Give one example of a work of art you can relate to and explain why
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 Persistence of Memory” by Salvador Dalí: A Surreal Reflection of Time and Memory
Thesis Statement: “The Persistence of Memory” by Salvador Dalí is a captivating work of art that resonates with individuals due to its thought-provoking portrayal of time, memory, and the ephemeral nature of existence.
Introduction: Salvador Dalí, a prominent Spanish surrealist artist, created numerous iconic works that continue to captivate viewers worldwide. One such masterpiece, “The Persistence of Memory,” is an intriguing painting that has gained immense popularity due to its ability to evoke both fascination and introspection. Through its surreal depiction of melting clocks, barren landscape, and enigmatic creatures, Dalí’s artwork intrigues individuals by exploring the abstract concepts of time, memory, and the transient nature of human existence.
The Surreal Depiction of Time: “The Persistence of Memory” presents an unconventional representation of time through its melting clocks. The soft, drooping forms of the clocks suggest the distortion and fluidity of time itself. This surreal portrayal challenges conventional notions of time as a fixed and linear entity, inviting viewers to question their own perception and relationship with this intangible concept. By depicting time as malleable, Dalí encourages contemplation about the subjective nature of time and how it can influence our experiences and memories.
Reflections on Memory: Dalí’s painting also explores the theme of memory. The barren landscape in the background, devoid of any discernible features, symbolizes the void in our recollection of past experiences. The melting clocks scattered throughout the scene further emphasize the fluidity and fragility of these memories. This portrayal encourages viewers to reflect on the impermanence and selective nature of our memories, as well as the subjective interpretations that shape our understanding of the past. By evoking a sense of nostalgia and contemplation, “The Persistence of Memory” prompts individuals to consider how their own memories shape their identity and perception of reality.
Ephemeral Existence: In addition to time and memory, Dalí’s artwork also conveys the ephemeral nature of human existence. The decaying and distorted forms in the painting symbolize the transience and vulnerability of life. The enigmatic creatures, such as the ants crawling on one of the melting clocks, suggest the relentless passage of time and how it can erode everything in its path. This portrayal serves as a reminder to seize the present moment and appreciate the fleeting beauty and fragility of life.
Conclusion: “The Persistence of Memory” by Salvador Dalí is an extraordinary work of art that resonates with viewers due to its exploration of time, memory, and the ephemeral nature of existence. Through its surreal depiction of melting clocks, barren landscape, and enigmatic creatures, this painting challenges conventional notions and invites introspection. By contemplating the abstract concepts presented in this artwork, individuals are encouraged to reflect on their own perceptions, memories, and the fleeting nature of life itself.
