1. In Canto V of Inferno, those who are indulged in lust are sent to the second circle of hell, including Semiramis, Dido, Cleopatra, Helen, Achilles, Paris, Tristan, Francesca and Paolo. Choose ONE of the sinners lost in lust. Explain why Dante puts him/her into hell.
I choose Semiramis to explain why Dante put her into hell. I think Dante put her into hell because of her lust. She spent so much money and enjoy sex all day , she even made the law to cover her behavior. 2. Why is Dante moved to tears after Francesca’s description of love and why does he finally fall “as a dead body falls” after her personal account of her intimate relationship with Paolo?I think it’s because that Francesca fell in love with Caina, Paolo’s brother. They shouldn’t have such relationship, because that would hurt people around them and broke their heart. I think Dante cried because he was touched by the love between them.3. From Dante’s presentation of Francesca and Paolo, we are encouraged to consider the place of moral responsibility in depictions of love, sex, and violence in our own day. We can certainly discuss music, television, movies, and advertising (as well as literature) in these terms. Who is more (or less) responsible and therefore accountable for unacceptable attitudes and behavior in society: the creators and vehicles of such messages or the consumers and audiences?I think that the relationship between them is an important lesson for us to learn today because that thing was not acceptable in the past, but it’s kind of normal nowadays in our society. So I think the time passed by also change the thoughts of people.
December 19, 2006 at 3:05 pm |
Good job, Annie! I will wait for the other two of your essays and then do the grading, ok?
December 25, 2006 at 1:16 pm |
Ann,
For Q1, you made a good choosing on Semiramis and gave a good explanation on the lust crime she committed.
For Q2, good beginning but short and quick ending. What a pity! It would have been a perfect essay if you had dug deeper on why Dante-character was touched by the love between Francesca and Paolo and what element of their love was so touching to Dante-character. If you had explored more of Dante-character’s own feelings, it would have been better as well.
For Q3, I am afraid you misunderstood the main idea of the question. Who is more responsible for the evil sides in our society nowadays, the creator or the audience? That is the question you are offered in Q3. Try to read the questions more carefully next time!
You earn a B+ for your diligent work.