Free Essays - The Imperfect Oedipus of Oedipus the King (Oedipus Rex) :: Oedipus the King Oedipus Rex

The Imperfect Oedipus of Oedipus The King When the play Oedipus The King is mentioned, what do you think of? I think of a very ignorant man that tries to escape his fate-- a man that had so much confidence in himself that he would put false accusations on people and defy his gods just because he thinks he is right. During the play, Oedipus realizes his own flaws while he investigates who the "true killer" of Laius is. The first character flaw that comes out in the play Oedipus is Oedipus' bad temper and irritability. When Oedipus first heard his prophecy from the Delphi oracle, he made an exodus out of Corinth as soon as he could. While on his journey to Thebes, a caravan cut him off. Enraged, Oedipus killed all the men except one. Only later did Oedipus know that one of the men he killed was his father Laius. If Oedipus had thought out his actions first, then maybe the first part of his fate wouldn't have been fulfilled. Other character flaws coming out during the investigation was that he is impulsive and he falsely accuses people. When Oedipus was talking to Teirasias, Teirasias proposed that he was the killer of Laius. But again Oedipus' quick temper occurs and he accuses Tieresius of helping Creon overtake his throne. Another example of Oedipus being impulsive was when he demanded information from the messenger from Corinth. When the messenger told Oedipus that King Polybus was not his real father Oedipus was intrigued and wanted to know the truth. On the other hand, Iocasta wanted him to stop his search because she already knew the horrible truth. Oedipus impetuously wanted to know the truth; and Iocasta, horrified, rushed away and killed herself. The last character trait is one that both of the other flaws fall in, and that is Oedipus having hubris or overconfidence. Because of the absence of Laius, the city of Thebes was under a plague. To stop this plague Oedipus must find the killer of Laios. In this instance Oedipus was very confident that he would find the murderer. Again to the Teirasias scene: Teiresias was trying to tell Oedipus that he was the killer and as he said, "I say that you have been living in un-guessed shame with your nearest kin, and do not to see what woe you have come.

Social Implications: Access to Technology Essay -- Essays Papers

Social Implications: Access to Technology Has the Internet and the computerization of work, education, and life itself lead to inequalities in the access to technology and information among people with respect to differences in race, economic classes, education, and gender? With the end of the Cold War, a newly emerging global marketplace economy aided by advancing computer and information processing technologies have rapidly changed the way people live and work. I recognize the necessity to have access to technology, and the changing need for technology over the course of a person's life. "Technological changes have outpaced ethical developments, bringing about unanticipated problems that have caused a "policy vacuum" filled by Computer Ethics, which has initially surfaced from practical concerns arising in the information society: rational decisions have to be taken, technical, educational and ethical problems must be solved, legislation needs to be adopted, and a combination of empirical evidence and logical arguments seems to provide the most obvious and promising means to achieve such pressing goals." (http://www.wolfson.ox.ac.uk/~floridi/ie.htm#1) By researching this values question, I believe that I will gain new insight and knowledge about the importance of parity in access to technology. This web site will examine if there are inequalities in the access to technology and if so how they impact our society, and discuss ways to provide solutions for equal access for people of color, underprivledged classes, educational and career purposes, and both sexes. Computer technology affects society in many ways. One needs to recognize the concerns for social responsibility in which computing technology is used. Advanc... ...righttoknow/) (03 March 2000) Ursery, Danney. Normative Ethical Principles and Theories: Utilitarian Theory Online. Internet Available (http://www.stedwards.edu/ursery/norm.htm#utility) (24 March 2000) Ursery, Danney. Normative Ethical Principles and Theories: Social Contract Theory Online. Internet Available (http://www.stedwards.edu/ursery/norm.htm#social) (24 March 2000) Ursery, Danney. Exploring Values: Moral Rules, Moral Principles and Value Statements: Online. Internet Available (http://www.stedwards.edu/ursery/values.htm) (24 March 2000) Equal Access to Software and Information. Online. Internet Available (http://www.rit.edu/~easi/) Lacey, Marc. Clinton Uses High-Tech Show to Push Plan for Internet Parity. (New York Times 19 April 2000) Harmon, Amy. Racial Divide Found on Information Highway. (New York Times 17 April 1998)

The Truth About Evil in Myth

Brooke Harris 111542140 March 15th RE104 Evil and Symbols Essay: The Truth About Evil in Myth Many questions have been posed when it comes to the ever-controversial topic of evil, and will continue to be posed throughout time. Although prominent in everyday life, the battle between good and evil can also be seen in two of the most famous creation myths; the Christian myth of Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden, and the Native Creation Story of Turtle Island.In the tale of Adam and Eve, it is said that God banishes the couple for eating from the forbidden Tree of Knowledge, leaving them to deal with hardships all of their lives1. In contrast, the Creation Story is one that tells about the creation of land, with the â€Å"mother† giving birth to two twins on the back of the turtle, each twin being a vision of evil and of good, creating the multi-faceted landscape of earth2.Although in both of the myths there are elements of evil, a closer analysis of the symbols and underlying m otives and reasoning can conclude that there was no malicious intent in either stories and that they are ultimately not evil but relatively good. Throughout Kushner’s article and re-telling of the Christian myth of Adam and Eve, he poses the question of whether God was carrying out an evil act in banishing Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. He argues that although there are foul acts being carried out, they are not with malicious intent, but with the intent to create a more fulfilling life for the couple3.Kushner continues, explaining that by eating the apple from the Knowledge of Good and Evil tree, Adam and Eve have been elevated to a conscious state helping to be aware of their surroundings and themselves as humans and as a couple4. Kushner believes that this act was the â€Å"bravest and most liberating events in the history of the human race† and continuing with saying that although their experiences were full of pain and hardship, it was worth the pain5. Overa ll, their expulsion to the outside world and their experience with hardships is a way of teaching Adam and Eve to appreciate the good occasions.In all respects of native tradition and belief, sacred balance is an ever-present theme, whether it is sacred balance in the forces and features of nature or in good and evil in day-to-day life, tying back to Kushner’s belief in a higher state of consciousness, as one can perceive the difference between good and evil. This perception is also seen in Thomas King’s telling of the native creation story; Woman Who Fell from the Sky, which deals with the creation of the features of Turtle Island (North America). In constructing Turtle Island, each twin designing the features is portrayed as a â€Å"good† twin and â€Å"evil† twin6.For instance; as the right-handed and generally â€Å"good† twin is creating a vast, flowing river, the left-handed twin drops jagged rocks in it, forcing the river to only flow in one direction and making it more difficult for the animals to live in7. Like Adam and Eve’s situation, this can be seen as a blessing in disguise. Instead of having easily flowing water throughout the river, it can be interpreted to believe that the left-handed twin wanted the water creatures to appreciate when they did have an easy swim by knowing what it’s like to go through the hardship of the one-way current river.Many symbols are used in the myths, which are linked to Kushner’s idea of a blessing in disguise, as the symbols are used in the myths as representations of evil but in actuality and in the conclusion, are essentially for good. Throughout the myth of Adam and Eve, an apple and tree are used as the main symbols of evil8; but with a closer examination can also be seen as liberating and good. The apple that Eve initially eats and gives to Adam to eat is used as the main symbol of evil. According to J.C Cooper’s book An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Traditional Symbols, apple can be seen as â€Å"knowledge; wisdom; divination†, solidifying the idea that it is the ultimate ticket through the threshold to knowledge of consciousness, and the good and evil. The Tree of Knowledge (tree), when examined, is perceived as an â€Å"axis mundi† or the centre of the earth and life10. As the knowledge of good and evil a is the liberating factor in Adam and Eve’s life, bringing them to the ultimate state of consciousness, it is only appropriate that the centre of the world symbolize this idea.In King’s story of the woman who created Turtle Island, the features that the left-handed â€Å"evil† twin created are seen as the evil side of the world; such as the thick forests and tall mountains7. According to Cooper, a forest is a â€Å"place of testing and initiation†¦ the secrets of nature†¦ which a man must penetrate to find the meaning†11, implying that although it is trivial and can sometime s be difficult to maneuver, it can also teach the secrets of earth and the lessons it can provide.Lastly, as the right handed twin is building, vast, flat planes of land – the left handed twin â€Å"stomped around in the mud, piled it up, and created deep valleys and tall mountains†7, creating rocky terrains that are seen as part of the evils of the myth as they create difficult to manage terrain. When looking at mountains, Cooper’s defines the mountaintops as the â€Å"represent the state of full consciousness. †12. In contrast to Kushner’s perspective, the hardship of voyaging up the mountains to the top can be seen as a virtuous experience as one gains the state of full consciousness, as Adam and Eve did with the apple.In closing, through analysis of Kushner’s theory of good and evil and a heightened state of consciousness in both myths, a deduction can be made about the good and evil components of the myths. Although both myths contain e vil aspects, there is no malicious intent to classify them as inherently evil, as the â€Å"evil† devices were meant to bring a sense of appreciation for the things that are good. In taking Kushner’s theory and an analysis of the various symbols of the myths, it can be said that these tales are not evil. . Harold Kushner, How Good Do We Have To Be? : A New Understanding of Guilt and Forgiveness (New York: Little, Brown and Company, 1997), 26-27. 2. Thomas King, The Truth About Stories: a Native Narrative (Toronto: House of Anansi Press Inc. , 2003), 13-20. 3. Kushner, How Good, 27. 4. Kushner, How Good, 30. 5. Kushner, How Good, 31. 6. King, The Truth,18. 7. King, The Truth,19. 8. Kushner, How Good, 17. 9. J. C Cooper, An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Traditional Symbols (London: Thames & Hudson, 1978), 14. 0. Cooper, Traditional Symbols, 176-177. 11. Cooper, Traditional Symbols, 71. 12. Cooper, Traditional Symbols, 110. Bibliography 1. Cooper, J. C. An Illustrated Encyc lopedia of Traditional Symbols. London: Thames & Hudson, 1978. 2. Cooper, Thomas. The Truth About Stories: A Native Narrative. Toronto: House of Anansi Press Inc. , 2003. 3. Kushner, Harold. How Good Do We Have To Be? : A New Understanding of Guilt and Forgiveness. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 1997.

Hitler vs. Napoleon

Historians have noted the similarities between Napoleon and Hitler for years.   Both were charismatic dictators who established regimes in times of war and had ambitions of European domination.   Both were enormously successful but short-lived in their enterprises.   For these and other reasons, Napoleon is easily comparable to Hitler.   This essay will explore this comparability in terms of their national achievements, conquests, nationalism, origins, legacy and military/political maneuvers. Though now popularly viewed as a despot, Napoleon, like Hitler, contributed many positive elements to his native country.   He codified French law, particularly the Civil Code, replacing the Ancient Regime’s 360 local codes.   He also implemented lycees, secondary schools that were meant to instruct future leaders of France.   Hitler, by comparison, instigated in Germany one of the largest booms in civil advancement and industrial expansion the country has ever witnessed.   Like Napoleon, military growth accounted for much of the economical improvement. Napoleon’s strategy of conquest is also very similar to Hitler’s.   Both had aims to one day bring all of Europe under their control, and just as Napoleon abandoned campaigns in Britain and ended his career in the Russian wastes, so too did Hitler.   Napoleon attacked Russia from an almost impregnable position of advantage in 1812, assaulting a country that posed no overt threat.   Hitler did the same in 1941.   It is possible both were suffering from the hubris, or excessive pride, of their successes. Whatever the case, Napoleon was definitely known for his nationalistic pride of Corsica (and France), much like Hitler for his German heritage.   The Bonapartists saw themselves as inheritors of the French revolution, and Napoleon’s efforts to expand the empire were tireless.   He forbade his conquered countries from expressing their own national heritage, which may have later led to a rise in nationalism in those territories.   Most notable of these territories was Germany, whose nationalistic rise Hitler augmented to preclude the inclusion of Jews or any non-Ango ethnicities. Both Napoleon and Hitler came from relatively humble origins.   Napoleon was born in Corsica, a possession of France.   The son of a moderately successful attorney, Napoleon received a fair education but carried an Italian accent that would set him apart from the higher tiers of French society.   He began his military career as an artillery officer, not considered a desirable command at the time.   Hitler, similarly, was not wealthy in his youth.   He lived a bohemian life on minimal wages, never completed his high school education, and scratched by a living as a failing artist.   But like Napoleon, Hitler would transcend his unspectacular origins, leaving behind a considerable mark on their cultures and the world. Napoleon’s legacy is evident in his Code, his invention of the modern military conscript, and his innovations on warfare.   Under Napoleon, corps took the place of divisions as the largest military unit, cavalry increased in importance, battles became more decisive with broader attack fronts, and armies focused on the annihilation of enemy armies as opposed to out-maneuvering them.   He is thought to have spread the Revolutionary philosophy throughout Europe, manifested in the nation states that rose in Italy and Germany. His Napoleonic Code, however, is the innovation for which even Napoleon knew he would be most known.   Hitler’s contributions are, by contrast, negative.   He is responsible for taking anti-Semitism to a national scale, implementing the Nazi Party (which still exists today in various forms), and propagating fascism and intolerance as natural products of his military and political strategy. Indeed, Napoleon was very similar to Hitler in regard to political/military strategy, as well.   Both leaders used aggressive strategies in the acquisition of land and both suppressed revolts of the peoples their regimes oppressed.   Napoleon was known for his efforts to put down a major Haitian slave revolt and, in 1801 France, to re-establish slavery after its post-Revolution ban. Likewise, Hitler is notorious for his persecution of the Jews, his anti-Semitic tirades that won him enormous favor among vast demographics of the German population, and his supreme execution of suppression and extermination, the Holocaust.   While their strategies show similarity, Napoleon’s do not equal Hitler’s in terms of sheer ferocity and nationalistic fervor.   

Factors That Influence Communication Essay

There are different ways that the environment can affect communication. For example: Noise – A noisy environment can mean road works, loud music, and transportation. Setting – Pictures, signs, decorations and poor lighting can distract people which makes them lose focus. Time – Meeting at the wrong time and phone calls at the wrong time can affect communication. Space – Overcrowded places for example corridors, public transport, offices and stores can affect communication. Distance can also affect communication, if people are trying to communicate and there is a gap between them it can cause a communication barrier. Barriers There are also lots of barriers that can affect communication. For example: Types of communication: difficult, complex or sensitive: Most communication between people is about sharing or transmitting information. For example, someone might want to know what number bus to catch, or they may ask for a drink. At times communication will be complex. For example, a relative might want to know about funding arrangements for care. Communication about funding might involve a lot of complex information. It would be important to check what that relative already knew and whether or not they understood the information that was given. Cultural Influence Culture refers to the customs, language, arts, common dietary habits and attire of a particular region. It also includes the learned values, beliefs and behaviours common to a group of individuals. Culture and communication are inseparable. This means that culture can be a strong barrier to interpersonal communication between people of different cultures. Individuals from different cultural backgrounds often carry an attitude that their own culture is superior to that of others. This attitude hampers interpersonal communication between two individuals or groups from different cultural backgrounds. Individuals who are ethnocentric in nature often are under the impression that anyone who does not belong to their group is either strange or inferior. This perception also prevents healthy social and political communication between two groups. Power Power is the ability to influence others and have strong self-control under  complex circumstances. All interpersonal communication or interactions reflect some form of power, which may be obvious or hidden. Obvious power refers to people who occupy a higher position in business or government and have to communicate with their employees or subjects. People in power positions may exert their power on individuals who are not equally competent, and this inequality could act as a barrier to effective communication.

Examine how Atwood presents Offred’s sense of self in “The Handmaid’s Tale”

Sense of self can be defined by the â€Å"roles, attributes, behaviours, and associations that we consider most important about our selves†. 1 Atwood wrote â€Å"The Handmaid's Tale† during the 80s; (1986 to be precise) an era of ‘power-dressing'. A key icon of the ‘power-dressing' was the wife of the American president, Nancy Reagan, who wore outfits with huge shoulder pads, making her look more masculine. Famous women like her encapsulated what the women of the time aspired to be: rich, beautiful, intelligent and powerful. In â€Å"The Handmaid's Tale†, Offred constantly refers back to her old life and the way she used to style herself in comparison to the way she looks now. She remembers, â€Å"Makeup†3 and â€Å"bathing suits and platform shoes†4, â€Å"sheer pantyhose against the skin†5, and â€Å"the smell of nail paint†6. All these things relate to the image that she once aspired to obtain, and this constant regressi on shows how she longs to return to her life before the regime, when she was secure in her identity. The air of desirability Atwood gives these things reflects how Offred desires them. However, this does not mean that Offred needs these things to regain her sense of self; Atwood simply uses them as symbols of Offred's true identity which she attributes to herself and her life before the regime. In contrast, Atwood uses negative language to describe the red dress Offred now wears. The phrases, â€Å"a nondescript woman in red†7 and, â€Å"the colour of blood, which defines us†8 hint at Offred's contempt towards her red dress. This shows how Offred recognises that her obligatory red dress is not a reflection of her personality (as clothing should be) but a barrier between her and the rest of the world; in this dress she is Offred, a Handmaid and nothing else. Even her name, â€Å"Offred† is evidence of the regime taking away her identity because it can be interpretated as, ‘Of-Fred' meaning that she is Fred's (the Commander's) possession. This concept supports Simone de Beauvoir's comments that, â€Å"she is defined and differentiated with reference to man and not with reference to her†9. In â€Å"The Handmaid's Tale† the name Offred does not tell the reader anything about Offred as a person, it only tells them that she is a Handmaid who belongs to the Commander, Fred, her actually identity is not referred to at all. Our names become a part of who we are and we are identified by them; after losing her name, Offred feels the need to remind herself of it, to ensure her true identity is not lost, â€Å"This name has an aura around it, like an amulet, some charm that's survived from an unimaginably distant past. 10 The words, â€Å"aura†, â€Å"amulet† and, â€Å"charm† create a semantic field of mystery and magic which reflects Offred's feelings towards her name; now that she is not allowed to use it, she views it as something to be in awe of, something she must â€Å"treasure† and, â€Å"dig up, one day†11. The word, â€Å"amulet† refers to something that protects you from danger; the danger for Offred would be to comple tely lose her sense of self so Offred refers to this name in order to connect with her ‘self' because she recognises that she is not actually part of this regime at all; she remembers her real name to separate herself from it. However, the importance of Offred's real name in the redevelopment of her sense of self is accurately demonstrated when she tells Nick, â€Å"I tell him my real name, and feel that therefore I am known. â€Å"12 Offred's real name is extremely personal to her, before she felt as if she was simply a Handmaid with no other identity but once she tells Nick her real name she feels as if she is telling him who she really is, apart from the regime. Atwood also uses the character of Nick as a literary tool to develop Offred's sense of self, through the development of her sexual identity. Nick becomes a recurring theme, representing masculinity; he is described as having forearms which are, â€Å"tanned but with a stipple of dark hairs†13, whereas Offred imagines that the Commander has a,†white, tufted raw body†14which makes him sound like the absolute opposite of Nick, undesirable and unattractive; and subconsciously Offred rejects him showing that she still has the power to chose who she falls in love with or feels emotion towards. Offred's emotions are unique to her and therefore define part of her identity; during the conception ceremony Offred's narrative includes very little emotion and her tone is detached,† One detaches oneself. One describes†. 15 By referring to ‘one' in general and not specifically to herself shows how Offred is using denial as a defence mechanism to avoid the shameful truth that she is actually having sex with the Commander; she even says, â€Å"what he is fucking is the lower part of my body†16. Atwood uses this detached tone to illustrate how Offred has become accustomed to how her body has been violated, but the expletive, â€Å"fucking† shows that she does not agree with it and is angry at this violation. She wants the reader to understand that throughout all this, Offred is trying to retain her sense of self and is still ‘herself' in her mind. In contrast, Offred's forbidden sexual relationship with Nick is a loving relationship which creates a parallel with the similar forbidden relationship she had with Luke, before the regime. Offred used to view herself as Luke's lover, then eventually his wife, these were roles that were important to her and roles that she attributed to her identity, â€Å"Can I be blamed for wanting a real body to put my arms around? Without it I too am disembodied. â€Å"17 The rhetorical question shows how confused and alone Offred feels and the word, â€Å"disembodied† highlights Offred's need to feel loved in a physical relationship because she defines herself through her interaction with others, but in the dystopian society in which she lives this social and emotional interaction has been removed. When Offred finally does sleep with Nick he becomes a substitute for Luke, â€Å"I went back to Nick. Time after time on my own, without Serena knowing†. 18 Atwood uses short sentences to give the reader a blunt and concise account of what happened; the fact that Offred slept with Nick is irrelevant in comparison to the implications it has. The small, insignificant rebellions Offred has executed throughout the novel come to a climax at this point in the story, where Offred shows that she is willing to sacrifice her life and social standing in an attempt to express her true self. The phrase, â€Å"on my own† draws attention to Offred's new found confidence and independence and the fact that Serena does not know about it symbolises her freedom from the regime. Atwood uses personal pronouns, â€Å"I tell, therefore, you are†, which enables Offred to personalise the listener/reader whom she is narrating to. Her references to the unidentified, â€Å"you† is ironic, because in a way she is talking to herself, about herself. She is becoming introspective and generates a sense of self pity through creating this other person. Atwood is trying to make the reader feel included in the novel; she is also giving Offred a way of coping with her loneliness and isolation. This notion supports Helene Cixous' belief that, â€Å"By writing her self, woman will return to the body which has been more than confiscated from her. â€Å"19 By telling her story Offred portraits a part of her personality and therefore, a part of her identity in her story, and because she cannot freely express her personality in the society in which she lives, she resorts to living in the memories of her nameless audience. Offred's storytelling also supports Mallik's opinion that Atwood includes, â€Å"basic victim positions†20 in her novel, because she tells her story to her ‘audience' in order to regain a part of her identity which she realises has been taken away from her; and as the novel progresses she becomes more willing to rebel to reclaim it. Atwood uses the narrative tone to reflect the emotional state of the narrator. At the beginning of the novel Offred is confused, â€Å"like a sleepwalker conceiving disjointed perceptions of its surroundings,†21 but by the end of the novel, â€Å"the narrative voice assumes a fully engaged emotional tone† which reflects Offred's emotional development, and mirrors how she is no longer a passive entity but an active woman who is willing to fight for what she wants.

Law of International Carriage of Goods by Sea Essay

Law of International Carriage of Goods by Sea - Essay Example Janet’s rights and TC’s obligations will be construed by reference to the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999. The 1999 Act is specifically designed to protect the rights of third parties to a contract by conferring on that third party certain enforceable rights.2 The Sale of Goods Act 1979 will also apply to Janet’s case. The facts of the case for discussion reveal that Susan contracted with TC by virtue of a voyage charter for the delivery of a consignment of Russian Flagship Vodka from Russia to London. The contract incorporated the Hague-Visby Rules and contained a clause against deviation from the voyage unless it was a matter of life or death. The no-deviation clause however, did not appear in the bills of lading. In any event Susan made it clear to TC that it was imperative that the consignment of vodka arrive in London as quickly as possible since she wanted to benefit from the upcoming vodka drinking summer season. This the understanding between the parties to the contract for the shipment of Vodka from Russia to the UK. The fact that a no deviation clause does not appear on the bills of lading will not function to relieve TC of an obligation to adhere to the no deviation clause in the primary contract for the transhipment of the vodka. Article III(3) of the Hague-Visby Rules delineates the primary function of the bills of lading.3 The bills of lading will generally be useful for identifying and reconciling the goods delivered with the goods dispatched. As a result the bills of lading will describe the markings and stamps on the goods at the time of loading as well as the number of â€Å"packages, or the quantity or weight† of the goods at that particular time and the â€Å"apparent order and condition of the goods.†4 Moreover, the requirement of due diligence as contained in Article III(1) of the Hague-Visby Rules can be interpreted to include a duty of no