If you were a choreographer, and you had to create a dance, what is one theme, topic, issue, or story that you would like to choreograph about? Be specific. Hint: The theme or topic of a dance is NOT the same as it’s genre or style
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
As a choreographer, one theme that I would like to explore and choreograph a dance about is the concept of resilience in the face of adversity. Specifically, I would focus on the personal journeys of individuals who have overcome significant challenges and obstacles in their lives.
The dance would depict the struggles, setbacks, and moments of despair that these individuals have experienced. Through movement, I would aim to convey their emotions of frustration, anger, sadness, and vulnerability. The choreography would incorporate dynamic and expressive movements, reflecting the intensity of their experiences.
However, the main focus of the dance would be on resilience and the transformative power of perseverance. As the piece progresses, the movements would gradually shift from depicting struggle to portraying determination, strength, and resilience.
The dancers would embody the resilience of these individuals through powerful and uplifting movements, symbolizing their ability to rise above adversity. The choreography would highlight moments of breakthrough, empowerment, and personal growth, representing the transformation that occurs when one refuses to be defined by their challenges.
The music selection for this dance would be instrumental with dramatic undertones to enhance the emotional impact of the choreography. Lighting design would play a crucial role in creating contrasting atmospheres, transitioning from dim and somber tones during moments of struggle to brighter and more vibrant lighting as resilience and triumph are portrayed.
Overall, this dance would serve as a tribute to the human spirit and a celebration of resilience. It would remind audiences of the strength that lies within each individual and inspire them to overcome their own challenges. Through the power of movement and storytelling, this choreography would create an emotional connection with the audience and leave a lasting impression about the importance of resilience in our lives.
