The role of magic in A Midsummers Nights Dream Research Paper

The role of magic in A Midsummers Nights Dream - Research Paper Example Patriarchal dominance is given a thorough overview within the play and revealed through making humor at the expense of its proprietary nature. The play explores the many ways in which love manifests, allowing for its exaltation as well as its trivialization. The play embodies a duality of mythologies from which to create its discourse. While the nature of the fairy is relative to the mythologies of Europe, the play takes place in the setting of Athens, thus bringing into mind the Greek mythologies. This convergence of mythological settings and universes provides a heightened sense of the supernatural within the play. In addition, as the time period of the Renaissance was a time when humanism was the philosophical standard, it is possible that beyond the mythological parallels, there is a contrast intended between the reason of classicism and the magic of the fairy realm. Therefore, the setting provides multiple levels of consideration, creating a world in which contrast and continuit y are both within the framework of the setting. This setting provides a structure in which the shifting shape of the emotion can be explored as it represents contrasts of differing beliefs. Love is often considered to be a magical emotional element in the human experience. In Shakespeare’s fantastical play, magic creates a complication of human emotions by the influence of the fae, As the fae are not human, but creatures of myth and fantasy, their association to love is both more cold and more passionate than that of human love. Therefore, the consequences of love and the intermix of emotional play that is done by the fairy folk becomes a reflection of the nature of man through a sense of exaggeration (Dowd and Pallata 558). As the play is considered to be a romantic comedy, there is an emphasis on love, but the elements of structure and expectation is how the play is formulated in order to convey the message that Shakespeare intended. Thus, while love is of a primary importa nce, the fulfillment of the expectations of complications that get in the way of love which are finally overcome, naturally leads towards an end which includes marriage (Nostbakken and Shakespeare 3). In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the complications are created first through the unrequited love within the human world, then through the magic within the fairy world as the fairies choose to interfere for their own amusement. The first complication in the human realm is that of Hermia as she loves Lysander while her father has demanded that she marry Demetrius. If she refuses to marry Demetrius she is given two choices by her father, Theseus; â€Å"Either to die the death, or abjure/ Forever the society of men† (Shakespeare Act 1: Scene 1: lines 65-66). Hermia has been given the choice to either love whom her father has chosen to be her husband or to live without love as a nun. The alternative to both is death. This firmly establishes the human world for its patriarchal nat ure. Males have the control over the future of females, thus their own desires are immaterial to the desires of the male. However, in the fairy world, this patriarchal power is less relevant. The magic in the fairy realm provides an opportunity to make

The Life of King Tutankhamun Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The Life of King Tutankhamun - Essay Example Little is known of King Tut beyond his name, age, and the fact that he was a pharaoh king, but there is endless speculation surrounding him. Archaeologists have historically divided into opposing factions, each side failing to utilize hard evidence to support their claims for validity. There are differing opinions on his parentage, claim to the throne, religious beliefs, and most notably - the manner of his death. A careful examination of the clues and research leads to some, not all of the answers. On November 25, 1922 Howard Carter, Egyptologist and Lord Carnarvon accompanied by his daughter, Lady Evelyn Herbert were the first to glimpse into the tomb emblazoned with the name Nebkheprure-Tutankhamen3. After financing a long and expensive archeological dig, it certainly must have been with much relief that Lord Carnarvon breathed in the stale air of the most complete Pharaoh's tomb ever to be discovered. It was a ground-breaking discovery that owed much to the obscurity of King Tut's life. His tomb, once sealed was forgotten, placed beneath Ramses VI's tomb in an obscure corner of the Valley of the Kings4. At one time, workmen from the XX dynasty were housed in the shifting sands about King Tut's tomb5 proving that his existence was all but wiped away. Slightly more obscure than the location of his final resting p... At one time, workmen from the XX dynasty were housed in the shifting sands about King Tut's tomb5 proving that his existence was all but wiped away. Slightly more obscure than the location of his final resting place is the origin of Tutankhamen himself. The great uncertainties surrounding Tutankhamen are his obscure parentage and the manner of his death. His parentage is never clearly agreed upon because it is never clearly stated. King Tut's birth can be traced to the years between 34 and 35 of Amenophis III's reign6 and dating of the mummified remains assist in knowing how old King Tut was when he died7. This knowledge is useful in attempting to discover the identity of his parents. At the time of the reign of his predecessor Akhenaten, who was the leader of a great religious usurping records on the princes were not kept. Only the princesses were acknowledged in accordance with the beliefs of Aten, the chosen god of Akhenaten.8 This belief system in effect, clouds any written records that might have survived with Tutankhamen's treasure. Two artifacts did survive with his treasure, which serve as an obvious nudge in the correct direction of his parental lineage. "There was in the child king's tomb a small golden statuette showing Amenophis III crouching in the attitude of the solar child, as if to show his oneness with the son in whose flesh he would be reborn. This statuette, wrapped in linen and laid in a tiny coffin, was found beside a lock of Queen Tiye's hair touchingly enclosed like a mummy in its own little sarcophagus"9. Also, an alabaster pitcher with the couple's name is found elsewhere in the tomb along with various other artifacts from various members of the royal family who appear to be

Critical Thinking Argument Paper Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Critical Thinking Argument Paper - Assignment Example Age has never been an indicator of a person’s ability to produce results. While at the workplace, employees should be assessed basing on their capability to produce results but not on their age. There is no logic in an argument suggesting that, if the elderly are employed, the younger generation would lack the opportunity to work in organizations. In fact such a view is an argument in fallacy. Workplace principles demand that each and every employee should be treated fairly at his/her place of work. The elderly employees at the workplace have the right to employment just like the young. The principles of nondiscrimination at the place of work, therefore, form basic components of the human rights. Such rights should only be ignored if there is proof that continued employment of a particular person results in no significant benefit for the organization he/she works for. In order to fulfill the provisions in the principles that govern workplace discipline, an aged person may be replaced by a younger person only when the aged lacks the manual strength or concentration to effectively perform his/her roles. Discriminatory practices at the workplace affect the economy negatively regardless of the specific gains that may be realized by an organization that engages in such discrimination. Discrimination may result in relevant skills being disposed off. Such disposal may result in losing skills that would have contributed uniquely to the success of the organization. Some aged workers may have a great experience in the running of matters at the workplace which may not be the case with the young employees. In such situations age discrimination may result in organizations incurring economic losses. This in turn results in jobs being matched to workers in an inefficient manner and thus wastage of talents. The participation of the elderly in activities at the workplace results in correct matching of jobs with workers

Why I majoring in communication studies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Why I majoring in communication studies - Essay Example I am an international student and it partially explains why I am so interested in studying everything related to communication. I came from Taiwan and my cultural and social background is totally different from what I see around me now. Cross-cultural communication is a popular theme for studies and I am proud to know that I can contribute to this sphere being in between the East and the West. Communication Studies help me to grow as a person and keep my mind flexible and open for other people and cultures. It is my path to understanding my place in society and realizing my potential as a professional in the sphere of communication. I believe that theory is not enough to develop solid knowledge, skills and abilities related to communication. It is the reason why I am a proactive member of several organizations that help me to learn. First of all, I am a member of the international student volunteer club where I meet many interesting people from different corners of the world. Working side by side with other international students I feel that my communication skills are improving day by day. Every new task brings me more inspiration to study. Every new person I meet motivates me to learn more in order to make our cooperation pleasant, comfortable and effective. I do not try to blend with people around me and to change my beliefs about communication and approach to it. My desire to feel comfortable has resulted in the decision to become a member of Taiwanese Student Association. Here I am able to share my experience with other people and help newcomers to adapt to new communication situation quickly and effectively. It is a nice opportunity to use knowledge practically and develop new skills relevant for my future profession. Finally, I go to International Student Fellowship in order to learn more about other people around me. This organization gives me many chances to meet new people and share everything I know with them. Active participation

Leadership for Performance Improvement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Leadership for Performance Improvement - Essay Example This paper seeks to reveal the effects of this entrepreneurial and leadership orientation on firm and individual performance through motivation. The organisation, in the modern day context, has become a body that is made up of its human resource and the quality that this resource base imbibes into the operational sphere of the organisation. (Silberman, 2006) The modern day organisation depends to a great extent on the contribution and quality of its human capital. (Enos, 2007) The human capital may be defined as that element of the organisation's operational sphere that is a living, breathing part of the activities that put the innate resources and factors of production into application. This application results in profits arising out of the activities of the human capital and the efficiency with which this resource carries out its tasks. (Ellis, 2003) This in turn, has a bearing on the achievement of the organisation's goals in the sense that the organisation is structured according to the quality of the HR within it. Also, it shows the principles that are followed by the management in manning the organisation.

The American History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The American History - Essay Example There arose great tension between Great Britain troops and colonial militiamen in Lexington. April 1775 kicked off the armed conflict, and one year later, the rebels were waging the full-scale war for their independence. France joined to support the Continental Army to force the British to give up their power. Finally the British surrendered at Yorktown, Virginia, in1779, and the Americans won their independence, though fighting did not formally end until 1783. These were the founding fathers of America. Just after the revolutionary war, these men came with a political system that was entirely novel for an era in which monarchs ruled most countries around the world. Just after having being freed from the British Empire, the fledgling king would have no king at all. Instead, an elected head referred to as the President of the United States of America would be elected (Michener). The president would be the leader of the federal government, enforcing the laws of the land, and acting as the commander -in- chief of the armed forces. And yet, while the presidency has since become the emblem of the American way of life, the country might have gone in a very different direction before George Washington took the oath of office on April 30, 1789, many Americans envisioned a crown for the wildly popular Virginia planter. Washington refused, and so did the farmers of the Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington D.C., and a big mansion that would be called the White House. After Washington's reign as president then followed a series of others like John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt all the way up to the current president who is actually the first black president of the United States of America. This constitution established America's national government and fundamental laws and guaranteed the basic rights for all of its citizens. The Constitution was signed on September 17th, 1787 by the delegates to the constitutional convention to the United St ates. In 1791, The Bill of Rights that guaranteed basic individual protections such as freedom of speech and religion became part of the Constitution.

Goole doesnt care Essay Example for Free

Goole doesnt care Essay The inspector calls to discuss the suicide of Eva Smith/Daisy Renton, quite a few working class people used many names in those times, this was because it would be easier to get jobs. Each member of the family had something to do with her suicide; it is unravelled as the play goes on. The inspector has to find a chain of evidence to make them guilty. Even though no one can be to blame legally for a suicide, however they can be morally guilty. Birling sits the inspector down and offers him a glass of port, but he doesnt accept any hospitality from him. Furthermore Birling tries to impress the inspector by telling him that he was an alderman and a magistrate, but Goole doesnt care. The inspector goes on to explain what happened to Eva Smith. Shed swallowed a lot of disinfectant. Burnt her inside out. Preistley portrays a horrid image of the girls death to make the audience feel remorseful and pitiful. He also describes her as pretty, lively, big dark eyes, and soft brown hair. The inspector starts to question Mr Birling over the death. After seeing a photograph of Eva, He admits to sacking her for setting up a strike to get slightly higher wages. He thinks he did the right thing, and he says that he paid his workers the usual rates, and he couldnt see that he had any responsibility for what happened to her afterwards. But Priestley thinks differently, as he shows by what the inspectors says; what happened to her then may have determined what happened to her afterwards, and whatever happened to her afterwards may have driven her to suicide. Birling is a very insensitive man; he shows no remorse for what happened. The next person to be interviewed is Shelia who is a pretty girl in her early twenties, is very pleased with life and quite excited. The inspector reveals that Eva luckily found a job at Milwards, he goes on to say that she again was sacked. Shelia (feeling agitated) begins to realise that she was to blame. She started to explain that she was looking at herself in the mirror when she caught Eva smiling at the assistant in a way that she found offensive. Shelia was furious and told the manager that if he didnt sack her, Mrs Birling would close the account with them. Unlike Birling, Shelia accepted that she was wrong and felt sorry for what she did. It is obvious that she regrets what she done with regard to Eva claiming that, if I could help her now I would. This makes you feel less anger for Sheila who now feels terribly guilty for Eva and has now been punished severely simply by knowing the consequences of her actions. The inspector had now finished with Shelia. It was Geralds turn in the order of how the events happened. After a misunderstanding between Gerald and Shelia, he admitted he knew Daisy Renton. And after Gerald sitting in and listening to the awful thing Shelia had done, she was now determined to find out how he played a part in this ordeal. Gerald had met Daisy at the local variety theatre known as the haunt of prostitutes. He described her as looking young, fresh, and charming. Gerald soon fell in love with her and when he found out she didnt have a penny to her name: he let her stay in his friends flat. Gerald often visited her and gave her a lot of pleasure, he soon ended the affair, as he had to go away on business, he had given her money to help her out for a few months. Eva was obviously upset inside as Gerald gave her a life she could never have. Gerald goes for a walk to get over the news of Daisys death, whilst Mrs Sybil Birling has denied knowing Eva after being shown a photograph of her. She is described as being forty years old, a rather cold woman and her husbands social superior. Mrs B is going to be interviewed out of sequence of events, because Priestley wants to show what an arrogant fool she is. The inspector has made a big impression on Shelia, who is now acting like him by summing up the chain of events, and telling Mrs B that there is no point covering everything up. Mrs B finally admits that she known Eva, who came to the Brumley womens charity organisation for help, as she was pregnant. Mrs B was the chairwoman and turned away a helping hand for the girl, because Eva used the name Birling which Mrs B wasnt happy with. She didnt show any guilt and said that the father was entirely to blame. Mrs B condemns her son Eric, as he is the father of the child, he ought to be dealt with very severely. No regret is felt and it seems that she is totally unmoved by the whole incident, only caring when she discovers that her own son is involved. Sybil is very patronising and sees herself as socially superior to those of a lower class. She finally realises that Eric was the father and is shocked, Eric has arrived, and the audience is left in suspense as the scene ends. Everyone is staring at Eric, the inspector asks him a question and he tells the story of his involvement with Eva. He had met her at the same bar as Gerald and had got drunk and took her back to the lodgings. Eva didnt really want him to come in but he was going to start a row, so she let him in and they made love. This became frequent. It was casual for Eric and Eva having sex but Gerald and Evas relationship had feelings. Eva became pregnant and they didnt want marriage, as they didnt love each other, so Eric insisted on giving her money to help her. She stopped accepting it as she realised it was stolen. Eric had admitted taking à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½50 from his fathers office. This was a lot of money in those times and his parents were enraged. The inspector concludes his visit with Priestleys message: we dont live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other. And I tell you that the time will soon come when, if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught in fire, blood, and anguish. The inspector leaves. Priestleys is saying that if we dont care about everyone in society, then it will end up in conflict and war. Priestley also suggests that the older generation wont change, but the younger generation accept that there needs to be a change. After he has left, the family begin to consider the consequences. Mr and Mrs B are only concerned about their image and are blaming their children for everything. They start to wonder whether he really was an inspector, Birling and Sybil get excited as they thinks it makes all the difference, but Sheila and Eric understand that they are all morally guilty for Eva and that it doesnt matter who the man was. Gerald returns, and is certain that the man wasnt a policeman. Just to make sure, Birling phones the police force and confirms that wasnt an inspector Goole. Eric still shows guilt along with Sheila but the others are not having any of it, they are ignoring the fact that they are dealing with a dead girl. Gerald is trying to get out of the guilt by assuming that Goole had showed them different photographs (which is absurd) and that the girl was not dead, and even if the girl didnt die they still did wrong. Gerald phones the infirmary to see, and he is told that there hasnt been a suicide there for months. The parents and Gerald decide that they want to celebrate and assume they are all now off the hook, while Eric and Sheila maintain that nothing has changed even if the girl wasnt dead. Another message from priestly came out from Shelia: Everything we said happened really had happened. If it didnt end tragically, then thats lucky for us. But it might have done. Birling hasnt got a clue; they think its a joke. Yet the telephone rings sharply. Mr Birling answers it, then tells the family that it was the police, he says a girl has committed suicide and is on her way to the infirmary, and that an inspector is on his way to ask some questions. They stare guiltily and dumbfounded. The whole scenario starts again. In conclusion, I think that the person to blame most is Sybil Birling. She was selfish and heartless leaving Eva to give up on herself. Eva had that little bit of hope left going to the organisation, but Mrs B turns away her helping hand. Maybe Arthur had triggered it off but Mrs B could have sorted out things out if she understood why Eva had used the name Birling. What makes you feel more anger for Sybil is that she thinks it wasnt her fault at all: she had no guilt whatsoever. Although I think it would be unfair to blame just Mrs Birling entirely, as each character played a part to the death of Eva smith. It would be more logical to blame society and the way they lived in those times, no real crime was committed, and it is more a case of social conscience. I think families like the Birlings need to aid others with their actions, not just themselves.