Disprove or validate this assertion ” LANGUAGE IS A GIFT TO MAN”
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: Language: The Invaluable Gift to Humanity
Introduction:
Language is often regarded as one of the most remarkable achievements of humanity, allowing us to communicate, express thoughts, and share knowledge. This essay aims to validate the assertion that “language is a gift to man” by exploring the significance of language in human development, cultural expression, and the advancement of society.
Thesis Statement:
Language is undeniably a gift to humanity as it enables communication, fosters cultural identity, facilitates knowledge transfer, and promotes social cohesion.
Body Paragraphs:
Communication and Connection:
Language serves as a tool for communication, enabling individuals to express their thoughts, feelings, and intentions.
Through language, humans can connect with one another, form relationships, and build communities.
It allows for the sharing of ideas, experiences, and emotions, fostering empathy and understanding.
Cultural Expression and Identity:
Language is intricately tied to culture and identity, reflecting the unique perspectives and values of a particular community.
It allows individuals to express their cultural heritage, traditions, and collective history.
Language provides a sense of belonging, strengthening cultural identity and preserving diverse cultural practices.
Knowledge Transfer and Learning:
Language is essential for the transmission of knowledge from one generation to another.
It enables us to accumulate wisdom, scientific discoveries, and cultural achievements over time.
Through language, we can access literature, scholarly works, and educational resources that contribute to personal growth and societal progress.
Social Cohesion and Cooperation:
Language plays a crucial role in fostering social cohesion within communities.
It establishes shared understandings, norms, and values that enable cooperation and collaboration.
Language facilitates problem-solving, conflict resolution, and the development of social bonds.
Counterarguments:
Some may argue that language can also be a source of miscommunication and misunderstanding.
However, these instances do not undermine the overall value and significance of language in human communication and connection.
The potential for miscommunication highlights the need for effective language skills and intercultural understanding.
Conclusion:
Language is indeed a gift to humanity, offering immeasurable benefits that shape our existence. Its role in communication, cultural expression, knowledge transfer, and social cohesion cannot be overstated. Through language, we bridge gaps between individuals and communities, preserve our rich cultural heritage, facilitate learning, and foster cooperation. While challenges in communication may arise, they do not negate the immense value that language brings to our lives. As we continue to develop and evolve as a species, let us cherish this precious gift and harness its power to foster understanding, empathy, and progress.
(Note: While the assertion has been validated in this essay, it is also important to acknowledge that language can be seen as both a gift and a responsibility that must be used thoughtfully and ethically.)
