Write an essay on protect and provide as a duty of government
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
Protect and Provide: The Duty of Government
The role of government in society is multifaceted, encompassing a wide range of responsibilities. One of the most crucial duties of any government is to protect and provide for its citizens. This duty includes ensuring the safety and security of the population, as well as promoting the general welfare and prosperity of its people. In this essay, we will explore why protecting and providing for its citizens is an essential obligation of the government.
First and foremost, the government must protect its citizens from external threats. This involves maintaining a strong national defense and ensuring the physical security of the nation. It is the government’s responsibility to safeguard its borders, defend against potential aggressors, and uphold the principles of national sovereignty. By doing so, the government ensures that its citizens can live in peace and security, free from the fear of external harm.
In addition to external threats, the government must also protect its citizens from internal dangers. This includes maintaining law and order within society, combating crime, and upholding justice. By enforcing the rule of law, the government establishes a framework that allows citizens to live in a safe and orderly environment. This protection extends to all individuals, regardless of their social or economic status, ensuring that everyone receives equal treatment under the law.
Furthermore, the government has a duty to provide for the basic needs of its citizens. This includes ensuring access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and social welfare. A well-functioning healthcare system ensures that citizens have access to quality medical care when they need it. Similarly, a robust education system provides opportunities for individuals to develop their skills and knowledge, contributing to their personal growth and the overall development of society. Social welfare programs are also crucial in providing a safety net for those who are vulnerable or facing hardship, ensuring that no citizen is left behind.
Moreover, the government plays a pivotal role in fostering economic prosperity and stability. It must create an environment conducive to business growth and job creation, ensuring that citizens have access to opportunities for employment and economic advancement. This entails implementing sound economic policies, investing in infrastructure development, and promoting entrepreneurship and innovation. By doing so, the government can help alleviate poverty, reduce income inequality, and improve the overall standard of living for its citizens.
Critics may argue that protecting and providing for its citizens is not the sole responsibility of the government but should be left to individuals or private organizations. However, relying solely on individual initiative or market forces is insufficient in meeting the needs of all citizens. The government’s ability to mobilize resources, coordinate efforts, and implement policies on a large scale makes it uniquely positioned to address societal challenges comprehensively.
In conclusion, protecting and providing for its citizens is a fundamental duty of any government. By ensuring the safety and security of its population, maintaining law and order, and promoting the general welfare, the government creates an environment in which citizens can thrive. Moreover, by providing access to essential services and fostering economic prosperity, the government enhances the well-being and quality of life for all its citizens. Thus, it is imperative that governments prioritize these duties to fulfill their obligations towards their people and build a just and prosperous society.
