From Stephanie Paulsell discussion of the sexual body, explain how freedom and vulnerability intersect w/ sexual relationships.
1. Reflecting on Stephanie Paulsell’s Chapter 8 in Honoring the Body, discuss how freedom and vulnerability unfold in intimate relationships. Using quotes from the text.
2. Discuss Michael Kimmel’s analysis of predatory sex and party rape in Guyland. Refer to 2 examples of rape from the reading. Reflect on how one of the previous topics from the semester connects with the reading. You may choose 1 of the following topics: boundaries, having a body vs. being a body, compulsory heterosexuality, disciplines of normality, dualism, power and hierarchy, myth of control, or stigma.
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 Intersection of Freedom and Vulnerability in Sexual Relationships
Introduction
In Stephanie Paulsell’s chapter on the sexual body in “Honoring the Body,” she explores how freedom and vulnerability intersect in intimate relationships. She delves into the complexities of sexual encounters and brings attention to the power dynamics and ethical considerations involved. This essay will discuss Paulsell’s insights on freedom and vulnerability, using relevant quotes from the text.
Freedom and Vulnerability in Intimate Relationships
Stephanie Paulsell highlights the intricate relationship between freedom and vulnerability in intimate relationships. She argues that true freedom in sexual encounters comes from a place of mutual respect, consent, and vulnerability. Paulsell writes:
“Freedom in erotic life is not achieved by denying our bodies, but by learning to see them rightly, to give and receive pleasure without the need to control, coerce, or consume.” (Paulsell, p. 137)
This quote emphasizes the importance of recognizing and respecting the autonomy of both partners in a sexual relationship. True freedom involves relinquishing control and embracing vulnerability, allowing for genuine intimacy and connection.
Paulsell also emphasizes the significance of vulnerability in the context of sexual relationships. She suggests that vulnerability can be transformative when it is approached with care and openness:
“Vulnerability can be generative rather than dangerous when we enter into it willingly, knowing that we may be changed by it.” (Paulsell, p. 138)
Here, Paulsell highlights the potential for personal growth and deepening connections when individuals willingly embrace vulnerability within sexual encounters. It requires trust and a willingness to expose oneself emotionally and physically.
Analysis of Predatory Sex and Party Rape in Guyland
In Michael Kimmel’s analysis of predatory sex and party rape in “Guyland,” he examines the culture of male entitlement and its connection to sexual assault. Kimmel sheds light on how some men view sex as an act of conquest and domination, disregarding the importance of consent and perpetuating a culture of violence against women.
Two examples of rape discussed in “Guyland” exemplify this predatory sex culture. The first example is a scenario where a woman is incapacitated due to excessive alcohol consumption. Despite her inability to give consent, a man takes advantage of her vulnerability and sexually assaults her.
The second example involves a group environment where men actively encourage each other to engage in coercive sexual behavior. Peer pressure and a desire to conform to societal expectations of masculinity contribute to the normalization of predatory sex.
Connection with Compulsory Heterosexuality
One topic from the semester that connects with Michael Kimmel’s analysis of predatory sex is compulsory heterosexuality. Compulsory heterosexuality refers to the societal expectation that individuals should conform to heterosexual norms and engage in heterosexual relationships.
The culture of predatory sex discussed by Kimmel perpetuates compulsory heterosexuality by reinforcing traditional gender roles and power dynamics. Men are expected to assert dominance and control over women, contributing to the normalization of sexual violence against women. This reinforces the notion that sex should be pursued as an act of conquest rather than an intimate, consensual interaction.
Conclusion
In intimate relationships, freedom and vulnerability are intricately intertwined. Stephanie Paulsell’s exploration of these concepts emphasizes the importance of mutual respect, consent, and embracing vulnerability as essential components of genuine intimacy. On the other hand, Michael Kimmel’s analysis exposes the dark side of sexual relationships, highlighting how predatory sex perpetuates power imbalances and contributes to a culture of violence against women. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for fostering healthy, consensual relationships that prioritize mutual respect and care.
References
Paulsell, S. (2007). Honoring the Body: Meditations on a Christian Practice. Jossey-Bass.
Kimmel, M. S. (2008). Guyland: The Perilous World Where Boys Become Men. Harper Collins.
