges as a recurring and contentious subject, reflecting the complexities of power, gender dynamics, and morality in medieval England. This essay will argue that Chaucer’s portrayal of rape in “The Canterbury Tales” serves as a reflection of the societal attitudes towards sexual violence and consent during that era, while also inviting critical examination of these themes through the lens of contemporary perspectives.
One of the most notable instances of rape in “The Canterbury Tales” occurs in “The Physician’s Tale,” where the character of Virginia becomes a victim of sexual assault at the hands of Appius. The tale presents a disturbing portrayal of male entitlement and abuse of power, as Appius employs deceit and coercion to violate Virginia’s autonomy and bodily integrity. This depiction reflects the prevailing attitudes towards women’s agency and the pervasive nature of patriarchal dominance, shedding light on the systemic challenges faced by women in a society where their rights and autonomy were frequently disregarded.
Moreover, the tale of Virginia invites critical examination of the moral and ethical implications surrounding rape and its aftermath. Virginia’s ultimate act of agency, when she chooses to take her own life rather than succumb to Appius’s advances, raises profound questions about the societal expectations placed upon victims of sexual violence. Her tragic fate underscores the lack of agency and recourse available to women in situations of assault, highlighting the grim realities faced by those subjected to such violations in a society where their voices were often silenced and their agency disregarded.
However, it is crucial to acknowledge that Chaucer’s portrayal of rape in “The Canterbury Tales” is not solely limited to victimization and power dynamics. The character of Alisoun in “The Miller’s Tale” subverts traditional gender roles and expectations through her agency and autonomy, challenging societal norms related to female virtue and passivity. While the tale involves elements of deception and infidelity, Alisoun’s active participation in shaping her own narrative offers a contrasting portrayal of female empowerment within the constraints of medieval social structures.
In examining Chaucer’s depiction of rape in “The Canterbury Tales,” it is essential to consider the historical context in which these narratives were composed. The medieval era was marked by entrenched patriarchal systems, rigid social hierarchies, and limited legal protections for women, all of which influenced the dynamics of power and consent within interpersonal relationships. By engaging with themes of rape and its implications, Chaucer’s tales provide a window into the societal attitudes towards sexual violence and agency during that period, prompting critical reflection on the enduring impact of these dynamics on contemporary conversations surrounding rape culture and consent.
In conclusion, Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales” offers a complex and thought-provoking exploration of rape as a thematic element, reflecting the societal attitudes towards sexual violence, agency, and power dynamics in medieval England. By presenting nuanced portrayals of victimization, agency, and gender dynamics, the tales invite critical examination of these themes within their historical context while also prompting contemporary audiences to consider the enduring implications of power, consent, and sexual violence in modern society. Through its multifaceted depiction of rape, “The Canterbury Tales” remains a timeless literary work that continues to provoke meaningful dialogue on these enduringly relevant issues.
