Heroes of the Ages - 1130 Words

Throughout the ages, there have been many epic heroes in which we hear about through stories. However, there is a rather common question of what makes them an epic hero. Not only do humans look for the bravery and good deeds in a hero, but they go deeper than that. They wish to know what lies beneath the skin. Literally, what makes them act the way they do. Psychologically speaking, there is no sure way to tell why each person acts the way they do. However, what people can analyze is the actions within a story. Of the numerous heroes in which one could extrapolate upon, there are a few who are ideal for finding the true characteristics that make a hero, those being: Achilles, Odysseus, Aeneas, Socrates, Gilgamesh, Beowulf and of course†¦show more content†¦Ironically, he is quoted as saying, â€Å"I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing.† (Plato). As it is found that Robert Eisner says, â€Å"Hence many of the traditional trai ts of the Homeric warrior are found in the Platonic Socrates, but they have been substantially modified to sustain the new philosophic content of the hero’s role.† (Eisner). Socrates never fights in epic battles or goes to far off places. However, Socrates does develop the top thoughts in philosophy for ages to come. He is still remembered today as the greatest philosophy. Socrates is aptly named the Father of Philosophy because he is still remembered even to this day. Next in line in the search for characteristics is a sort of obscured man named Gilgamesh. Though he seems a bit selfish in that he wishes to live forever, it is in fact simply fear that drives him to such an act. However, he does show tremendous appreciation for his friend and is extremely sad when he does. As the poems relate, â€Å"How can I rest when Enkidu whom I love is dust and I shall too die and be laid in the earth for ever?† (Gilgamesh). As also seen here, Gilgamesh has the fundamental fear that makes him seem almost human, that he will someday die. Gilgamesh learns to overcome this fear and accept that he is human, thus he shows the trait of acceptance. As N. Sandars says, â€Å"At the end, it (fame) turns to mockery with lost opportunity and wasted hopes; till the final scene of theShow MoreRelatedThe Age Of Fables Or Stories Of Gods And Heroes1676 Words   |  7 Pagesfriendly with others. Our parents of course, dealt with it quite differently and found the will to keep going due to our dependence of them, and of the hope that we’d finally settle down. For this and many of the reasons that the â€Å"The Age of Fables or Stories of Gods and Heroes† by Thomas Bulfinch, â€Å"The Myth of Sisyphus† by Albert Camus, â€Å"Matthew 26 and 27 of the New King James Version of the Bible†, and â€Å"The Crisis† by Thomas Paine express, the human soul is designed to continue struggling despite despairRead MoreEra of Heroes in the Golden Age of Sports1729 Words   |  7 PagesThe 1920’s was an era of role models and great heroes. This period was known as â€Å"The Golden Age† of sports. This was a time where Americans wanted to put the memory of the World War I in the past and appreciate life. It began with the Black Sox scandal of 1919 continuing with historic record breaking athletes. The introduction of radio made is easier for fans to follow their favorite teams. The economy of the United States w as strong for most of the time. New and bigger stadiums were built and forRead MoreThe Iliad, A Homeric Epic That Depicted The Age Of Heroes987 Words   |  4 Pages The Iliad, a Homeric epic that depicted the Age of Heroes in Archaic Greece. An age of giant, god-like, men, and a time of true heroism. The themes of the Iliad encompass a realm consisting of the principles of justice, vengeance, and honour in Achaean society. A monumental theme that Homer brought through the Iliad was the idea of Greek Shame culture, which Involved public praise and blame, to honor and shame one before others in one s society. The assemblies, called by the Achaean commandersRead MoreThe Iliad, A Homeric Epic That Depicted The Age Of Heroes925 Words   |  4 PagesThe Iliad, a Homeric epic that depicted the age of heroes in Archaic Greece. An age of giant, god-like, men, and a time of true heroism. The themes of the Iliad encompass a realm consisting of the principles of justice, vengeance, and honour in Greek society. A monumental theme that Homer brought through the Iliad was the idea of Greek Shame culture, which Involved public praise and blame, to honor and sh ame one before others in one s society. The assemblies, called by the Achaean commanders, whereRead MoreThe Many Heroes of Our Day963 Words   |  4 PagesThe Many Heroes Of our Day Heroes, since the time they were first written and recorded heroes have been the ones to set the example and uphold the morals and beliefs of the people. There have been, in general, three key ages of heroes: Anglo-Saxon Age, Middle age, and Modern age. They all have changed throughout time to fit the ways of the culture in each of their time period. The different characters that were written about, all went through different journeys and different quests according toRead MoreA Hero Can Have a Flaw707 Words   |  3 PagesThese flaws give us a chance of becoming heroes ourselves. We are all humans and make mistakes, so their are no chances of a perfect hero. However, if a perfect hero does exist, his or her good qualities may become a flaw in a certain situation. Like a person who sees all good in people is naive and tended to be taken advantage of. So, it is incorrect to conclude that a hero can only be a hero if he or she is without a flaw. In addition, one of the heroes major ach ievements are overcoming or tryingRead MoreThe Role Of Women In Literature1587 Words   |  7 Pageslook for a way to express or find something that relates to the feelings that they have. Majority of the time these feelings are expressed through literature. An example is the archetypes that can be found throughout literature. In the British Middle Ages, the people were grouped into different social classes using the feudal system. Society was mainly broken into two separate groups, the nobles, and the peasants. However, there was also a subset group, which maintained the women. Women were the lowestRead MoreMahatma Gandhi’s Nonviolent Movement Against the British Occupation of India892 Words   |  4 PagesA hero is a man or woman that sets an admirable example for people around them. There are heroes in every field, every region and every walk of life that demonstrated these traits and qualities. Countless examples prove the same principle in every case. There are many ex amples throughout history of heroes who lived their message, made sacrifices and served their people well. The timeless examples of modern history include Mahatma Gandhi’s nonviolent movement against the British occupation of IndiaRead MoreThe Heroes Of A Hero1021 Words   |  5 PagesThe Heroes of Fearless A hero can be many different types of people and have many different qualities. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a hero as a person admired for achievements and noble qualities. Tom Hanks said â€Å"A hero is somebody who voluntarily walks into the unknown†. Heroes are strong and courageous, but they can also be quite and work behind the scenes. Eleanor Roosevelt once said â€Å"We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes upRead MoreThe Hero Archetype : An Exploration Into The Common Traits Of Fictitious Heroes1719 Words   |  7 PagesThe Hero Archetype: An Exploration into the Common Traits of Fictitious Heroes through the Analysis of J.K. Rowling s Harry Potter and the Philosopher s Stone There is a common belief that all fictional heroes are different. After all, different situations require different methods and skill sets. Despite their differences, many heroes in works of fiction have three specific similarities: mysterious parentages, difficult childhoods, and the discovery of their destinies. These three traits make

Media Images Influence On Adolescent Girls Self...

Melissa Milkie’s article, Media images’ influence on Adolescent Girls’ self-concept, explores forms of media, more specifically magazines directed at teen girls, that effect young girls’ self -concept. Milkie demonstrates how our self-concepts are impacted by what we perceive others think of us and how we use the â€Å"third-person effect† in where we underestimate how much influence the media actually has on ourselves compared to others (54). Some of the major points of the article are the research methods and findings. Using a subsample of 60 high school girls from two different demographic populations (one rural, predominantly white high school and one ethnically diverse urban high school), Milkie studied the findings of the impact of girls’ magazines on teenage females. The results of this study showed that girl’s ethnic status, along with the differences in region, made a significant difference in whether the girls felt any connec tion with the images of beauty portrayed by the media. Using the Social Structure and Personality perspective (SSP), we can view the media as an agent of socialization, a nexus between adolescent girls and society’s expectations of how the â€Å"ideal† adolescent girl (and/or woman) is supposed to look and behave by society’s standards. The Social Structure and Personality perspective states that our position in the strata affects our individual experiences and characteristics (Rohall, Milkie, and Lucas 2014:38-44). In this sense, we can correlateShow MoreRelatedSelf Esteem And Body Image1263 Words   |  6 Pages Self-Esteem Body Image â€Å"When you accept yourself the whole world accepts you.†Self-esteem is used to describe a person s sense of self-worth. Self-esteem can involve different of beliefs about themselves, such as belittling their own beliefs, appearance and behaviors. Body image is your own attitude towards your body. It’s how you see yourself, how you think and feel about the way you look. Self-esteem and body image can also be influenced by age, your ownRead MoreMedia s Influence On The Media1169 Words   |  5 Pages Research Topic Proposal Maria Gamez and Ross Warner Andrews University Statement of the Problem The â€Å"Media† or medium is defined and described by encompassing television, music, radio, Internet and the newspaper to effectively communicate to populations worldwide. With all these mediums to ensure communication and information to communities globally, it has become a great staple in how many conduct their lives and communicate to others. While many would suggest that we are toRead MoreAnorexia Nervosa And Its Effects On Society1514 Words   |  7 PagesMillions of people are currently suffering from Anorexia. Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder in which people suffering drastically restrict food intake due to an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image. There has been an unfortunate increase in people suffering from Anorexia Nervosa over the past several decades. Anorexia can be caused by a combination of social, interpersonal, and psychological factors that must be resolved through treatment. Anorexia is an extremely dangerousRead MoreAnalysis O f Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs 1179 Words   |  5 Pagescell phones, internet, and television are employed in their every day lives . From these new technologies, Americans can connect with the media and they are constantly attacked by the messages of the media. A superior message the media is depicting is ultra-thin as a reference point of beauty. Everyday an abundance of women are bombarded with the media s concept and interpretation of the flawless body. The photos being represented in popular magazines typically issued for women all over the countryRead MoreDoes the Media Influence Young Womens Body Image in Ireland884 Words   |  4 PagesDoes the media influence young women’s body image in Ireland? The department of Health estimates that 200,000 people are affected by eating disorders every year in Ireland of which 80 people die as a result (www.dofc.ie). In a study on Irish girls 27.2% were found to exhibit clinical levels of bulimia, with 71.4% of Irish adolescents feel adversely affected by media portrayal of body weight and shape (www.onlinelibrary.wiley.com). Self-image was the number one factor that affects the mental healthRead MoreThe Media And Its Effects On Teen And Young Undeveloped Brains1237 Words   |  5 Pagesas a viable market section, due to their immature understanding of the media and its dazzling impact on teen and young undeveloped brains. The media is progressively specializing in children and adolescents to captivate with advertisements. according to market research corporations, teenagers are vital to marketers because they can pay a considerable open income, spend family cash easily, and they are easily able to influence their families to spend on massive and little household purchases thatRead MoreThe Problem with Teen Sexting934 Words   |  4 Pagestimes text messaging has become the ultimate way that adolescents use to connect with their friends, defeating face-to-face, e-mail, instant messaging, and voice calling (Santrock, 425). With this new trend has come a new frenzy: teen â€Å"sexting†. The term â €Å"sexting† is use to describe a wide variety of activities: it can be used for producing and sending images of oneself, receiving images directly from the producer, or forwarding received images to other people. Although, the majority of attentionRead MoreMedia Eating Disorders1607 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction The aim of this literature review is to describe the main causes of eating disorders among teenagers aged 12 to 18 years old in high schools globally, and to also explain to what extend do some of these causes influence eating disoders. Recent studies have indicated a major increase in the eating disorder habits and body dissatisfaction in adolescence over the past few decades. This crisis seems most prevalent in females`` than males with 20 percent high school females exhibiting poorRead MoreMass Media On Children s Lives1478 Words   |  6 PagesMass Media in Our Children’s Lives What is more important than children? Children define the very notion of innocence in the world, untouched or soiled by the cruelty and brutality of their soon-to-be-inherited society. †¨Generation after generation is brought up and raised through this ruthless and heartless world, struggling to remain pure and preserve their blamelessness. The race to maintain our children’s innocence, however, is now being blatantly surpassed by a new kind of competitor: one neverRead MoreCommunication Between African American Mothers and Their Daughters1740 Words   |  7 Pagesher mother are influential to her development and well-being. Communication between mother and daughter entails sending, receiving and comprehending each other intended message. According to Belgrave (2009), majority of girls report positive relationships with their mothers. Most girls learn from their mothers. This is because mothers teach and socialize with their daughters regarding any facet of her life, in cluding behaving like a female, being a mother, caring for others. More importantly, mothers

Delphi Record Helpers For Sets and Other Simple Types

Understanding Delphi Class (and Record) Helpers introduces a feature of the Delphi language allowing you to extend the definition of a class or a record type by adding functions and procedures (methods) to existing classes and records without inheritance. In XE3 Delphi version, record helpers became more powerful by allowing to extend simple Delphi types like strings, integers, enums, sets and alike. The System.SysUtils unit, from Delphi XE3, implements a record named TStringHelper which is actually a record helper for strings. Using Delphi XE3 you can compile and use the next code: var s : string; begin s : Delphi XE3; s.Replace(XE3, rules, []).ToUpper; end; For this to be possible, a new construct was made in Delphi record helper for [simple type]. For strings, this is type TStringHelper record helper for string. The name states record helper but this is not about extending records - rather about extending simple types like strings, integers and alike. In System and System.SysUtils there are other predefined record helpers for simple types, including: TSingleHelper, TDoubleHelper, TExtendedHelper, TGuidHelper (and a few others). You can get from the name what simple type the helper extends. There are also some handy open source helpers, like TDateTimeHelper. Enumerations? Helper for Enumerations? enumerations sets Enumerations and sets being treated as simple types can also now (in XE3 and beyond) be extended with functionality a record type can have: functions, procedures and alike. Heres a simple enumeration (TDay) and a record helper: type TDay (Monday 0, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday); TDayHelper record helper for TDay function AsByte : byte; function ToString : string; end; function TDayHelper.AsByte: byte; begin result : Byte(self); end; function TDayHelper.ToString: string; begin case self of Monday: result : Monday; Tuesday: result : Tuesday; Wednesday: result : Wednesday; Thursday: result : Thursday; Friday: result : Friday; Saturday: result : Saturday; Sunday: result : Sunday; end; end; var aDay : TDay; s : string; begin aDay : TDay.Monday; s : aDay.ToString.ToLower; end; convert a Delphi Enum to a String Representation Sets? Helper for Sets? TDays set of TDay; var days : TDays; s : string; begin days : [Monday .. Wednesday]; days : days [Sunday]; end; BUT, how GREAT would it be to be able to do: var days : TDays; b : boolean; begin days : [Monday, Tuesday] b : days.Intersect([Monday, Thursday]).IsEmpty; type TDaysHelper record helper for TDays function Intersect(const days : TDays) : TDays; function IsEmpty : boolean; end; ... function TDaysHelper.Intersect(const days: TDays): TDays; begin result : self * days; end; function TDaysHelper.IsEmpty: boolean; begin result : self []; end; For every set type constructed around an enumeration you would need to have a separate helper as, unfortunately, enumerations and sets do not go along generics and generic types. This means that the following cannot be compiled: //NO COMPILE OF ALIKE! TGenericSet set of T : [?Enumeration?]; TEnum Simple generics Enum example Record Helper For Set Of Byte! type TByteSet set of Byte; TByteSetHelper record helper for TByteSet We can have the following in the definition of the TByteSetHelper: public procedure Clear; procedure Include(const value : Byte); overload; inline; procedure Include(const values : TByteSet); overload; inline; procedure Exclude(const value : Byte); overload; inline; procedure Exclude(const values : TByteSet); overload; inline; function Intersect(const values : TByteSet) : TByteSet; inline; function IsEmpty : boolean; inline; function Includes(const value : Byte) : boolean; overload; inline; function Includes(const values : TByteSet) : boolean; overload; inline; function IsSuperSet(const values : TByteSet) : boolean; inline; function IsSubSet(const values : TByteSet) : boolean; inline; function Equals(const values : TByteSet) : boolean; inline; function ToString : string; inline; end; { TByteSetHelper } procedure TByteSetHelper.Include(const value: Byte); begin System.Include(self, value); end; procedure TByteSetHelper.Exclude(const value: Byte); begin System.Exclude(self, value); end; procedure TByteSetHelper.Clear; begin self : []; end; function TByteSetHelper.Equals(const values: TByteSet): boolean; begin result : self values; end; procedure TByteSetHelper.Exclude(const values: TByteSet); begin self : self - values; end; procedure TByteSetHelper.Include(const values: TByteSet); begin self : self values; end; function TByteSetHelper.Includes(const values: TByteSet): boolean; begin result : IsSuperSet(values); end; function TByteSetHelper.Intersect(const values: TByteSet) : TByteSet; begin result : self * values; end; function TByteSetHelper.Includes(const value: Byte): boolean; begin result : value in self; end; function TByteSetHelper.IsEmpty: boolean; begin result : self []; end; function TByteSetHelper.IsSubSet(const values: TByteSet): boolean; begin result : self values; end; function TByteSetHelper.IsSuperSet(const values: TByteSet): boolean; begin result : self values; end; function TByteSetHelper.ToString: string; var b : Byte; begin for b in self do result : result IntToStr(b) , ; result : Copy(result, 1, -2 Length(result)); end; var daysAsByteSet : TByteSet; begin daysAsByteSet.Clear; daysAsByteSet.Include(Monday.AsByte); daysAsByteSet.Include(Integer(Saturday); daysAsByteSet.Include(Byte(TDay.Tuesday)); daysAsByteSet.Include(Integer(TDay.Wednesday)); daysAsByteSet.Include(Integer(TDay.Wednesday)); //2nd time - no sense daysAsByteSet.Exclude(TDay.Tuesday.AsByte); ShowMessage(daysAsByteSet.ToString); ShowMessage(BoolToStr(daysAsByteSet.IsSuperSet([Monday.AsByte,Saturday.AsByte]), true)); end; Theres a but :( Note that TByteSet accepts byte values - and any such value would be accepted here. The TByteSetHelper as implemented above is not enumeration type strict (i.e. you can feed it with a non TDay value) ... but as long as I am aware .. it does work for me.

Benefits Of Using Creatine And Anabolic Steroids Essay

According to Rogers Hardin (2007), a performance enhancing substance is any form of supplement or drug that is consumed without prescription with a purpose of improving the performance in sports. This covers the substances that are taken for gaining weight or losing weight, those used to increase oxygen carrying capacity, to build muscle, increase strength, taken in therapeutic doses or without therapeutic indication, and any substance to disguise discovery, or reduce the side effects of another performance enhancing substance. The most used performance enhancing supplements are creatine and anabolic steroids. Creatine is a naturally occurring compound that is produced from amino acids by the kidneys and liver. It is also found in foods such as poultry, fish and meat. Creatine monohydrate is produced commercially for use as a supplement. There are benefits of using creatine as a performance enhancing supplement which include; supplying energy to muscles, delay fatigue during short and intense exercises, decrease recovery time between sessions of activities, enhancing the volume of muscles, increase of muscle mass and neutralizing lactic acid build-up. Creatine functions by increasing the amounts of creatine phosphate in the muscles which in turn increases the rate at which ATP can be regenerated from ADP (Marzilli, 2008). This regeneration of ATP leads to decrease in fatigue allowing the muscle to function for a longer period. High levels of ATP decreases dependence onShow MoreRelated Against Steroids in Sports Essay2217 Words   |  9 Pageshave taken anabolic steroids in one form or ano ther specifically to enhance their looks or athletic performances,† stated Nuwer (Nuwer, 61). As astounding as these figures are, the number of performance drug users is steadily increasing. With this progressively increasing numbers, it is projected that millions more will use steroids in the immediate future (Newer, 61). Athletes have always sought an advantage in competition even if ignoring the law and their health if necessary. Using drugs of anyRead MorePerformance Enhancement Drugs For American Sports1493 Words   |  6 Pagesof anabolic steroids.†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦anabolic steroids may provide distinct benefit in size, strength, and stamina† (McCloskey). Anabolic agents are those that promote the growth of muscle, while androgenic agents are those that promote the development of male characteristics such as a deep voice and facial hair. According to the Mayo Clinic, â€Å"testosterone is an anabolic-androgenic steroid found naturally in the body that may also be tak en by some to boost athletic performance† (â€Å"Fitness†). Other anabolic-androgenicRead More Anabolic Steroids Essay1671 Words   |  7 PagesAnabolic Steroids In today’s society, athletes are revered as heroes. There is immense pressure to be the best. Athletes are willing to do whatever it takes to gain an edge, even if it means compromising their health. For almost three decades, athletes have been supplementing their strength program with anabolic steroids to enhance their performance. To be sure, anabolic steroids are effective supplements to strength training programs, but there is no doubt that the consequences can be deleteriousRead MoreSteroids And Its Effects On Sports781 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"roiding†, â€Å"doping†, and â€Å"juicing†. These terms refer to using steroids. With the benefits of steroid use, comes major health issues. As a result of steroid use, there has been an increase of physical irregularities and stunted growth. Steroids have a negative reputation due to past events involving health issues and cheating in sports. Steroids can be taken a few different ways, such as injection or ingestion. There are also countless types of steroids that come in all shapes, sizes, and forms. PhysicalRead MoreErgogenic Aids Essay3570 Words   |  15 PagesCommon ergogenic aids include anabolic steroids, which increase muscle mass. These illegal supplements are associated with a number of serious adverse effects, some irreversible. Creatine modestly improves athletic performance and appears to be relatively safe. Dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione do not improve athletic performance but apparently have similar adverse effects as testosterone and are also banned by some sports organizations. Caffeine has mild benefits and side effects and is bannedRead MoreActions and Effects of Creatine Essay1338 Words   |  6 PagesActions and Effects of Creatine Throughout time, humans have had a fascination with being excellent at what they do, and athletics have been no exception. Many substances exist, and many have been criticized and analyzed for their safety, legality, and morality for athletes. With the banning of steroids from competitive sports, and the implementation of random drug testing in most sports, most athletes, professional, recreational, and would-be professionals are hopingRead MoreThe Athletes And Professional Athletes1455 Words   |  6 Pagestime, humans as a whole have done whatever it takes to grow bigger, faster, and stronger. People choose to engage in tedious hours of exercise and precise dieting to receive the physique of their dreams. Thousands of years ago, when war was fought using only hand to hand or close range combat, only the strong would be capable to fight. Throughout the centuries, strong men have been idled and seen as superior for this reason. Whether they were the ruthless Spartan warriors in 300 b.c or the mightyRead More Creatine Essay1591 Words   |  7 Pages Creatine nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Creatine is one of the primary things an athlete will do to put supplements into their body. These supplements range from protein shakes to illegal anabolic steroids. Some sports supplements are incredibly safe and effective, yet others work for a while and then fizzle out, while others still work well but do more damage than good in the long run. In the past athletes had to turn to such things as anabolic steroids or blood doping (the process of takingRead MorePerformance Enhancing Drugs791 Words   |  3 PagesPerformance enhancing drugs Using performance-enhancing drugs such as doping. Most of the athletes take PED’s so they can win a golden medal for their country. And they want fame. No any athlete shouldn’t take PED because no one knows the risks. The penalty for using performance enhancing drugs should be stricter because it can cause health risks, it’s cheating, an it’s legally, and world class athletes use it and still get away with it. The government should banned drugs so no any athlete shouldn’tRead MoreSteroids As Dangerous Illegal Substances1229 Words   |  5 Pagesword that comes to mind? Steroids. In early 2013 Lance Armstrong’s face dominated the headlines. Reporters condemned him, public figures shamed him and fans lost faith in this once great athlete. He was a maverick, a man that did everything to safeguard him first place in the tour de France races but ultimately lost his seven fold winner title. When allegation were put forward his response was a product of meticulous rebuttals and elaborate lies. Many of us see steroids as dangerous illegal substances

American Federation of Musicians Essay - 1954 Words

Every day millions of Americans turn on their radios, IPods, or some other device which allows them to listen to their favorite musicians and have no idea that there is a union standing guard to ensure the rights of those very musicians. The average American may think their favorite musicians are rolling â€Å"dough† and not realize that for the past hundred and fourteen years the American Federation of Musicians, aka AFM, has worked to improve the professional lives of musicians across North America. (American Federation of Musicians, 2010) AFM attracts its members with a mission to unite professional musicians which states, â€Å"We can live and work in dignity; Our work will be fulfilling and compensated fairly; We will have a meaningful voice†¦show more content†¦(American Federation of Musicians, 2010) As technology and membership grew so did the scope and responsibilities of the union. During the twentieth century the AFM dealt with political issues such as unemployment, immigration, the 18th Amendment, and other legislation which affected the union’s power in negotiating for musicians. Though the union lost its battle to stop Congress from the passing the 18th Amendment and the â€Å"Cabaret Tax† in 1918, they were successful the following year in â€Å"arranging easier access for musicians traveling between the US and Canada† and they were able to reduce the number of foreign musicians, willing to work for poor wages, who were allowed to enter the US. While the union still actively worked for the rights of musicians in the 1920’s their next major victory didn’t come until 1935 when they were able to secure assistance for unemployed musicians â€Å"through the government’s Works Projects Administration.† From that time on the union fought tirelessly to establish minimum wages for all musicians, to have the cabare t tax repealed (accomplished in 1966), to reach an agreement with the motion picture industry (accomplished in 1952), andShow MoreRelatedNew Sound Equipment During The Film Industry1661 Words   |  7 Pagesbrought up now is what happens to all of the musicians who were employed by theaters to perform for the silent films after the Vitaphone was invented? In 1928 the fight began between the musicians and the film production companies. The American Federation of Musicians that was made up of 158,000 members of the national labor union made this statement, â€Å"that such devices threaten to debase the art of music, and that it [American Federation of Musicians] has voted a ‘defense fund’ of $1,500,000 annuallyRead MoreCharles Mingus and Civil Rights1572 Words   |  7 Pagesjazz musicians and composers of the 1950s and 1960s. The virtuoso bassist gained fame in the 1940s and 1950s working with such jazz greats as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Art Ta tum, and many others. His compositions pushed harmonic barriers, combining Western-European classical styles with African-American roots music. While examining his career is valuable from musical standpoint, his career also provides a powerful view of the attitudes of African-American jazz musicians (andRead MoreCorrelation Between Music and IQ in Children Essay631 Words   |  3 Pagesresearch shows that studying music improves school performance. Gaser and Schlaug (2003) showed that musicians learn advanced motor and auditory skills from a young age through practicing their musical instruments. Furthermore, according to Woollaston (2013), researchers at St Andrews University concluded that the minds of musicians were quicker to react and able to find mistakes more easily than non-musicians. Indeed, three combined studies showed that musical training improves the function of certainRead MoreImpact On Music Streaming Services1633 Words   |  7 PagesMusic Streaming Services: The Biggest Disservice to Artists In the music industry, there are several methods of sharing content. Between playing live shows, producing physical records, and now, streaming over music streaming services, artists and musicians from around the world contribute to the entertainment industry each day; however, in light of today’s technological age, more and more content is being shared and consumed through the later. In 2015, music streaming services grew to 317 billion streamsRead MoreEssay about The Impact of Music Piracy1144 Words   |  5 PagesThe Impact of Music Piracy According to the Recording Industry of America (RIAA) the record industry loses $4.3 billion dollars, worldwide, due to music piracy (RIAA, 2003). The American Federation of Artists claims that on-line music piracy has caused some record store sales to drop by 20% and that 20.6 billion illegal downloads occur every month (AFM, 2004). Many experts believe that music piracy is currently the number one threat to the music industry. RIAA sources claim 278 million peopleRead MoreCommemorative speech on Michael Jackson Essay611 Words   |  3 Pagesof the greatest contributor to American pop music industry. Influenced billions of people worldwide with his many self-composed songs and dance moves Famously known to have changed his skin colour Won total of 13 Grammy awards (8 in one night during the 1984 Grammy award ceremony which earned him an entry in the Guisness world record ) A controversial figure. But let’s just focus on his achievements and his humanitarian efforts. Make a guess? 1. As a musician remarkable vocalist AchievementsRead MoreEssay on Body Art543 Words   |  3 Pagesexpressed in endless change. This results in the desire and adoption of a trend, these trends are shown through ways such as piercing, body painting, and tattoos, Body piercing has grown in popularity over the past five years especially among American teenagers who pierce just about anything that can be pierced: ears, noses, tongues, and navels. The most conventional form of piercing in the United States today is ear piercing, and it has become more mainstream for both sexes than it once wasRead MoreCivil War Music505 Words   |  2 PagesCivil War Music Music was a vital part of the war. The Civil War had also been referred to Americas â€Å"great musical war.† There was a rank for musicians. They played at recruitment rallies and kept up the troops morale. Their main job was to relay orders from higher ranking officers. The branches of the military determined which instrument made the calls. The drummer boys, fife players, buglers and the songs that they performed played a significant part in the war. Drummer boys enlistedRead MoreAmerica in the 1920s729 Words   |  3 Pagesmore modern nation, and a return to normalcy was being seen after the Progressive Movement and First World War. Politically, the American government was seemingly conservative, but experimented with different approaches to public policy and foreign diplomatic policy. Economically, it was a time of tremendous growth and new forms of organization. Socially, the American popular culture reshaped itself to reflect the increasingly industrial, urban, and consumer oriented society. The 20s were a timeRead MoreCulture In Australia Essay1397 Words   |  6 Pagesexamples of Australian culture include; †¢ Poets: Henry Lawson, Banjo Paterson, C.J. Dennis †¢ Authors: Miles Franklin, Mary Grant Bruce, Rolf Boldrewood †¢ Painters and artists: Arthur Streeton, Frederick McCubbin, Sidney Nolan †¢ Architecture: Federation style, Queenslander style †¢ Music: Waltzing Matilda, Slim Dusty, The Seekers †¢ Heroes and heroines: Ned Kelly, Don Bradman, the ANZACs †¢ Australian way of life: Bush barbeques, Australian Rules Football, Surf Lifesaving Clubs †¢ Cultural icons:

Exploring The Character of Gertrude Lady Hamlet Essay Example For Students

Exploring The Character of Gertrude Lady Hamlet Essay The character of Gertrude in Shakespeares Hamlet is a very complex one, and as a character has many interpretations. The most common of these being that of a very sexual being, thinking only about her body, and physical, bodily pleasures. It is her sexual appetite that initially turns Hamlet against her so violently. Her marriage to Claudius a mere few months after the death of Hamlets father is sudden and shocking, to both Hamlet and the audience. This marriage has soured the relationship between mother and son, and Hamlet is disgusted with Gertrude, Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears, Had left the flushing her galled eyes, She married. O most wicked speed, to post, With such dexterity to incestuous sheets The shock of her marriage to Claudius in such a short time after King Hamlets death gives the impression that the pair were partaking in an illicit relationship while the King was still alive. The theory is emphasised when the Ghost relays to Hamlet more disturbing information about his mother, Ay, that incestuous, that adulterate beast. The use of the word adulterate can be read to assume that Gertrude was Claudius lover before the Kings death. This would make Gertrude a much more loathsome character than she is, however throughout the rest of the play there is no mention of this adultery, and therefore not enough evidence for this interpretation to be taking too seriously. The definition of the word adulterate is to make impure by addition, and the Ghost is saying that Claudius has made his most seeming-virtuous queen impure. The reading that Gertrude was an adulteress would also have made her a much more important character in the play, perhaps assisting Claudius in the murder of King Hamlet, making her the villianess to Claudius villain. During the play, Claudius does not refer to her as his accomplice, nor does he confess anything to her, either protecting her through love, or simply covering his own back. Additionally, if Gertrude were indeed an accomplice in the murder of his father, Hamlet would have been more directly involved with her in the play in regard to his fathers murder. Yet when he confronts her in the famous closet scene and he announces all her crimes, he does not once imply she has committed adultery. Some scholars believe that there is evidence of an incestuous relationship between Gertrude and Hamlet, a view universalised by Sigmund Freuds Oedipus complex. In Freuds psychoanalytical theory of human development, he proposes the idea that all sons go through a phase in childhood where they see their fathers as a rival for their mothers affection and wish to establish a romantic relationship with their mothers. Freud explains that this desire is unconscious but if these feelings and desires are repressed, the boy make inadvertently preserve an unhealthy love for his mother. In Hamlets case, the complex is furthered by the death of his father. Hamlets repressed desire to take the place of his father in his mothers affection is usurped by Claudius, who instead takes this prestigious place. Hamlet also seems to have an obsession with the sexual relationship between Gertrude and Claudius, Not this, by no means, that I bid you: Let the bloat king tempt you again to bed. I feel this interpretation of Gertrude further emphasises her role as a sexual and sensual woman, capable of enticing all those men around her. It is hard to understand the deep devotion that Hamlet, his father and Claudius all have for Gertrude, but it is perhaps her way of surviving in the play. Gertrude can be interpreted as an almost trophy wife incapable of thinking and there merely for aesthetics, and is often described as dumb and dull by scholars and critics of Hamlet but this cannot be the case. Her intelligence, though not on the same philosophical level of thinking as her sons, nor the level of political thinking of Claudius, cannot be doubted. During the reign of her late husband, she was Denmarks beloved Queen, and after his death could have been cast into the shadows. But she managed to hold onto her position in the monarchy through her marriage to Claudius. The marriage can be interpreted as a motherly sacrifice by Gertrude, in order to preserve her sons right to the throne. Gertrude can also be seen as, perhaps more than any other characters in the play, the antithesis of her son. Hamlet Monologue EssayHe sees her, and her gender, as weak as her sexual needs are too strong, Frailty thy name is woman. Gertrudes good heart does not only care for the two men in her life, but for Ophelia as well, as she hoped that Ophelia would have eventually married Hamlet, I hoped thou shouldst have been my Hamlets wife and that his madness is a result of unrequited love. She shows great sympathy towards Ophelia when the young woman begins to lose her sanity, and great sadness at her death, portraying Gertrude as a kind hearted, compassionate woman, capable of great affection and tenderness. Her description of Ophelias death is some of the most beautiful, yet tragic words of the play, When down her weedy trophies and herself Fell in the weeping brook. Her clothes spread wide, And mermaid-like awhile they bore her up, Which time she chanted snatches of old tunes, As one incapable of her own distress, Or like a creature naive and indued Unto that element; but long it could not be Till that her garments, heavy with their drink. Pulled the poor wretch from her melodious lay To muddy death. Gertrudes weakness is shown by her desire to help others, and make them happy. She is easily persuaded to allow Polonius to hide in her room when she is talking to Hamlet, because she thinks Polonius can help uncover the reason behind her sons madness, showing maternal love and compassion. Gertrudes disinclination towards the truth is undeniable, but it is not in a malicious way. She lies to herself about the consequences of her own actions, of her marriage to Claudius, and she lies to those around her, but her lies are to protect those she cares about. Her lies keep not only herself, but also those around her emotionally and physically safe. After Hamlet has killed Polonius, Gertrude knows she must tell Claudius, but when she does she also tells him that Hamlet weeps for what is done. Gertrude, and we, as the audience, know this is not that case, but this white lie makes Hamlet seem to regret his actions, thus making him appear repentant. From any perspective, neither Gertrude nor Ophelia are as developed characters as Hamlet or Claudius. Shakespeare gives them very little stage time or lines, despite them both being key to the plot of the play. The play accentuates the roles and stereotypes in Shakespeares England. Women were expected to be quiet and submissive towards their male counterparts, daughters and wives were expected to be obedient to the requests of their fathers and husbands, and had no authority or control over their lives. This point is illustrated by the roles of Ophelia, the obedient daughter and Gertrude, the loyal and obedient wife and mother. The Elizabethan World Order sets the sovereign of the country at the head of the hierarchy, with nobles following after, all the way down through the social classes and ending with plant and rocks. Men had more power than women did, as the society was a patriarchal one, so this leaves Gertrude in a confusing position of power. Claudius has more power than her, but he only has this power due to marrying her. As queen, she has more power than a lot of men around her, but as a wife, she is dependent on Claudius. This makes her a very powerful woman for her time, and she uses this power to protect her son. In conclusion, there are many interpretations of the character of Gertrude, the caring affectionate mother, or the sexual adulteress. Personally I think that Gertrude is one of the most complex and appealing characters in the play. Her unwavering devotion to her son despite his obvious disgust at her is to be greatly admired, and she accepts that his madness is partly due to her marriage to his fathers brother. Her intelligence is not remarkable, but she shows an amazing aptitude for almost manipulating those around her to protect herself, and those who she cares deeply about. Gertrudes sexual nature is unmistakable throughout the play, this may be her weakness, but she is an emotionally strong woman, who is not malicious but kind hearted and simply wishes everyone that she loves, to be happy and amiable to each other.

The Barn free essay sample

When my grandparents introduced the idea of giving me a horse of my own, I tried to work out a negotiation. My Papa had just informed me of the fact that if I had a horse, I would be responsible for feeding it, exercising it, mucking its stall, and all of the other chores that mark the life of an equestrian. â€Å"Well, Papa,† I began in my best grown-up voice, â€Å"I was thinking that I would be the trainer, you know? So I’d get to work and train the horses, and you’d get to do the feeding and mucking stalls and stuff.† As amused as my Nana and Papa were by this proposition, they didn’t give it too much consideration. For the last fourteen years of my life, I have been a proud and happy stall-mucker. It didn’t take long for me to get into the routine of rising before the sun every morning, throwing on a pair of boots and a jacket, and making my way groggily out to the barn. We will write a custom essay sample on The Barn or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The barn has been standing in our backyard for so long that I can’t even remember what the property looked like without it. It was built by my Papa and some of his friends when I was just a baby, and though it’s needed a few touch-ups and repairs over the years, it is still the same familiar, welcoming place in which I spent so much of my childhood. In much the same way as the rest of my home, little remnants of my Papa’s life are everywhere in the barn. Though he passed away nine years ago, I can almost see his face every time I go up and down the stairs to the hayloft. The stairs are a result of his handiwork, and the cause of many twisted ankles and â€Å"close calls† of falling down the stairs. They begin with four steps, then a little landing, then a longer set of steps perpendicular to the first set. The problem is that the first set of steps are awkwardly close together, like they were built for a small child or perhaps a midget. The second set of stairs is quite the opposite, with so much space between each stair that you have to lift your knees up to your chest to ascend them. â€Å"Gives ‘em character,† my Papa used to say when Nana or I would complain about his carpentry. Of course, whenever he had to use the stairs himself, each step was accompanied by a colorful slew of curses. I learned a new variety of vocabulary during my time spent at the barn- a hearty mix of â€Å"horse lingo† and swears. Of course, this wasn’t the only thing that I learned, growing up as a â€Å"horse kid.† I was actually intimidated by horses when I was younger. The sheer size of them made me a little uneasy. Now I’m the type of person who looks at the largest of draft horses and proclaims, â€Å"Well aren’t you just adorable!† When I began my responsibilities as a â€Å"horse owner,† I thought that horse manure was disgusting, and 5am seemed like an absurd time for any creature to need food, horse or not. However, it wasn’t long before hungry horse whinnies became my favorite kind of good-mornings, and I discovered that nothing could cheer me up like a fuzzy pony kiss. Cleaning several stalls wasn’t nearly such a chore as cleaning my own bedroom, and tiny hooves against the concrete barn floor produced a more beautiful sound than any music I had ever heard. The only thing that’s changed about my barn since then are the horses who reside in it. The barn currently houses four horses, one of which is mine. However, we have had as many as seven horses at one time. My Nana has been known to convert the tack room to a horse stall to accommodate her collection of horses (â€Å"A tack room is a luxury; it’s just as easy to keep the tack on the porch and put a horse in there!†). By my count, we have had somewhere between fifteen and twenty horses over the years, each of whom has contributed to the barn in some way. Back when we had our first pregnant mare, we decided that we needed a foaling stall and some sort of a system to monitor it. To this day, one of our stalls remains noticeably larger than the rest of them, and there is a video camera that looks into the stall and hooks up to our TV. We had a stallion who liked to rear up and show off for the mares in the barn, and we were afraid that he would get himself stuck ove r the door. Though we haven’t had a stallion in several years now, there remains a set of bars that can be put into place above the stall door, just as a precaution. Even more than each horse has made an impact on the barn, the barn has made an impact on me. I value things differently because of the time that I’ve spent at the barn, and have learned to appreciate the small things in life. Being an equestrian has taught me to think on my feet, be adaptable, have patience, and go after what I want in life. I have gained a sense of leadership, confidence, and good old-fashioned common sense that I don’t think I could have achieved anywhere else. The barn has stood strong against wind, rain, sun, and snow for as long as I can remember. Within those walls, it houses not just four horses, but my life story. Bits of my history are scattered about like dandelion seeds in the wind. Pieces of who I am can be found lying in the bottom of the brush bucket, nestled between bales of hay, entwined into a horse’s mane. The barn represents my past, encompasses my present, and is something that I hope will remain forever in my future.