Theme of Blindness in Lear and Oedipus Essays

Theme of Blindness in Lear and Oedipus Essays Theme of Blindness in Lear and Oedipus Paper Theme of Blindness in Lear and Oedipus Paper Essay Topic: Bless Me Ultima Blindness Sometimes the blind can see more than the sighted. During a scary movie or a horrific event, people may cover their eyes, choosing not to see the truth. As human beings, we often become entrenched in the material world, becoming oblivious to and unable to see the most apparent truths. Oedipus, the main character in Sophocles play Oedipus Rex, could not see the truth, but the blind man, Teiresias, saw it plainly. Sophocles uses blindness as a motif in the play Oedipus Rex. Oedipus, known for his intelligence, is ignorant and therefore blind to the truth about himself and his past. Yet, when Teiresias exposes the truth he is shunned. It is left to Oedipus to overcome his blindness, realize the truth, and accept fate. Oedipus, who bear the famous name, fled his home of Corinth in fear of fulfilling the prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother. During his flight, he Oedipus kills a caravan of presumed low-class travelers. Oedipus comes into Thebes a stranger and hero who solved the riddle of the sphinx. Believing that he is blessed with great luck, Oedipus marries the recently widowed Iokaste and becomes King of Thebes. After many years, a plague vexes the city and Kreon, brother of Iokaste, comes to Oedipus with news from the oracle. He states that the plague will be lifted when the murder of Laios is avenged. Oedipus claims that he sees and understands the terrible fate of Thebes and vows to find the murderer. Since the criminal is said to still be in Thebes, Oedipus believes that a man of his intelligence should have no difficulty in finding the perpetrator. When Oedipus is confronted by Teiresias with truth, perhaps it is Oedipus own hubris, which blinds him to the unthinkable truth. Unwillingly, Teiresias the blind seer provides Oedipus with the hurtful truth. Although before the truth is announced, Oedipus describes Teiresias as a seer: student of mysteries. Oedipus looks to Teiresias for help in finding the murderer of the former king. He is trusted and respected by everyone in the city as evidenced by his introduction as the holy prophet In whom, alone of all men, truth was born. Yet, when Teiresias speaks, reluctantly but honestly to Oedipus, he is shunned and his credibility and motives are attacked. Oedipus accuses Teiresias of plotting against him and helping Kreon become king. He claims that Kreon has brought this decrepit fortune-teller, this collector of dirty pennies, this prophet fraud to him. Sadly, the citizens represented by the chorus, who once trusted Teiresias, will not side with him because there is no proof that h is prophecy is true. Within one conversation, the lavish praise of Teiresias crumbles into Oedipus hatred of him. Responding to Oedipus attacks, Teiresias tells him you with both your eyes you are blind: You can not see the wretchedness of your life, Nor in whose house you live, no, nor with whom. Who are your father and mother? Can you tell me? You dont even know the blind wrongs That you have done them, on earth and in the world below. Although, Oedipus and the citizens of Thebes do not know the truth, the audience understands that Teiresias represents insight, therefore his wise words should be perceived as prophecies of events to come and morals to learn. Teiresias though physically blind can see better or more clairvoyant than Oedipus who has perfect vision and yet still blind to the truth. In the same dialogue, Teiresias foreshadows the double lash of your parents curse will whip you. Out of this land someday with only night Upon you precious eyes. Leaving with the last word, Teiresias exits the stage telling Oedipus the truth once more. It is not till the confession of the Shepherd and the suicide hangin Now with the truth of himself realized, Oedipus is filled with grief and guilt. He blinds himself, left forever with the knowledge of the destruction and shame he has brought on his family. He says goodbye to daughters because he must live the rest of his life in exile and die where his parents intended, the wild hills of Kithairon. Oedipus blinding himself symbolizes his increase of knowledge, his sensitivity, and gives him the ability to finally see. He is now able to recognize the flaws of his hubris and the consequences of which his pride brought him. The same theme appearing in most Greek stories applies to Oedipus; the will of the gods is ultimate, and one must live humbly.

When the Recession of the Late 2000s Began and Ended

When the Recession of the Late 2000s Began and Ended The recession that began in the late 2000s was, to date, the worst economic downturn in the United States since the Great Depression. They didnt call it the Great Recession for nothing. So how long did the recession last? When did it begin? When did it end? How did the length of the recession compare to previous recessions? See more: Even in Recession, Congress Pay Grew Heres a brief Q and A on the recession. When did the Great Recession begin? December 2007, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research, a private, nonprofit research group. When did the Great Recession end? June 2009, though lingering effects such as high unemployment continued to plague the United States well beyond that date. In determining that a trough occurred in June 2009, the committee did not conclude that economic conditions since that month have been favorable or that the economy has returned to operating at normal capacity, the NBER reported in September 2010. Rather, the committee determined only that the recession ended and a recovery began in that month. And a slow recovery it would be. How does the committee define a recession and a recovery? A recession is a period of falling economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months, normally visible in real GDP, real income, employment, industrial production, and wholesale-retail sales, NBER said. The trough marks the end of the declining phase and the start of the rising phase of the business cycle. Economic activity is typically below normal in the early stages of an expansion, and it sometimes remains so well into the expansion. How does the length of the Great Recession compare to past downturns? The recession lasted 18 months, making it the longest of any recession since World War II, according to the committee. Previously the longest postwar recessions were those of 1973-75 and 1981-82, both of which lasted 16 months. When and for how long did the other modern recessions occur? The recession of 2001 lasted eight months, from March through November of that year. The recession of the early 1990s also lasted eight months, from July 1990 through March 1991. The recession of the early 1980s lasted 16 months, from July 1981 through November 1982. How did the government deal with the Great Recession? In order to deal with the nation’s worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, Congress passed legislation that increased discretionary government spending in order to stimulate the economy. This legislation created programs ranging from financial assistance to large banks and car manufacturers to direct tax rebates for low-income households. In addition, Congress funded a series of massive â€Å"shovel-ready† public works projects, such as highway construction and improvement. At its peak, in early 2009, total discretionary government spending reached about $1.2 trillion in annual terms, or 7% of the nation’s total Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In other words, ending the Great Recession required spending a lot of money the government simply had not planned to spend. How did the Great Recession affect taxpayers? Recessions, especially â€Å"Great† ones, can be costly affairs for taxpayers. According to the Federal Reserve Board, the Great Recession raised the U.S. federal debt and fiscal deficit to record peacetime levels. The federal debt increased from 62% of the GDP in 2007 before the recession to over 100% in 2013, five years after the supposed end of the recession. Indeed, the effects of the Great Depression of 2008 will linger for years to come. Updated by Robert Longley

Design development report Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Design development report - Assignment Example It guides design goals in order to meet the least significant detail or challenge up to the most important requirement for a more holistic result. Choices are guided by these principles for costs, economics, functionality, ergonomics, re-design methods or changes to meet goals such as elegant, modern, or stylish looks (Holm, 2006). Design approaches include user-centred which focuses on the requirement and limitations of the user, use-centred which is guided by the function of the artefact, the TIMTOWDI approach or â€Å"there is more than one way to do it† approach that follows multiple approaches, and keep it simple or KISS approach that minimises process and content without sacrificing aesthetics (Holm, 2006). Methods used in the design process may apply the following: Exploration of possibilities that encompass definition of problem and research. This may be used for existing facilities, products or services or even for creating new ones. This process also includes brainst orming where all stakeholders involved contribute to the goals and outcomes. Redefinition is the development and improvement of traditional specifications and guidelines to arrive at better options, solutions, and goals applicable n many fields of design. Management is the process of a continues approach to defining, exploring and creating new designs Prototyping is the production of possible products that improves traditional or existing designs Trend-spotting is the approach towards development of emerging or new products in order to achieve innovation (Getlein, 2008). Design in business has occupied a major role from a previously minor one. There was a time when industrialists hire designers to develop appearances of products or incorporate aesthetics on functional and already existing products. Today, even enterprises need to be designed in such a way as achieve a desired structure and external, visible properties as influenced by the environment and relationships (Giachetti, 20 10) Translation of the design brief into an outcome The design development process adopts fitting systems that meet the goals of the stakeholders. The design development involves defined scope of activities, understands the user and user needs, adopts ways to meet user needs, evaluates the solution, and finally implement the design. In a more streamlined approach, it involves: Identification of need Brief-building Concept generation Concept development Concept presentation Prototyping and testing Manufacturing (Presentation). Under the concept generation and development, solution centred approach is adopted where various factors meet on the centre. These include the various aspects of the design with consideration to target audience or market, final outcome of the materials, moral responsibility, the design, legislation, and raw materials. Each of these aspects encompass a wider concept that contributes to the whole: the audience are influenced to become aware of the brand and value of the product; the outcome needs to address functionality, safety, durability and longevity; under the moral responsibility is the firm’s commitment to its workers and the community of users;

SWOT analysis on UK business 'What competition does Bubbleology face Essay

SWOT analysis on UK business 'What competition does Bubbleology face in the Uk niche drinks market ' - Essay Example I analyzed and compared different sources as well as the website of the reference business to derive relevant information. My sources are relevant, up-to-date, authoritative, and efficient to address the competition that Novosco face in the UK cloud technologies, managed service, and consulting market. Findings Novosco Novosco is a company based in Belfast U.K (ULSTER Business 2013, p. 1), which deals with cloud technologies, managed service, and consulting services. The company has been in operation since 1994 and has recorded immense growth and success over the years (Novosco 2013, p. 1). As a result, the company has won major recognitions in its operations like the Cisco Datacenter Partner of the Year and EMC Partner of the Year in 2012 based on the volume and caliber of work delivered (Novosco Ltd 2012, p. 21). Moreover, the company has been enjoying consistent and immense economic growth in the technology industry. In fact, Novosco received the Deloitte FAST50 award in 2012 for the 13th consecutive year for being the most successive technology company in revenue growth (Novosco Ltd 2012, p. 21). The company manifests high level of technical ability where it investment in delivery and support staff (Novosco 2013, p. 1). Indeed, the company accommodates continuous training and certification in its operations with a view of gaining optimum expertise and receiving maximum accreditation on the technologies they recommend to their customers (Novosco 2013, p. 1). Novosco specializes with helping institutions to utilize the unique aspects of emerging technologies for purposes of addressing business challenges in a more efficient and cost-effective manner (Novosco 2013, p. 1). It provides unique consulting talent and technical support to organization seeking to maximize the advantages of their investment in information technologies. Notably, the company operates under managed service or strategic partnership contracts with its major clients to realize its objective s (Novosco 2013, p. 1). As such, it collaborates with the best hardware and software companies that deal with cloud technologies, managed service, and other technology applications. The company commits itself to offering help to their clients in the evaluation of all potential solutions that enables them to design and deliver cost-effective solutions (Novosco 2013, p. 1). Its main clients include universities, government departments, and UK and Ireland health trusts (Weir 2013, p. 1) with Belfast Health and Social Care Trust being its largest client (Gosling 2012, p. 1). Novosco Competition among Cloud Technologies, Managed Service, and Consulting Companies Novosco is the leading provider of managed services and cloud based infrastructure in U.K (Novosco 2013, p. 1). However, the company faces immense competition in different sectors including the winning of contracts. Novosco seeks to enroll its services to the wider market and its directors know that it will face stiff competition from established companies (WEIR 2013, p. 1) like AJUBEO and CDNETWORKS. The competition will be in the field of internet connectivity, supply of cloud computing, transfer of data, servicing

The Importance of Determination Essay Example for Free

The Importance of Determination Essay Everyday people face challenges, but it is important that one does not give up, and to keep trying until they successfully overcome the obstacles that stand in their way. â€Å"Mother to Son† by Langston Hughes and â€Å"Still I Rise† by Maya Angelou are two different works written by two different authors yet they both convey the same message. Together, the two authors stress the significance of pushing harder when faced with conflicts rather than simply giving up. Using figurative language and repetition, Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou effectively emphasize this message in both of their poems. In both poems, both authors attempt to convince the reader of the importance of not giving up and trying harder, and do so successfully. In â€Å"Mother to Son†, Langston Hughes is able to open the eyes and the mind of the reader by comparing the narrator’s difficult life to an object that is elegant, clear and simple. At the beginning and end of the poem Hughes’ writes, â€Å"Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.† (Hughes 2, 20). Using the crystal stair as a symbol of clarity, Hughes’ is implying that life for the narrator is not clear and is not elegant, nor simple. He establishes the struggle in the narrator’s life and compares it to the crystal stair all while subliminally hinting that one must not back down from difficult courses in one’s life because no one’s life is a â€Å"crystal stair†. Much like the previous metaphor, Hughes’ highlights the importance of determination through another metaphor. He expresses, â€Å"It’s had tacks in it / And splinters / And boards torn up / And places with no carpet on the floor† (3-6). This metaphor is comparing life to a rough, bare and hard floor that has been through a lot. The use of this metaphor illustrates the image of a life that has been through a lot, but yet continues to persevere and manage through all the problems. In the same fashion as Hughes, poet Maya Angelou has used similar figurative language in her piece â€Å"Still I Rise†. It is important to note that similarly to the use of metaphors in â€Å"Mother to Son† by Langston Hughes; Maya Angelou makes a point to emphasize the same importance of pushing harder when faced with conflicts rather than simply giving up by using similes. Angelou writes, â€Å"You may trod me in the very dirt / But still, like dust, I’ll rise.† (Angelou, 3-4). Angelou compares triumph after a challenge in life being similar to that of dust rising after dirt has been trotted on, thus proving that just as important as it was for the dust to rise after the dirt, it is equally as important to rise after being faced with a challenge in life. Identically to the previous quotation, Angelou again expresses the importance of determination by writing, â€Å"Just like moons and like suns / With the certainty of tides / Just like hopes springing high / Still I’ll rise.† (9-12). Angelou effectively compares the sure rising of moons and suns rising with the certainty of tides, and the guaranteed rise of hopes to her own certainty to rise. Her persistence to continue to rise after being put through many evident hardships demonstrates the importance of pushing harder when encountering difficulties rather than quitting when things get hard. All things considered, both poets are able to successfully interpret the importance of pushing harder when faced with conflicts rather than simply giving up by using figurative language such as metaphors and similes. Equally as significant as the use of figurative language in both Langston Hughes’ poem, and Maya Angelou’s poem, is the use of repetition.   Though individually the poems may seem different, together the two poets commendably integrate and are able to convey the significance of persistence when one finds themselves in difficult situations in life. In the final analysis, using literary devices such as figurative language and repetition have assisted the two poets in emphasizing their message. It is important that one must not simply tolerate the troubling things they are faced with in life, but rather overcome them.

Spread of Islam Essay -- Religion, Muhammad

Islam began in Mecca when the Prophet Muhammad began to spread the word of God (292). The Prophet â€Å"sought to warn his people against worshipping false gods and all immortality, especially injustice to the poor, orphans, widows, and women altogether† (293). The first converts of the religion were Meccan townsfolk and farmers (292). While some prominent Meccans joined him, the aristocracy generally resisted his teachings (293-94). According to the Qur’an, paradise lies in gratitude to God as well as in his guidance and forgiveness (293). Muhammad is accepted as the last of many prophets chosen to spread the word of God (293). Unfortunately, the Prophets’ teachings did not readily spread and succeed (293). Still, many peoples followed his wife, Khadija, and recognized him as a â€Å"chosen reformer† (293). After Muhammad’s death in 632, the lack of a successor or son led to a political struggle between the Meccan and Medinan peoples. This ended wh en Abu Bakr was selected as the successor to the Prophet (297). However, as in most previous cases, many Arab tribes renounced allegiance to the Prophet after his death (297). Nonetheless, the rule of Abu Bakr â€Å"reestablished religious conformity for much of Arabia and forced Arabs to recognize the faith and practice of Islam as opposed to a certain leader; the Prophet Muhammad in this case† (297) Following Bakr, Caliphs Umar and Uthman pushed Arab armies beyond the peninsula and conquered Byzantine and Sasanid territories, Egypt, and most of Iran by 643 (297). This success can be accounted to the leadership of the first caliphs and field generals as well as the weakness of the Byzantine and Iranians (297). By 651, Arab armies defeated the last of the Sasanid rulers (297). The fourth caliphate; ... ...sian oppression (298). Muslims were accepting of other religions and allowed Christian, Jewish, and Zoroastrian groups to live under protection of Islamic rule â€Å"provided they recognize Islamic political authority, pay a non Muslim head tax, and not interfere with Muslim religious practices† (298). The head tax and other divisions on non-Muslims encouraged many to convert (298). Islamic culture was also highly adaptable and open to blending of cultural traits, allowing it to spread in even hostile societies (346). Muslims could exchange ideas and goods with Muslims of radically different backgrounds and â€Å"encounter them as brothers and sisters of the Umma† (347). Thus, Islam primarily spread through the conquests of Arab armies and successfully spread due to its tenets, high adaptability, the weakening of Byzantine and Sasanid Empires, and its immense leadership.

Describe the Effects of the Expansion of Race and Ethnicity on United States Society Essay

Describe the effects of the expansion of race and ethnicity on United States society. Because I was raised around the military community, I have been exposed to many different races and cultures. When I married, we were a military family for approximately eight additional years. After my divorce, I entered into the business world full time and encountered not only different races and cultures, but also different religious practices around the holidays. I have always upheld to the belief that we should accept people for whom and what they are. Not by the color of their skin, or where they come from, the language they speak, or their religious beliefs. I find learning about races, cultural differences very interesting and intriguing. I strive to not being quick to make assumptions and judgments about people different than myself. At first, I was naive and just thought everyone was like me. It was a real eye opener. What I learned about my own cultural history is that I come from a varied background, and that I am thankful to be an American. Regarding trends with immigration and how the face of the U.S. will look in 2050, unchecked with illegal immigration the US will be weaker and overrun with a slew of individuals who require assistance and very possibly on going subsidy. With controlled and legal immigration of individuals who can make a significant contribution to society, it could strengthen our population base and lessen those who are dependent on the government for assistance. The best way the country can prepare for the changing race and ethnicity of its current and future citizens is to create new immigration laws that could help everyone embrace these cultures. I do believe that as immigrants that live, function here, they should contribute taxes just as Americans. Also I believe that while Americans should be respectful of a race’s culture, immigrants should seek to assimilate and embrace America as well as learn the language so they can function and contribute positively to society. Lastly, but not at all least, we need to make sure our children are being educated about other races and cultures. This will benefit everyone and teach tolerance and acceptance.