Write a Narrative essay about The journey of my life
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 Journey of My Life
Life is a journey filled with ups and downs, twists and turns, and unexpected detours. It is a journey that molds and shapes us, teaching us valuable lessons along the way. Reflecting on my own journey, I realize how each experience, no matter how big or small, has played a significant role in shaping the person I am today.
As a child, my journey began with the innocence and wonder of the world around me. Every day was an adventure, filled with laughter and joy. I remember the feeling of running through fields, chasing butterflies, and imagining myself as a superhero saving the world. It was a time of exploration and discovery, where curiosity knew no bounds.
As I grew older, my journey took me through the trials and tribulations of adolescence. The once carefree days were replaced with insecurities and self-doubt. I stumbled upon obstacles that tested my resilience and forced me to question my own identity. It was during this phase that I learned the importance of perseverance and self-belief. No matter how many times I fell, I picked myself up and continued moving forward.
High school became a pivotal chapter in my journey. It was a time of self-discovery, where I began to find my passions and interests. I immersed myself in various activities, from sports to arts, expanding my horizons and pushing myself beyond my comfort zone. It was during this time that I realized the power of determination and hard work. Through grit and dedication, I achieved goals that once seemed impossible.
As college approached, my journey took another turn. Leaving behind the familiar comforts of home, I ventured into the unknown. The transition was both exciting and daunting, as I navigated through new friendships, academic challenges, and the pursuit of independence. College became a transformative period where I gained knowledge, not only from textbooks but also from the diverse perspectives and experiences of my peers. It was here that I learned the value of empathy and understanding.
Beyond academia, my journey also included personal growth and self-reflection. I faced moments of heartbreak and loss, which taught me the importance of resilience and the ability to find strength within myself. I embarked on new adventures, traveling to different parts of the world and immersing myself in different cultures. These experiences broadened my horizons and allowed me to see the world from different lenses.
Now, as I stand at the crossroads of adulthood, I realize that my journey is far from over. Life continues to throw curveballs, presenting me with new challenges and opportunities for growth. But armed with the lessons learned throughout my journey, I face the future with optimism and determination.
The journey of my life has been a rollercoaster ride—filled with highs and lows, joys and sorrows—but each twist and turn has molded me into the person I am today. It has taught me resilience, perseverance, empathy, and the importance of embracing change. I am grateful for every step taken, every obstacle faced, and every lesson learned along the way.
As I continue on this journey called life, I am excited to see what lies ahead. With an open heart and a curious mind, I am ready to embrace new experiences and continue growing into the best version of myself. After all, it is not about reaching a final destination; it is about cherishing every moment and appreciating the beauty of the journey itself.
