On what side of the gender symmetry debate do you fall? When females are offenders, do you think it is largely in response to male aggression? When female victims do not apply for protective orders, do you think it encourages recurring IPV? Why or why not?
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: Understanding Gender Symmetry in Intimate Partner Violence
Introduction: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a complex issue that affects individuals across gender lines. The gender symmetry debate focuses on whether IPV is predominantly a male-perpetrated crime or if it occurs in a more balanced manner between genders. This essay aims to explore both sides of the gender symmetry debate and present a comprehensive analysis of the factors contributing to IPV. Furthermore, it will examine the potential influence of male aggression on female offenders and the impact of not applying for protective orders on recurring IPV.
Thesis Statement: While there is evidence of gender symmetry in IPV, it is important to recognize that factors such as societal norms, power dynamics, and individual circumstances contribute to the complexity of this issue. Female offenders may act in response to male aggression, but it is crucial to avoid generalizations. Additionally, non-application for protective orders by female victims should not be seen as encouraging recurring IPV, but rather as a result of various obstacles they may face.
Body:
Gender Symmetry in IPV:
Research suggests that both men and women can be perpetrators and victims of IPV.
Studies have shown similar rates of perpetration and victimization between genders.
Acknowledging gender symmetry helps combat stereotypes and ensures equal support for all victims.
Factors Contributing to Female Offenders:
Some female offenders may resort to violence in response to male aggression.
However, it is important to avoid assuming that all female offenders are victims acting solely in self-defense.
Factors like personal history, mental health, substance abuse, and learned behavior also contribute to female violence.
Understanding Non-Application for Protective Orders:
Non-application for protective orders by female victims should be approached with empathy rather than blame.
Various obstacles, such as fear of retaliation, financial dependence, lack of awareness, cultural norms, and societal pressure, can hinder seeking protection.
The focus should be on addressing these obstacles and providing comprehensive support systems for victims.
Breaking the Cycle of IPV:
Instead of blaming victims for not applying for protective orders, efforts should be made to increase awareness and accessibility of support services.
Addressing root causes such as gender inequality, toxic masculinity, and social norms that perpetuate violence is crucial.
Comprehensive education programs on healthy relationships and conflict resolution should be implemented from an early age.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the gender symmetry debate surrounding IPV requires a nuanced understanding that acknowledges the complexity of this issue. While recognizing gender symmetry is crucial, it is equally important to avoid oversimplification and generalizations. Female offenders may sometimes respond to male aggression, but this does not justify violence or excuse all instances of female perpetration. Similarly, non-application for protective orders by female victims should not be seen as encouraging recurring IPV; instead, it highlights the need for comprehensive support systems and the removal of barriers that prevent victims from seeking help. By addressing these factors, society can work towards breaking the cycle of IPV and creating safer environments for all individuals involved in abusive relationships.
