In improvisation, do you think it might be easier to work within a set of rules, or would it be easier for you to improvise without rules or structures? Hint: Would it be easier to start dancing if I gave you a set of instructions, or just said get up and dance.
After viewing the video’s about contact improvisation in this Lesson, what is your opinion of it, and do you think you would be able to do 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 Role of Rules in Improvisation and Contact Improvisation
When it comes to improvisation, the role of rules and structures can vary depending on the individual and their comfort level. While some may find it easier to work within a set of rules, others may prefer the freedom of improvising without constraints.
Working within a set of rules in improvisation can provide a framework or starting point for creativity. It can provide a sense of guidance and direction, making it easier to initiate movement. For example, if given specific instructions or prompts, such as “move slowly and gracefully” or “explore levels and shapes,” individuals may feel more confident and empowered to start dancing.
On the other hand, improvising without rules or structures allows for complete freedom and spontaneity. It opens up possibilities for exploration and discovery, as there are no limitations or preconceived ideas. This approach may be more suitable for individuals who thrive on unpredictability and enjoy the challenge of creating movement in the moment.
Regarding contact improvisation, my opinion of it is highly positive. Contact improvisation is a dance form that involves physical contact and shared weight between dancers. It emphasizes trust, responsiveness, and collaboration. I find it to be a beautiful and dynamic form of expression that allows for deep connections and exploration of movement possibilities.
As for my ability to do contact improvisation, while I have not personally practiced it extensively, I believe that with proper training, guidance, and practice, I could develop the skills necessary to engage in contact improvisation. It requires a combination of physical strength, body awareness, trust, and communication with dance partners. With time and dedication, I believe that anyone can learn and participate in this unique dance form.
