Write an essay about The power of tongue
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 Power of the Tongue: The Influence of Spoken Words on Individuals and Society
Thesis Statement: The tongue, as a powerful tool for communication, holds immense influence over individuals and society, shaping perceptions, attitudes, and relationships, and carrying the potential to both uplift and harm.
Introduction
The power of the tongue, as the vehicle for spoken words, is a timeless concept that has been recognized across cultures and civilizations. Words have the ability to inspire, comfort, and empower, but they also possess the capacity to wound, oppress, and divide. This essay will explore the profound impact of spoken language on individuals and society, examining its potential for both positive and negative influence.
Body
To begin with, the power of the tongue lies in its ability to shape perceptions and attitudes. The words we speak have the potential to influence how others view themselves and the world around them. Positive affirmations and encouragement can bolster self-esteem and instill confidence, while derogatory or hurtful language can inflict deep emotional wounds and perpetuate negative self-perceptions. Moreover, the language used in public discourse and media can shape societal attitudes towards various issues, influencing collective beliefs and behaviors.
Furthermore, the tongue serves as a tool for building and breaking relationships. Effective communication is essential for fostering understanding, empathy, and cooperation among individuals. The power of sincere compliments, expressions of love, and words of reconciliation can mend rifts and strengthen bonds. Conversely, thoughtless or malicious speech can cause irreparable damage to relationships, leading to misunderstandings, conflicts, and estrangement.
Moreover, the tongue carries the potency to inspire action and bring about change. Throughout history, influential speeches and persuasive rhetoric have galvanized movements for social justice, political reform, and human rights. The power of spoken words to ignite passion, mobilize communities, and challenge oppressive systems is a testament to the transformative impact of language on society.
However, it is crucial to acknowledge that the power of the tongue also harbors the potential for harm. Verbal abuse, hate speech, and incendiary rhetoric can inflict lasting psychological trauma, incite violence, and perpetuate systemic inequalities. The misuse of language to spread misinformation, stereotypes, and divisive narratives can sow seeds of discord and perpetuate societal divisions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the power of the tongue is a force to be reckoned with, capable of leaving lasting impressions on individuals and shaping the fabric of society. As such, it is incumbent upon each of us to wield our words with mindfulness and compassion, recognizing the impact they carry. By fostering a culture of respectful dialogue, empathy, and accountability, we can harness the power of language to promote understanding, foster unity, and create positive change in our communities and beyond.
Ultimately, the power of the tongue calls for a conscious effort to use language as a force for good—to uplift, inspire, and unite—thereby contributing to a more harmonious and empathetic world.
