Arabic culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Arabic culture - Essay Example Geography plays a vital role in forcing the Arabs to opt for long dresses which cover the entire body. It should be noted that Middle East is perhaps the hottest region in this earth. Because of the proximity of deserts, the atmospheric temperature in most of the Middle Eastern countries is in the range of 35 to 45 degree Celsius during the majority of the months in a year. In order to escape from extreme heat, Arabs use long white cloths and head covers. White colour has the ability to reflect heat whereas black colour has the ability to absorb heat. That is why Arabs mostly interested in white dresses. Arabs normally like non-vegetarian foods because of their geographical peculiarities. Fishing is a traditional revenue source for Arabs because since most of the Arab countries are located near the seashores. It is difficult for the Arabs to grow vegetables in open air because of the extreme heat and humid conditions. So, historically, they included items like fish, meat, egg etc mor e in their dishes. In fact vegetarian foods are expensive in the Arab world compared to the non-vegetarian foods. In short, geography has influenced Arab food habits very much. â€Å"Black tea is the most common drink among Arab world, usually the Lipton brand name. You can also find a delicious tea made from hibiscus flowers - zouhourat. This tea has a light yellow colour and a delicate, flowery flavour† (Syrian Drinks: Repast in a Teacup). Sulaimani (Black tea) is the major drink among Arab people.

Thomas Cook Essay Example for Free

Thomas Cook Essay Introduction Thomas Cook is the current leader in the UK transport industry. Thomas Cook is a huge organization employing 11,000 people and serving more than 4 million customers annually. After being acquired by CN Touristic AG in 2000, it was discovered that their travel business was not only unprofitable but facing significant losses. Something had to be done and in face of stiff competition, any strategy devised needed to be implemented as soon as possible. Executives saw that the task however was too complicated and extensive to be handled by Thomas Cook alone. This is where Accenture comes in. Accenture is primarily a research organization. With extensive experience in practically every industry, Accenture has become a brand many firms feel proud to be associated with. As per its website, ‘Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company with net revenues of US$16.65 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2006.’ Accenture has been expanding its offerings and capitalizing on evolving management trends and technologies. Its main services revolve around systems integration and business integration and deployment of enterprise resource planning, customer relationship management and electronic services. Thus Accenture over the years has established itself as a leader in todays global marketplace. Thomas Cook was thus in an urgent need of not only a solution but also an expert implementer of the solution which they found in Accenture. Accenture with its extensive experience in the IT and travel industry along with cutting edge research became the perfect choice for Thomas Cook and resulted in a profitable partnership for both. Analysis Thomas Cook, instead of outsourcing its IT and business requirements to Accenture completely formed a partnership. A partnership is more than just a contract. On the business to business transaction continuum, transactions are the simplest form of exchange between two businesses. Contracts define a specific time period of a service or product being provided with specific fees. An outsourcing is more of a contract than a partnership with the provider firm charging for services over a period of time. In a partnership however, interest of both parties are at stake and this is exactly what is happening here. Accenture not only shares in Thomas Cook’s profits but also puts itself at a risk of losing money. Thus a co sourcing agreement differs from a normal outsourcing one in this way that both parties mutually proceed to achieve specific goals rather than one being the service receiver and the other charging for it. The new system at Thomas Cook was enabled and setup completely by Accenture. A turnaround strategy was implemented over a period of time to do so. We will now analyze the new system using two popular methods of analysis namely SWOT and Porters Five Forces model. SWOT Analysis of Thomas Cook Strengths: Thomas Cook is a widely recognized and accepted brand worldwide and a large organization with a widespread network of travel agents resulting in a wide reach. Along with this, it has over the years developed 10 tourism brands. These brands should be treated as assets and nurtured further to gain profits. Its large customer base too contributes to its success and has been the main reason behind its long sustainability. Accenture too itself is a respected brand and a global leader in the field of change management and outsourcing facilities. Since a partnership benefits both arties, Thomas Cook has benefited a lot from not only Accenture’s expertise but also due to their status in the research and IT industry. Weaknesses: The sheer size of the firm can be seen by some as a weakness. The number of staff too is too high and Thomas Cook could look into this matter and find that they probably need downsizing as well. Thomas Cook doesn’t seem to have paid enough attention to brand management. These brands should be treated as assets rather than just the name of a service they provide and by doing so they will realize higher brand equity resulting in customer loyalty and lifetime value. Opportunities: Thomas Cook had a major opportunity when it decided to move over to a completely IT enable business model and they grasped it. Further opportunities may include the option to bring all their systems online rather than just integrating them. Furthermore, other departments can be also be integrated within the current system resulting in a more IT oriented business model. Having an IT infrastructure also gives rise to opportunities such as partnering with other firms in the industry and linking with travel agents as well. Threats: major threats at this stage would be other firms emulating Thomas Cook or coming up with a more sophisticated and agile business model. Nowadays, market responsiveness is a major determining factor in a firm’s failure or success. More adaptive firms can give Thomas Cook a hard time in the market arena. Moreover, any firm realizing the above stated opportunities and seizing them before Thomas Cook can prove as major threat to Thomas Cook as well. Other brands existing in the market can also be seen as threats. These results can be used by Thomas Cook as inputs to the creative generation of possible strategies, by asking and answering the following four questions: How to Use each Strength? How to Stop each Weakness? How to Exploit each Opportunity? How to Defend against each Threat? Thomas Cook according to Porters Five Forces model The Five Forces model developed by Porter can be used to analyze the current industry and its effects on Thomas Cook. Existing Competition: Thomas Cook should look at the existing competition within its industry (and indirect competition as well). By doing so, they should realize where they stand in terms of the industry standard and how they can increase this gap between themselves and the competition. This would result in higher profits and greater lead time. Competition will also not be able to ‘cherry pick’ Thomas Cooks customers and lag behind them. Threat of Substitutes: a major threat to a firm in any given industry is when the competition starts emulating and selling its products. This results in customers transferring to the other offerings (depending on their propensity to transfer). Thomas Cook here has the edge due to the brands it owns. Brands position themselves uniquely in the minds of the customers and thus increase their loyalty whilst decreasing the chances of transferring to another product. Thomas Cook should devise a marketing strategy centered around promoting not only its brands but also its corporate image. IT systems in this regard can be used by implementing a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system to asses consumer needs. This will not only cater their needs but also set the bar higher for competition. Threat of New Entrants: Thomas Cook, by partnering with Accenture and deploying a state of the IT system has already set high standards in the industry. This has resulted in barriers to entry for new firms. Each new firm entering will have to think twice due to the high investment required now to set up an IT infrastructure and then operate within the industry. They should however be mindful of entrants with strong financial backing who would be willing to invest more than Thomas Cook already has. Such entrants can be further deterred by setting up more barriers by enhancing the IT infrastructure even more. Moreover, Thomas Cook can become the leader and by doing so set newer and higher standards which will be hard to achieve not only for new entrants but current competitors as well. Bargaining Power of: Supplier: Since being in the travel industry, Thomas Cooks main suppliers are airlines and the raw materials which go into operating them. Petroleum prices have risen considerably and thus suppliers of petroleum have a high bargaining power. Along with this, suppliers of airplane maintenance products too enjoy a strong bargaining power as their products are highly specialized and industry specific. One factor however has been the decline in air travel which could have resulted in a decrease in supplier bargaining power. Buyer: Consumers are well aware nowadays of the various services offered to them by the various firm in the industry. Consumers nowadays have many choices, customization options, free offerings etc. to lure them and garner their loyalties. This makes it harder to deal with. Furthermore, their fickle demands require a firm to be very agile in order to fulfill them. This has resulted in an increase in the customers buying power. No wonder the whole economy is moving towards a customer oriented approach rather than the old product oriented approach that existed a few decades ago. Thomas cook thus should be mindful of this and strive to keep its customers from transferring to other service providers via newer and better offerings. Thomas Cook’s IT solution is not unique when it comes to the actual technology implemented. The uniqueness lies in the fact that they were able to not only implement a system in such a short time (considering the sheer size of the firm) but also the fact that they realized huge cost reductions and profits within a short period of time. In IT systems of such caliber, the major issues pertain to the actual transition phase and gatting existing employees to accept the changes. Thomas Cook not only successfully implemented in the wake of the 9/11 catastrophe but managed to make a smooth transition from a disparate, loss prone organization to a smooth running, integrated one with higher returns. Co-sourcing and Outsourcing In the Thomas Cook case, not only was a new system implemented but a whole organizational culture was turned around. This could not have been possible without the key input of an expert firm in this regard like Accenture. Thomas Cook realized this in the very beginning and went ahead with the decision to co source the strategy with Accenture. The question here arises as to why co sourcing rather than the conventional outsourcing? Outsourcing, as the name suggest, technically means to allot ones non-core business function(s) to an external organization which is an expert in that field. Example could include the various U.S. firms outsourcing IT services to firms in India who have the skill set and expertise to develop software solutions. The need to outsource can arise due to various factors. The most obvious reason to outsource is usually a step towards cost cutting and ‘shedding off’ unnecessary responsibilities thus enabling a firm to concentrate on its core competencies. Apart from this, outsourcing to other countries (off shoring) is seen as a major cost cutting method due to the cheap labor available than ones own country. Cosorucing in the Thomas Cook case is more of a partnering strategy than an outsourcing one. In this, two or more firms decide to get together and work towards a common goal, with both benefiting form the others expertise. Unlike a partnership however, the scope is usually different. In a full fledged partnership, employees from both firms get together as teams (strategic alliance) and add their expertise to develop products and services to maximize profits or to become industry leaders. In a co sourcing alliance, a number of employees only (Accenture employees) get together with the other firms employees (Thomas Cook) to assist them in non core activities. Unlike outsourcing where both firms are separated and work independently from one another, co sourcing allows sets of employees from both firms to work together to achieve organizational objectives. Both methods have their own pros and cons. Outsourcing is currently the hype and the best strategy to cut down costs. Doing so enables a firm to keep its costs low and concentrate on its core activities. Opponents of these strategies however state that product quality drops due to lack of standardization of labor employed and security issues can also arise due to transfer of sensitive data. In co sourcing, one does not see these disadvantages. The reason being that both firms share from the firms overall success and thus both equally strive to develop improved products and services. The main problem with co sourcing however is the sharing of sensitive data which if revealed to competitors can spell disaster to a firm. Apart from this, partnering firms can have different ideas as to the direction where the business should go towards. Employees can also pose a major problem here especially if they are not willing t accept the changes and see the other firm as outsiders. In the end, it is matter of trust and cohesion and this can only be achieved if both firms clearly lay down the gorudn rules and work towards their respective incentives with one playing the role of the leader and the other the facilitator (as Thomas Cook is being facilitated but not lead by Accenture). Alternative Strategies The current strategy seems to work pretty well for Thomas Cook. They could have however spent a little more time and devised a better strategy. Some suggestions are: Re-engineering is a good way to asses current business processes and improve them by setting up better and more efficient ones. Since a change management strategy was used, Thomas Cook could also have taken a good look at current business processes and implemented new ones. In the current strategy, a new IT system has just been implemented over the current practices. Number of employees and the ratio with the HR personnel should be maintained. Industry standards should be researched and then Thomas Cook can adjust accordingly. Current employees can also be trained and not all should be entrusted to another firm. Transfer of knowledge over the years could have also resulted in current employees gaining enough knowledge to run the system themselves. Although Thomas Cook has co sourced with Accenture, in the long run an outsourcing strategy would have proven more profitable. Since Accenture is now a partner and sharing in profits rather than working at a certain fees, it makes sense to assess and reevaluate whether outsourcing would be more profitable or the current strategy is still better. Thomas Cook implemented this strategy at its headquarters so far. It should also be keen on implementing in other locations and integrate them as one whole. Opportunities and Risks of Virtualization Virtualization reveals many opportunities for a firm. It not only affects the internal environment of a firm but also has lasting effects on the external environment. Increase in profitability, efficiency and improved service to customers are all seen in most of the projects implemented. There are some risks however which have to be assessed: High risk of failure associated with projects of such magnitude. Employee acceptance. Cost effectiveness. Proper usage of the system Integration and proper maintenance of system. Maintenance of backups. Change of requirements and expansion of system. Handling affects on internal and external environment. Thomas Cook will need to conduct a context analysis to assess the real scope of changes the system has and will cause in the future. In doing so, not only will they able to fully asses the risks associated but also the obvious benefits such as realization of profits, efficiency, cost cutting and hidden benefits such as competitive advantage, customer relationships and deterrent to new entrants. Pervious analysis has already revealed the advantages of this system and strengths of Thomas Cook. What now needs to be done is eliminate the threats and overcome weaknesses along with enhancing the strengths and translating them into larger profits. References: Accenture, retrieved 10 January 2007, http://www.accenture.com/home/default.htm?viewType=Flash BEA Systems Inc., 2005. Turning IT Vision Into Business Value, retrieved 10 January 2007, http://www.bea.com/content/news_events/white_papers/BEA_Vision_Reality.pdf Business Integration Journal, Integration Appliances: Deliver Application Integration Projects in Days, retrieved 10 January 2007, http://www.bijonline.com/redir.cfm?type=whitepaperid=7 Business Integration Journal, Web Integration Technical Whitepaper retrieved 10 January 2007, http://www.bijonline.com/redir.cfm?type=whitepaperid=10 Business Integration Journal, Why Application Automation Should Be Part of IT Infrastructure, retrieved 10 January 2007, http://www.bijonline.com/redir.cfm?type=whitepaperid=12 Business Process Co-sourcing: Imperative, Historically Inevitable, Ready to Go. 2004, retrieved 10 January 2007, http://www.peterkeen.com/recent/articles/cosourci.htm Compensation Management Co-sourcing: A new way to achieve Strategic Compensation Success 200, retrieved 10 January 2007, http://www.mercerhr.com/compensationcosourcing Context Analysis, retrieved 10 January 2007, http://changingminds.org/disciplines/change_management/diagnosing_change/context_analysis.htm Co-sourcing vs Outsourcing: No Substantive Difference 2003 retrieved 10 January 2007, http://www.ciol.com/content/search/showarticle1.asp?artid=44524 ICMBA Inc., 2004. SWOT Analysis, retrieved 10 January 2007, http://www.quickmba.com/strategy/swot Compensation Management Co-sourcing: A new way to achieve Strategic Compensation Success 200, retrieved 10 January 2007, http://www.mercerhr.com/compensationcosourcing Context Analysis, retrieved 10 January 2007, http://changingminds.org/disciplines/change_management/diagnosing_change/context_analysis.htm Co-sourcing vs Outsourcing: No Substantive Difference 2003 retrieved 10 January 2007, http://www.ciol.com/content/search/showarticle1.asp?artid=44524 Fabio Casati, Angela Discenza. Modeling and Managing Interactions among Business Processes.Journal of Systems Integration, Volume 10, Number 1, April 2001. Hoon Seong Leem, Bumyong Oh. Evaluating Information Strategic Planning: An Evaluation System and Its Application, 2001, Journal of Systems Integration, Volume 10, Number 3, July 2001. Marketing Teacher, Five Forces Analysis retrieved 10 January 2007, http://marketingteacher.com/Lessons/lesson_fivefoces.htm Marketing Teacher, SWOT Analysis: Lesson. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunites and Threats (SWOT), retrieved 10 January 2007, http://marketingteacher.com/Lessons/lesson_swot.htm Usability Context Analysis, retrieved 10 January 2007, http://www.ucc.ie/hfrg/projects/respect/urmethods/usability.htm

A Midsummer Nights Dream Drama Essay

A Midsummer Nights Dream Drama Essay A point to consider before bringing the individual character interpretations into play is how to contextualise the performances within the text as a whole. In other words, the characters are not mutually exclusive entities, rather, they are interactive and woven into the landscape of the play. Therefore, I would like to propose a general outline for the overall performance. There are many ways to perform A Midsummer Nights Dream, and the way I choose will affect elements of the characters. There have been many performances of Shakespearean drama, where the play is brought into the modern day. I however, would like to perform the play in its classic setting. I would like the play to retain its archaic time setting. It is a very self-reflexive play it is a play about staging a play. This highlights the idea of drama at its root the reheasrsal and work that goes into a play. I would like to leave the play in an olden day setting because it consolidates the idea of drama being detached from life through its artifice, and the play being set in a by-gone era further consolidates the idea of detaching drama from everyday life. (a) The first character I would like to look at is Lysander. He refuses to yield to Demetriuss demand for Hermias hand, and risks the wrath of Theseus by eloping with Hermia. This demonstrates not only the depth of his feeling for Hermia, but also his conviction in his own beliefs, and the courage to carry out these beliefs. The comic arc of Lysanders performance hits its climax after Puck has sprinkled the love potion into his eyes and he falls in love with Helena. I would perform the character with some hyperbole at this point, in order to convey the comic element of the text to the audience. The idea of Lysander challenging Demetrius to a duel in order to win Helenas hand is an example of the excessive behaviour and heightened action that brings much of the comedy into the play. It is a humour that comes from the reversal of the natural order Helena has gone from being desperately in love with Demetrius and being scorned by him to being the object of both mens affection, for example. This reversal in the behaviour of Lysander is something Id like to highlight in performance. I think a change in demeanor, and in vocal qualities could highlight this. At the beginning of the play, Lysander is portrayed as a romantic hero. I would convey this to the audience through his appearance; ideally, the role would be filled by a tall, handsome man. I would like him to wear a costume of light material symbolising the innocence of the true lovers (Hermias description of themselves). As I would like to keep the play true to its chromatic origins, I would like Lysander to wear a type of Athenean costume, which he could change when he enters the wood. I would like all the characters to change their costumes when they enter the forest, to represent the immense change in their environment. I would like him to don a more earthy, swarthy coloured robe, such as green, to convey the pastoral environment to the audience. I would like to focus on how the character of Lysander should be performed during the sequence in which he challenges Demetrius to a duel. The interpretation that I would like to convey to the audience is one of escalating absurdity, which contributes to humour. This would be done through the props, delivery, vocal quality, paralinguistic features and a demonstration of how Lysander relates to Demetrius in this section: Lysander Helen, I love thee. By my life I do. I swear by that which I will lose for thee To prove him false that says I love thee not. Demetrius I say I love thee more than he can do. Lysander If thou say so, withdraw, and prove it too. (Scene III, Act II, lines 251-256) There is a strong sense of rhythm in these lines, and also rhyme, which contribute to the tension and sense of heightened action. I would like the actor to highlight the rhythm in his delivery. I would like Lysander to adopt a masculine stance, and to circle Dimitrius, expanding his movement around the stage, owning the stage, as it were, using the entire stage to convey to the audience that he feels he owns the space, as he prowls around it. Demetrius A character trait that emerges from the text is the point where he tells the infatuated Helena that when he says, Tempt not too much the hatred of my spirit;/For I am sick when I do look on thee. (Scene II Act I, lines 211-212). This utterance evokes a sense of his cruel nature, a pejorative view of Demetrius which is further consolidated when we examine the first first scene of the first act. When Lysander and Hermia are told that they cannot marry, Demetruis tells them they should let him have his certain right. (Scene I Act I line 92). There is subsequently a huge change in Demetruis when he falls back in love with Helena at the end of the play. This is indicative of a softening of his character a change which I feel should be represented visually in performance. In order to convey Demetruiss somewhat cruel, righteous nature to the audience, I think the actor should appropriate a certain demeanor. Body language could be used to demonstrate his confident, cocky side. For example, he could strut, use large gestures and also make use of all of the stage space exercising his self imposed right to the stage space in the same way that he wants to exercise his right to Hermias hand. I would like his costume to be dark colours such as a rich red and flamboyant design, to contrast with Lysanders. The vocal qualities should also demonstrate these traits. He only has two lines in scene I, act one, so it is very important how these are represented, as they will be the first impression the audience have of him. Demetriuss lines are: Relent, sweet Hermia; and, Lysander, yield Thy crazed title to my certain right. (Scene I, Act I, lines 91-92) The way in which this line is performed is very important. As the tormented lovers, the audience feels very strongly for Hermia and Lysander, to whom the presence of Demetrius is an invasive one. I would therefore also like to convey to the audience this sense of invasion. When Demetrius says, Relent, sweet Hermia I would like him to walk up to Hermia, and put his arm around her, caressing her with his other hand, turning them both away from Lysander. When he speaks to Lysander, Demetrius should keep his back to Lysander, but turn his head to face him, so that his line is like an aside, as if he does not respect him. The words crazed title should be accompanied by paralinguistic features, such as an outstretching arm to convey to the audience how much Demetrius does not want Lysander and Hermia to marry. Finally, the word my should be over emphasized to convey that Demetrius strongly feels that Hermia should be his, whether she loves him or not, because of the wishes of her father. His character, and especially his behaviour towards Helana changes at the end of the play. Whilst in the earlier stages of the play, he is confident, using large gestures and a lot of stage space, at the end of the play, I would like him to express a more tender side to the audience, to convey the development of his character: That we are awake? It seems to me That yet we sleep, we dream. Do not you think The duke was here, and bid us follow him? (Scene IV, Act I, lines 192-194) This line should be used to convey character development to the audience as it contrasts so strongly with his opening line the use of you in contrast to my for example. There is also a confusion in this utterance, which contrast with the confidence in the first lines. Helena At the beginning of the play, Helena is portrayed as hapless; the scorned lover who has been wooed by Demetrius and then ignored in favour of Hermia. However, like Demetrius, Helena demonstrates a massive character development and transformation. Like Lysander, the arc of her character trajectory reaches its crescendo after Puck has sprinkled the love potion in Lysander and Demetriuss eyes. When they both try to woo her, she feels they are mocking her, and gets angry. To best convey the transformation in her character between before and after the love potion has been dispensed, Id like to consider how vocal quality and demeanor can be used in two of her utterances: Call you me fair? That fair again unsay. Demetrius loves your fair. O happy fair! Sickness is catching. O, were favour so, Yours would I catch, fair Hermia, ere I go. O, teach me how you look, and with what art You sway the motion of Demetrius heart. (Scene I, Act I, lines 181-194) This except is from a long speech in which Helena proceeds to extol the virtues of Hermia, with whom Demetrius is infatuated. The key message I would like to convey to the audience from this speech is the idea that Helena is confused, upset and slightly jealous of Hermia. She is asking Hermia how she won the heart of Demetrius. In order to convey this dejection to the audience, I think the delivery of this speech should involve some rhetoric while Helena is asking Hermia how she wooed him, and saying how fair Hermia is, my interpretation of this speech is that it is a melancholy meditation on the loss of her love. She is not looking for external answers, rather internal answers, and so it is questions she is asking herself. This could be expressed to the audience by the character of Helena distancing her self physically from the group this would be a visual symbol of her isolation. Her demeanor and body language would be hunched and dejected, and her voice subdued and hushed The other speech that is a seminal moment in the performance of Helen is when she feels she is being mocked by the two men, and gets angry. Clearly her relationship with Demetrius is changed when he falls in love with her. While she may be unaware of it, the hierarchy of the relationship has been overturned, and she has now adopted a position of power. In her speech, she says: O spite! O hell! I see you are all bent To set against me for your merriment. If you were civil and knew courtesy You would not do me thus much injury. (Scene III, Act II, lines 145-148) This speech can be used to great effect to demonstrate the performance possibilities of this role. The demeanor and vocal qualities performing this speech would require differ hugely to the earlier one with a louder voice, delivery directed at the other characters and inflated body language required. Hermia Hermia is represented in the play as a strong, defiant young woman, prepared to take risks in order to fulfil her own desires. This is exemplified in her refusal to bow down to her fathers wish that she marry Demetrius. In the face of a death sentence, or life in a nunnery, she escapes with Lysander into the forest. Lysanders love for Hermia, along with Demetriuss desire, demonstrate that she is an attractive and desirable young woman. These are two important points Id like to consider when constructing the performance of Hermia. I would like to convey to the audience her inner strength and determination, alongside her physical attractiveness. The notion of physical attractiveness could be conveyed primarily through costume and appearance. As Hermia is clearly a woman of considerable charm (illustrated when Helena asks her what charm she used to capture Demetruiss heart), her costume should reflect this. As it is believed that she unwittingly won over Demetrius (this is an ambiguity in the text it is possible that Demetrius loves her because her father is so impressed by him) I would also like to impress upon the audience a sense of naivete and innocence. The obvious symbolic colour of this is white. White would also look striking under the stage lights. I would use floaty fabrics for the costumes, such as organza, to communicate the ethereal quality of not only Hermia herself, but also the forest, and the magic contained within it. When Hermia leaves Athens and escapes to the forest, I would like her to adopt a robe over her dress, of green, to convey to the audience, through her change in costume, that a change is impending in the play. While the charm and beauty of the character of Hermia will be communicated visually, the inner strength and courage that I interpret as being key elements of her character, will be communicated through her demeanor. It is commonly understood in the study of body language that confident people stand up straight, unlike shy people, who hunch up, in a subconscious decision to take up less space. In this way, stage space becomes an important indicator of personality. I have mentioned before that I would, at certain points in the text like characters to use the whole space of the stage to convey a sense of confidence. I would like the performance of Hermia to adopt a comfortable use of the entire stage space. More specifically, I would like to refer to one speech that I feel is very important in the text, in Scene I, Act I, when Hermia is talking to Theseus with regards to her desire to marry Lysander: So will I grow, so live, so die, my lord, Ere I will yield my virgin patent up Unto his lordship whose unwished yoke My soul consents not to give soveregnity. (Scene I, Act I, lines 79-82) This speech is an important point at the text because Hermia makes clear her intentions to avoid marriage to Demetrius. It is a very dramatic, sensitive piece. This speech should be delivered with intensity, to convey to the audience the depth of Hermias feelings for Lysander. The performance should include some paralinguistic features such as moving around the stage, facial expressions and hand movements to express her feelings visually. Theseus My understanding of Theseus is that he is a very complex character there is conflicting evidence in the text as to his true nature. There is one utterance in the text that brings up questions regarding his true nature, when he is talking to Hippolyta and he says that: Hippolyta, I wooed thee with my sword, And won thy love doing thee injuries; But I will wed thee in another key: (Scene I, Act I, lines 16-18) My interpretation of this line is that Theseus raped Hippolyta. The implications of this in terms of how the character should be performed are vast. In much of the text, Theseus is represented as a pensive, thoughtful man. He kindly advises Hermia to Take time to pause (Scene I, Act I, line 83) when discussing the situation with her father Egeus. This scene presents him as rational and kindly. The suggestion of rape in line 16 makes the line highly important, the suggestion I would like to convey to the audience is the idea that Theseus is warning Hippolyta. In bringing the issue of the rape to the forefront, he is reminding her of the power balance in their relationship. There is also possibly some penitence in this admission. This could be communicated to the audience through the use of certain vocal qualities, demeanor and stage space. Back to: Example Essays I would like Theseuss sense of power to be conveyed to the audience in a visual way, so he would deliver this speech standing, and walking around, whilst the character of Hippolyta would be sitting down. The discrepancy in their heights would be a visual representation of the hierarchy, which would further consolidate what Theseus was saying. This is such a patriarchal power play that props could be used to represent a sense of phallocentricity such as a sceptre a regal and phallic symbol. The use of this prop could convey to the audience my interpretation of Theseus as being the patriarchal and dominant force in the opening of the play. His kingdom is run on a set of rigid rules for example, Egeus invoking the ancient law of Athens as Hermia wants to marry Lysander. This is in stark contrast to the forest the mysterious, feminine arena which is the binary opposite of Athens. In terms of demeanor, Theseus should be calm, and considered in his movements. I would like his costume to be of dark colours, and of neat, clean lines. This operates in contrast to Hermias costume the white of her costume is a symbol of innocence while the dark of Theseuss costume is aligned with the dark side he hints at in this speech.

Role Of Sport In Modern Society Cultural Studies Essay

Role Of Sport In Modern Society Cultural Studies Essay The importance of sport in modern society Development of mass sports and its place in modern society is a topical issue of great importance. Popularization of physical culture, sports and healthy lifestyle plays an important role in society in any country. Mass sport is the basis of professional sport, the condition of physical perfection of the younger generations. Professional sport allows, by identifying individual opportunities and abilities of each person in a particular area of sports activity (through increased specialization and individualization of the training process), to achieve maximum, record sporting results. Records in professional sport, winning the official international, national and other sporting events, creates a moral incentive to the development of mass sports. Speaking about the role of sport in modern society, it can be argued that sport is a continuous social experiment, in which mankind showsits potential, accumulating and improving human capital, expanding its potential. Sports, by performing developmental, educational, patriotic, communicative function, integrates and coordinates individuals and social groups, helps the nation to develop.The sport system is directly connected with the subsystems of health, science, culture, upbringing and education. Sport has a significant impact on the socio-economic and political processes of any modern society. It is quite natural that nowadays complex socio-economic, psychological and ecological situation in the world is placing new demands to various sectors of public life, including in such kind of human activity as a sport. First of all, it should be noted that even today the problem of promotion of various types of physical culture and sport among diverse populations. It is obvious, that systematic sport activity and various kinds of physical exercises in a variety of ways will enhance the general resistance of people organism to the modern diverse effects of various kinds.Particularly important this problem is for young generation due to a significant decline in physical health among young people, spread among them of diseases, that threatens the economic, intellectual and social stability of our society in very near future.In this regard, government propaganda of healthy lifestyle and sport takes a special place in the process of development of modern mass sport. (Nicholson, 2008) SOCIAL ROLE OF SPORT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIETY Sport is an important social phenomenon in all levels of modern society, providing a large impact on key areas of social life: it affects national relations, business life, social status, fashion forms, ethical values, peoples lifestyle. In support of this thesis we can remember the quote of some athlete sports today is a major social factor, that is able to resist the invasion of cheap culture and bad habits. (Nicholson, 2008) Indeed, the phenomenon of sport has a powerful socialization force. Politicians have long considered the national sport as a hobby, able to unite the community with a unified national idea, filled with a kind of ideology, peoples desire to succeed, to win. In the U.S., for example, in the 60s, sport, becoming a national passion, that was declared as a model of American society, and since 70 80-s the sport in the U.S. has become the second religion, believed by most Americans. Important role in promoting the sport played media, that helped to overcome the so-called psychological barrier in public attitudes to physical activity. Sports as social phenomena ischaracterized by a specific cultural and general cultural function. That first include such functions as development of physical abilities, the satisfaction of social and natural needs in motor activity and optimization of the physical state and health, physical development, improves physique, helps to prevent and reduce the large number of diseases. Sport, being one of the most important means of enhancing human health, physical development and improvement, it also has a significant positive impact on his spiritual world, his attitude, emotions, moral principles, aesthetic tastes, promoting harmonious development of personality.Modern sport is also important in the development of contacts between people, not only within one country, but also internationally, playing a significant role in deepening mutual understanding between peoples,helps to create a climate of trust and peace. Therefore, the sport is closely connected with the mental, moral, aesthetic, communicative, and other spheres of culture, in this regard is integral component of peopleà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s social life.This refers to the specific cultural and general cultural functions of sport, and also socioculturalfunctions. (McPherson 1989) Firstly, it is necessary to mention acompetitive function, which expresses the socio-cultural nature of sport. It includes several critical aspects of the sport, both the creative activity of the athletes and the formation of necessary volitional qualities, and the exchange of sport results of experience and achievements, as well as other factors. In fact, the social phenomenon of the competition characterizes the sport as a form of intense social activity. As an initial form of athletic relations, any match for a person is a struggle, that requires a stress limit of strenght and abilities. The search for limit of human capabilities always sends an athlete on the path of continuous development and progress of physical and spiritual strength. Different sportevents like matches and competitions illustrate and compare variety of sporting achievements and results, show athletesà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢ work on systematic training and self-improvement. In other words, it is obvio us that without knowledge and consideration of social and cultural processes in modern society, it is impossible to ensure athletes or sports team participation. Another aspect of the competitive function lies in strong-willed training of athletes and sports teams. Indeed, sport competitionshelpto developsuch socially important traits as dedication, perseverance, determination, courage, endurance, initiative, independence and self-control, so necessary for high achievement in competitions, as well as in everyday life.Named aspect complements the one more function as real exchange of experience of techniques of sports training between the individual athletes, sports teams, national teams. The object of exchange can be also sports titles, the technique of sports activity, forms of organization of sports and athletic work. Finally, in competitive function sports fully present its creative aspect that is associated primarily with the harmonic development of personality of sportsman. The second important function of sport is communicative function, which contribute to the enrichment of personality in the communication process. Aspect of communication in sports lies in those relations in which the athlete comes from society and its institutions, with the coaches, other athletes and sports fans.Communicative function also includes aspects of the prestige associated with the desire to self-affirmation and recognition, helps tobring-up children and teenagers, as a natural mean of isolating youth from the harmful influence of the street. Experience clearly shows that sport is one of the most effective mean of re-education, providing opportunities for the realization of energy, initiative, creativity and physical abilities, for leadership and competition in a healthy manner. Some of the problems of sport in modern society We are glad tolive in the times of the Olympic movement, which aims participation in building a peaceful and better world, through education of youth through sport, in a spirit of Olympism and without any discrimination. This requires us to a friendly understanding, solidarity and fair play Juan Antonio Samaranch . We can say that sport is a mirror which, in accordance with its objectives and the activity, reflects the basic values of society, without exerting an active influence on them. The historical process of organized sports movement about a century shows that in Western countries prerequisites for fast development of sport are based on contemporary social changes.The very emergence of high competitiveness in the sport was a reflection of a competitive society, associated with liberal thinking. A national physical culture reflects the basic trends of the values of society, and international sporting life is a barometer of international politics. Modern sport is also a microcosm of modern society, and therefore the most important problems of modern sport are similar to the basic problems of modern society, such as sexual, ethnic and racial discrimination, crime and deception, control of violence, drug use, gambling, alcoholism, environmental protection social, political and international relations, etc. also sport can be a cohesive force in society, which actively supports the social order and its values, as well as the power structure within which it operates. This thesis includes the fact that sport can be used as instrument by the government, it can easily be used to implement the objectives of social power. The past and recent events of our time show those multiple ways in which sport is usually used in national and supranational interests. (Coalter 2008) The first example is China. After the policies of Mao of the closed door , his successor Deng Xiao-ping tried to improve the image of the country using the sporting achievements in international competitions, as he and his administration believed that success in sport was an important factor in achieving international recognition. Ping pong diplomacy of China is a well-known example of how sport was used as a tool for establishing relations with other countries (Luo, 1995). But similar examples can be applied to the post-socialist countries and the countries of the capitalist world. Cases of boycotts, which are often used in connection with the most important international competitions, Olympic Games, are the result of totalitarization of sport (this term was used by KaleviHeinila), which has become an important tool in the Cold War. (Heinila 1982) An analysis of national forms of physical training can show how closely sport associated with the development of the nation. Studies can clearly showthe relationship of competitive sports with militancy and violence in society, and that competitive sports increase the belligerence (warlike) of social system. Also sport as an integral part of the dialectics of international relations, it can be used as a mean of strengthening the political power, but on the other hand, as an effective instrument for strengthening mutual understanding of nations, as sport has an opportunity to consolidate peace, especially in times of international tension, it can help to stabilize international relations as part of cultural exchange. Conclusion Modern sport is multifaceted, differentiated, and it is able to satisfy the most diverse needs of individuals and society in the field of sports. However, it has conflicting characteristics , which generates a dual attitude towards it: some see the sport as a source of health, disability, method of improving persons character, of expanding the boundaries of human capabilities; others note the negative impact of sport on physical health and personality traits. Positive or negative impact of sport on the individual and society depends not only on the sport itself, but on the appropriateness of different aims and forms of sports activities, the socio-economic level of society, from a particular system of moral education, sports related activities.Thus, we have attempted to show the place and main trends of modern sport, which is characterized by both positive and negative trends that require further analysis, reflection and solving.

Blind Ambition in Mary Shelleys Frankenstein Essay -- Frankenstein es

Blind Ambition in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein Mary Shelley, the renowned author of Frankenstein, explores the consequences of man and monster chasing ambition blindly. Victor Frankenstein discovered the secret that allowed him to create life. His understanding of how bodies operated and the science of human anatomy enabled him to make this discovery and apply it to the creation of his monster. Walton wished to sail to the arctic because no sailor has ever reached it. The monster was created against his will, his ambition was to avenge his creation as a hideous outcast. These three characters were all driven by the same blind ambition. After Frankenstein discovered the source of human life, he became wholly absorbed in his experimental creation of a human being. Victor's unlimited ambition, his desire to succeed in his efforts to create life, led him to find devastation and misery. "...now that I have finished, the beauty of the dream had vanished..." (Shelley 51). Victor's ambition blinded him to see the real dangers of his project. This is because ambition is like a madness, which blinds one self to see the dangers of his actions. The monster after realizing what a horror he was demanded that victor create him a partner. "I now also began to collect the materials necessary for my new creation, and this was like torture..." (Shelley 169). Victor's raw ambition, his search for glory, has left him. His eyes have been opened to see his horrible actions, and what have and could become of his creations. As a result, Victor has realized that he is creating a monster, which could lead to the downfall of manki nd. His choice is simple, save his own life or save man. The monster was created against his wi... ...the downfall of Frankenstein and the monster. Frankenstein found the secret to life, though he applies his gained knowledge and ambition to his own selfish goals, which wind up destroying him and those closest to him. Walton has something in common with Frankenstein; his ambition to achieve something that no man has ever accomplished before. The difference between Victor and Walton is tat Walton decides to turn back. The monster on the other hand never wanted any fame or glory; his ambition was motivated by the thirst for revenge. Ultimately even Frankenstein, on his deathbed, realized the harsh consequences of his actions. Victor states, "Seek happiness in tranquility, and avoid ambition..." (Shelley 229). Work Cited Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus. Edited with an Introduction and notes by Maurice Hindle. Penguin books, 1992

Late Adulthood Essay -- essays research papers

Late Adulthood (age 60 – 80)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  During this closing period in the life span of human beings, people tend to â€Å"move away† from previous more desirable periods often known as â€Å"usefulness†.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Age sixty is usually considered the dividing line between middle and old age. It is the time where you are considered an â€Å"elderly†- meaning somewhat old or advanced beyond middle age. Period of decline – comes partly from physical and partly psychological factors. The physical cause of decline is a change in the body cells due to the effects of the aging process. The psychological cause of decline has something to do with unfavorable attitudes towards oneself, other people, work and life in general. Senility – (â€Å"senile†) a more or less complete physical breakdown takes place and when there is mental disorganization. The individual becomes eccentric, careless, absentminded, socially withdrawn, and poorly adjusted.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Social Attitudes toward the Old Age – due to the unfavorable social attitudes toward the elderly, treatment towards them in America, unlike other cultures, result in making them feel no longer useful, unwanted and more of a nuisance than an asset. People who come from countries where respect for the elderly is customary usually treat elder people with more consideration and respect. Old People as â€Å"second class citizens† – a status that excludes them to some extent from interaction with other groups in the population and which gives them little to no power in society. (Again a result from unfavorable social attitudes). Changes in Roles – from an active life having purpose and roles, even sometimes multiple roles, it is expected that old people will play a decreasingly less active role in social and community affairs as well as in the business and professional worlds. Because of the reduction in the number of roles the elderly person is able to play, the person will develop feelings of inferiority and resentment. Physical changes – the most obvious sings of aging are centered in the face although sometimes medical advancements have come up with ways to cover signs of aging, the hands are another part which give away the person’s age. Head region –   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Mouth changes shape   Ã‚  Ã‚  &n... ...in the speed with which the individual reaches a conclusion in both inductive and deductive reasoning. Retirement – during the adults earlier years, retirement looks better to them because of the increased leisure time and reduced stress. Although, when one actually comes to that point in their lives, retirement seems less desirable. At this age, people holding jobs suddenly feel they have lost all their power and prestige. They tend to again, feel useless without purpose. Women, adjust better to retirement than men. For women, the role change is not as radical because women still have the responsibility of playing the domestic role like taking care of the house. Happiness – there is a saying that during one’s late adulthood years, there are 3 factors that determine one’s happiness – Acceptance, Affection and Achievement. Without any one of these 3 things it is difficult if not impossible for the elderly to be happy. For example, when they feel they are being neglected by their children or other family members, when they feel that their past achievements have fallen short or when they have developed the â€Å"nobody loves me† complex it is inevitable that they be unhappy.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder :: Post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD

After experiencing a traumatic event, the mind has been known to horde away the details and memories and then send them back at unexpected times and places, sometimes after years have passed. It does so in a haunting way that makes the recall just as disturbing as the original event. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is the name for the acquired mental condition that follows a psychologically distressing event "outside the range of usual human experience" (Bernstein, et al). There are five diagnostic criteria for this disorder and there are no cures for this affliction, only therapies which lessen the burden of the symptoms. The root of the disorder is a traumatic event which implants itself so firmly in the mind that the person may be shackled by the pain and distress of the event indeinately, experiencing it again and again as the mind stays connected with the past rather than the present, making it difficult to think of the future. The research on this topic is all rather recent as the disorder was only added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) in the last twenty years. Yet, the disorder is quite common, threatening to control and damage the lives of approximately eight percent of the American population [5% of men and 10% of women]. Any person is a potential candidate for developing PTSD if subject to enough stress. There is no predictor or determining factor as to who will develop PTSD and who will not. Although all people who suffer from it have experienced a traumatic event, not all people who experience a traumatic event will develop PTSD. Each persons individual capacity for coping with catastrophic events determines their risk of acquiring PTSD. And not everyone will experience the same symptoms; some may suffer only a few mild symptoms for a short period of time, others may be completely absorbed, still others who experience great trauma may never develop any s ymptoms at all (Friedman). More than any other psychological problem, symptoms are a reaction to an overwhelming external event, or series of events. From a historical perspective, the concept of PTSD made a significant change in the usual stipulation that the cause of a disorder could be outside of the self, rather than some inherent individual weakness (Friedman).