write about a mood disorder on a made up character.
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 Struggle Within: Exploring a Mood Disorder in a Fictional Character
Introduction
Mood disorders, such as depression or bipolar disorder, are complex mental health conditions that can significantly impact an individual’s emotional well-being and daily life. In this essay, we will explore the experience of a fictional character who grapples with a mood disorder. By delving into their thoughts, behaviors, and interactions, we aim to shed light on the challenges faced by those living with mood disorders and increase empathy and understanding for individuals who struggle with mental health issues.
Character Background
Meet Sarah, a vibrant, ambitious young woman in her mid-twenties. Sarah has always been known for her outgoing personality and zest for life. However, unbeknownst to those around her, Sarah battles with a mood disorder that affects her emotional stability.
Symptoms and Behaviors
Emotional Turmoil: Sarah experiences episodes of intense sadness, hopelessness, and emptiness. These emotions often linger for extended periods, making it difficult for her to find joy or motivation in her daily activities.
Fluctuating Energy Levels: Sarah’s energy levels are unpredictable. She may go through periods of extreme fatigue and lack of motivation, where even simple tasks seem overwhelming. On the other hand, she may experience episodes of heightened energy and restlessness, during which she struggles to control her racing thoughts and impulsive behaviors.
Social Withdrawal: Sarah frequently withdraws from social interactions due to her mood disorder. She may cancel plans with friends or decline invitations, believing that she is a burden or that she will bring others down with her gloomy state of mind.
Negative Self-Perception: Sarah’s mood disorder leads her to have a distorted perception of herself. She often feels unworthy, guilty, or ashamed, regardless of her accomplishments or positive qualities. This negative self-talk further exacerbates her emotional struggles.
Impact on Daily Life
Work and Productivity: Sarah’s mood disorder affects her ability to concentrate and perform at her best in the workplace. She may struggle with completing tasks on time or maintaining consistent productivity levels.
Relationships: Sarah’s mood disorder strains her relationships with family and friends. Her withdrawal and unpredictable moods make it challenging for others to understand and connect with her. This can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Physical Health: Mood disorders can have physical manifestations. Sarah might experience changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, or somatic complaints like headaches or body aches, impacting her overall well-being.
Seeking Help and Support
Recognizing the impact of her mood disorder, Sarah decides to seek help. She reaches out to a mental health professional who diagnoses her with major depressive disorder (MDD) and develops a treatment plan tailored to her needs. This plan may include therapy, medication, self-care practices, and support from loved ones.
Conclusion
Through the fictional character of Sarah, we have gained insight into the experience of living with a mood disorder. The emotional turmoil, fluctuating energy levels, social withdrawal, and negative self-perception all contribute to the challenges faced by individuals grappling with mood disorders. It is crucial to foster empathy and understanding towards those who battle these conditions and to promote awareness and support for mental health issues. By doing so, we can create a more compassionate society that helps individuals like Sarah navigate their journey towards healing and well-being.
