What other common sayings such as “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” exist in your language?
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: Unveiling the Wisdom: Exploring Common Sayings in Language
Introduction:
Language is not merely a means of communication; it also encapsulates cultural wisdom and knowledge. Within every language, we can find a plethora of common sayings that encapsulate life’s experiences and offer valuable insights. In this essay, we will delve into the world of common sayings, focusing on examples from various languages, to understand the depth of their wisdom and relevance in our lives.
Thesis Statement:
Common sayings, such as “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” are not only linguistic expressions but also carry profound cultural significance and practical wisdom. They reflect a collective understanding of human experiences and provide invaluable life lessons.
Body:
The Power of Proverbs:
Proverbs are succinct expressions that offer timeless wisdom and serve as moral guides in different cultures. They encapsulate cultural values, beliefs, and experiences, often presenting them in a metaphorical or poetic manner. For instance, in English, “actions speak louder than words” emphasizes the importance of deeds over mere promises, highlighting the significance of integrity in one’s character.
Cultural Insights from Common Sayings:
Common sayings provide us with glimpses into the unique cultural contexts from which they originate. For example, in Spanish, “el que busca, encuentra” translates to “he who seeks, finds.” This saying underscores the value placed on determination and perseverance within Spanish-speaking communities.
Health and Well-being:
Many common sayings revolve around health and well-being, emphasizing the importance of maintaining good physical and mental health. Beyond “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” other examples include “early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise” (English) and “hara hachi bu” (Japanese), which encourages mindful eating to promote longevity.
Life Lessons and Morality:
Common sayings often convey moral lessons and serve as reminders of ethical conduct. In Chinese culture, “yi ren wei ben, ben ren wei yi” translates as “one person is the foundation, a hundred people are the result.” This proverb highlights the significance of individual actions in shaping society and encourages responsible citizenship.
Metaphorical Expressions:
Metaphorical common sayings add color and vividness to language, allowing for creative expression and nuanced communication. In German, “Der Apfel fällt nicht weit vom Stamm” translates as “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” illustrating the notion that children often inherit traits or behaviors from their parents.
Conclusion:
Common sayings are like gems embedded within languages, offering insights into cultural values, life lessons, and practical wisdom. They go beyond being mere linguistic constructs by reflecting the collective experiences and knowledge of a community. By exploring common sayings from different languages, we gain a deeper understanding of the richness and diversity of human thought. Let us embrace these linguistic treasures and use them as a source of inspiration to navigate our lives with greater wisdom and cultural awareness.
