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

US History - Essay Example It even had parallels to other existing societal trends in other countries such as the United States. In fact, there were a handful of Nazi groups in the United States that enjoyed free rein before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. During his imprisonment in 1925, Adolf Hitler came up with his theories for a political movement that placed the Aryan (German) people at the top of a hierarchy of races. This movement, later called the Nazi movement, aimed for Aryan supremacy and a central Aryan government that would eliminate â€Å"impure breeds† such as Jews and other races. Hitler’s philosophies mirror the American policies of the 1920’s. During this period, America adopted an isolationist policy and had a general popular sentiment that looked down upon immigrants, Catholics, Jews and Blacks (Kennedy et al., 382). Hitler himself admired America during this period and commended them for their immigration policies and popular sentiment that did not favor people of different races. He specifically noted the â€Å"race-based anti-immigration laws and for the subordination of the "inferior" black population.† and attributes their success to their efforts at keeping themselves racially pure (â€Å"Nazi†) This view, however, did not last as he denounced the United States as â€Å"a mongrel nation †¦half Judaised, half Negrified† following America’s adoption of greater racial freedom and rights. He believed this would cause the United States’ early defeat during the war (â€Å"Nazi†) Before the bombing at Pearl Harbor, Nazi groups, while vilified by most, existed in the United States. However, the handful that did demonstrate publicly in the United States melted away in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor. America, in the face of outright hostility from Germany, did not join the fray after Germany’s advances in Europe. This was due to its isolationist policy, and its reluctance to be dragged into the war. Although, they believed the

Marketing Cultural Icons Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Marketing Cultural Icons - Essay Example Two examples of cultural icons from the United States are the cowboy hat and basketball. The cowboy hat originated from the rough riding cowboy horsemen of the arid and desert regions of the United States. If one were to wear a cowboy hat in countries that do not have such desert environments, such as France, Denmark or Germany, among others, then the individual would be thought of as having a cocky, go-getter and brusque personality. Basketball is perhaps the most popular team sport that originated from the United States. People who play basketball are those who come out as athletic, confident and persistent by impression. Other countries also have their own cultural icons that influence people in the United States. An example is the Japanese influence of Zen garden on the architectural homes in the United States. People in the United States who have a Zen garden are seen as spiritual, simplistic and calm. A similar example would be the Indian exercise of Yoga. People who do or practice Yoga in the United States are seen as individuals who are healthy, mystical and at

The Murder Of Duncan Philosophy Essay

The Murder Of Duncan Philosophy Essay There is no doubt that Shakespeare was a masterful and clever play writer as well as a great story teller. In Macbeth, two major events were never shown on stage the murder of Duncan and the crowning of Macbeth. Shakespeare may have several reasons for excluding these events from the play. One of these was possibly to keep the play politically correct he did not want to show how easy it was to kill a monarch since this may have ended up landing the play into the horns of controversy.His motive for keeping both these scenes offstage was also to create drama and add suspense to the play. Hence, instead of the scene of the murder, Shakespeare, who had a cunning eye for the dramatic, created drama and suspenseby narrating the events unfolding off the stage to his audience on both occasions.Part of being a good writer is to know what (or how much) to tell the audience and what to leave to their imagination. Hence, I am satisfied that the two major events were kept offstage as I was able to use my imagination to create my own images of how they may have taken place. 2. Explain the irony of Macbeths seeming indifference to Fleance. Is he really unconcerned with whether Fleance dies or not? Explain. It would be wrong to assume that Macbeth is indifferent to whether Fleance dies or not. When Macbeth learns that Banquo is travelling to attend a feast, he promptly asks him if Fleance will be accompanying him. Shortly afterwards, Macbeth sends his servant to summon two murderers whom he sets loose on the tail of Banquo and Fleance. This clearly shows that Macbeth wants Fleance dead too. Moreover, in Act 3 Scene 2, Macbeth makes several quotes that suggest that although Duncan has been killed, someone who may perhaps be a greater threat one day still lives. For example, Macbeth says,We have scorched the snake, not killed it (3.2.15). These lines reveal Macbeths fears that someone (most likely Fleance) would try to kill him when he has grown into a man. 3. Do you feel any sympathy at all for Lady Macbeth as she talks about her doubtful joy in scene 2? Explain. Yes. I feel sympathy and pity for Lady Macbeth. This is because she has an inferiority complex which feeds her greed to rise to a higher status. Hence, she chooses the wrong means to reach her goal and this has adverse consequences for her. Although Lady Macbeth was doing everything for her husband and herself, neither of them is glad that Duncan is dead. The murder of Duncan has not brought her the expected joy and Macbeth grows more and more distant from his wife a thought that is killing Lady Macbeth from inside. Hence, I sympathize with her. 4. Quote and explain a line in this scene which helps develop the theme of sleeplessness. Methought I heard a voice cry sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep, the innocent sleep, sleep that knits up the ravelledsleave of care. Act 2 Scene 2. This line aptly portrays the dilemma that Macbeth is in. In this line, Macbeth is talking to his wife about how he heard a sound in his head that instructed him to sleep no more. This sound resonates in Macbeths mind along with the disturbing images of all the people whom he has cruelly disposed of. To the misfortune of Macbeth, when he betrayed Duncan by getting him killed, he unknowingly also killed his own sleep and rest by branding himself as depraved and evil. As a result, he has not been able to sleep at all and has spent sleepless nights. Hence, this line clearly portrays the theme of sleeplessness. The theme of sleeplessness depicts two ideas in the play -guilt and fear. 5. What mood is created in this scene with all Macbeths talk of snakes, scorpions, etc.? In many cultures and traditions, snakes and scorpions are looked upon as vile and evil creatures. It is interesting to note that Macbeth talks about snakes and scorpions in this scene. The term snake is a reference to Duncan whom, no doubt he sees as his nemesis, particularly since he wants to usurp his throne. And, when Macbeth says, O, full of scorpions is my mindà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ (3.2.36), this could imply that his idle mind is full of evil and venomous plots to murder all those who are a threat to him and his plans. However, the word scorpion may also depict treachery and betrayal, an allusion to Macbeths own deadly thoughts which are plotting venomous and murderous plots. Hence, the line could be Macbeths confession where he thinks of himself as a backstabber who has betrayed the one person who was kind and affectionate towards him. 6. Explain what Macbeth means when he says, Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill (3.2.56). Be explicit as you explain what Macbeth means/plans, and comment on the chaos of a world where this statement could seem true. When Macbeth makes this statement, the murder of Banquo and Fleance is on his mind. Therefore, the statement indicates that Macbeth is brooding over the fact that he is delving deeper and deeper into the quagmire by ordering more and more innocent deaths. Macbeth sees these deaths as a necessity in order to achieve his ultimate agenda of usurping the throne and knows that he cannot possibly stop now that he has set upon this treacherous path. The chain of events that he has started by ordering the death of Duncan seems impossible for him to stop now that so many murders have already been committed. Hence, he suggests that the immoral acts that he has committed are themselves encouraging him to do more evil acts. Apart from this, the quote has great significance in the play since, in it, Macbeth is almost making a guilty confession in front of the audience as he reveals that he is conscious of the fact that he has acted in a depraved and immoral way by murdering Duncan. 7. There is quite a bit of literary debate about the identity of the Third Murderer in scene 3. While the question is not clearly answered in the play, who do you think the Third Murderer might be? Explain. Lady Macbeth was indeed a shrewd and ambitious lady who would go to any lengths to help her husband in becoming king. This is evident in the play on various instances. Hence, I strongly suspect that it was Lady Macbeth herself who was disguised as the third murderer. However, this immediately raises the question regarding how she learned of Macbeths plan to kill Banquo and Fleance. In act 3 scene 2, Macbeth mentions to Lady Macbeth that there shall be a deed of dreadful note before the night is done, quickly adding that she had better not know of the deed until it is completed.This may have aroused suspicion in the mind of Lady Macbeth and sparked her curiosity to learn what it is that Macbeth has planned to do. Hence, she may have dressed up as the third murderer in order to figure out what Macbeth was up to. 8. In scene 2, Macbeth lets the murderers think that Fleances murder is an afterthought, just to make things clean and tidy. Do you think the First and Second Murderers would have acted differently inscene 3 if Macbeth had told them how crucial Fleances death is to him? Explain. I believe that Macbeth should have communicated to the two murderers how important it was for him that they also kill Fleance along with Banquo. The fact that he mentions Fleances name among the targets as a mere afterthought may have indubitably given the murderers the strong impression that the boys death was of little consequence to the agenda that Macbeth was pursuing. In fact, th two murderers may have gotten the impression that Macbeth simply mentioned Fleances to emphasize that they do not leave any clues or eyewitnesses behind. As a result, the murderers were little concerned about Fleance becoming an eyewitness nice they were cloaked, meaning that their identities were never revealed. Had Macbeth clearly instructed the two murderers to dispose of Fleance too and emphasized how important Fleances death was for him, they would certainly have acted in a much different manner then they did. 9. Do you think Lady Macbeth would have acted sooner to cover Macbethssuspicious comments at the banquet table if shed known of Macbeths plan tokill Banquo?Do you think Macbeth made the right choice in not telling her? Lady Macbeth was inarguably the closest most loyal and sincere persons that Macbeth knew. Hence, if she had known about Macbeths plans to murder Banquo, she would not have been taken aback by the sudden outburst by Macbeth at the dinner table. Instead, she would have acted in time to avoid the confusion that he caused, possibly preventing the Thanes from suspecting that Macbeth had a hand to play in the murder of Banquo. I believe that Macbeth acted foolishly by not sharing his plans to murder Banquo. However, this was part of Macbeths transformation as he was becoming increasingly paranoid and was hence, hesitant to trust even Lady Macbeth. 10. How do you think the Thanes around the table are feeling after Macbethsoutburst and Lady Macbeths hasty dismissal of them? Macbeths angry tirade at the dining table certainly does well to alarm the Thanes and arouse suspicion in them regarding the sudden and unexpected murder of Banquo. Macbeth starts shoutingat the empty chair since he perceives that Banquos ghost is occupying it. This sudden and uncontrolled outburst from Macbeth raises suspicions in the minds of the Thanes as to the character of Macbeth so that they start to get the strong impression that he is a tyrant who has used despicable means in order to further his agenda to usurp the throne. 11. What does Macbeth mean when he says, Theres not a one of them but inhis house/ I keep a servant feed (3.4.132-33)? In this statement, Macbeth is merely suggesting to his wife that he does not trust anyone and that none of his people are loyal to him. In this statement, he implies that all he has had to buy the loyalty of servants in all the major households in Scotland by paying them a fee. 12. Carefully read the second half of Hecates speech. As specifically as possible,explain what Hecate plans to do as she plays on Macbeths desire to besafely on the throne. Shakespeare has strongly indicated that the weird sisters in the play are the Sisters of Fate. Therefore, the fact that Macbeth meddled with the affairs of Fate herself by murdering Banquo before his death was due and trying to kill Fleance has upset Hecate. Hecate accuses Macbeth of interfering with fate in order to meet his own despicable ends. Hence, he orders the three weird sisters to tell Macbeth half-truths in order to make him overconfident while keeping the details from him. This is their way of getting back at Macbeth for meddling with their affairs.In the second half of her speech, Hecate describes how she will plot a fatal and hopeless end to Macbeths story. She chooses the power of illusions and magic to manipulate Macbeth so that he believes that he shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear/he hopes bove wisdom, grace and fear. Hecate plans to achieve her goal by giving Macbeth a false sense of security by convincing him that he will not die at the hand of a mortal man wh o has been born of a womans womb. 13. Describe the tone of the discussion between Lennox and the Lord.Do you think as a reader/audience member, you are properly preparedfor this absolute change in the opinions of Macbeths Thanes? Explain. The change in the view and opinions of Macbeths Thanes regarding Macbeth is very sudden. However, this change is not completely unexpected. Macbeths outburstat the feast is one of the major blunders that he makes throughout the play as it plants the seed of doubt in the minds of the Thanes.At first, the Thanes only suspect Macbeth of killing Banquo. However, soon they are convinced that he had a hand to play in the murder of Duncan as well. Their suspicions are confirmed when they realize how brutally and heartlessly Macbeth murdered the two guards who were positioned at the entrance of Duncans chambers to provide security. To be honest, I was prepared for this sudden change in opinion. 14. It is a common Elizabethan notion that when there is corruption in the royalfamily, this corruption trickles down to every aspect of the kingdom. Thenatural world, the Kings subjects, even the economy can fall apart as aresult of the Kings wrongdoings. Quote at least three examples the speakers in scene 6 give of the negative impact of Macbeths leadership on the rest of Scotland. we may again/Give to our tables meat, sleep to our nights/Free from our feasts and banquets bloody knives/Do faithful homage and receive free honors (3.6.33-36) a swift blessing/May soon return to this our suffering country/Under a hand accursed! (3.6.48-50) That, by the help of thesewith Him above/To ratify the work (3.6.32) Act 4 -Questions 1. Are you surprised that Macbeth plays so willingly into the hands of the witches? Shouldnt he have learned his lesson by now? Explain your answer. It is surprising to see that Macbeth falls into the deceitful web of the weird sisters yet again and believes their prophecies, even after going through such an ordeal with the previous prophecies. However, it should be remembered that Macbeth is not himself at the start of Act 4 as he has radically transformed into a heartless and cold-blooded monster who is so drunk on power that he would do anything to meet his goal.The fulfillment of the three prophecies one by one also encourages Macbeth to believe that he is the one who has been chosen by fate to lead the kingdom. Hence, it is nearly impossible for Macbeth to learn his lesson since the prophecies convince him that he has divine authority to rule the kingdom. 2. Do you have any sympathy for Macbeth in Act 4, scene 1? As an audience, I certainly feel sympathy for Macbeth at the start of act 4. This is Macbeth is shown as a man who is no longer in his senses and is completely drunk on his ambition to acquire more power. He is completely trapped by the temptations of evil both outside and inside him.Macbeths state evokes sympathy also because he is portrayed as a man who is being so easily duped and manipulated by the weird sisters. Also, Macbeth literally pleads to young Siward not to provoke him to fight with him. In this particular scene, he confesses to him that his is a soul condemned to hell and that he does not want another shred of guilt on his conscience. This is Macbeths conscience speaking and this convinces the audience that there is indeed a soul inside Macbeth. 3. Imagine you are directing this scene. How would you: design the set dress Lady Macduff and her son direct the characters to act etc. To maximize the sense of innocence i.e. the more innocent Lady Macduff and her son seem to the audience, the crueler their murders seem, and the more wicked Macbeth will look. To add to the drama, I would design the set to show the bedroom of Macduffs son where Lady Macduff is tucking her son in bed. Since they are both retiring to bed, they are wearing their nightgowns, and the room is dimly lit. There is only one candle placed beside the bed that illuminates the room and casts shadows in the far corners of the huge chamber. From one of these dark corners suddenly springs the murderer as he moves swiftly and stealthily towards the targets, plunging the dagger into the bosom of Lady Macduff, narrowly missing her heart but fatally wounding her nonetheless.Lady Macduff falls on to the bed, holding her terrified son tightly in her hands and frantically begging the killers to spare her son. In one swipe of the dagger, the killer stabs the child in the neck, killing him instantly. The killer then advances towards the horrified Lady Macduff to finish the job. 4. In Act 3, Macbeth begins to act without the counsel of Lady Macbeth. Here in Act 4, after the apparitions are presented to him, he begins to act impulsively, seeming not to consult his own reason. His order to murder Macduffs family is the first impulsive act he takes. Do you think that if hed stopped and really considered possible outcomes that he would have decided against this action or do you think that he would have killed Macduffs family anyway? Explain. The state of mind that Macbeth was in was highly unstable and there was little chance that the murder of the Macduffs would have been prevented if Macbeth had stopped to consider the possible outcomes of such a crime. Although Macbeth acts impulsively, it is clear that he is growing increasingly paranoid and is losing his trust in everyone around him. Indeed, it was paranoia and insecurity that motivated Macbeth to murder his good friend Banquo and his son Fleance. Therefore, the murder of the Macduffs would have been of little consequence to Macbeth so that he was not inclined to give it much thought. Hence, even if he had considered all possible outcomes of slaughtering the Macduffs, there is little likelihood that he would have stopped from carrying out his despicable plan. 5. Just after Macduff hears his family has been murdered he says, And I must be from thence! (4.3.212) Explain Macduffs priorities, i.e. which is more important to him, country or family? Are you bothered by Macduffs priorities? Do they make you feel differently about Macduff? When Rossebrings word that the entire family of Macduff has been brutally slaughtered by Macbeth, Macduffs reaction is impulsive. Such a reaction from Macduff does not bother me as an audience since it was emotional, personal, and very much human. The first thought that comes to Macduffs mind is that of going to his family and grieving over their dead bodies. However, it is only upon the insistence of Malcolm that he decides to accompany them in the destruction of Macbeth. This shows that,for a man of his position, his first priority was his family rather than his country. Moreover, when he does decide to accompany the others in their march towards Macbeths downfall, it is because he is filled with uncontrollable rage and vengeance as he wants to slay Macbeth with his own blade. Act 5 -Questions 1. Aside from the obvious manifestations of Lady Macbeths guilty conscience in Act 5, scene 1, quote another piece of evidence, discussed early in the scene, that reveals Lady Macbeths mind is never at ease. The other piece of evidence, apart from the obvious manifestations of Lady Macbeths guilty conscience, in Act 5, scene 1, revealing that her mind is never at ease is discussed earlier in the scene when the Gentlewoman is informing the Doctor of Lady Macbeths habit of walking in her sleep: Since his majesty went into the field, I have seen her rise from bed, throw her night-gown upon her, unlock her closet, take forth paper, fold it, write upont, read it, afterwards seal it, and again return to bed; yet all this while in a most fast sleep. (5.1.3-7). It is being discussed further when the Doctor asks the Gentlewoman if she has heard Lady Macbeth speak or say anything in her sleep; when the Gentlewoman refuses to share annotations: In this slumber agitation, besides her walking and other actual performances, what, at any time, have you heard her say?; That, sir, which I will not report after her.; You may to me, and tis most meet you should.; Neither to you not any one, having no witne ss to confirm my speech. (5.1.9-15) 2. Is the murder of Duncan the only death that troubles Lady Macbeth? Answer specifically with direct quotations from the text. The murder of Duncan is not the only death that troubles Lady Macbeth, and this is revealed when, in her sleep, Lady Macbeth refers to Banquo being buried and not returning from his grave: Wash your hands, put on your night-gown, look not so pale: I tell you, Banquos buried; he cannot come out ons grave. (5.1.54-56) 3. Are you satisfied that Lady Macbeth is revealed in this state at the beginning of Act 5, or do you think that she should have had more scenes through the middle of the play? Explain your answer. Given the vile rumors already surrounding the death of Duncan and Banquo, Lady Macbeth indeed is, to a great extent, revealed in the state that she is in at the beginning of Act 5. Her constant attempts on trying to get rid of the imaginary blood stains on her hand go to show that she surely had someones blood on her hands: Yet heres a spot! (5.1.26); Out, damned spot! Out, I say! (5.1.29); [Rubbing her hands] What, will these hands never be clean? (5.1.38); [Her hand to her nose] The smell of the blood is still there. All the perfumes of Arabia cannot sweeten this little hand. [She sighs deeply] Oh, oh, oh! (5.1.44-46). All of this, compounded by the fact that Duncan died at her residence as her guest, and that she mentions Banquos name as well: I tell you again, Banquos buried; he cannot come out ons grave. (5.1.55-56), leads to the most obvious conclusion, i.e. she played a pivotal role in arranging the murder of Duncan and Banquo. 4. What does the Doctor mean when he says of Lady Macbeth, Therein the patient/ Must minister to himself (5.3.45-46)? The doctor, here, is trying to explain to Macbeth as to why he cannot cure Lady Macbeth. He realizes that there are things within her conscience that have to be worked out, specifically her guilt on what has transpired in the past. He realizes that cure to her present ailment does not lie within an earthly medicine, and that the only way to cure her is for her to come to terms with her own demons that haunt her still. 5. Describe Macbeths state of mind in scene 3. Macbeths state of mind in the third scene of Act 5 strongly suggests how delusional and anxious he has become under the influence of the prophecies of the weird sisters. Rather than fearing the oncoming army that is headed towards his castle to bring him down and most probably kill him, he takes the prophecy in its literal sense, rejoicing over the false notion that he is invincible. This sense of being invulnerable has been evoked in him by the weird sisters who prophecy that unless BirnamWood itself marches towards him, Macbeth will not die. The weird sisters also prophecy that the one who will slay Macbeth will not be born of woman born. Since all men are born of woman and trees dont march, these prophecies give Macbeth a false sense of security by making him believe that neither man nor man-forged weapon can slay him. 6. In his grief for Lady Macbeth, Macbeth reminds us for a moment of Macduff. Compare and contrast the emotions and reactions of both men as they learn of their wives deaths. Are there other clear examples of ways in which Macduff and Macbeth are parallel characters? (i.e. emotions, relationships,situations, etc.) Explain. The characters Malcolm and Macbeth are polar opposites and the deaths of their wives evoke different reactions in both the men. Where Malcolm is devastated as well as enraged by the murder of his family, Macbeth seems to be indifferent. He has become so cold and heartless after committing the terrible actions that he cannot even react properly to the death of his dear wife. Rather than grieving his wifes death, Macbeth talks about the evanescence of life, explaining how Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow /Creeps in this petty pace from day to day, and that life is a tale / told by an idiot, full of sound andfury, / signifying nothing (5.5.18-27). This is in stark contrast to the reaction of Malcolm towards the murder of his wife and son. 7. How does Lady Macbeth die? Quote and cite lines from the end of the actto support your response. According to the play, Lady Macbeth was suffering from a serious mental illness in the days before her death. Although the illness was not clearly specified in the play, it was probably aggravated by fear, guilt and depression that affected the mental condition of the lady. In the end, Lady Macbeth is thought to have committed suicide, possibly to repent for her foul deeds or simply to seek an end to her agonizing state. This is implied by Malcolms speech in the final play when he says,Who, as tis thought, by self and violent hands/Took off her life (5.8.71-72) Essay Section Outline Macbeth, a nobleman of good character and virtue,was driven towards evil. The failure of the Thanes to realize that Duncans death could be an assassination played a pivotal role in strengthening Macbeths ambitions. Macbeths devious and manipulative wife was evil and she had a major hand in leading her husband down the path to damnation Essay (Approximately 600 words) It is indeed more surprising that there is as much good in the world than evil. It is interesting to note that Macbeth was initially portrayed as a nobleman man of good virtue and unquestionable loyalty to his king. These qualities were what earned him the title Thane of Cawdor. However, in spite of so much good in the world, the desire and the tendency of man to do evil is innate as well as incorrigible. Although he had the favor of the king at his hand, Macbeth was influenced by the lust for more power and the greed to achieve his political ambitions. There is no denying the fact that this lust for power and might was implanted in his mind by Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth played a major role in leading Macbeth towards the dark path. She coerced him by attacking his manhood, saying: And shalt be, What thou art promisd: yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full of  the milk of human kindness, To catch the nearest way. . . . (1.5.11-14) Even then, Macbeth is reluctant to spill blood in order to meet his goal. This is clear when he exclaims upon hearing the prophecy, If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me, Without my stir. (1.3.143-145) However, Lady Macbeth is persistent and relentless in her persuasion and, in the end, Macbeth finally succumbs to the pressure. This newly found ambition for more power corrupts Macbeths thoughts and blinds him so that he is unable to realize what repercussions they will have for him. With a little coercion from his devious and manipulative wife, Macbeth has he set out on the path that would ultimately turn him into a monster, permanently. Ironically, when Lady Macbeth teriwes to convince him later that he can make amends, Macbeth says, I am in blood Steppd in so far that, should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go oer (3.5.136-137) This line has great significance in the play since it signifies how Macbeth acknowledges that he has committed such heinous crimes that he cannot possibly turn back and repent for his wrongdoings. It is surprising that even with all the good in the world, and the noblemen who could have stopped Macbeth from following this treacherous and evil path, fate played what she had planned and none of the good men were able to stop him. Evil triumphs when good men fail to act. This is the predicament that has been presented so masterfully in the play Macbeth. It is not because Macbeth was so intent on committing evil acts that he was able to achieve so much through careful conspiring and plotting and was even able to manipulate those who were noble. Macbeths plans bore fruit because Macduff, Malcolm, Banquo and Lennox were not willing to consider the possibilities that the king was assassinated by someone within their own ranks. After all, what motive would two guards possibly have for killing the king? Therefore, it was the failure of good men to act that played an equally destructive role in the unfolding of the events. For example, Macbeths murder of the two guards who were stationed outside Duncans chamber may have alarmed Macduff and the others. All the events that unfold systematically throughout the play should have been averted since Macbeth had so many good men around him. And yet, he was almost successful in his plans. This reflects the truth in the above-mentioned statement that it is more surprising that there is as much good in the world as evil. This is because even in the presence of good, evil has her own way of manipulating the weak.

Graham Greenes The Human Factor Essay -- Graham Greene Human Factor

Graham Greene's The Human Factor "Love was a total risk. Literature had always so proclaimed it. Tristan, Anna Karenina, even the lust of Lovelace - he had glanced at the last volume of Clarissa [13]." People are torn apart from one another simply because of a lack of understanding or a difference in each individual's definition of life. The highest hopes, dreams, and aspirations of one person may be trivial in the eyes of another. The way that one would define love, good, and evil could very well be the exact opposite of another's definition. To one society or culture, a man may seem to be a god because of his beliefs and values; while, to another, that man may appear to be a devil. In his The Human Factor, Graham Greene makes the reader question his or her own values and definitions while following the fast-paced and mysterious life of an English double agent. The binding power of love, the true determent of evil and the cleansing force of good are shown to be all in the eye of the beholder. As Castle, who could e asily be paralleled to both the author and the legendary and fictitious James Bond, says in the novel, love of anything is a total risk. But, it is that binding power of love, whether it is love of another or love of a country or society, that acts as a stabilizing force in society's comprehension and balance of good and evil. The character of Castle is as complex as his interpretation of the meanings of love, good, and evil as well as the connection between the three entities. Throughout the entire novel, Greene plays on the reader's assumption that Castle is not the double-agent. More importantly, he is perhaps the only character in the novel that the reader instantly associates with and perce... ...ions are just like those of Castle in the novel. Therefore, it is almost plausible to conclude that Greene personified himself as Castle. Since Castle seems to believe that he is the perfect spy or hero - James Bond, then Greene also believes this about himself. The beliefs of Castle would then be representative of Greene. By taking advantage of man's natural tendencies to apply their knowledge of good, evil, and love to any given situation, Greene has made a spy mystery that requires the reader to challenge his or her own definitions. The simple story of a lone crusader in the sea of enemies becomes a battle between good and evil, God and the Devil, and love and hate through the mastery of Greene's poetic hand. In the words of Davis, the reader has become "an actor who has been miscast: when he tried to live up to the costume, he... fumbled the part" [4].

Case study Benefits of Cooperative Learning

Cooperative larning benefits all pupils, from the higher academic degree to the lower academic degree. This paper will travel over all the benefits of concerted acquisition for English Language Learners ( ELL ) . Benefits include larning from their equals, larning academic vocabulary, and developing cognitive linguistic communication accomplishments. This paper will besides travel over the benefits of concerted acquisition for pupils how are non English Language Learners. Cooperative acquisition besides benefits peer relationships which helps pupils have a better and more positive attitude about school and go toing school. Benefits of Cooperative Learning For ELL Students An increasing figure of kids geting in schools in the U.S. are capable to troubles when it comes to larn how to read going literate in the English linguistic communication because they are non native English talkers. Besides, their early childhood experiences have non assisted in larning English, which is the chief linguistic communication in schools ( Greenwood, Arreaga-Mayer, Utley, Gavin, & A ; Terry 2001 ) . A concern in unifying ELL pupils into English merely classrooms became evident when it came to faculty members. Not merely did instructors of ELL pupils need to utilize second-language techniques, but they had to somehow acquire their ELL pupils more involved ( Greenwood, Arreaga-Mayer, Utley, Gavin, & A ; Terry 2001 ) . In recent old ages, more and more schoolrooms are turning to cooperative larning with their pupils. In traditional schoolrooms where the lesson is centered on the instructor giving talk, ELL pupils obtain less instructor and equal interaction, and any interaction is at a lower lingual and cognitive degree ( Gomleksiz 2007 ) . Lessow-Hurley ( 2003 ) found that ELL pupils are placed in lower tracked schoolrooms and are hence non able to win academically. In lower tracked schoolrooms, instructors are frequently excessively busy or preoccupied with pupil behaviour. This comes at the cost of the ELL pupils being overlooked in the schoolroom. Concerted larning groups consisted of high degrees of pupil battle and the usage of higher degree cognitive procedures ( Greenwood, Arreaga-Mayer, Utley, Gavin, & A ; Terry 2001 ) . Concerted acquisition is more accommodative and helpful than competitory and individualistic acquisition experiences ( Gomleksiz 2007 ) . Teachers need to hold high degree outlooks for all their pupils, including their ELL pupils. Concerted larning groups can assist all pupils obtain higher degree thought and accomplishment ( Cohan & A ; Honigsfeld, 2006 ) . Concerted Learning and Cognitive Skills When kids from all backgrounds, including ELL, work together in concerted groups, they develop an apprehension of the intent of the group and of the lesson. They develop a demand to assist and back up each other ‘s acquisition. When pupils worked in concerted groups in the schoolroom, they were continuously more accommodative and supportive. They used linguistic communication that was more comprehensive and would give more description to help other pupils with their apprehension ( Gillies & A ; Ashman, 2000 ) . ELL pupils can profit from concerted acquisition because the equals in their groups are at times more cognizant than the instructors at what precisely the pupils do non understand. Their equals can assist concentrate on the job and explicate the needful information in looks that are more easy understood ( Gillies & A ; Ashman, 2000 ) . In concerted acquisition groups, ELL pupils are able to see a higher degree of accomplishment when it comes to accommodating to the basic civilization, linguistic communication, and imposts of the schoolroom. Concerted acquisition helps student acquisition and keeping by triping and prosecuting the pupils ‘ cognitive procedure of cryptography, incorporating, uniting, and changing the standard information into a more personally meaningful signifier ( Buttaro, 2002 ) . It is of import that pedagogues should believe about what is of import in the lesson that is utilizing concerted acquisition and what precisely should all pupils gain from it. When decently implemented, pupils are non merely able to work together, but they are able to better their interpersonal communicating accomplishments. Students are besides learn how to work with a diverse group of pupils. Cooperative acquisition allows all pupils to work together to work out jobs, create undertakings, and develop increased cognition ( Stewart & A ; Gonzalez, 2006 ) . Concerted Learning and Peer Relationships Cooperative acquisition besides promotes larning and positive equal relationships. Positive equal relationships are of import to pupils during the early stripling old ages because their peer relationships take precedency during this clip in pupils ‘ lives. A pupil ‘s equal relationship plays a really important and critical function with the pupil ‘s connexion to school. Students who did non get positive equal relationships during this clip are more likely to drop out of school. As stated before, concerted acquisition has been shown to ease academic acquisition for all pupils, including ELL pupils, better and more encouraging equal relationships, and better attitudes toward school ( Stevens 2006 ) . Stevens besides found positives when it came to group ends and mutuality when instructors used concerted acquisition in their schoolrooms: Typically concerted acquisition utilizations group ends, where for one member of the group to win all of the members of the group must win. As a consequence, positive mutuality develops within the group – the equals support and actuate one another, taking to more positive equal dealingss and more societal credence of one another. As the same clip, the single answerability promotes each person ‘s acquisition, ensuing in greater accomplishment. In kernel, concerted acquisition uses equals as both an instructional and motivational resource, taking advantage of pupils ‘ increasing sense of independency and stronger equal orientations during adolescence. Decision Cooperative larning benefits all pupils when set together decently by the pedagogue. ELL pupils are able to larn from their equals and make a higher degree of academic accomplishment. Students non merely will larn from each other, but they will be able to larn how to work in groups with other pupils from different backgrounds. Learning how to work with others is an indispensable accomplishment for all pupils to hold in their academic calling and in their professional calling when they become older. Cooperative larning non merely benefits pupils when larning a specific accomplishment or criterion, but it besides benefits ELL pupils when larning academic vocabulary and communicating accomplishments. Most ELL pupils remain quiet in the schoolroom because they are diffident of the academic vocabulary. Because of this, ELL pupils tend to go over looked. Concerted larning groups will assist ELL pupils become more involved in the assignment and hence derive more acquisition and vocabulary. Once ELL pupils gain more of the vocabulary, they will more likely to go more involved in category treatments. ELL pupils will besides make better academically on separately assignments when they are able to larn from their equals and larn the academic vocabulary. Educators should utilize concerted acquisition more and more in their schoolrooms. Cooperative larning non merely benefits ELL pupils, but pupils with learning disablements are besides able to larn from their equals. They besides are able to have the same benefits when larning a new criterion or accomplishment and academic vocabulary as ELL pupils. High degree pupils are able to larn how to work with pupils who are at a lower degree. Learning how to work with their equals at all different degrees will profit them when it comes to working in groups in the hereafter.

Hippie Culture Essay

Few social movements marked the twentieth century in the United States as the protest movement of the 1960s. However, despite the scope and scale of such a wide movement that encapsulated so many different peoples and causes, including voting rights, women’s rights, civil rights, and ending the war in Vietnam, the movement is better known by a stereotype of the type of people that seemed so instrumental in perpetuating the movement: hippies. Though the great majority of those in the protest movement were not hippies, the movies, music, and cultural events that marked the times were dominated by hippie culture, and few events represented this fact as the stereotype-reinforcing Woodstock Music Festival. By the time Woodstock happened in 1969, the hippie movement was already something that had been growing the entire decade and most people who were not hippies had a good idea what a hippie was. If one would have to describe a hippie then, it could be said to be a young man or woman that was dirty, hairy, unemployed, and on drugs. While these are only a few attributes ascribed to a few hippies, the stereotypes became so strong that they were hard to remove from the other significant contributions they made, including in music, art, culture, and social awareness. So, while hippies were far more complex than most people chose to see them, they were pigeonholed to the stereotype of spoiled middle-class kids with too much time and freedom, and who refused to do their patriotic duties as their mothers and fathers had done before them, most specifically by starting families and fighting in the country’s wars. However, the decade leading up to Woodstock only helped reinforce many of these stereotypes. Hippie culture could have been said to begin the words and ideas of the Beat writers such as Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, and others. These writers laid the foundation for the rebellious, anti-establishment ideals that would come to be so strongly embraced by the hippie culture during the 1960s. However, it would be Bob Dylan, who was strongly influenced by the Beats, who would use their ideas in his folk music. Dylan’s popularity not only made folk music popular, but his songwriting also tackled many of the issues of the time, including war, civil rights, and the basic questions of whether America was heading in the right direction, and if not, why. Dylan’s music influenced the songwriting of almost every major recording artist that came after him, or at least any that achieved any amount of success. Through Dylan and those he influenced, music became the first defining characteristic of hippie culture, showing a long history of music defining cultural movements and times through its almost religious effect on those that listen to it. Religious forces, like art, music, and everything that inspires classification as sacred, Emile Durkheim (1965) writes: â€Å"do not translate the manner in which physical things affect our senses, but the way in which the collective consciousness acts upon individual consciousnesses† (1965, p. 254). Music has the ability to act as a symbol of this collective consciousness, bringing the masses together to celebrate a shared philosophy or perspective. While many contend that art and music is nothing more than an escape from the everyday anxieties that life offers up, it is far more than that. Similar to the sacred in religion, which Durkheim asserts is not rooted in fear as humanist and existentialist theorists claim, but in the idealism of the collective mentality, music becomes sacred when presented in a way that appeals to the individual and the collective. Music and those who perform it act in ways similar to religious totems, representing the ideals of the collective and how they inhabit the individual, and take their roots in exhalation and celebration. According to Durkheim, â€Å"In fine, the sentiments at the root of totemism are those of happy confidence rather than terror and compression† (1965, p. 56). Music became the inspiration for hippie culture and gave them the confidence to fight back against ideals they saw as wrong, including the Vietnam War. There was no better representation of this than Woodstock. The Woodstock Music & Art Festival that took place on a farm near Woodstock, New York, August 15 through August 18, 1969 not only assembled some of the greatest rock, pop, and folk musicians of the day, but also had a half million enthusiastic young and old fans celebrating life and music in a concert that changed the way the younger generation was viewed. After Woodstock, the burgeoning counter culture exploded into the mainstream, as the entire United States realized that the hippie culture was a force that could not be ignored, and its icons such as The Who, Crosby, Stills, and Nash, and Jimi Hendrix reinforced many of the stereotypes of long hair, reckless behavior, and sexuality. Woodstock would become a legendary orgy of drug use, sexual intercourse, nudity, and mud, but also of peace, love, and a general togetherness that also characterized hippie culture. Another popular stereotype was the hippie general disregard for all authority, and Woodstock was no different. Over one-hundred thousand tickets had been sold to the event, but soon fans were crashing over fences and simply began streaming in to see the show (Woodstock. com, 2009). However, there were very few incidents of violence and the festival went on to become one of the iconic points in the culture of the 1960s. It also marked the beginning of the end of hippie culture. Woodstock was the last hurrah for a generation of young men and women that did their best to rebel against the previous generations and create their own persona. Unfortunately, stereotypes were rich and long concerning hippie culture, and Woodstock did well to encourage both the good and bad stereotypes. They displayed their amazing music and free-loving culture, but also their drug abuse and contentment with filth. By the time the 1970s began, hippie culture was all but dead, even though many of the hippies continued to live on. Today, hippies are seen as largely a joke and very superficial, which may speak of their ultimate failure to live up to their own ideals. The country is still largely conservative in many regards, still refuses many of the ideals of peace and love that the hippies inspired, and is still at war with foreign countries. Hippies are now seen in modern form as environmentalists, annoying activists for un-American or unethical causes, potheads or vegetarians. Hippies are no longer seen as a viable threat to the conservative ideals of the United States, and have in essence become all style and no substance. While stereotypes helped perpetuate the romantic notion of the idealistic hippie, they just as equally helped destroy a notion that never really existed in the first place.

Free Essays on International Law And The Right Of Self-Determination

Throughout the years since the second world war, there has been a need to determine what conditions would legitimize a group of people’s right to control their own governance. International law provides a vague definition of self-determination and an even vaguer description for the conditions that justify it. I will discuss the particular importance of this principle, its evolution and several different interpretations of the laws of self-determination. I will also reference specific cases to show how the ICJ deals with the claims based upon this principle. The right of self-determination is of particular importance because its realization is an essential condition for the effective guarantee and respect of individual and minority rights. History has proven that the realization and respect for the right of self-determination of peoples contributes to the establishment of friendly relations and cooperation between states. Considering the importance of the self-determination principle, it is necessary to explore the beginnings of the concept and its development through the decolonization period and outside of the colonial context. Before 1945 there was little clout given to the idea that people living within a territory of a state had a right to determine the political and legal status of that territory. This right was mentioned by a few treaties and applied only to specific territories (Malanczuk p. 326). The principle of self-determination emerged in the nineteenth century but it achieved significant prominence with U.S. President Woodrow Wilson’s famous Fourteen Points plan for peace. The principle is generally associated with the decolonization process that took place after the propagation of the United Nations Charter of 1945 (Parker). The intention of the decolonization process was to restore sovereignty to the people and give them full control of internal and external affairs, with a seat in the UN and all the other... Free Essays on International Law And The Right Of Self-Determination Free Essays on International Law And The Right Of Self-Determination Throughout the years since the second world war, there has been a need to determine what conditions would legitimize a group of people’s right to control their own governance. International law provides a vague definition of self-determination and an even vaguer description for the conditions that justify it. I will discuss the particular importance of this principle, its evolution and several different interpretations of the laws of self-determination. I will also reference specific cases to show how the ICJ deals with the claims based upon this principle. The right of self-determination is of particular importance because its realization is an essential condition for the effective guarantee and respect of individual and minority rights. History has proven that the realization and respect for the right of self-determination of peoples contributes to the establishment of friendly relations and cooperation between states. Considering the importance of the self-determination principle, it is necessary to explore the beginnings of the concept and its development through the decolonization period and outside of the colonial context. Before 1945 there was little clout given to the idea that people living within a territory of a state had a right to determine the political and legal status of that territory. This right was mentioned by a few treaties and applied only to specific territories (Malanczuk p. 326). The principle of self-determination emerged in the nineteenth century but it achieved significant prominence with U.S. President Woodrow Wilson’s famous Fourteen Points plan for peace. The principle is generally associated with the decolonization process that took place after the propagation of the United Nations Charter of 1945 (Parker). The intention of the decolonization process was to restore sovereignty to the people and give them full control of internal and external affairs, with a seat in the UN and all the other...