A Common Bound essays

A Common Bound essays The Homeric Code of Honor is that every Greek lived for. The aim was for immortality through fame. This fame could only be earned three was, one excellence by fighting or words. Second, time through honor or respect and Avoidance of shame. We are going to compare how Oedipus, Lysistrata and Agamemnon reached this goal of stardom. Oedipus is the ruler of a city called Thebes in Sophocleas Oedipus the King. In this story Cadmus was the founder of the city by fighting and defeating the dragon. After the dragons death cadmus decided to take the dragons teeth and sow them into the ground. By doing this Cadmus had built a heroic name for himself and for the people that were the first residents with him. Oedipus looked at this as a challenge for him and his people that he rules over to also make the heroic code just as Cadmus. Oedipus decided that his journey would be the Sphinx. The difference between this Cadmus and Oedipus is that of the Gods. Oedipus experiences throughout his journey no cooperation from the Gods or Goddesses. Lines 1282 1288 show an example of how Oedipus felt gods treated him: What is there now to love? What greeting can cheer me? Lead me away. Quickly, quickly! O led me out of the country to a distant land! I am beyond redemption accursed, beyond hope lost, the one man livin g whom all the gods most hate. Here we see Oedipuss arrogance throughout the play causes him the trouble with the all the gods. Though sheer determination and hard work Oedipus was able to crack the Spinxs riddle. Aristophanes Lysistrata deals with the Peloponesian War, and how the women are fed up with it and take action to stop the war. Each woman from both sides to come together and locked themselves up in the Acropolis for five days. The women told the men that this is a sex strike and until they both stop fighting they will stay locked up. The leader of the ...

The Loneliness essays

The Loneliness essays In Kate Chopins novel The Awakening, she tells the story of a confused woman trying to find her place in the world. This woman, Edna, would fit perfectly into 21st century America, but on the eve of the 20th century she was a fish out of water. She did not want to be thought of as her husbands property, or just someones mother, she wanted to be an individual and make her own decisions. Going against the norm of the time caused Edna to isolate herself and alienate her family. She would have never started this journey if she had known that it would have led to her isolation. Because of her devotion to this voyage, Edna ultimately drowned in an ocean of intense loneliness, which caused her to neglect her responsibilities and in the end led to her demise. Ednas problems started when she was young. Without a mother and with an absence of love from her father, she didnt get the love she needed, and in turn did not have a foundation by which to judge love. The absence of this foundation always left her feeling as if something was missing from every relationship. As a young girl, she fell in love with a cavalry officer who was visiting the family farm. In her inexperience, she did not understand that a grown man would not fall in love with a child, therefore he became her first crush. She continued to fall for men she could not have; a man engaged to her neighbor, a tragedian. These were men she could easily love without the worry of them breaking her heart. She never learned what true love was, an unconditional love that not only takes, but also willingly gives in return. Not finding this love from her father, she settled for the next best thing, security. In trying to upset her father and gain necessary refuge, she hastily married Leonce Pontellier. He fell in love with her and she tolerated being around him. Edna liked that Leonce had money and was willing to spend it on ...

Contemporary Christianity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Contemporary Christianity - Essay Example The world is corrupt, and thus the church distances itself from the world in order to maintain and preserve its beliefs and practices. People should not condemn the church, but should otherwise embrace it and its new ways. There are those who enter the church with the pretence that they want to be redeemed. Such people fail to understand that the church is holy, and Christianity does not allow pretenders. A saying goes by, â€Å"pretenders are worse than murderers†. This is true in that pretending to be someone you are not makes one a deceiver. Those in the church should teach those who do not believe and have faith to do so, for Christianity does not mean that Christians’ lives come to a halt. Being a Christian means following in the teachings that Jesus taught, and by that it means attending services in his honor (Weaver and David, 187). The church should not separate itself from the world, but should instead show the world the right way. Christians have been guided by certain guidelines and traditions that they have followed from the past. These guidelines have been absorbed into their day to day lives that they have become part of their culture. Viewing Christians as people who cannot change their culture because of Christianity is judging them without knowing what they truly believe and trust in. Christianity by a way is political, since it has influence over a population and is respected by the number of its followers (Weaver and David, 212). It has its own hierarchy of leaders who control and manage the people. The difference between the Christianity and a political party is that the Christianity influences people to change their ways, leave their earthly possessions that cause them to do sin and follow Jesus Christ in search of salvation. It does not promise salvation or redemption, but there is a remuneration at the end. So much change has occurred in the world, and many things have embraced the change. But because Christians

The Argument for and Against a European Single Currency Essay

The Argument for and Against a European Single Currency - Essay Example The current paper presents the arguments that have been stated for and against a single European currency. The review of the relevant literature leads to the conclusion that the establishment of a single currency zone across Europe was not carefully planned; as a result, inequalities in the economic development of member states have been unavoidable. In addition, for certain member states, such as Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Ireland the entrance in the eurozone resulted to the severe economic crisis; this phenomenon has been related to the decision of these countries to leave their national currencies and to adopt euro. In general, if compared, the arguments for and against a single European currency seem to verify the negative impact that euro had on the national economies of most member states; the above risk should have been predicted in advance by developing appropriate tests and plans of emergent exit, in case of unexpected failures. 2. Arguments for a single European cur rency The European Monetary Union was established in 1999 (Arestis et al. 2001). The preparation for the establishment of EMU has started about 10 years before, in 1989 (Arestis et al. 2001). The establishment of the ‘European Monetary Institute in 1994’ (Arestis et al. 2001, p.29) was considered as a necessary step for promoting the creation of a single currency zone. In the years that followed, the arguments for the single European currency have been quite strong. More specifically, it was supported that a single currency could result in ‘lower prices and better resource allocation’ (Stivachtis 2013, p.329). In such case investment in the Union would be highly increased, a fact that could result in the significant increase of productivity and the limitation of unemployment in European Union (Stivachtis 2013). In addition, having its own currency would make the European Union a key player in the global market which is dominated by a dollar (Stivachtis 2013 ). At the next level, the establishment of a single currency zone could lead to the important limitation of transaction costs between member states, a fact that would favor the economies of all member states, a benefit that was never achieved through (Stivachtis 2013). Moreover, the need for the introduction of a currency that would be able to face pressures from other currencies and to set barriers to important fluctuations in exchange rates globally was emergent (Arestis et al. 2001). Particular emphasis has been given to the following fact: by joining the Eurozone, a member state could secure the stability of its economy: its currency would not be exposed to the fluctuations of exchange rates, a common phenomenon in the global market (Shuibhne and Gormley 2012).

Othello Plot Points Essay Example for Free

Othello Plot Points Essay Othellos Ensign, hates him cause hes black, wants Cassios job, believes he would be better Cassio- Innocent Party, gets a job as Othellos Lieutenant, gets into a fight and his stripped of rank, but goes to Desdemonia to try and win back Othellos favour Roderigo- Loves Desdemonia, is persuaded by Iago to attempt to kill Cassio, is murdered by Iago to remain silent (d) Emilia- Married to Iago, gives iago the handkerchief that convinces Othello that Desdemonia and Cassio had a relationship (d) Plot Othello marries Desdemonia in secret. However Roderigo goes to her father and blows their cover. Othello is forced to defend himself from accusations of witchcraft. News of a Turkish invasion of Cyprus reaches Venice, and Othello, with Cassio his new Lieutenant, and Iago, his ensign, are deployed to Cyprus to defend against the Turkish fleet. Desdemonia is allowed to accompany Othello, and Emilia, Iagos wife, accompanies her as her attendant. The enemy fleet is destroyed by a storm. Othello calls for a celebration, during which Iago gets Cassio drunk, who causes a fight. Othello strips him of his rank, and blames him for the disturbance caused by Iago. However, Iago tells Cassio to go to Desdemonia, and convince her to try to plead his case. Whilst Cassio does this, Iago goes to Othello and hints that Cassio and Desdemonia are having an affair. For the rest of the film, Honest Iago controls the actions of the characters, turning Othello against his wife and Roderigo against Cassio so that, at the end of the play, Roderigo attempts to murder Cassio, while Othello smothers his wife after accusing her of betraying him and having an affair with Cassio. Roderigo fails, and after he is identified as Cassios attacker Iago murders him, claiming to have been overcome with rage, but really silencing to cover his involvement. Othello then murders his wife, however Emilia walks in calls for help. As the truth comes out, Othello realises his wife was innocent. Iago murders his wife after she reveals what he has done. He is then captured and brought before Othello, who stabs him but does not murder him, saying he would prefer Iago live in pain for the rest of his life than die. Othello then kills himself out of guilt at what he has done. Iago is hauled off to be tortured, and Cassio is made Governer of Cyrpus. The end.

Freedom of Thought in Solzhenitsyns One Day in the Life of Ivan Deniso

There are many definitions of the term "freedom." Some will say that to be free one must be allowed to do as one pleases in terms of one's physical body, while others will say that one must only be able to think to be truly free. Yet another group will argue that both aspects must be present for true freedom to exist. In many of his books, but specifically One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn deals with the idea that the mind is not truly free. He believed that since there is an inherent desire for approval within the human race, any thoughts that agree with the values of society cannot be deemed free thinking since the thinker could simply be searching for approval. Some critics believe that "this implies a double standard on freedom of thought," and that "freedom is inherent in the very process of thought" (Fink 1). Solzhenitsyn believed that it was nearly impossible to have truly free thoughts under the prison camp conditions described in One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, or in any situation where there is an authoritarian ruler. In a pris... Freedom of Thought in Solzhenitsyn's One Day in the Life of Ivan Deniso There are many definitions of the term "freedom." Some will say that to be free one must be allowed to do as one pleases in terms of one's physical body, while others will say that one must only be able to think to be truly free. Yet another group will argue that both aspects must be present for true freedom to exist. In many of his books, but specifically One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn deals with the idea that the mind is not truly free. He believed that since there is an inherent desire for approval within the human race, any thoughts that agree with the values of society cannot be deemed free thinking since the thinker could simply be searching for approval. Some critics believe that "this implies a double standard on freedom of thought," and that "freedom is inherent in the very process of thought" (Fink 1). Solzhenitsyn believed that it was nearly impossible to have truly free thoughts under the prison camp conditions described in One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, or in any situation where there is an authoritarian ruler. In a pris...

Bureaucratic Politics and Intelligence in The Bay of Pigs

In 1961 at the Bay of Pigs, exiles from Cuba performed an amphibious physical attack. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) had done the recruitment, training and equipping of these Cuban exiles brigade. Moreover, pilots from America in support of the invasion flew some combat missions. However, in not more than three days, the Cuban president, Fidel Castro, had intervened and crushed the invasion but there were reports of hundred exiles that died. Besides, the assault force survivors spent the subsequent one and a half years languishing in the prisons of Havana.The then U. S. presidents, Kennedy, R. , was troubled within himself for having had approved this operation that morally, intellectually and tactically was bankrupt from its inauguration. Bureaucratic politics, a national security policy models by Graham Allison, helps clarify the dilemmas of Kennedy’s shadowy vacation. The use of analogical reasoning in this ill-fated invasion based on the past successes that were con cealed revealed the faultiness of enacting foreign policies in decision making.The Office of Strategic Services (OSS) may have misguided President Kennedy to result to the wrong policy decisions in dealing with Cuba and her president (Johnson, 1983, 25). Analogical reasoning by the way of process tracing could have aided Kennedy in making up his final decision. Though the press had been informed of the progress of the preparations of the invasion, it downplayed the same more specifically to the Cuban expatriates who had exiled the Miami political representatives in the interest of the national security.Further revisiting the unfolding of events in the Bay of Pigs (Bahia de Cochmos) leaned more on a political outcome than a decision arrived at rationally. The present struggles between the different governments’ officials’ gave birth to this Bahia de Cochmos since each independent side had its priorities, problems and perceptions totally conflicting with the othersâ€⠄¢. This invasion was a unitary rational actor’s unconscious policy decision emerging from coalition, compromise, confusion and competition among the aforesaid officials of the government who had different perceptions of the issue at hand (Blight, 1999, 7).Though no acting solely, these parties were in a common competitive game as elaborated by the model of bureaucratic politics. Endorsements by Eisenhower, an Indian, some staffers and the CIA funding held more significant roles invasion than the chiefs in the determination of the final outcome though they had no elaborate intention in the invasion. For instance, Eisenhower only supported the attempts of destabilizing Cuba while Nixon, a U. S. presidential nominee of the Republicans foresaw the benefits he was to enjoy once the toppling of Castro was successful prior the general elections.Another active participant of the Cuban program included Bissell, a former Yale’s economist and the CIA deputy director who worked t owards the programs expansion. He was determined, having the hopes of being Kennedy’s selected successor, to overthrow the government of Cuba through an amphibious invasion. He later collaborated with Eisenhower to fuel the assault force with heavy firepower. All through even after the eventful inauguration, President Kennedy supported the plan by his issuance of the relevant guidelines though he was doubtful of the invasion success.As the operation matured, various last minute changes had to be adopted. These were a reflection of the hidebound interests of individual players and organizations. Air strikes were prompted with the aim of eradicating on the ground any intervening attempts by the air force in the Castro’s government (Halperin, 1974, 14). The risks facing Kennedy’s political arena equaled those of the military. Confusion and competition between the officials resulted about the operation since each bureaucracy had its own goals that it promoted for it s interests.However, amidst all these, the ruinous upshot exploded. This invasion succeeded because of the collaboration of the bureaucrats. Though Kennedy thought that his infiltration of the Cuban exiles was quiet, the CIA kept the press updated and sent battle communiques to the Cuban political front based in Miami. Kennedy also perceived that was the invasion to face a bounce-back, guerrilla operations would work out. Other stakeholders like the air force staff played it well. The role of intelligence in the InvasionIntelligence calls for use of analogical reasoning and the utilization of the history properly in coming up with decisions especially foreign policy decisions. However, of the two reasoning by analogy seems to take a greater portion. In the Bay of Pigs, Kennedy placed less trust in advice given to him and suggestions from various administrations. For instance, he chose to independently deal with the Laotian foreign policy resolutions when the joint chiefs and the sta ffers seemed to be reluctant in updating him the happenings in the Bay of Pigs.He goes further to reflect on the European crises and not only the crisis in Cuba on missiles. Robert Kennedy stands out to be a statesman capable of escaping single analogy confines. Although a foreign policy maker, Kennedy employs historical reasoning in his policy decision making and this proves to be superficial as compared to reasoning by analogy. Besides, it is an ordinary phenomenon. The problems that were at hand in Cuba invasion could not have been perceived and recognized since the stakeholders merely made observations and their reasoning was logical with no analogical reasoning.They never referred from the past similar incident’s problems in order to handle the current in a more reasonable manner. Even though Kennedy was sympathetic with the operation’s motives and had no apprehensiveness about Castro’s overthrowing by the U. S. , the CIA plan was never persuasive to him. H e was focused on the probabilities of accomplishing the operation and also attaining political success (Vandenbroucke, 1984, 7). He favored smaller teams infiltration than undertaking an amphibious assault.The CIA managed to maneuver tactfully and shrewdly in the operations preparation and execution without loosing. This agency enjoyed the information monopoly on the Cuban issue. Furthermore, its officials were more passionate about the problem than the rest thus remained to be very convincing to the others. Besides, other key players like Bissell, a doctorate degree holder, with their divergent values, goals and stakes and power resources had reliable decision inputs. Besides, Bissell’s personality was superb. Schlesinger defines his intelligence as superbly clean organized and articulated.These activists were gurus in intelligence works and concealed operations. Despite the undoubted fact that the operation was highly risky, the CIA culture of accurately calculating and pro viding for these perils was utilized. With the president being at some points being unenthusiastic, the bureaucratic players involved in the operation could easily access him and influence his decisions through the OSSs and the Ivy League ties (Murgado, 2003, 8). This would time and again prompt him to react to the favor of the operation.The channel that was used for decision making was tightly concealed from the Cuban expertise civilian decision makers’ sources. This ensured that Cuban civilians could not forecast of the catastrophe that faced their country. In addition, through the wisdom of various players, the landings were successful; with Castro’s air force being down away with on the ground since an air strike had been called prior. In conclusion, the landings in the Bay of Pigs justifies the outcomes realized from a bureaucratic progression that a single actor or organization would have hardly accomplished.On the other hand, future foreign policy decision maker s have to learn from past mistakes so as to avoid echoing the lamentations of Kennedy. Though history and historical reasoning are reliable in the making of these policy decisions, they greatly remain to be superficial. Consequently, reasoning from analogy can help these foreign policy decision makers come up with more relevant and rational decisions. References Blight, J 1999, Politics of Illussion: The Bay of Pigs Invasion Reexamined. Lynne Rienner, Boulder, COHalperin, M 1974, Bureaucratic Politics and Foreign Policy. Brookings Institution, Washington, DC Johnson, L 1983, Seven Sins of Strategic Intelligence, World Affairs, Vol. 146, p. 23-28 Murgado, A 2003, The Bay of Pigs Invasion: A Case Study in Foreign Policy Decision-Making. Columbia College, viewed 5 August 2010 from Vandenbroucke, L. S. (1984). Anatomy of a Failure: The Decision to Land at the Bay of Pigs, viewed 5 august 2010 from