Your essay is to be 5 pages long, in 12 point Times New Roman type, with 1” margins, and double spaced. The essay should focus on a Topic: Shakespeare (Much Ado About Nothing). An essay requires a thesis of your own which offers sufficient evidence and argument to demonstrate it.
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 Power of Deception in Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing”
Introduction
In William Shakespeare’s play “Much Ado About Nothing,” deception plays a central role in driving the plot and exploring the complexities of human relationships. This essay will argue that deception is not merely a plot device but a powerful tool used by the characters to manipulate, test, and reveal their true intentions and emotions. Through an analysis of specific instances of deception in the play, it will be demonstrated that Shakespeare masterfully uses this theme to explore the intricacies of love, trust, and the fragility of human perception.
Deception as a Means of Manipulation
One of the primary ways in which deception operates in “Much Ado About Nothing” is as a means of manipulation. Characters such as Don John, Borachio, and even Benedick and Beatrice engage in deceptive tactics to achieve their desired outcomes. Don John, the villain of the play, seeks to disrupt the relationships of others by deceiving them. For example, he orchestrates a plot to make Claudio believe that Hero has been unfaithful. This manipulation not only causes chaos but also reveals the vulnerability of trust.
Similarly, Benedick and Beatrice engage in a witty war of words, using deception to mask their true feelings for one another. Their verbal sparring and false claims of disinterest serve as a means of manipulation, allowing them to test each other’s affections and ultimately bring about their union.
Deception as a Test of Loyalty and Love
In addition to manipulation, deception is also used as a test of loyalty and love in “Much Ado About Nothing.” Claudio’s readiness to believe the deception about Hero’s infidelity exposes his own insecurities and lack of trust. His hasty condemnation of Hero serves as a test of his love for her. Likewise, Hero’s willingness to endure public humiliation and maintain her faith in Claudio demonstrates her unwavering loyalty and love.
Moreover, the humorous subplot involving Benedick and Beatrice showcases how deception can be employed to test the sincerity of feelings. By tricking Benedick into believing that Beatrice loves him and vice versa, their friends challenge their stubborn resistance to love and compel them to confront their true emotions.
Deception and the Fragility of Perception
Shakespeare also explores the theme of deception as it relates to the fragility of human perception. Characters in the play are often deceived by appearances and misinterpretations. For instance, Claudio’s belief in Hero’s unfaithfulness is based solely on what he sees at the masked ball. This highlights how easily our perceptions can be manipulated and lead us astray.
Furthermore, the play’s use of mistaken identity further emphasizes this theme. When Hero is falsely accused, her identity is called into question, revealing how easily one’s reputation can be tarnished by deception. Additionally, the masquerade scene showcases how disguises can alter perceptions and create misunderstandings.
Conclusion
In “Much Ado About Nothing,” Shakespeare skillfully utilizes deception as a powerful tool to explore the complexities of love, trust, and human perception. From manipulation to tests of loyalty and love, deception drives the plot and reveals the true intentions and emotions of the characters. Through their interactions, we are reminded of the vulnerability of trust, the intricacies of human relationships, and the fragility of our own perceptions. Shakespeare’s masterful use of deception in this play serves as a reminder that things are not always what they seem, urging us to question appearances and delve deeper into the complexities of human nature.
