Managing the National Health Service Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

Managing the National Health Service - Essay Example This paper approves that the company saw an immediate turnaround as employees started being more productive and the same evaluations were carried out throughout the company where they could be applied. The company discovered that it could restructure a few departments which led them to greater efficiency and it led them closer to their mission. It is perfectly understandable that removing people from service and more or less eradicating a whole layer of middle management can be an important issue for the NHS. As described by Proctor, such changes can have a negative effect on the knowledge contained within the company and can also harm workforce structures in connection with the skills that some of the employees have. Additionally, it must be noted layoffs and removing redundancies can be a part of the restructuring experience but it can also lead companies and their employees to have issues concerning work overload, high stress levels, loss of company vision/values, poor decision ma king and even corporate in fighting. This essay makes a conclusion that Britain prides itself to be one of the few real welfare states left in the western world and that pride owes a lot to the services provided by the NHS. However, the NHS has a lot of issues it needs to correct since the calls for privatisation of this institute as well as other changes to be brought to the structure of the organisations have been made. As far as it can be seen, the NHS has two options, it can either change itself to be in line with the changes that have come to society or it can be forced to change through government regulations and the demands of the people.

Financial Project Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Financial Project - Research Paper Example Identify the highest interest rate you could refinance at in order to pay the current balance in 20 years. Determine the interest rate that would require a monthly total payment that is less than your current total payment. In addition, refinancing costs you $2000 up-front in closing costs. Therefore, the highest interest rate that would result in less than the current loan repayments would be 4.50%, where the monthly total will amount paid towards the loan, and the principal will be $695.08, which is less than the current $706.12. However, the closing costs of $2,000 upfront may weigh on the ability to get into a refinancing agreement deal. In order to answer this, you need to look at different interest rates. Know that if you refinance, your minimum monthly payments will be based on a 30-year loan (though you still want to be done in 20 years). Also, refinancing costs you a couple of thousand dollars up front in closing costs. Refinancing this loan has two obvious downsides: the repayment period will increase, and extra expenses will be incurred in terms of closing costs. However, the refinancing will lower the monthly repayment amounts by at least $68.79. For a person in a poor credit position due to the demands of the current loan repayments, the refinancing would be a welcome relief to boost this credit

Pipeline Systems Essay Example for Free

Pipeline Systems Essay Drawbacks of the Pipeline for Alberta Oil mining is the pillar industry in Alberta and building pipeline system is the most efficient way to transport oil into other areas. However, whether pipeline systems are appropriate technology has been debated for many years. Appropriate technology means the ‘technology that is designed with consideration to the environmental, ethical, cultural, social,political, and economical aspects of the community it is intended for. ’ [1] Many people believe that the Conduit System pipeline is not appropriate technology. The reason is that though it is profitable , it decreases the motivation of developing new environmental-friendly power systems. Also some of the First Nations think it is so ridiculous to sell the precious resources which is given by our ancestors and nature. Moreover it is not a environmentally beneficial system. This paper will support the point of view that the conduit system is actually an inappropriate technology by illustrating examples in such three perspectives. In the first place,the project is certainly â€Å"a tremendous display of the short sighted thinking†[2] because it only thinks about the short-time economic gain without considering the environmental problems. Also the construction of Pipeline system decreases the motivation of developing new environmental-friendly power systems. Once the conduit system pipeline is built up,more and more companies would follow and build more of the pipelines, since it is a profitable and a most easy way to transporting oil. However, once the pipelines are set up, the companies has to run it rapidly, otherwise the construction cost would never be recovered. Under this situation, it limits the sustainable economy development . Thus the construction of pipeline system are strongly discommended. Furthermore, the conduit system pipeline leads to disagreements and conflicts with the Canadian society, especially between the First Nation and the government. Every individual and social group has their own belief and way of life. We do not support this pipeline project. We believed that the project has the potential to harm our environment ,as well as our way of life. We hope that our voice is heard and taken into consideration. †[3] said by the First Nations leaders. It contradicts the economy growth valued by the Conduit company, as well as the government, therefore confits appears. Therefore, it is obvious that the Conduit company pipeline would trigger dispute between First Nations and other social grou ps. Lastly, it is not environmentally beneficial for the human race to build the pipeline system in the long term. Oil spilling is a serious challenge for oil transporting industry, especially for long distance pipeline system. The Enbridge oil spill [4] is a strong example, over 190000 liters oil seeped out. The impact of oil spill is catastrophic. Carbon dioxide will be released to atmosphere increasingly, the green-house-effect will be more serious. At the same time the eco-system will be ruined, the fields can not be grown in 10 years or more. It is a disaster for both human and nature. â€Å"An oil spill from this pipeline will have major media coverage, which would effectively destroy Canada’s reputation. †[5] said the politician. Furthermore the oil of Alberta is non-renewable energy resource, it can not be produced in thousands years. Though the pipeline system is the most efficient way to transport the resources, what we can leave to our next generations if the oil is exhausted. Overall, it is obvious that the conduit system is actually not an appropriate technology for Alberta. According to the examples and analyses above, the pipeline system is a immature technology which creates social conflict,damages the planet and leaves even more environmental issues to the younger generations. [6] Consequently, the applying of the conduit system still needs more consideration. (1)Engineers Without Borders -Case Study Conduit Systems https://eclass. srv. ualberta. ca/mod/resource/view. php? id=551299 (2)http://www. cbc. ca/news/canada/story/2012/07/28/enbridge-wisconsin-spill-pipeline-closed. html (3)Engineers Without Borders -Case Study Conduit Systems https://eclass. srv. ualberta. ca/mod/resource/view. php? id=551299

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Essay -- Ebenezer Scrooge

A pill bug is an insect that forms a hard shell around its soft flesh whenever startled or scared. Just like this pill bug, humans guard themselves from anything that hurts them without realizing that they are shutting out the most precious moments of their lives. Ebenezer Scrooge, the main character of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, is a cold man. He finds what he defines as true happiness in the form of money and wealth. At first he only seems to be a machine living in a human form, but as Scrooge's true journey and hardships are revealed, it becomes difficult to blame only Scrooge for his independence. It is inevitable that Scrooge's rudeness and impudent ferocity towards people led to the mistreatment of his dead body, but Scrooge's walls were not built for nothing. As the story progresses, and his true story from start to finish is revealed. There is no one person to blame, for it was the wrong of everyone. As Blaise Pascal once said, â€Å"All of humanity's problems ste m from a man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone.† At first glance, Ebenezer Scrooge is a strange man. In his old age, he lives alone in a manor that was once owned by his deceased business partner, the only person he ever interacted with. His thoughts are always cruel and thoughtless as it is displayed when Scrooge says, â€Å" 'If they would rather die,' said Scrooge, 'they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population' †(10). At the story's start, Scrooge is an antisocial person who avoids interactions with people claiming that they are useless. He is viewed by others as a demeaning figure who is to be shunned because of his uninviting manner. People who were content with their lives were surrounded by their peers and neighbors and never encour... ...p to humanity. He once dared to venture to the depths of darkness, where all hope of ever returning would be lost, but he was saved by the the Spirits who helped him realize that he was terrorizing himself. In the end, Scrooge lived with a bigger smile, louder laugh, and jollier step than anybody else; it was a happy ending. Had Scrooge not changed, it would have ended on a dark note with many forgotten deaths and unfortunate stories of dead bodies. Everyone has a choice. Which path of Scrooge will you take? There is no way to limit what society gives us and what problems we are presented in the beginning, but they way we handle and solve these problems become the basis of our everyday lives all the way to our last breath. Every moment in between will cherished as if the last and no person will ever go unfullfilled. Works Cited A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Chinese firework industry Essay

1. Introduction—Objective and structure of this report The Chinese fireworks industry has experienced significant change since China adopted â€Å"open door policy†, moreover, it has huge market share in the world’s fireworks market. But on the other hand, the Chinese fireworks industry also has fatal weaknesses. Therefore, whether to invest in this industry is still a considerable challenge to most investors. The objective of this report is to give some suggestions to Jerry Yu on his decision of the investment on Liuyang fireworks industry. Furthermore, some proposals on how to improve the attractiveness and the competitiveness of Chinese fireworks industry at a long-run level are worked out; from personal level, there are some strategic options to Jerry Yu in terms of handling an individual fireworks firm. To achieve this objective, an industry analysis and a market audit are carried out and a gross conclusion is drawn based on the analyses and suggestions. 2. Industrial analysis The aim of this industrial analysis is to outline the situation of the Chinese fireworks industry in conjunction with analyzing the rivalry within this industry through Porter’s five forces model (please refer to Appendix). 2.1 The Chinese fireworks industry overview The general belief was that China-made fireworks actually made up about 80% to 90% of the world’s fireworks market. But although Chinese fireworks account for most of the world’s market, it can be said as a relatively messy industry in terms of its quality, packaging and timing control and distribution channels. As the most popular form in Chinese fireworks industry is family-run workshop, which is usually poorly funded and lacking of R&D and managerial input, the whole industry is basically labor-intensive and the technological innovations are also restricted. The competition is intensified by the emergence of small companies. These private workshops are flexible and quick in responding to market demand. They would copy any popular product design and sell it for much less prices than  government-owned or some collectively owned factories. This fact results in price drop which has become a serious problem for the whole industry. Besides, foreign competitors such as Japanese and Korea companies also threaten the Chinese fireworks industry. 2.2 Market trend The fireworks’ market can be divided into domestic and export market. In the past years, the demand of domestic market is declining while export sales is rising. Since China opened its door in 1979, export market has become a major market of Chinese fireworks. Figure 1 indicates the growth of export market during the period of 1994-1998. Figure 1: Export sales of Chinese fireworks industry in 1994-1998 From Figure 1, it’s clear that the demand of export market is increasing stably. Undoubtedly it’s a beneficial factor for Chinese fireworks industry. Another market trend is that the demand for display fireworks is increasing at a fast speed due to the increase of public fireworks shows, whereas the demand for consumer fireworks is expected to decline owing to the more restricted regulations. 2.3 Porter’s Five Forces Model (Appendix). Porter’s five forces model aims at examining the competitive status of the whole industry. 2.3.1 Potential entrants (High) The opportunity for potential entrants of fireworks industry is high. The capital requirement for establishing a fireworks firm is very low; the economy of scale is high and the brand identification within this industry is relatively low. All these facts provide good opportunities for firms to enter this industry. 2.3.2 Bargaining power of suppliers (Low) Because of the huge number of suppliers of fireworks and little product differentiation among fireworks products, the bargaining power of suppliers is low. 2.3.3. Bargaining power of buyers (High) Owing to the large number of choices and low even zero switching costs, the fireworks buyers have high bargaining power. 2.3.4 Substitutes (Low) The threat of substitutes of fireworks is relatively low. Although there are substitutes such as make-believe â€Å"firecrackers†, due to the heritage of tradition and culture, real fireworks are still irresistible to most consumers. 2.3.5 Rivalry (High) Rivalry of fireworks industry is high. The possibility for new entrants is high, while exit barrier is low; a bulk of existing firms that have little diversity and product differentiation are competing in this industry; buyers are more powerful than suppliers†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ All these forces shape the fierce competition in fireworks industry. What is indicated through the analysis of Porter’s five forces model is that the rivalry of fireworks industry is high. Therefore, if firms were to survive in competition, they should make great effort to differentiate their strategies to achieve sustainable competitive advantages over competitors. 3. Market Audit of Liuyang fireworks industry The market audit focuses on the Liuyang fireworks market’s position through the identification of its domestic and foreign competitors and a SWOT  analysis. The goal of this market audit is to assist Jerry Yu to determine whether to invest in Liuyang fireworks industry or not. 3.1 Competitor analysis The competitors of Liuyang fireworks industry include both domestic and foreign ones. The competitors and their main competitive aspects of Liuyang fireworks industry are delivered in Table 1. Table 1: The competitors of Liuyang fireworks industry Competitors Domestic Foreign Liling Pingxiang, Wanzai Dongguan Other small establishments Japan, Korea and Spain Competitive Aspects Price competition Both price and quality, especially in low- and medium-priced markets More sophisticated management and marketing practices Copy popular design and sell much less Better quality and timing control, better packaging. From Table 1, it’s clear that the Liuyang fireworks industry has been facing fierce competition from both domestic and foreign competitors though it’s still the largest and most well known place for making fireworks in China. All of them have their own competitiveness versus Liuyang fireworks. Thus, if Liuyang fireworks industry were to sustain in the intense competition and â€Å"beat† these competitors, it’s necessary for it to modify strategy to increase its competitiveness relative to its competitors. Figure 2 shows the competitive position between Liuyang fireworks industry and its competitors on a positioning map. Figure 2: Competitive positioning map of Liuyang fireworks industry and its competitors From the positioning map, it can be demonstrated that although Liuyang fireworks industry has strong competitiveness in terms of reputation, it is seriously lacking of management capabilities compared with Dongguan and foreign competitors, which could be a disastrous factor in the future. Therefore, to improve the management of Liuyang fireworks industry is crucial for each individual investor’s success as well as the whole industry’s sustainability. 3.2 SWOT analysis of Liuyang fireworks industry Liuyang fireworks industry does share certain similar characteristics in terms of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats with other Chinese fireworks manufacturers, but it also has its own features. 3.2.1 Strengths * Long reputation and product variety Liuyang has been the most well known place for making fireworks in China for a long time. It has the strongest reputation in China and even in the world market it also occupies an influential position in terms of product variety and reputation. * Huge market share As the largest manufacture community of fireworks in China, Liuyang has been enjoying huge market share in both domestic and export market. * Liuyang government’s offensive strategy In 1997, Liuyang government adopted offensive strategy responding to the  decline of its fireworks sales. This has been proven to be very useful—one year later, Liuyang fireworks sales increased. * Low labor cost Located in Hunan province, Liuyang is a relatively small and less developed city. Furthermore, most of the manufacture factories are located in rural places, where the labor cost is very low. This is a beneficial factor for manufacturers because with low cost, they could gain more profit. 3.2.2 Weaknesses * Poor management input and capabilities As identified in competitor analysis, Liuyang fireworks industry has little management input and poor management capabilities. Since most of them are family-run workshops, they have no capital to fund management. What’s more, as most workers are farmers who are not well educated, they have no intellectual resource for marketing capabilities. * Messy distribution channels The overall distribution system of fireworks industry is rather fragmented and messy. Neither the old government-run channels nor the new distribution channels are efficient and effective. On the contrary, they are rather chaotic. 3.2.3 Opportunities * Increasing revenue and demand As shown in Figure 3, the total revenue of Liuyang fireworks industry increased substantially in 1992-1996. Now the demand is still increasing especially in display fireworks category. This represents an opportunity to investors. Figure 3: The total revenue of Liuyang fireworks industry in 1992-1996 Source: Liuyang Firecrackers and Fireworks Exhibition (refer to Exhibit 1 in this case) * Technological innovation appealing to consumers Technology development triggers the technological innovations. Fireworks can be combined with modern technologies like laser beams, computerized firing and musical accompaniment to cater for customers. * Increased safety of fireworks Actually, the fireworks are not as dangerous as usually perceived by people. Technological innovation such as smokeless fireworks makes fireworks safer and as long as people can use fireworks properly, it’s not so dangerous. This can be demonstrated from Figure 4. Figure 4: The increased consumption(millions of pounds) versus decreased injuries(per 100,000 pounds) of fireworks in 1990-98 Source: American Pyrotechnics Association (please refer to Exhibit 2 in this case) What is indicated in this chart is that within 1990-98, the consumption of fireworks increased whereas the injuries decreased. The increased safety can help to build consumers’ confidence toward fireworks. 3.2.4 Threats * Intensified competition and local protectionism As illustrated in competitor analysis, more and more competitors including existing firms and new entrants are competing with Liuyang fireworks  industry. The direct consequence is the price drop which leads to the deduction of profit margin. Some small manufacturers even copy designs and purchase inferior raw materials to gain profit in competition, which worsens the quality and reputation of Liuyang fireworks industry. In addition, some local Chinese governments tend to protect local manufacturers when purchasing fireworks. * Legal restriction As fireworks has made some tragedies among users, most countries and Chinese cities more or less inhibit the sell and use of fireworks. Some places even banned the use of fireworks. This fact is undermining the fireworks industry. * Credit crisis Due to the bad debt control and lacking of respect for business contracts in China, the transaction costs are increased while cash flow are slowed down, which is a serious issue for fireworks industry. * Poor profit margin and loss of brand identities This threat exists especially in export market. The importers buy the fireworks at very low price from Chinese manufacturers and then resell at much higher prices. This is indicated in Figure 5: the comparison between FOB import prices from China and wholesale prices of four types of Chinese display fireworks in US. There is a huge gap between them. The American importers enjoy huge profit whilst Chinese manufacturers suffer from low profit margin. Furthermore, some large western fireworks manufacturers and dealers started to outsource the making of their brand-name fireworks. The Chinese fireworks manufacturers are facing the problem of losing their brand identities. Figure 5: The comparison between FOB import prices from China and wholesale prices of four types of Chinese display fireworks in US Source: China Sunsong Fireworks Corp. and Websites of fireworks wholesalers in U.S. 4. Suggestions for Jerry Yu Chinese fireworks industry is a highly competitive industry, however, it still presents opportunities for investors. Based on the analysis of Liuyang fireworks industry, the suggestion for Jerry Yu is to take the opportunities–to invest in Liuyang fireworks industry. Nonetheless, to win in the fierce competition, it’s also recommended that Jerry Yu should integrate the advantages he has into the opportunities to create competitive advantages versus his competitors. Therefore, there are some strategic options proposed for him. Furthermore, some recommendations for Chinese fireworks industry as a whole are also worked out in order to increase its competitiveness and attractiveness. 5. Proposed strategic options 5.1 Options for Chinese fireworks industry (Options 1-4) 5.1.1 Strategic option 1: Launch an industry-wide advertising campaign to change consumers’ perception and attitude toward fireworks. As interpreted before, most consumers regard fireworks as a very dangerous product, especially for youth. But in fact, it’s not as dangerous as consumers’ perception. Figure 6 shows the comparison of the dangerousness between fireworks and other products. From the treatment quantities it’s rather manifest that the treatment for youth caused by fireworks is the least among these eleven consumer products. Furthermore, as the technology of fireworks is improving, the dangerousness will be less than before. Therefore, it’s necessary for the manufacturers within this industry to launch an advertising campaign to change consumers’ perception, attitude and to build consumers’ positive belief–fireworks is much safer than what they think. Figure 6: Estimated emergency room treatment per 100,000 youth (ages 5 to 14) Source: American Pyrotechnics Association (refer to Exhibition 3 in this case) Advantages: ââ€" º To build consumers’ confidence toward fireworks can somehow prevent the decline of demand of consumer fireworks from consumers’ perspective. If consumers know fireworks are virtually much safer than their perception, probably they will purchase fireworks more actively than before in spite of the restriction of government regulations. Disadvantages: ââ€" ª To launch an industry-wide advertising campaign requires sufficient capital. But as most fireworks manufacturers are family-run small workshop, it’s hard for them to afford the cost for this advertising campaign. 5.1.2 Strategic option 2: Build TQM at an industry-wide level. Lacking of quality control is a serious weakness of Chinese fireworks industry. Therefore, it’s necessary to build TQM (Total Quality Management) industry-wide to regulate and guarantee the quality of Chinese fireworks to compete with foreign competitors and to attain trust from consumers. Advantage: ââ€" ºThe advantage is obvious–increase Chinese fireworks industry’s competitiveness with foreign competitors and in doing so, to maintain and even increase its market share in the world’s market. Disadvantage: ââ€" ª The only problem TQM might face is the messiness of Chinese fireworks manufacturers. TQM requires fund as well as regulations, but for small  workshops, it’s difficult to achieve. 5.1.3 Strategic option 3: To absorb foreign investments actively to improve both hardware (equipment, capital, etc) and software (management capabilities, etc) of Chinese fireworks industry. Advantages: ââ€" ºForeign investment can compensate one weakness of Chinese fireworks industry—lack of capital. If Chinese manufacturers have sufficient fund, they can improve their equipment, the products’ quality and packaging and their management resource such as R&D, etc. No doubt that these facets can greatly promote Chinese fireworks competitive position, through which, Chinese fireworks industry could prosper. Disadvantages: ââ€" ª There is a latent possibility that these foreign investments might finally control the Chinese fireworks industry. If this happens, Chinese fireworks industry would lose its identity. 5.1.4 Strategic option 4: Build strong brand awareness and image of Chinese fireworks industry. This can be implemented by advertising campaign or aggressive promotional activities.

Antigone - 6411 Words

Introduction The story behind Antigone is well-known. Antigone’s father was Oedipus. When he was born, it was prophesied that he would kill his own father and marry his mother. To avoid this, his parents had him sent out to be killed. The servant tasked with this, however, could not kill him and left him on a hillside to die of natural causes. He was discovered and raised by a poor family, and then later he returned and unknowingly fulfilled the prophesy, becoming in the process the king of Thebes. When the truth of this became known to him, he blinded himself. This story is the subject of the first two plays by Sophocles in the Oedipus cycle, Oedipus the King and Oedipus at Colonus. Four children were born of that incestuous†¦show more content†¦But Polynices, just as unhappily fallen–the order Says he is not to be buried, not to be mourned ; To be left unburied, unwept, a feast of flesh For keen-eyed carrion birds. The noble Creon! It is against you and me he has mad e this order. Yes, against me. And soon he will be here himself To make it plain to those that have not heard it, And to enforce it. This is no idle threat; The punishment for disobedience is death by stoning. So now you know. And now is the time to show Whether or not you are worthy of your high blood. ISMENE: My poor Antigone, if this is really true, What more can I do, or undo, to help you? ANTIGONE: Will you help me? Will you do something with me? Will you? ISMENE: Help you do what, Antigone? What do you mean? ANTIGONE: Would you help me lift the body ...you and me ? ISMENE: You cannot, mean .., to bury him? Against the order? ANTIGONE: Is he not my brother, and yours, whether you like it Or not? I shall never desert him, never. ISMENE: How could you dare, when Creon has expressly forbidden it? ANTIGONE: He has no right to keep me from my own. ISMENE: O sister, sister, do you forget how our father Perished in shame and misery, his awful sin Self-proved, blinded by his own self-mutilation? And then his mother, his wife--for she was both-- Destroyed herself in a noose of her own making. And now our brothers, both in a single day Fallen in an awful exaction of death forShow MoreRelatedAntigone By Sophocles Antigone1525 Words   |  7 Pagesnothing that the gods demand† (1349-1350). Sophocles’ Antigone takes place in a trying time for the city of Thebes, when Oedipus, their king, and most of the royal family have died, and Creon has just been appointed the new king. Throughout the play, Creon tries on his power as the new ruler, and seems to believe that the gods will not be angry with some of his choices as king, even though they directly violate the divine law. However, in Antigone, when there is a conflict between the divine law andRead Moreantigone987 Words   |  4 Pageshamartia and lastly they need to re alize their mistakes and accept their consequences. In Antigone, there are two main characters that fit the criteria of a tragic hero, but only the protagonist, Antigone meets all of the conditions. Antigone meets the second requirement of a tragic heroine, by fulfilling the criteria of being neither entirely good nor completely bad. In the opening of the play, Antigone asks her sister, Ismene to help her give Polynieces a proper burial but Ismene disagrees becauseRead MoreThe Choices Of Antigone And Sophocles Antigone1560 Words   |  7 Pagesthat Antigone and Creon face in Sophocles’ Antigone differ, their decisions often end up pitted against each other’s, inviting comparison. Since I am juxtaposing the characters’ degrees of rightness, I believe that the rightness of the reasoning, not just their ultimate stances, should be examined. The entirety of his or her argument, not just the conclusion, must be taken into account. I’ll also note that my perspective of rightness could and does conflict with that of the gods in Antigone and SophoclesRead MoreCharacterization of Antigone in Sophocles Antigone2448 Words   |  10 PagesSophocles’ tra gic drama, Antigone, presents to the reader a full range of characters: static and dynamic, flat and round; they are portrayed mostly through the showing technique. In â€Å"Sophocles’ Praise of Man and the Conflicts of the Antigone,† Charles Paul Segal takes the stand that there are two protagonists in the drama (which conflicts with this reader’s interpretation): This is not to say that there are not conceptual issues involved in the characters of Creon and Antigone. But the issues areRead MoreAntigone Summary771 Words   |  4 Pagesunburied to rot. Antigone was dejected with Creon’s ruling and decided to bury Polynices herself. She tried to enlist Ismene to help her, but Ismene was to afraid. Antigone furiously continued with the plan on her own. A sentry discovered Antigone and brought her to Creon. Ismene was also brought to Creon and confessed that she had helped Antigone with the burial rites of Polynices. Antigone stopped Ismene and told her not to admit to an act that she had not committed. Antigone took sole responsibilityRead MoreAntigone2454 Words   |  10 PagesAntigone– The Characterization Sophocles’ tragic drama, Antigone, presents to the reader a full range of characters: static and dynamic, flat and round; they are portrayed mostly through the showing technique. In â€Å"Sophocles’ Praise of Man and the Conflicts of the Antigone,† Charles Paul Segal takes the stand that there are two protagonists in the drama (which conflicts with this reader’s interpretation): This is not to say that there are not conceptual issuesRead More Antigone Essay1318 Words   |  6 PagesAntigone Essay In any story or piece of literature, there will always be the main characters to fill the pages with incessant adventure. The characters whose names appear on almost every page and the characters whose actions the story revolves around. However, a story will also always have its minor characters. These are the characters that contribute heavily to the plot, yet arent mentioned quite as often and are underestimated regarding their importance in the story. In the Greek masterpieceRead More Antigone Essay3001 Words   |  13 PagesSUBJECT Antigone is a play about a woman who disobeyed the Kings order to not bury her brother. The play was written by the famous Greek tragedian, Sophocles, in 441 B.C. The story took place in the city of Thebes and the time period is not mentioned. The main characters introduced in the play are of Antigone, Ismene, Creon, and Haemon. The primary focus was centered on Antigone and the consequences she faces after breaking the Kings orders. In the beginning, the author introduced Antigone and herRead MoreEssay on Antigone1426 Words   |  6 Pagesimprudent judgments will ultimately suffer from the consequences of their actions. In Sophocles Antigone, these prejudices notably surface in the form of paternalism as demonstrated through Creons government, highlighting the importance of gender roles throughout the play. Therefore, analyzing the motif of gender roles and its effect on the definition of justice through the perspectives of Ismene, Antigone, and Creon enables the audience to understand how Sophocles macroscopic analogy to humanitysRead MoreAntigone by Sophocles622 Words   |  3 PagesIn the playwright Antigone by Sophocles, the characters reveal their values while exposing a life lessons through their actions, dialogue, thoughts ,and effects on others. Antigone starts with two brothers, Eteocles and Polyneices, being killed at battle. Creon, the king of Thebes, declares that Eteocles’ death will be h onored and Polyneices’ dishonored. He instead will lay unburied to become the food of animals. When the play opens, Antigone takes Ismene, Antigone and Ismene are sisters of the dead

The Odyssey Thesis Paper on Mens Lust for Power - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 6 Words: 1908 Downloads: 4 Date added: 2017/09/14 Category Advertising Essay Did you like this example? In Homer’s mythological epic: The Odessey the reader follows what is thought to be a story of a courageous soldier and his battle hardened crew fresh from their victory at the stronghold of Troy. Yet a dark shadow of greed and lust for power hangs over these heroic men. Odysseus is a supposed hero, an icon to all his men who are just as power hungry as he is thought to be heroic. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "The Odyssey: Thesis Paper on Mens Lust for Power" essay for you Create order Nevertheless at the time of Greek mythology all men had a level of lust, greed, and power hunger at their side. This ultimately leads to their downfall in suffering or death. At the beginning of Odysseus’ journey to his homeland of Ithaca, we find our so-called hero arriving with his warship on the southwestern coast of Thrace, home of the Cicones. The description of the battle is entirely from Odysseus’ massive ego: â€Å"I stormed that place and killed the men who fought†¦Plunder we took, and we enslaved the woman equal shares to all†¦my men were mutinous, fools, on stores of wine† (152, 896), indicating that he was the brave and victorious soldier and while his crew acted more towards savages. Yet Odysseus’ command over his soldiers reflect on himself, making him no better than them. Once sailing from Thrace and then to the island of the Lotus people, the miscreant finds himself on the island of the Cyclops, Polyphemus. On this barbaric island Odysseus’ famed curiosity, which is one of his most dreadful and distinctive characteristics that is an example of his lust: â€Å"It is Odysseus’ famed curiosity that leads him to the Cyclops’s cave† (Italics, 899). This particular characteristic only leads to the destruction of the crew. Odysseus’ curiosity is not alone; his habit of flexing military supremacies is afoot. It alone is an example of his power hunger: â€Å"you were put to shame and blinded, tell him Odysseus, raiders of cities, you’re your eye: Leartes’ son, whose home’s on Ithaca! † (503, 908), and eventually contributes to his downfall as well as his crew. Odysseus makes numerous unwise decisions that may not hurt him physically or mentally, but his crew will suffer a dreadful death in the process. In his urge for power, Odysseus makes an unwise decision. By telling of who he is and where he hails from, Odysseus has given Polyphemus a sign of retribution and lets out a cry: â€Å"Let him lose all companions, and return under strange sail to bitter days as home† (537, 909). His father and foe of Odysseus, Lord Poseidon, hear this last cry. And due to this cry Lord Poseidon executes his revenge on Odysseus for his heinous crim. After most of Odysseus’ crew escapes the dreadful Cyclops, he directs his crew to the island home of the manipulate witch, Circe. Here on this island, Odysseus expresses his lust for beautiful woman: â€Å"Odysseus shares his meat and wine, and she restores his heart†¦after many seasons of feasting and other pleasures† (Italic, 913); this leads to a betrayal of his faithful wife, Penelope. Odysseus does not only betray Penelope, but he also delays his journey home to Ithaca by two long and forgetful years. After the two pleasant and unfaithful years with Circe, Odysseus and his crew wish to leave her island and act like cowards doing so: â€Å"Odysseus and his men beg Circe to help them get home† (Italic, 913). Circe tells Odysseus that his crew will all die with him to live, but also tells Odysseus if he ventures alone to the underworld he will seek wisdom form the blind prophet Teiresias. Here Odysseus sees his power hunger, greed and lust, with no thought of what is being said to him. He only thinks of what awaits him home. Once returning from the underworld, Odysseus is told of a path that will lead him to Ithaca, but at a great cost. A violent and destructive death will fall upon the crew that is done by Odysseus’s leadership. To distract the crew from their demise; he fills their hearts with joy of seeing their homeland. Odysseus’ lust blinds him, and because of this he tells few crew members of the gruesome fate that awaits them all: â€Å"more than one man, or two, should know those things†¦we die with our eyes open, or know death we baffle if we can† (720, 918). Odysseus’ lusts for his home, wife and son so much, that he will risk himself and his crew for it. As the ships moves closer to the sirens, Odysseus puts beeswax in the crew’s ears to keep them from hearing the song of the Sirens, but does not do so himself. However, lust takes over and he lies to the crew of what Teiresias has predicted: â€Å"yet she urged that I alone should listen to the song† (726, 918). With no thought of what will happen to them, the gullible crew trusts their commander and continues to make preparations for their doom. As the ship passes through the path Odysseus can only think of Ithaca, when staring into the eyes of his dieing crew. Now on the island where the sun god’s cattle graze, Odysseus knows that it has been said that his crew will die here. Odysseus thinks he can change that. By making his crew swear not to touch Helios cattle, he thinks his crew will live to see Ithaca. Yet after a month there was no more food or wine for the men. Hunger came over and over again and began to weaken the crew. With Odysseus asleep the crew decided to eat the cattle. While feasting on them, Odysseus awoke to the fate of his crew unfolding in front of him. Instead of taking action and tiring to save his crew, Odysseus can only think of blaming the gods: â€Å"‘O Father Zeus and gods bliss forever, you made me sleep away this day of mischief! † (915, 924). The sun god, Helios sees his cattle being slaughtered and tells Zeus if he did not strike Odysseus’ men, he will leave for the underworld forever. Once the Ithacans set sail, a lightning bolt shot from the heavens and hit the ship. All of the crew, except Odysseus, drowns to their death. Here Odysseus’ suffering begins Ten years latter, with Odysseus as a prisoner on the island home to the beautiful goddess, Calypso. Nevertheless his lust for Penelope has transformed into a lust for any woman: â€Å"he lay with her each night, for she compelled him† (83, 892), no matter what the cost, Odysseus’s lust will be answered. Hermes then delivers a message from Zeus to Calypso for the release of Odysseus. Odysseus is then released and sets sail for Ithaca, but Lord Poseidon does not allow him to escape so easily. As Odysseus brasses the violent storm his raft is destroyed and with the help of Athena, he arrives on the island of Scheria. After some time he is then found by the daughter of Alcinous, king of Phaeacia. She takes him to the court of Alcinous. Here Odysseus becomes even more power hungry as he tries to gain authority and respect among the people:   â€Å"Men hold me formidable for guile in peace and war: this fame has gone to the sky’s rim† (128, 895), and during this speech of Odysseus’s heroic he know much is a lie. Power can come in many forms. This form of power that is presented by Odysseus is fear and respect. In secret, Odysseus returns to Ithaca aboard a Phaeacia ship. When he finally arrives home after twenty long years it is the same day his son returns from his yearlong journey. When he meets his son an emotion of betrayal slips into his mind. Odysseus hides it, but can recall everything. Athena cleverly changes his appearance into an old beggar. Odysseus is now able to walk around Ithaca in plain site. He sees what the Suitors have done and planes to exact his revenge. Lust drives him to this revenge and it will not stop. Odysseus finds a way to recapture his kingdom, and uses faithful servants to attack the Suitors. When the time came to make his move, the suitors where locked into a single chamber with Odysseus and Telemachus there as well. Here Odysseus shows an even darker side to his power hunger after some of the suitors plead for mercy: â€Å"Antinous was the ringleader, he whipped us on to do these things†¦spare you own people† (1269, 942), and with no compassion Odysseus murdered all that stood before. None of them where armed and held no threat against Odysseus. Odysseus then went on to see his faithful wife and to know that his power hunger and lust lead to all of his crew to die. The power hunger and lust of Odysseus’s crew is no better than Odysseus himself. The fist sign of power hunger is seen after Odysseus meets Aeolus and puts all of the stormy weather in a bag. Of course, once the crew see the bag, their greedy minds think it is treasure and wish to have it for themselves: â€Å"sailors open the bag†¦and the evil winds roar up into a hurricanes that blow the ships back† (Italic, 911). Power hunger surrounds the crew as they are but normal men and would take the heavens given the chance. Later on, the crew’s lust comes into affect and is seen of the island of the beautiful witch Circe. To see a young and beautiful woman filled their hearts with lust for her and so was a grave mistake: â€Å"no need for stealth: here’s a young weaver singing a pretty song to set the air†¦she flew at them with her long stick and shut them in a pigsty† (557, 912), and so they perished with their hideous transformation. The final blow to lead the crew to their watery graves takes place on the island of Thrinakia, home to the sun god, Helios. On the island, Odysseus trusts the crew and makes them swear to not touch the sun god’s cattle. Yet after some months, they have run out of supplies. Their hunger drives them to rash actions: â€Å"flayed each carcass†¦with strips of meat, were laid upon an open fire† (903, 924), death came upon them. The crew’s actions lead them to their death. Helios then told Zeus that if Odysseus’s crew where not punished, the he would leave for the underworld. Once seaborne Zeus struck the ship and sent all of them to their deaths. The last men that have given into their power hunger are the Suitors. The Suitors lived in the kingdom of Ithaca with their leader, Odysseus. Nevertheless, with Odysseus gone, the Suitors take advantage of his twenty years of appetence. Their treatment of Ithaca can be seen by the symbolic reference towards Odysseus faithful hound that has been beaten and abused. Yet, now Odysseus has returned and watches the Suitors abuse his king while he is unseen. The Suitors meet their demise after they are trapped in a room and killed by the Ithacan king All in all, power hunger, and lust feel upon Odysseus and his crew as well as the Suitors, all suffered for their own doing. The power hunger and greed has left theses men broken and punished for their arrogance. This shows that the men of the Odyssey have suffered for their power hunger and lust. In suffering or death, they have paid for their greedy souls.