Soul Music As A Vehicle Of Social Expression Essays -

Soul Music As A Vehicle Of Social Expression Music is the most powerful vehicle of human expression. As the embodiment of love, disapproval, happiness, experience ? life, music speaks to us, because it comes from us. Each people, in each paradine of the human experience instinctively and systematically change the music of the past to represent the realities of the present. In this century, black music, more specifically Soul music, has been that music that has brought to plain view that which evidences our humanity ? hope, hurt, joy and passion ? in such a way that the world has no other choice than to feel its power and marvel in its brilliance. When one discusses the relationship between Soul music and the civil rights movement, it becomes a dialouge very akin to that of the chicken and the egg. The period of ?Classic Soul? is that period primarily, but not exclusively referenced as the 1950's, 60's and 70's (Stephenson 186). This is the time frame of the American Civil Rights Movement, and the impact of the massive changes going on, are reflected in the music and the culture. So one would be correct in both assuming that the Civil Rights Movement gave rise to Soul music, as much Soul music contributed to the success of the campaign for civil rights. Soul music during its heyday, did more than simply entertain. For a race of people it served as a source of motivation, strength and education, for a people immersed in turmoil and tragedy. The institution of segregation had effectively inhibited the general populace's awareness of the great achievements and contributions made by African-americans throughout the history of the United States (Franklin 429). Inasmuch, Soul music sought to bring that undersight to light. Soul songs like Donny Hathaway's ?To Be Young, Gifted and Black,? was revolutionary, in that they sought to instill pride of one's history, but at the same time motivate a new generation to reach new heights. As Hathaway says, ?We must begin to tell our young, ?Don't you know that there is a whole world waiting for you?'?, he is calling for the teaching of black pride to the youth, which was a wide spread trend in black communities of the ?60s and ?70s (Hathaway). James Brown's ?Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud,? be came an anthem for the movement (Brown). The song's lyrics like, .Don't quit moving, until we get what we deserve?we'd rather die on our feet, than keep living on our knees,? were words of inspiration for those involved in the struggle for equality. ?Whereas the predominant theme of rhythm and blues was love and other kind of human relationships, soul singers voiced concern about the social injustice, racial pride, black militancy, and forms of protest (Southern 517).? Eileen Southern's statement on Soul music greatly describes the type of works produced by Hathaway and Brown at the time, yet was definetly not exclusive to these two artists. The period wherein Soul intertwined with the Civil Rights Movement, produced music greatly influenced by the environment in which its creators lived. Donny Hathaway's, ?Ghetto,? and Marvin Gaye's ?Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler),? speak of the harshness of life in the Inner City (Hathaway/Gaye). Societal ills and political unrest were a major theme of Soul music, and Marvin Gaye's work, almost more than any other artist, was demonstrative of this fact. Gaye's album What's Goin On, was his commentary on the social problems of the period, and through its success tremendously impacted the increasing social awareness. Despair within the black community was given voice in Gaye's ?Inner City Blues?. Inflation, taxes, unemployment and police brutality were numbered among the themes addressed in the song. The sense of hopelesness of the piece can best be conveyed in the line saying, ?this life ain't worth the living?.makes me wanna holler, throw up both my hands!?(Gaye). ?Save the Children? goes on to ask: ?Who is willing to try and save a world that is destined to die, yet goes on to say ?live life for the children?let's save the children (Gaye). So, even in the midst of great despair, Gaye, and other artist of his genre, did believe in the possibility

Social Security act of 1935 essays

Social Security act of 1935 essays During the 1930s the Great Depression triggered a crises in the nations economic life. The Great Depression left millions people unemployed and penniless. President Franklin D. Roosevelts administration searched for a way to jump-start the economy. This was that backbone of the Social Security Act of 1935. On August 14, 1935 President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the original social security act. The original social security act was part of Franklin D. Roosevelts plan called The New Deal. The New Deal was created to help jump-start the economy by provider unemployed workers with jobs. The original social security act was created to help retired workers, by paying them a continuing income after retirement. Today social security has grown to become an essential factor of modern life. One in every six Americans receives a social security benefit and about ninety-eight percent of all workers are in jobs covered by social security. Over time the original social security act has went through many changes and amendments. Some of the important changes the original social security act went through was is broaden to include survivor benefits, disability benefits, health-care benefits, and automatic cost-of-living adjustments. Its first amendment was in 1939, which added two new categories to the benefits. These categories are payment of the spouse and minor children of retired workers and survivor benefits paid to family in the event of the premature death of the worker. In 1950 it went through its second amendment which raised benefits for the first time ever and placed the program on the road to the virtually universal coverage it has today. Then it went through its third amendment, which added a disability insurance program that provides the public with additional coverage against economic insecurity. In 1956 the social security act was amended to provided benefits to disabled workers. ...

Anxiety Disorders Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Anxiety Disorders - Term Paper Example isorder, acute stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social phobia, specific phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, and panic disorder (Soggie, 2008). Furthermore, there are adjustment disorders with attributes of anxiety, anxiety disorders because of substance-induced anxiety disorders, residual form of anxiety disorder, and common medical conditions (Soggie, 2008). Anxiety disorders are ever-present across different societies. In general, the indications of an acute stress disorder manifest during or soon after the trauma. These severe traumatic episodes include brutal physical attack or rape, fatal accidents, and witnessing violence (Stein & Hollander, 2002). The indication of dissociation, which manifests an evident disconnection of the mind from the body or emotional form, is a vital issue (Stein & Hollander, 2002). Moreover, dissociation is distinguished by a perception of the world as an illusory or surreal place and may come along with poor recollection of the particular episodes, which is extreme form is recognized as dissociative amnesia (Soggie, 2008). If the behavioral disorders and symptoms of the acute stress disorder continue for more than a month, and if these characteristics are accompanied by severe trauma or functional injury to the victim, the diagnosis is transformed to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Soggie, 2008). Due to the more chronic feature of post-traumatic stress disorder, several changes, such as hopelessness, decreased self-worth, difficulties in professional and/or personal relationships, and a sense of being irreversibly damaged, are commonly discerned (Soggie, 2008). Substance abuse usually arises, particularly involving sedative-hypnotic drugs, marijuana, and alcohol (Stein & Hollander, 2002). Women who are crime victims, particularly rape, torture, and others, are the most prone to PTSD. In general, among those exposed to severe distress, roughly 9% experience the disorder (Stein & Hollander,

Syncretism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Syncretism - Essay Example In china the followers of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism actively borrowed from each other in a mutual fashion to achieve syncretism commonly known as "sanjiao heyi† meaning the â€Å"Unity of the three teachings†. Ancient Chinese believed that the three religions merged into one creed and that all the three religions should be believed and followed (Gallager 105). Through syncretism the major differences between the different religions disappears or the adherents choose to adapt the differences into their way of religion avoiding contradictions in the sencretised worship. Syncretism is unique in that it differs from the major doctrines that explain interaction of different religions; syncretism is not ecumenism which employs the belief that truth is universal. In syncretism every religion retains its fundamental beliefs and perceptions that define it. Syncretism does not seek to accommodate the religious practices of another religion but rather fully integrates the religion completely. Neither does syncretism involve integrating the other religions into one to reinforce the deficiencies and weaknesses of the individual religions (D'Costa 19). Before the Tang dynasty, the three distinct schools of thought tried successfully to remain distinct and pure from the influences of the other religions. Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism developed distinctively different and independent schools of thought, organization and ritual practices that was logical. Each religion had a different and a unique message to communicate to the society about the conduct of lif e. Syncretism of the three religions purposed to teach people to be good .They were mainly practiced by the elite’s intellectuals of the Chinese people who could be able to read, understand and translate the texts of the three doctrines. In the shengxue Zonglun text (Basic treatises on learning of the sages), the author states that the three teachings are one teaching and that the teaching of the three halls have changed because of false transmission. The author had an issue that the work was largely of Confucian doctrine aimed at destabilizing Buddhist and Taoist fundamental doctrines. This illustrates that syncretism indeed incorporated various aspects of the three religions as seen in this text which did not auger well with strong adherents of the religions who did not assent to syncretism. The unity of the three teaching was demonstrated by a practice of joint worship that incorporated cults and symbols from the other religious deities. The ‘chongful’ monaste ry had both Confucian and Buddhist traditions and religious practices. Worshippers would follow the state sanctioned cults and seek divination from the Confucian religion in a Buddhist monastery. In the sixteenth and seventieth century, the monks in the upper Tianzhu monastery constructed more than five halls of worship to non Buddhist deities. They constructed the shrine to the lingering beneficence of master Lei for the Taoist adherents. They also constructed the shrine of the three officials who protect the sage in 1574, which honored the Taoist deities of heaven, earth, and water that oversaw human actions from the underground. Many other Taoist shrines were constructed in the Buddhist monastery and they were fully functional without any disagreements, they coexisted peacefully and hence this suggests that the two religions had a functional syncretised way of worship that fully integrated Taoist and Buddhism. Joint worship of Buddha, Lao Zi and Confucius was commonly practiced i n the mid -Ming period. Though the state did not

Is technology a blessing or a curse Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Is technology a blessing or a curse - Essay Example He describes how and older tool such as a rake can be more efficient and beneficial to the health of the user through the physical exercise he gets when he uses it. In contrast, he states that the leaf blower, although technologically more advanced, is not really that beneficial to the user and even goes as far as to suggest that it may be harmful to him because it makes an awful lot of noise and does not exert the person using it physically meaning that the opportunity for the little exercise he could have gotten from using the rake is lost. Bell uses this example of such a simple task as moving leaves to discuss the greater issues brought about by indiscriminate use of technology. His idea is that we should only use the pieces of technology that we really need and that are beneficial to us both physically and mentally, and that we should discard those that have no real benefit for us (Bell 470-473). One would agree with Bell’s argument that we use technology indiscriminately and that we rarely distinguish between its good uses from its bad ones. We tend to focus more on using the latest technological advancements and not on their benefits to us. There are times when it is better to use the so called old technology such as the rake rather than use new technology like the leaf blower which have little or no benefit to us. We should take every opportunity we have to get some physical exercise and there is no better way to do so than using technology that is physically exerting. The modern world has seriously changed our lifestyles and we are slowly moving from a lifestyle of physical exertion to one of dormancy due to the advancement of technology. However, all technology has its good and its bad sides and it is this in mind that we shall be discussing the following: the automation of industrial and household processes; changes in the modes of transport; reduction of risk to human life; data and information management; and the impact of technology on entertainment and advertising (Bell 470-473). The automation of critical industrial and household processes has reduced the amount of labor that was previously required to perform these processes. It is claimed that electronic gadgets rescue their users from the burden of performing chores. The performance of chores is one of the most basic things that a human being can do and not doing them breeds a culture of laziness among people which results in the growing cases of obesity especially in young people. There is a further claim that a lot of time is saved because these electronic gadgets do work faster. This being the beginning of the age of robotics, machines have been designed which can learn to do things with near human efficiency. Technology has led to a change in the modes of transport from the previously slow modes to the much faster ones that are used today. The creation of the automobile industry and its evolution has enabled the development of faster means of transport unlike in the previous age when animals used to be the only means of transport. If a person from the current world were uprooted and placed in the world of the early twentieth century, he would be surprised at the extremely slow means of transport that existed at that time. The invention of automated aircraft has increased the speed of travel with distances which previously used to be covered in days or even months are now being covered in a matter of minutes or hours. The risk to human life has been reduced by the use of technology and the mundane jobs once done by human workers are now being taken over by machines and this has the effect of making human labor redundant and if this trend is not stopped soon, and with the growing human population, then the

Effect of Ocean Conveyor Belt on Global Climate

Effect of Ocean Conveyor Belt on Global Climate Marie Claire Attard Bason Discuss the ocean conveyor belt system and its implications on global climate Without the ocean, life on earth will be impossible. When viewed from outer-space, our planet is covered with water; water which is always in constant motion. The ocean covers 71 % of the earth, where 6% of it is covered by sea ice (Siedler, Church, Gould Griffies, 2001). These mentioned factors make the ocean an important key factor in the transfer of heat energy around the planet. This movement of through ocean currents affect the local weather and temperature to some extremes, which effects also the stabilization of global climatic patterns, the delivery of nutrients and larva to marine ecosystems and many more (Cowan, National Geographic,  http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/media/ocean-currents-and-climate/?ar_a=1, n.d). Moreover, in total, 81 % of the earth’s surface is covered by liquid water including lakes and rivers as well, and covered by solid water which includes snow and land ice (Siedler, Church, Gould Griffies , 2001). One should first understa nd some of the major properties of the oceans and the types of circulations and currents that exist, than understand the effect of heat transfer called the Thermohaline Circulation or known as the Conveyor belt, its implications on the climate and anthropogenic influences. First and foremost, the ocean circulation is generally classified into two parts; a wind-driven circulation that influences the upper part of the ocean system, hundreds of meters up, and the other is a density-driven circulation that influences the bottom part. The major wind currents include the sub-tropical and sub-polar, the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, and the equatorial currents (Grinsted, 2005). Moreover, this system is called the ‘Thermohaline’ circulation, because of its role in heating, cooling and salinification. These roles effect the production of the regional density within the ocean (Toggweiler Key, 2001). To explain this process in a much better way, the conveyor belt is the ocean circulation system that is driven by changes of heat and freshwater across the sea surface, after the heat and salt are mixed together. This is a driving mechanism (Rahmstrof, 2006). Secondly, the Thermohaline circulation is seen in the sinking phase, and interestingly enough, there is the formation of new deep water in the North Atlantic and the Southern Ocean. No one exactly knows the whereabouts of the upwelling zones (Rahmstrof, 2006) as the conveyor system has no end (as seen on Fig. 1), but then, in the polar seas near Greenland, there are cold winds from the northern of Canada that cools the surface waters and thus creates sea ice formation (ELF, www.andrill.org/education//3A/GlobalOceanConveyWCredits.pdf‎, n,d) . Fig. 1 Shows the Conveyor Belt pattern and transfer of currents The process of ice formation is linked to evaporation. With the rising temperature, the sea compresses out the salt from the forming ice. When this process occurs, the surrounding waters become saltier and even more denser. Then, this dense water sinks to the bottom and flows along to the North and South America direction. When this approaches Antarctica, it surrounds the continent and meets with the Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW). This process continues on when then flow flows towards the north into the ocean basins where gradually it mixes with warmer waters present at that site, therefore it rises to the surface in the Pacific Ocean. From there, it makes its way back to the Atlantic and becomes part of the wind driven surface currents eventually returning to the Greenland seas to begin the process again (ELF, www.andrill.org/education//3A/GlobalOceanConveyWCredits.pdf‎, n,d). In 1751, the first measurement of deep ocean temperatures was recorded by a ship captain of an English trading ship, when he discovered that the water underneath his ship, about a mile below his ship was very cold, despite the location he was at; a sub-tropic location. In 1797, again yet another Englishman named Benjamin Thompson, came up with an accurately explanation on this discovery about cold currents coming from the poles. The difference between Thermohaline and wind driven circulation was distinguished in the 19th-Century, during an argument regarding ocean currents. It was question as well weather or not these two processes happen when the wind pushes along the water or else if they are â€Å"convection currents† due to heating and cooling processes. It is important to note that both processes are combined in non-linear way, meaning that both cannot be separated by oceanographic measurements. That is why there are two obvious mechanisms of force, and neither are unique ly separable circulations. Moreover, if changed, the Thermohaline circulation will also change the wind driven currents (Rahmstrof, 2006). The Atlantic Ocean is the most powerful Thermohaline circulation in the oceans today. The conveyor belt roughly estimates at 15106 m3 of upper ocean water into deep water (Toggweiler Key, 2001) where currents typically extend down up to 1-2km depth, although wind only directly drives between 50m to 200m (Grinsted, 2005). Generally, the flow in the upper part of the conveyor mostly passes through the Florida Straits and up to the east coast of North America, which forms part of the Gulfstream (Toggweiler Key, 2001). However, one disadvantage may include climate change which is likely to weaken the Thermohaline circulation in the future, with some risk of triggering sudden changes, some of which can be unexpected, that may be irreversible (Rahmstrof, 2006). In Recent years, there have been numerous newspaper reports, articles on magazines and television documentaries that covered this topic involving concerning threatening scenarios of the Atlantic Thermohaline circulation being breakdown. If this is the case, than this affects and collapses the northern European agriculture and fisheries, and also glaciers will move very fast on Scandinavia and Scotland waters. Irreversible changes are set to be taken very seriously in the discussion on climate change effected by humans. (Rahmstorf, 2000). The Southern Oscillation is the most prominent year to year climate variability that exists in the world. It is associated with many risks such as; fluctuations on atmospheric pressures at sea level point in the tropic regions, a downpour of rainfall, and cold winter circulation over the North of America and other parts of the extra-tropic regions. When this Southern Oscillation was recognized in the late 1960’s, this was related to the oceani c phenomenon- El Nino (Rasmusson Wallace, 1983). Events concerning El Nino have instances which creates serious consequences for climate and ocean ecosystem. The 1982- 1983 El Nino was perhaps one of the strongest that happened. The El Nino Events, have been documented as far back as 1826 and they are usually followed by professionals that constantly keep and eye on any predictable patter when they occur about once every 4 years (Cane, 1983). The conveyor belt can be affected by global warming in two different ways; either by warming the surface or else by freshening up the surface. This effect will reduce the density of high-latitude water surfaces waters and therefore inhibits a deep formation in water (Rahmstorf, 2006). Our planet cannot lose all of its water from its surface reservoirs due to sub-duction processes. After an approximate of 1Billion years, only between 25- 30% of the newly generated ocean will be subducted into the mantle. It is also said by many scientists and geographers that in the far future, if the external forces are left separately, than the surface reservoirs will be kept in a steady state. Chances for the Earth’s ocean lie in the faith of external forcing. Unfortunately, all water could disappear as a result of increasing levels the temperature, globally, caused by the total of power generated from the Sun to space (Bounama, Franck von Bloh, 2001) How long will it take before the entire Earth dries up from its waters completely? There is still no certain answer to this. Results from studies done by Lovelock Whitfield (1982) show that liquid water will be always available in surface reservoirs as a result of internal processes, however, the extinction of the biosphere will be caused by other limiting factors caused by external forces.).(Bounama, Franck and von Bloh, 2001) References Bounama, C., Franck, S., Bloh, W. v. (1999). The fate of Earth’s ocean.Hydrology and Earth System Sciences,5(4), 569-576. Cane, M. A. (1983). Oceanographic events during el nino.Science,222(4629), 1189-1195. Cowan, A. M.  Ocean currents and climate A roller coaster analogy to the ocean conveyor belt Retrieved December, 29th, 2013, fromhttp://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/media/ocean-currents-and-climate/?ar_a=1 Environmental Literacy Framework. (). Global ocean conveyor belt. Message posted towww.andrill.org/education//3A/GlobalOceanConveyWCredits.pdf Grinsted, A. (2005). The thermohaline circulation. Lovelock, J. E., Whitfield, M. (1982). Life span of the biosphere. Rahmstorf, S. (2000). The thermohaline ocean circulation: A system with dangerous thresholds?Climatic Change,46(3), 247-256. Rahmstorf, S. (2000). The thermohaline ocean circulation: A system with dangerous thresholds?Climatic Change,46(3), 247-256. Rasmusson, E. M., Wallace, J. M. (1983). Meteorological aspects of the el Nino/southern oscillation.Science,222(4629), 1195-1202. Siedler, G., Church, J., Gould, J., Griffies, S. (2001).Ocean circulation and climate: Observing and modelling the global oceanAccess Online via Elsevier. Toggweiler, J., Key, R. M. (2001). Ocean circulation: Thermohaline circulation.Encyclopedia of Atmospheric Sciences,4, 1549-1555.

Are You Unique? (for Cloning) :: essays research papers fc

You have been told that you are unique. The belief that there is no one else like you in the whole world has made you feel special and proud. In the near future, this belief may not be true. The world was stunned by the news in the summer of 1995, when a British embryologist named Ian Wilmut, and his research team, successfully cloned Dolly the sheep using the technique of nuclear transfer. Replacing the DNA of one sheep’s egg with the DNA of another sheep’s udder created Dolly. Plants and lower forms of animal life have been successfully cloned for many years, but before Wilmut's announcement, it had been thought by many to be unlikely that such a procedure could be performed on larger mammals and life forms. The world media was immediately filled with heated discussions about the ethical implications of cloning. Some of the most powerful people in the world have felt compelled to act against this threat. President Clinton swiftly imposed a ban on federal funding for human-cloning research. Bills were put in the works in both houses of Congress to outlaw human cloning because it was deemed as a fundamentally evil thing that must be stopped. But what, exactly, is bad about it? From an ethical point of view, it is difficult to see exactly what is wrong with cloning human beings. The people who are afraid of cloning tend to assume that someone would, for example, break into Napoleon's Tomb, steal some DNA and make a bunch of emperors. In reality, infertile people who use donated sperm, eggs, or embryos would probably use cloning. Do the potential harms outweigh the benefits of cloning? From what we know now, they don't. Therefore, we should not rush placing a ban on a potentially useful method of helping infertile, genetically at-risk, homosexual, or single people to become parents. Do human beings have a right to reproduce? No one has the moral right to tell another person that they should not be able to have children, and I don't see why Bill Clinton has that right either. If humans have a right to reproduce, what right does society have to limit the means? Essentially all reproduction done these days is with medical help at delivery, and even before. Truly natural human reproduction would make pregnancy-related death the number one killer of adult women. Some forms of medical help are more invasive than others.

Junior Cert Study

[email  protected] com www. cyclonerepertory. com Romeo and Juliet Session Themes & Topics 1 – Shakespeare’s Main Source: Arthur Brooke’s 3020 line narrative poem â€Å"The Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet† (first published in 1562). Brooke was reported to have translated it from an Italian novella â€Å"Giulietta e Romeo†, a novella by the Italian author Matteo Bandello, written in 1554. The poem's ending differs significantly from Shakespeare's play: the nurse is banished, the apothecary is hanged for his involvement in the deception while Friar Laurence leaves Verona to live in a hermitage until he dies.Another notable plot difference is that the story takes place over nine months while Shakespeare’s version takes place over 5 days. A key theme of Brooke’s epic poem which permeates Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is: 2 – Love as a Religious Experience (or Love as a Form of Religious Worship). This idea of love is based on medieval courtly love poetry and was a strong influence on Brooke’s version of Romeo and Juliet. Love in this sense is not just lust but is tempered by patience, romance, spirituality and heroism. The language used in this poetry was full of religious references.This idea of love was borrowed by Shakespeare in his version of the tale. Here are a few examples which reflect this theme: â€Å"If I profane with my unworthiest hand this holy shrine† Romeo, Act I Scene 5 â€Å"Call me but love and I’ll be new baptized. † Juliet, Act II Scene 2 â€Å"Swear by the gracious self, which is the god of my idolatry. † Juliet, Act II Scene 2 This theme of love as religious worship demonstrates the young couple’s passion and devotion to one another. This return of affection from Juliet inflames the young Romeo as opposed to his advances towards the â€Å"unfeeling† Rosaline which were not reciprocated. – Synopsis of the Play: The extract below is the synopsis as staged in â€Å"The Romeo and Juliet Session†: Day 1, Sunday: The star crossed lovers meet and fall in love. Day 2, Monday: They secretly marry in Friar Lawrence’s cell. Later, Romeo gets in a brawl with Tybalt and his best friend, Mercutio, is killed . Taking revenge, Romeo in turn kills Tybalt. For this murderous act The Prince banishes him. But before fleeing to Mantua Romeo has a passionate night with his new bride. Day 3, Tuesday: Mr. & Mrs. Capulet brutally force the rebellious Juliet to marry Paris.A now desperate Juliet runs to Friar Lawrence begging for help. He gives her a potion that induces a death-like state. Later that day Capulet moves the day of the wedding from Thursday to Wednesday. Day 4, Wednesday: The nurse finds Juliet â€Å"dead†. The wedding preparations now become funeral preparations. Romeo hears of Juliet’s death and makes the journey to Verona. Day 5, Thursday: Romeo arrives in Capulet’s tomb and takes his own life just before Juliet awakes. Seeing her dead lover by her side, the young Juliet takes Romeo’s knife and ends it. – Benvolio, Romeo & Mercutio: The function of Benvolio’s character is to provide a peaceful, passive personality in contrast to the lively and aggressive Mercutio. This is important as both characters have a significant influence on the young Romeo. Our hero demonstrates aspects of both characters at various points throughout the play. Benvolio’s character foretells an end to the feud. He is only member of Romeo’s generation to survive by the end of the play. We also know that Benvolio is trustworthy. After Mercutio has been slain, Benvolio recounts the events accurately and fairly to the Prince.Even though he belongs to one of the families in the feud, the Prince does not see it necessary to doubt his word, further proving his sincerity and earnestness. It might prove useful to think of the characters of Romeo , Mercutio and Benvolio as three brothers: Mercutio is the aggressive, jaded and, sometimes, mean eldest, Romeo is the youngest and most spoilt as he’s allowed to indulge his feelings and cries a lot and Benvolio, the middle child, is a good mediator as he helps to dissolve tensions between the two (as middle children often do in real life).However, in our Romeo and Juliet Session, the actor’s confusion over how to play Benvolio is also a devised conflict point between the actor and Shakespeare which acts as a bridge to discuss: 5 – Elizabethan Attitudes to Homosexuality: Freedom of choice, in this sense, was not allowed in Shakespeare’s day. Acceptance of Homosexuality as has been happening in today’s Western society was non-existent, at least publicly. If such attitudes were expressed in public then it could have serious repercussions as it went against acceptable norms of society.Practice of homosexuality was often punishable by death. 6  œ Lack of Female Performers: In Shakespeare’s day women were not allowed onstage, in fact it was illegal. Their place was in the home. Every female character in those days was performed by men. In this play for example, teenage boys would play the role of Juliet, and older (generally burly and heavy) men, would play the Nurse. It’s interesting to notice that the character of the pantomime Dame, can be traced back to this type of roles. Women we only allowed on stage after 1660 (many years after Shakespeare death). – Mercutio’s Queen Mab Speech: What’s the point of this monologue? Most productions of this play cut it out. Mercutio’s cynical take on love serves as a counterpoint to Romeo’s wistful one. Mercutio is warning Romeo that love is a trap that comes with many pitfalls and burdensome obligations. In addition to this Shakespeare seems to have been making a bit of a pun with the name Queen Mab. Traditionally, Queen Mab is known as the queen of the fairies. But in his time the words â€Å"quean† and â€Å"mab† were also references to whores. Ultimately, Mercutio is trying to deflate Romeo’s illusion of love.Ergo: life is not a lover’s fairytale. 8 – Medieval Tragedy: A common plot device in Medieval Tragedy is that of unseen, hostile forces determining the destiny of the lovers. Shakespeare uses this concept in the play. When Romeo says, â€Å"†¦expire the term of a despised life clos’d in my breast† (Act I Scene 4) he is foretelling his own death. This is not because he wants to die but more because he feels that it is in his fate. That’s the reason why Shakespeare call them â€Å"star crossed lovers† in the Prologue to the play: their fate’s written in the stars.But they’re ill-fated too: conspiring against them are events, coincidences and accidents. For example: 1. Romeo’s bad timing in arriving too early to Julietâ⠂¬â„¢s tomb. 2. Romeo not getting Friar Laurence’s letter explaining his scheme of Juliet’s pretended death. 3. The dark shadow of the feud influences the secretive actions of the hasty lovers. This hastiness is a tragic flaw that both characters share and it plays its part in the tragedy. In Juliet’s own words: â€Å"Too rash, too unadvised, too sudden. † (Act II Scene 2) In fact, Romeo and Juliet are fated to die.This tragic device of impending doom was meant to make the audience pity the young and innocent lovers. In Romeo’s own words: â€Å"I am fortune’s fool†. (Act III Scene 1) 9 – Love vs. Lust: Is Romeo really in love with Juliet or is he just a boy with a strong libido? Wasn’t he hopelessly in love with Rosaline before? In his own words: â€Å"The all seeing sun ne’er saw her match since first the world begun. † (Act I Scene 2). Romeo was gutted after Rosaline rejected him. If Juliet rejected him, would he have just found someone new, pined longer for Juliet, returned to Rosaline or do something else?Would it be fair to say that Romeo is in love with the idea of being in love? If we take the side of the argument that Romeo is really in love this time, then this harks back to the theme of Love as a Religious Experience. Romeo and Juliet’s relationship is spiritual, heroic & romantic but it also contains lust, as in any romantic relationship. The world of Romeo and Juliet’s love is so all-consuming that, to quote John Donne, â€Å"Nothing else is†. (The Sun Rising, Stanza 3). This disregard for the outside world is the beauty of their pure love and the reason for their downfall.This meeting of these two soul mates has awoken them to a new world of feeling and passion that goes beyond anything they’ve ever known before. 10 – Conflict: All the conflicts in the play are a result of the feud between the Montagues and Capulets which we are told in the play was â€Å"Bred of an airy word† (Prince, Act I Scene 1). No one seems to know what started it in the first place. All we know is that the family’s of the Capulets and Montagues have born a grudge for a long period of time, passing on the hatred from one generation to the next, and they’re not even sure why.However, the feud between the families has an historic basis. The period referred to in the play is between 1269 & 1387. This was a time when Verona was split between competing noble families. Italians at that time were divided. Some of them favoured a government ruled by the German emperor while others were part of a congress of city-states under the moral leadership of the Pope in Rome. So noble Families would often fight over the political high ground. But what’s most important in this play is how the feud affects the young lovers and other characters.The feud is responsible for the fiery Tybalt seeking out Romeo for daring to show his face at the Capulet’s ball, it’s responsible for the lovers secret marriage, Mercutio’s and Tybalt's murders, Romeo’s banishment and the Friar’s scheme which eventually leads to Romeo and Juliet’s death. 11 – Realism vs. Telling the story: There are inconsistencies in the play: No one question why the young, 14 your old Juliet just suddenly dies. The vial of potion by her side is never found. Rosaline, was a Capulet too, a cousin of Juliet. But the feud between the families was never addressed in that case.Was Shakespeare unaware of these inconsistencies? Why were they not addressed? This has a lot to do with how writing has changed over the years. Realism as we know it was an invention of the novels of the XVIII & XIX centuries. In Shakespeare’s day there wasn’t an interest in depicting everyday life. Therefore consistency wasn’t as important as telling a story. Famous and quotes from Romeo and Juliet: Below are some quotes that you may find useful to quote in your exams. â€Å"A pair of star-crossed lovers†. Prologue â€Å"One fairer than my love? The all-seeing sunNe'er saw her match since first the world begun†, Romeo, Act I, scene 2 â€Å"O! she doth teach the torches to burn bright†, Romeo, Act I, scene 5 â€Å"Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night†, Romeo, Act I, scene 5 â€Å"My only love sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown, and known too late! † Juliet, Act 1, scene 5 â€Å"O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo? † Juliet, Act II, scene 2 â€Å"O, swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon, That monthly changes in her circled orb, Lest that thy love prove likewise variable. Juliet, Act II, scene 2 â€Å"Good Night, Good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be morrow. † Juliet, Act II, scene 2 â€Å"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. † Juliet, Act II, scene 2 â€Å"Wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast,† Friar Laurence, Act II, scene 3 â€Å"Men's eyes were made to look, and let them gaze. † Mercutio, Act III, scene 1 â€Å"A plague o' both your houses! † Mercutio, Act III, scene 1 â€Å"O, I am Fortune's fool! † Romeo, Act III, scene 1 â€Å"Give me my Romeo; and, when he shall die,Take him and cut him out in little stars, And he will make the face of heaven so fine That all the world will be in love with night, And pay no worship to the garish sun. † Juliet, Act III, scene 2 â€Å"Then I defy you, stars! † Romeo, Act V, scene 1 â€Å"For never was a story of more woe Than this of Juliet and her Romeo. † Prince, Act 5, scene 3 Shakespeare’s Contribution to the English Language Shakespeare is credited by the Oxford English Dictionary with the introduction of nearly 3,000 worlds into the language. I t doesn’t mean that he created them all but that his works were the earliest citation.Below is small list of words and phrases from Shakespeare’s plays. Many widely used today: Words: †¢ Accommodation †¢ Amazement †¢ Apostrophe †¢ Assassination †¢ Auspicious †¢ Bloody †¢ Bump †¢ Courtship †¢ Critic †¢ Critical †¢ Dwindle †¢ Exposure †¢ Frugal †¢ Generous †¢ Gloomy †¢ Hurry †¢ Invulnerable †¢ Laughable †¢ Lonely †¢ Majestic †¢ Misplaced †¢ Monumental †¢ Multitudinous †¢ Obscene †¢ Pious †¢ Premeditated †¢ Radiance †¢ Road †¢ Sanctimonious †¢ Sportive †¢ Suspicious Phrases: †¢ all that glitters isn't gold †¢ as dead as a doornail †¢ break the ice †¢ catch a cold †¢ clothes make the man †¢ disgraceful conduct eaten out of house and home †¢ elbowroom †¢ fair play †¢ foregone c onclusion †¢ heart of gold †¢ heartsick †¢ hot-blooded †¢ housekeeping †¢ in a pickle †¢ in stitches †¢ in the twinkling of an eye †¢ it's Greek to me †¢ lackluster †¢ laughing stock †¢ leapfrog †¢ long-haired †¢ method in his madness †¢ mind's eye †¢ mum’s the word †¢ naked truth †¢ neither a borrower nor a lender be †¢ neither here nor there †¢ send him packing †¢ set your teeth on edge †¢ sorry sight †¢ to be or not to be †¢ to thine own self be true †¢ too much of a good thing †¢ vanish into thin air †¢ wear one's heart on one's sleeve [pic] [pic] [pic]

The Mandarin Meaning of Yin Yang Philosophy

The Mandarin Meaning of Yin Yang Philosophy Yin Yang is a philosophical concept of balance. The symbol associated with this concept is described here by Elizabeth Reninger: The image consists of a circle divided into two teardrop-shaped halves - one white and the other black. Within each half is contained a smaller circle of the opposite color. The Chinese Characters for Yin and Yang The Chinese characters for Yin Yang are é™ °Ã©â„¢ ½ / é˜ ´Ã©Ëœ ³ and they are pronounced yÄ «n yng. The first character é™ ° / é˜ ´ (yÄ «n) means: overcast weather; feminine; moon; cloudy; negative electrical charge; shady. The second character é™ ½ / é˜ ³ (yng) means: positive electrical charge; sun. The simplified characters é˜ ´Ã©Ëœ ³ clearly show the moon/sun symbolism since they can be deconstructed to their elements æÅ"ˆ (moon) and æâ€" ¥ (sun). The element é˜  is a variant of the radical é˜Å" which means abundant. So Yin Yang could represent the contrast between the full moon and the full sun. The Meaning and Significance of Yin and Yang It should be noted that these two opposites are viewed as complementary. To a modern observer coming from a Western background, its easy to think that yang sounds better than yin. The sun is obviously more powerful than the moon, light is better than darkness and so on. This misses the point. The idea behind the symbol of yin and yang is that they interact and that both are necessary for a healthy whole. Its also meant to represent the idea that extreme yin and extreme yang are unhealthy and unbalanced. The small black dot in the white shows this, as does the white dot in the black. 100% yang is very dangerous, as is complete yin. This can be seen in taijiquan, which is a martial art partly based on this principle. Here is Elizabeth Reningers further explanation of the meaning of the Yin Yang symbol: The curves and circles of the Yin-Yang symbol imply a kaleidoscope-like movement. This implied movement represents the ways in which Yin and Yang are mutually-arising, interdependent, and continuously transforming, one into the other. One could not exist without the other, for each contains the essence of the other. Night becomes day, and day becomes night. Birth becomes death, and death becomes birth (think: composting). Friends become enemies, and enemies become friends. Such is the nature - Taoism teaches - of everything in the relative world.

Classic Literature Defined Through Ethan Frome and To Kill a Mockingbird essays

Classic Literature Defined Through Ethan Frome and To Kill a Mockingbird essays Classic literature is considered classic because it contains very specific elements. One critical element literature must possess to be considered classic is that it be a timeless story. Classic literature survives because it can be enjoyed and understood by readers from any generation. Another element of classic literature that is crucial to its survival is an important theme. Classic stories survive because they have a moral or they observe society and make a statement about the human experience. Themes are very important in classic literature as well. Themes in classic literature are usually universalthey are stories to which we all can relate. Classic literature also possesses the ability to communicate across cultures. Based on that understanding, this paper will examine the qualities that make Ethan Frome, by Edith Wharton, and To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, examples of classic literature. Ethan Frome fits this definition because it depicts the theme of human tragedy in the form of losing one's hopes and dreams. Ethan Frome's life is a reflection of his failure to succeed. Through Ethan, Wharton demonstrates how loneliness and hopelessness lead to a sense of depression that he can never overcome. His tragedy lies in the fact that he is in a loveless marriage to a woman who seeks only to control him. We can see how Ethan's hopelessness envelops him when we are told, "But hitherto the emotion had remained in him as silent ache, veiling with sadness the beauty that evoked it. He did not even know whether any one else in the world felt as he did, or whether any one else in the world felt as he did, or whether he was the sole victim of this mournful privilege" (Wharton). In addition, Ethan's situation is worsened when he finally realizes Zeena's true callous nature, and in response, we are told, "Wrath and dismay contended in Ethan. He had foreseen an imm...

Critical review on organic aloe vera production around the world Assignment

Critical review on organic aloe vera production around the world - Assignment Example Environmental benefits 10 Recommendations 11 Conclusion 11 Bibliography 11 Outline of the report Organic farming makes use of organic compounds when practicing and it does not necessarily need the use of chemicals such as fertilizers, fungicides and insecticides. Organic farming relies on techniques such as use of compost manure, rotation farming, green manure and pest control through the use of biological means. Farmers worldwide are embracing organic method of farming; this is because this mode of farming comes with more benefits both to farmers and the global economy as compared to chemical aided techniques which are non-environmental friendly techniques. This paper will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of organic farming more specifically organic aloe Vera farming globally; the report will also give detailed information on the products produced from processing of Aloe Vera plant. This report entails the various factors which contribute to the increased rate of adopting organic farming techniques by farmers across the globe. This research provides information on the methods utilized by farming in organic farming. The research will discuss the various organization which give financial and expertise aid to farmers who practice this mode of farming. Places whose soils are fertile and have the property of good drainage are the best for Aloe Vera farming; the plant does well in places with high light intensity and high temperatures. The research will investigate these conditions favorable for organic Aloe Vera farming. The daily test carried on Aloe Vera plant leaves to monitor the plant health, resulting to a great harvest when they are mature. The report will provide information on the methods used by to harvest Aloe Vera in organic farms across the world (Stewart, 2005) . Introduction Aloe Vera originated from North Africa and Middle East and is a succulent plant. This plant does well in arid areas in the world with its sap being the beneficial part commonly known as the Aloe Vera gel. This gel is the clear substance in the leaves of Aloe Vera plant, the organic Aloe Vera juice micro pulp which is almost pure barbadensis organic Aloe Vera is a main source of healthy beverage. Organic Aloe Vera plant is rich in polysaccharides, amino acids, vitamins and protein lipids which when processed are important components needed in by humanly to provide vitality and improve the immune system various countries across the globe practice organic aloe Vera farming on organic farms that are met international standards. Harvesting of mature organic Aloe Vera leaves can be done manually and the leaves transported to the processing companies immediately for processing to maintain their freshness. This ensures that the freshness of Aloe Vera plant appears in the final product (Stewart, 2005). This paper gives a clear examination of the reasons which led to adoption of organic Aloe Vera farming all over the world, the organic methods that the farmers have adopted in Aloe Vera farming in the world. The gains brought about with the practice of organic farming methods and returns the farmers across the globe and the different products of Organic aloe Vera planted in the world is discussed in this report. Organic Aloe Vera has several medicinal benefits are analyzed in this report. Government and non-government organizations that assist farmers both financially and expertise wise in organic farming of Aloe Vera have been indicated in this report (Stewart, 2005).

My most attractive adversary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

My most attractive adversary - Essay Example I think it is not fair when men do this, because it is not the fault of women that our world gives so many advantages to men. Part of the problem lies in the fact that there are more men than women in senior positions in the workplace. For many centuries men have been the ones to hold all the power and money in society and now things are gradually changing. It seems to me that some of the remarks that men make are an example of jealousy and fear. Men who make flattering remarks to women want to show that they are in control and part of the dominant group. By making women different, they are excluding women from the group. This essay reflects the cultural values of the United States. In some countries, such as in the Middle East or parts of Asia, for example, very few women take up senior and professional roles. It may be that in future both men and women in these countries will also have to rethink their use of language in relation to issues of gender in the