Is feminism merely a relic of the history of a subject of contemporary need?
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 Relevance of Feminism: From Historical Relic to Contemporary Necessity
Thesis Statement: Feminism is not merely a relic of history but remains a subject of contemporary need due to persistent gender inequalities, ongoing challenges faced by women, and the intersectional nature of modern feminist movements.
Introduction:
Feminism, as a social and political movement advocating for gender equality, has evolved significantly over time. While some may argue that feminism is a relic of history, this essay contends that it remains an essential and relevant subject of contemporary need. By examining persistent gender inequalities, ongoing challenges faced by women, and the intersectional nature of modern feminist movements, we can understand why feminism continues to be significant in today’s world.
Body:
I. Persistent Gender Inequalities:
Despite progress in women’s rights, persistent gender inequalities exist globally:Wage gaps continue to persist, with women earning less than their male counterparts for equivalent work.
Women are underrepresented in leadership positions across various sectors, including politics, business, and academia.
Gender-based violence and discrimination, such as sexual harassment and domestic abuse, remain prevalent issues.
These enduring disparities demonstrate the need for feminism as a movement to challenge and dismantle gender-based inequalities.
II. Ongoing Challenges Faced by Women:
Women continue to face specific challenges and obstacles that necessitate feminist activism:Reproductive rights and access to healthcare services are still contested issues in many societies.
Gender stereotypes and expectations persist, limiting opportunities and restricting personal choices.
Intersectional issues, such as racial discrimination, class inequality, and LGBTQ+ rights, require feminist frameworks to address their complexities effectively.
These ongoing challenges demonstrate the need for feminism to advocate for the rights and well-being of all women.
III. Intersectionality and Modern Feminist Movements:
Modern feminist movements recognize the intersectionality of gender with other forms of oppression:Intersectionality acknowledges that gender inequality intersects with race, class, sexuality, disability, and other identity markers.
Contemporary feminist movements strive to be inclusive and address the experiences of marginalized groups within the broader fight for gender equality.
Recognizing intersectionality is crucial for understanding the diverse experiences and needs of women and advancing more inclusive and effective feminist advocacy.
IV. Evolving Discourse and Activism:
Feminism has adapted to contemporary contexts, engaging with new challenges and expanding its focus:Movements such as #MeToo have highlighted the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault while sparking conversations about consent and power dynamics.
Feminist activism on social media platforms has created spaces for dialogue, support, and raising awareness.
The push for more inclusive language and representation in media and politics reflects the evolving discourse around gender equality.
These examples illustrate how feminism remains a dynamic force that responds to current issues and engages with changing societal landscapes.
Conclusion:
Feminism is far from being a relic of history; it remains a subject of contemporary need. Persistent gender inequalities, ongoing challenges faced by women, and the intersectional nature of modern feminist movements all attest to its continued relevance. By acknowledging these factors, we can recognize the importance of feminism as a vital movement that strives for gender equality and works towards creating a more just and equitable society for all.
