In what ways can you identify when young individuals are overusing or suppressing their strengths, and how can you guide them towards a more balanced and empowered use of their innate abilities?
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
Identifying and Guiding Young Individuals in the Use of Their Strengths
In the journey of personal development, young individuals often encounter the challenge of understanding and utilizing their strengths effectively. While strengths can empower and elevate their experiences, overusing or suppressing these qualities can hinder their growth and well-being. This essay explores how to identify when young individuals are either overusing or suppressing their strengths and provides strategies to guide them toward a more balanced and empowered use of their innate abilities.
Recognizing Overuse of Strengths
Indicators of Overuse
1. Burnout and Fatigue: When a young person relies excessively on a particular strength—such as leadership or creativity—they may exhibit signs of exhaustion, both mentally and physically. For instance, a student who constantly takes on group responsibilities may feel overwhelmed and stressed.
2. Narrow Skill Development: If an individual focuses solely on one or two strengths, they may neglect other areas of personal development. For example, a talented athlete might ignore academic pursuits, resulting in an imbalanced skill set.
3. Feedback from Others: Peers and mentors might express concerns that a young person is dominating conversations or taking charge too often, indicating an overreliance on their leadership skills.
Recognizing Suppression of Strengths
Indicators of Suppression
1. Disengagement: A young individual who suppresses their strengths may display disinterest or lack of enthusiasm in activities where they could shine. For example, an artist who avoids participating in art classes may be hiding their talent due to fear of judgment.
2. Low Self-Esteem: Individuals who downplay their abilities often struggle with self-worth. They may feel inadequate compared to their peers, leading them to hide their strengths rather than celebrate them.
3. Social Anxiety: Fear of being judged or not fitting in can cause young people to suppress their unique qualities. For instance, a gifted public speaker may avoid opportunities to present out of fear of standing out.
Guiding Towards Balanced Use of Strengths
Encouraging Self-Reflection
To guide young individuals in understanding their strengths, it is essential to promote self-reflection. Encourage them to engage in activities like journaling or guided discussions that help them identify their strengths and assess how they are currently using them. Questions to consider include:
– What activities energize me?
– When do I feel overwhelmed or stressed?
– Are there aspects of myself that I feel pressured to hide?
Fostering a Growth Mindset
Promoting a growth mindset is crucial for helping young individuals recognize that strengths can evolve and that embracing challenges is part of personal development. Encourage them to view setbacks as opportunities for growth and to celebrate progress in various areas, not just those where they excel.
Providing Diverse Opportunities
Encouraging participation in a range of activities helps young individuals explore various strengths. For instance:
– Extracurricular Activities: Involvement in clubs, sports, or arts can provide opportunities for self-discovery and allow them to experiment with different roles.
– Community Service: Engaging in volunteer work can help them apply their strengths while developing empathy and teamwork skills.
Offering Constructive Feedback
Regularly providing constructive feedback is vital for guiding young individuals toward a balanced use of their strengths. Praise should be specific and focus on both outcomes and the effort involved. For example, rather than only congratulating a student for winning a competition, acknowledge the hard work and creativity they demonstrated throughout the process.
Conclusion
Identifying when young individuals are overusing or suppressing their strengths is essential for fostering a healthier approach to personal development. By encouraging self-reflection, promoting a growth mindset, providing diverse opportunities, and offering constructive feedback, we can guide young people toward a more balanced and empowered use of their innate abilities. Ultimately, this guidance will enable them to navigate their journeys with confidence, resilience, and a deeper understanding of their unique contributions to the world.
