Identify the cultures and societies (plural) of East Asia
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
The Cultures and Societies of East Asia
East Asia is a region known for its rich and diverse cultures, with each country having its own unique traditions, languages, art forms, and societal structures. Let’s explore some of the prominent cultures and societies that contribute to the vibrant tapestry of East Asia.
Chinese Culture: China, being the largest country in East Asia, has a dominant influence on the region. Chinese culture, with its long history, encompasses various ethnic groups and subcultures. The Han Chinese constitute the majority, but there are also distinct cultures of minority groups like Tibetans, Uighurs, Mongols, Zhuang, and many others. Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism have had significant influences on Chinese society, shaping their values, family structure, and way of life.
Japanese Culture: Japan has a unique cultural identity that has evolved over centuries. Japanese society is deeply rooted in traditions such as Shintoism and Buddhism. The Japanese value harmony, respect, and discipline. Their traditional arts include tea ceremonies, flower arrangement (ikebana), calligraphy (shodo), and the elegant performance art of kabuki and noh theater.
Korean Culture: Korea, divided into North and South, has its distinct cultural heritage. Korean society places importance on Confucian values and filial piety. Traditional Korean music (gugak) and dance (sogo) are renowned for their grace and beauty. Korean cuisine, including kimchi, bibimbap, and bulgogi, is famous worldwide.
Vietnamese Culture: Vietnam has a rich cultural heritage influenced by its history and geographical location. Vietnamese society is deeply rooted in Confucian values and practices. Vietnamese traditional music (nhạc cổ truyền) and folk dance (múa rối nước) are integral parts of their cultural expression.
Mongolian Culture: Mongolian culture is characterized by its nomadic heritage and close relationship with nature. Mongolian society is known for its horsemanship skills, traditional throat singing (khoomii), and unique festivals like Naadam. The nomadic lifestyle still exists among certain communities in Mongolia.
Tibetan Culture: Tibetans have a distinct culture influenced by Tibetan Buddhism. Tibetan society places great importance on spiritual practices and traditions like prayer flags, mandalas, and chanting. Tibetan Buddhism has shaped their daily lives, art forms like thangka paintings, and festivals such as Losar (Tibetan New Year).
Taiwanese Culture: Taiwan has a unique cultural identity influenced by its complex history of indigenous tribes, Chinese immigration, and Japanese colonial rule. Taiwanese society embraces a mix of Confucian values, Chinese traditions, indigenous customs, and Japanese influences. Taiwanese cuisine is renowned for its street food culture and night markets.
These are just a few examples of the diverse cultures and societies present in East Asia. Each country has its own distinct cultural practices, languages, cuisines, festivals, art forms, and societal norms that contribute to the vibrant tapestry of the region.
In conclusion, East Asia is a region where multiple cultures and societies coexist side by side, each with its own unique traditions and practices. From China’s rich history to Japan’s refined arts, Korea’s Confucian values to Vietnam’s distinctive cuisine, Mongolia’s nomadic heritage to Tibet’s spiritual traditions, and Taiwan’s blend of influences from various sources – the cultures of East Asia offer a captivating glimpse into the diversity of human experiences in this dynamic part of the world.
