An “issue” is often perceived as something that is negatively impacting or challenging a community but it doesn’t have to be. You can also choose positive things happening in Oceania and Hawai’i.
First identify and summarize any land/natural resource OR language issue in Oceania and then proceed to compare and/or contrast the issue with a land/natural resource OR language issue in Hawaiʻi.
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
Embracing Cultural Diversity: A Comparison of Land/Natural Resource and Language Issues in Oceania and Hawai’i
In the vast and diverse region of Oceania, encompassing thousands of islands and a multitude of cultures, there exists a complex tapestry of land/natural resource and language issues that shape the lives of its inhabitants. From the struggle for land rights to the preservation of indigenous languages, these issues play a pivotal role in defining the cultural identity and sustainability of Oceania and its communities.
Land/Natural Resource Issue in Oceania
One of the prominent land/natural resource issues in Oceania revolves around the concept of land ownership and management. Many indigenous communities in Oceania have long faced challenges in asserting their rights over ancestral lands, often leading to disputes with governments or commercial entities seeking to exploit these resources for economic gain. The struggle for land rights not only threatens the environmental sustainability of these regions but also poses a threat to the cultural heritage and traditional practices of indigenous peoples.
Language Issue in Oceania
Similarly, language preservation is a pressing issue in Oceania, where hundreds of distinct languages are spoken, each representing a unique cultural heritage. The rapid decline of indigenous languages due to globalization, urbanization, and the dominance of colonial languages poses a significant threat to the rich linguistic diversity of Oceania. Efforts to revitalize and protect these languages are crucial in ensuring the transmission of traditional knowledge, stories, and cultural practices to future generations.
Comparison with Hawai’i
In contrast to the challenges faced in Oceania, Hawai’i presents a unique model of embracing cultural diversity and addressing land/natural resource and language issues. The concept of “Aloha ʻĀina” (love for the land) is deeply ingrained in Hawaiian culture, emphasizing the interconnectedness between people, land, and resources. This holistic approach to land stewardship has enabled Hawaiians to maintain a strong connection to their ancestral lands and traditions despite external pressures.
Similarly, the revitalization of the Hawaiian language, once on the brink of extinction, stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of the Hawaiian people. Through initiatives such as immersion schools, language revitalization programs, and community efforts, Hawaiian language and culture have experienced a revival, fostering a sense of pride and identity among Hawaiians.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while land/natural resource and language issues continue to pose challenges in Oceania and Hawai’i, the approach taken towards addressing these issues can significantly impact the cultural resilience and sustainability of indigenous communities. By recognizing the importance of traditional knowledge, cultural practices, and environmental stewardship, Oceania and Hawai’i can pave the way for a more inclusive and harmonious future that celebrates and preserves the diverse heritage of the region.
