The fear he exhibits makes readers feel pity towards him because he is innocent and it creates a negative view of the church and of the government in Florence. Corruption in this case destabilizes the morals of politics because Dante was cheated for a higher official to benefit. In summation, Dante Alighieri uses cantos 19 and 22 in order to covey that the morals of politics and leaders are undermined by corruption. Dante teaches us about the history and politics of his time and he teaches us that it can influence the way society views politics and religion. Through this book we are reminded of how far society has come and how it is able to operate as it still does today.
Satan, as a character, has been satirized, mocked and made foolish in our modern world. John Milton, however, presents quite a different Satan from the devil-on-your-shoulder image people are used to seeing. In Paradise Lost, Milton draws on the Bible for his source of Satan’s character, thereby creating a horrifyingly corrupt Satan. Despite this portrayal, readers often find themselves sympathizing with Satan’s cause, and his determination, viewing him as a hero for his cause, as evidenced by his long, brave speeches. Later, however Satan’s speeches begin to show signs of regret, making the reader question their initial reaction to him.
His ambition is driven by the destruction of humankind and faith. In Paradise Lost he is the mesmerizing force that surges the act of sin. His character in Scripture is manipulative and disguising while his actions in The Screwtape Letters are organized and shrewd. Satan seeks to be praised and is defiant towards religion and God. His actions and attitude are the obstacles in the relationship between man and God.
His cowardice acts invited the war over his soul, which attacked him mercilessly throughout the story. Roger Chillingworth is the representation of evil warring against Dimmesdale. Ironically one of the minister’s closest friends, Roger’s purpose in life is to seek out, like a search for truth, the man who wronged him (Hawthorne 66). He wants to make him tremble and shudder (Hawthorne 67). From the very beginning of the conflict, Chillingworth’s dark intensions and his evil heart are clearly seen.
To stop the revolts, John started to torture his nobles and also alienated the Church (Beck, 39... ... middle of paper ... ...ior across culture and time. All in all, Inferno, set standards of evil. Dante in his time was a rejected member of society after being excommunicated, and by writing this book he was looked as evil because he judged people based on their actions, and set certain standards. This shift says that there are absolute standards because only the views of society towards that particular sin has changed, but nevertheless it is still a sin. There are some aspects of judgment that has changed such as lust, anger and sullenness, and fraud compared to murder, but these are still sins that humans should not commit.
The more offensive the nature of the sin, the worse the punishment is, and the further down the tunnel is where the circle is placed. Dante illustrates his concerns and frustrations with the morality of his fellow countrymen and Christians by creating a specific circle and punishment for each type of sinner. He also shows his own personal belief that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation. Allusions
Satan frequently characterizes “the tyranny of heaven” and employs negative diction in his depictions of both heaven and God (I.124). His negative portrayals of God and his kingdom highlight his utter dissatisfaction with being subservient to God and, from that, his desire for autonomy. In the exposition of the text, Satan’s emotions toward God make themselves apparent when Satan “throws his baleful eyes / That witnessed huge affliction and dismay / Mixed with obdúrate pride and steadfast hate” (I.56-58). Satan reveals himself to be furious with his continued subjugation to God as well as his inability to truly revenge himself against his subsequent punishment. According to Satan, God’s dissimulation of his power tempted Satan and others to rise
Michael R. Katz. 3rd. Vol. E. New York: W.W. Norton & Company Inc., 2012. 635-708.
Various religions and the secular world continually distort how God views repentance. They repeatedly attempt to twist the concept into a scary experience and make us believe that the more we have sinned, the harsher God will punish us. Our actions may demand legal accountability, but God’s ultimate wrath is reserved for those who do not accept Christ. Satan wants us to believe that God is waiting for us to approach Him like a cowering dog so He can exert a great rage on us. Satan wants us to believe that repentance is about feeling guilt and shame and there are dire consequences awaiting us.
Puritan Hypocrisy Exposed in The Scarlet Letter Throughout The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne repeatedly portrays the Puritanical views of sin and evil. The Puritans are constantly displayed as believing that evil comes from an unyielding bond being formed between love and hate. For such reasons they looked towards Hester's commitment of adultery as an action of pure, condemned evil. However, through the use of light and dark imagery, Hawthorne displays who truly holds evil in their hearts. The one who is the embodiment of evil creates hypocrisy of Puritanical views towards sin and evil.