Create a thesis statement based on the following information.
Topic: Some young people view celebrities — including professional athletes, actors, and musicians — as role models. Do you think that celebrities are good role models? Explain why or why not. (2007, EOC)
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
Thesis statement: Celebrities are not necessarily good role models for young people due to their often unpredictable behavior, unrealistic lifestyles, and lack of accountability for their actions.
In today’s society, celebrities have become an integral part of popular culture and often hold a significant influence over young people. Some individuals argue that these celebrities should be seen as role models due to their talent, success, and public image. However, it is crucial to critically evaluate whether celebrities truly possess the qualities necessary to be positive role models.
One of the main reasons why celebrities may not make suitable role models is their often unpredictable behavior. Many celebrities are known for their erratic actions and controversial choices, which can send conflicting messages to impressionable young minds. Young people may be inclined to imitate these behaviors without fully understanding the consequences or context behind them. For instance, a professional athlete involved in illegal activities or a musician promoting substance abuse can lead young fans astray by glamorizing negative behaviors.
Furthermore, celebrities often lead unrealistic lifestyles that are unattainable for the majority of young people. They possess immense wealth, fame, and privilege that disconnects them from the everyday realities faced by ordinary individuals. This can create a distorted image of success and happiness, leading young people to strive for unattainable goals. It is essential for role models to inspire and motivate young people by showcasing hard work, determination, and perseverance rather than reinforcing unrealistic expectations.
Another critical aspect to consider is the lack of accountability that many celebrities face for their actions. While ordinary individuals are held responsible for their behavior through legal systems and societal norms, celebrities often receive preferential treatment or escape consequences entirely due to their status. This lack of accountability can send a dangerous message to young people, suggesting that they too can get away with inappropriate or harmful actions without facing any repercussions.
In conclusion, celebrities are not necessarily good role models for young people due to their unpredictable behavior, unrealistic lifestyles, and lack of accountability. It is important for young individuals to critically evaluate the behaviors and values exhibited by celebrities before accepting them as positive influences. Instead, young people should seek role models who embody qualities such as integrity, empathy, and responsibility, which are essential in guiding them towards a successful and fulfilling future.
