Research paper about loggerhead turtle
General information about the species and its characteristics
Information about its habitat and niche
Population information (how many there are and were)
How the species came to be endangered
Measures being taken (or not) to protect or save the species
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: The Loggerhead Turtle: A Species in Peril
Introduction
The loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) is a majestic marine species that has captured the hearts of nature enthusiasts worldwide. Known for its distinctive reddish-brown shell and strong swimming abilities, the loggerhead turtle inhabits the world’s oceans, playing a vital role in marine ecosystems. However, despite its remarkable characteristics, the loggerhead turtle faces numerous threats that have led to its endangered status. This research paper aims to delve into the general information, habitat, population status, reasons for endangerment, and conservation measures related to the loggerhead turtle.
General Information and Characteristics
The loggerhead turtle is one of the largest species of sea turtles, with adults reaching lengths of up to three feet and weighing an average of 250 pounds. Their shells are heart-shaped and typically reddish-brown in color, while their skin is a yellowish hue. Known for their powerful jaws, loggerheads primarily feed on bottom-dwelling invertebrates such as crabs, mollusks, and jellyfish. They are migratory creatures and can travel long distances between nesting and foraging grounds.
Habitat and Niche
Loggerhead turtles have a wide distribution range, spanning across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. They are commonly found in coastal waters, bays, and estuaries, where they nest on sandy beaches. The species plays a crucial role in marine ecosystems by controlling jellyfish populations and maintaining the health of seagrass beds and coral reefs.
Population Information
Historically, loggerhead turtle populations were abundant, with estimates suggesting there were millions of individuals worldwide. However, due to various anthropogenic activities such as habitat destruction, pollution, bycatch in fishing gear, and climate change, loggerhead turtle populations have significantly declined. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) currently classifies the species as endangered.
Reasons for Endangerment
The primary factors contributing to the endangerment of loggerhead turtles include habitat loss due to coastal development, pollution from marine debris and oil spills, accidental capture in fishing gear, and climate change-induced impacts such as rising sea levels and temperature changes. These threats have disrupted nesting sites, reduced food availability, and increased mortality rates among loggerhead populations.
Conservation Measures
Efforts to protect and conserve loggerhead turtles have been implemented on local, national, and international levels. These measures include the establishment of protected marine areas, reduction of bycatch through the use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in fishing gear, beach monitoring and nest protection programs, public education and awareness campaigns, and research initiatives to better understand loggerhead turtle behavior and ecology. While progress has been made in some regions, more comprehensive and coordinated conservation strategies are needed to ensure the long-term survival of this iconic species.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the loggerhead turtle stands as a symbol of resilience and vulnerability in the face of anthropogenic threats. By understanding the species’ general information, habitat requirements, population status, reasons for endangerment, and conservation measures, we can work towards securing a future where loggerhead turtles thrive in healthy marine environments. It is imperative that stakeholders collaborate across borders to implement effective conservation strategies and safeguard the legacy of these magnificent creatures for generations to come.
