This essay is based on Dante’s Paradiso Canto 14 and its relation to politics, justice, and ethics in the community. Canto 14 is an explanation of how Dante gathers leaves and returns them to the bush. Moreover, Canto 14 characterizes Capaneus in an intellectual concept as a proud person by re-emphasizing Dante’s hell. Capaneus was blasphemous on earth and in hell and kept on emphasizing that he had not changed. Such a clarity which he exhibited made him unique. Virgil tries to control and inform Dante of what is necessary and recommendable, but the latter keeps drawing towards Capaneus and copying his behaviors of defying the gods.
The degree of defiance increases when the circle of individuals is subjected to punishment. Punishments either make or destroy an individual’s way of behavior. Being condemned even to death, Capaneus did not change his behavior; he continued with his pride and blasphemy even in hell. Defiant behavior is experienced in today’s community, whereby powerful individuals become influential in changing behavior. Those in powerful positions in society find it easy to convince the masses who may emulate their characters, however undesirable they are. Defiant members in the community tend to develop hardships when subjected to correction. Most of them do not like the feeling of being under the control of various laws and regulations. In Dante’s Paradiso, Canto 14, Virgil’s target to help Dante can be equated to that of counselors who devote their resources to change society.
Subjecting Capaneus and Dante into punishment for sinful actions did not solve the issue but, instead, encouraged them to be more defiant. Subjecting defiant individuals to severe punishment may result in serious damage. If the society feels that people are not cooperative and do not meet the expectations, then developing strategies such as creating counseling sessions would help deal with the situation. Severe punishment might lead to extreme hardening and behavioral maintenance. The community acts as the primary correctional center, while prisons and jails are a secondary option. As Dante, Capaneus and Virgil were not attended to guidance and counseling on earth and ended up being punished in hell. An individual’s behavior should be dealt with in the community setting before being forwarded to high justice levels.
While dealing with injustice cases in the community, ethics must be applied. It is practical to mention crimes committed before passing judgment on offenders. People need to understand their mistakes, the way forward to ending such mistakes, and corrective measures. They then emulate specific lifestyles that do not allow them to commit more offenses. The community should implement practical disciplinary measures to every member for uniformity and neutrality. Punishment should not be severe, so that society members are prevented from becoming more defiant, hence, it will not lead to worse cases. Mild corrections on individuals give them home to smoothly correct their behavioral patterns. Ability to understand mistakes and consequences enables community members not to cross boundaries.
In conclusion, society and the authority should focus on molding character and correct behavior through implemented strategic measures. Efforts towards character molding and positive behavior change should be recognized and encouraged, hence, reaching out to the entire community. The strongest in the community, those who feel that they are unshakable, experience the worst during punishment. The most factual question that I can develop from Canto 14 is whether defiant individuals can still be even when they are dead.