How have the expansion and contractions of empires affected European self-understandings? Please consider this question across two major periods of European history (defined above)
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
The Impact of Empire Expansion and Contraction on European Self-Understanding
The expansion and contraction of empires have had a profound impact on European self-understandings throughout history. In this essay, we will examine how these processes influenced European perceptions of themselves during two major periods: the Roman Empire and the Age of Exploration.
Roman Empire
Expansion: The expansion of the Roman Empire brought about a sense of superiority and dominance among the Romans. As they conquered and assimilated various territories, they believed that their civilization was superior to others. This led to a self-perception of cultural and intellectual superiority, with the Romans considering themselves as the pinnacle of civilization.
Contractions: The decline and fall of the Roman Empire challenged the prevailing notions of European superiority. As the empire fragmented and external forces invaded, Romans began to question their own capabilities and self-worth. This period witnessed a shift in self-understanding, as Europeans struggled to come to terms with the loss of power and the rise of new empires.
Age of Exploration
Expansion: During the Age of Exploration, European powers embarked on voyages of discovery and colonial expansion. The conquest and colonization of vast territories across the Americas, Africa, and Asia fueled European notions of superiority. The encounter with different cultures and civilizations further reinforced the perception that Europeans were more advanced and civilized.
Contractions: However, as European empires expanded, so did their exposure to alternative ways of life and different perspectives. The contact with indigenous peoples challenged European self-perceptions, leading to debates about the nature of humanity, morality, and cultural relativism. The resistance faced by colonized peoples also forced Europeans to reevaluate their own actions and consider the ethical implications of imperial domination.
Overall Impact
The expansion and contractions of empires in European history have shaped European self-understandings in various ways:
Sense of Superiority: Empire expansion reinforced European beliefs in their cultural, intellectual, and technological superiority. This contributed to a sense of pride and an identity rooted in dominance and power.
Identity Crisis: Contractions and challenges to European empires created a sense of identity crisis among Europeans. They had to confront their own limitations and reflect on their place in the world as other empires rose to prominence.
Cultural Exchange: The encounters with different civilizations during empire expansion fostered cultural exchange and transformed European self-understandings. Europeans were exposed to new ideas, technologies, and perspectives that challenged their preconceived notions.
Ethical Reflection: The contradictions inherent in imperialism led Europeans to reflect on the ethical implications of their actions. The resistance faced by colonized peoples prompted debates about justice, morality, and the rights of indigenous populations.
In conclusion, the expansion and contraction of empires have had a significant impact on European self-understandings across different periods of history. While empire expansion often reinforced notions of European superiority, contractions and encounters with diverse cultures prompted self-reflection, ethical questioning, and a reevaluation of European identity. These historical processes continue to shape European self-perceptions today.
