Beowolf - The Epic Poem Essays - Beowulf, Geats, Free Essays

Beowolf - The Epic Poem Essays - Beowulf, Geats, Free Essays Beowolf - The Epic Poem The epic poem Beowulf describes the most heroic man of the Anglo-Saxon times. The hero, Beowulf, is a seemingly invincible person with all the extraordinary traits required of a hero. He is able to use his super-human physical strength and courage to put his people before himself. He encounters hideous monsters and the most ferocious of beasts but he never fears the threat of death. His leadership skills are superb and he is even able to boast about all his achievements. Beowulf is the ultimate epic hero who risks his life countless times for immortal glory and for the good of others. Beowulf is a hero in the eyes of his fellow men through his amazing physical strength. He fought in numerous battles and returned victorious from all but his last. In his argument with Unferth, Beowulf explains the reason he "lost" a simple swimming match with his youthful opponent Brecca. Not only had Beowulf been swimming for seven nights, he had also stopped to kill nine sea creatures in the depths of the ocean. Beowulf is also strong enough to kill the monster Grendel, who has been terrorizing the Danes for twelve years, with his bare hands by ripping off his arm. When Beowulf is fighting Grendel's mother, who is seeking revenge on her son's death, he is able to slay her by slashing the monster's neck with a Giant's sword that can only be lifted by a person as strong as Beowulf. When he chops off her head, he carries it from the ocean with ease, but it takes four men to lift and carry it back to Herot mead-hall. This strength is a key trait of Beowulf's heroism. Another heroic trait of Beowulf is his ability to put his peoples welfare before his own. Beowulf's uncle is king of the Geats so he is sent as an emissary to help rid the Danes of the evil Grendel. Beowulf risks his own life for the Danes, asking help from no one. He realizes the dangers but fears nothing for his own life. After Beowulf had served his people as King of the Geats for fifty years, he goes to battle one last time to fight a horrible dragon who is frightening all of his people. Beowulf is old and tired but he defeats the dragon in order to protect his people. Even in death he wished so secure safety for the Geats so a tall lighthouse is built in order to help the people find there way back from sea. The most heroic of traits within Beowulf is that he is not afraid to die. He always explains his death wishes before going into battle and requests to have any assets delivered to his people. "And if death does take me, send the hammered mail of my armor to Higlac, return the inheritance I had from Hrehtel, and from Wayland. Fate will unwind as it must! (18)" He is aware of the heroic paradox; he will be glorified in life or death for his actions. He knows that when he fights an enemy like Grendel or Grendel's mother he will achieve immortality as the victor or the loser. "When we crossed the sea, my comrades and I, I already knew that all my purpose was this: to win the good will of your people or die in battle, pressed in Grendel's fierce grip. Let me live in greatness and courage, or here in this hall welcome my death! (22)" Even with the enormous amount of confidence Beowulf possesses, he underezds that Fate or Wyrd will work its magic no matter what and he could be killed at any point in his life. He faces that reality by showing no fear and preparing for a positive or a fatal outcome. Beowulf is the prime example of an epic hero. His bravery and strength surpass all mortal men; loyalty and the ability to think of himself last makes him reveared by all. Beowulf came openly and wholeheartedly to help the Danes which was an unusual occurrence in a time of war and wide-spread fear. He set a noble example for all human beings relaying the necessity of brotherhood and

Free Essays on Change Analysis

Introduction Change can be a difficult task in any situation. To change an integral part of one’s belief system and cultural values is a tough task regardless of the situation. Trying to change a people’s attitude towards a custom can be accomplished, if the right kinds of techniques are being used. The people of this Peruvian village do not fully understand the reasons that Nelida and the Health Service are giving for them to change their ways, and therefore this makes it harder to get them to change their ways. A major issue that needs to be dealt with in this case is the education of the people of the village to show them the harm that is caused to them by drinking the unsanitary water and the benefits that would be gained by using the sanitized water. Another issue is that the belief system directly contradicts the method of intervention that Nelida is attempting to use to change the ways of the village people. By introducing either a new method of change, or a new type of inter vention it may be easier to come to the desired result of sanitary water in the village. Analysis In many ways, Nelida’s approach to the situation at hand is not the best way of handling the circumstances. By applying Kotter’s 8 Steps to Change model to the case there is a noticeable difference in the way that Nelida is trying to change the behavior and actions of the villagers, and the way that the model indicates to establish a change in the type of water that is used in the village. Establish a sense of urgency: Nelida failed to establish a sense of urgency in dealing with the sanitation of the water. The people of the village have no understanding of the concept of germs and what they can do to harm a person. The majority group of the village represented by Mrs. C expressed their problems with the issues of getting sick from something they cannot see. Mrs. A is already boiling her water because of custom. Mrs. B does not necessarily understa... Free Essays on Change Analysis Free Essays on Change Analysis Introduction Change can be a difficult task in any situation. To change an integral part of one’s belief system and cultural values is a tough task regardless of the situation. Trying to change a people’s attitude towards a custom can be accomplished, if the right kinds of techniques are being used. The people of this Peruvian village do not fully understand the reasons that Nelida and the Health Service are giving for them to change their ways, and therefore this makes it harder to get them to change their ways. A major issue that needs to be dealt with in this case is the education of the people of the village to show them the harm that is caused to them by drinking the unsanitary water and the benefits that would be gained by using the sanitized water. Another issue is that the belief system directly contradicts the method of intervention that Nelida is attempting to use to change the ways of the village people. By introducing either a new method of change, or a new type of inter vention it may be easier to come to the desired result of sanitary water in the village. Analysis In many ways, Nelida’s approach to the situation at hand is not the best way of handling the circumstances. By applying Kotter’s 8 Steps to Change model to the case there is a noticeable difference in the way that Nelida is trying to change the behavior and actions of the villagers, and the way that the model indicates to establish a change in the type of water that is used in the village. Establish a sense of urgency: Nelida failed to establish a sense of urgency in dealing with the sanitation of the water. The people of the village have no understanding of the concept of germs and what they can do to harm a person. The majority group of the village represented by Mrs. C expressed their problems with the issues of getting sick from something they cannot see. Mrs. A is already boiling her water because of custom. Mrs. B does not necessarily understa...

Diversity in the workplace Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Diversity in the workplace - Term Paper Example Helping understand the concept of diversity, let us take the example of a family system. An entire family consists of individual persons- for example, obviously different sexes, different groups of age, belief systems being different too, bringing up of these individuals and having different values etc. Now why an entire family is like it is. The answer to this question is that there is a want and need to learn about each other and be a part of each other’s lives. Without this, the family system would not be present, like it is today. Usually, the Human Resource Department plays an important part in diversity planning and leadership to build and empower an organizational custom that promotes a respectful, inclusive, knowledge-based atmosphere where each employee has the opportunity to learn, nurture and meaningfully add value to the organizations achievement. Many multinational corporations and big firms have found it a need of the hour that diversity is essential for any business’s success. It helps in retaining employees that are efficient and hard working, lowering the costs by having in-house skills developers, and having a goodwill that is there for the overall betterment of the company. Talking about multinational companies, let us take the example of Coca Cola. Initially Coke has its headquarters at Atlanta, but its business is all over the world and more than fifty percent of the revenue comes from outside the USA. The only reason for doing so is that, Coke believes in diverse workforce and wherever it has gone, it has looked after its employees. They give the locals, key positions in the firm, and listen to what ideas they provide. Obviously, locals are residing there, and they know the market there well. Now if Coke, used the same technique and strategy to sell its products say in India, as it did in the US, straight away failure would be there.

Food Properties Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Food Properties - Assignment Example However, even though the baking chefs love their gluten products, physicians are of the opinion that one needs to avoid gluten products. The reason being the adverse health effects the gluten has on human health. This projects aims to compare the characteristics and sensory evaluation of each bread product and discuss about the advantages and drawbacks of the final products. For the purpose of this project breads will be made using different types of flour- chestnut flour, white rice flour and wheat flour using different proportions of each in the recipes. Gluten is a protein that has a potential of causing health problems. Celiac diseases are a disease of the immune system and intake of gluten initiates an immunological response which leads to damage of the stomach lining (A.D.A.M. Medical Dictionary, 2014). Gluten is also a well known allergen (Guandalini,2007) and it has been seen that children exposed to gluten at an early end become increasingly susceptible to celiac diseases. Chestnut flour is today used as a healthier alternative to other gluten-containing flours. Chestnut flour is derived by grinding dried chestnuts. It has a grayish appearance and a sweet flavor. Chestnuts being low in both calories and fat content are used as an healthier component in many recipes. Chestnut flour is gluten-free flour which means that the breads and other products that are prepared from this flour do not rise and therefore are dislike by many. The spongy texture of bread is lost owing to the absence of gluten which is primarily responsible for making the bread rise. However, this flour has nutritional and health benefits. Firstly, being low in fat content it is much healthier than common flour. Chestnut flour addition to any flour increases fiber and ash content (Jozinovic et al,2012,p26). Chest nut flour contains a large amount of vitamins

Immigration and Social Problems Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Immigration and Social Problems - Research Paper Example Immigration brings many benefits for the developed countries, such as, increase in the GDP, increase in the available workforce, increase in precious talent, and increase in the number of hardworking individuals. However, immigration also causes some problems for the developed countries, such as, increase in the number of crimes, increase in violence, law breaking, and decreased employment opportunities. This study will focus on the benefits that immigrants bring to the United States of America. Along with this, crimes and drug trafficking, which are two of the major problems caused by immigrants in the United States, will also come under discussion. The study will also show how people can think positively about immigrants and how they can solve problems caused by immigrants. Thesis Statement The thesis statement for the paper is that: People should understand that not all immigrants are bad; rather they play a very considerable role in strengthening the economy of the United States. Problems Caused by Immigrants A major part of the illegal immigrants living in the United States is originally from Mexico. Researches prove that approximately 13.2 million illegal immigrants living in the United States are Mexican-Americans. Increase in the number of crimes and drug trafficking are the most significant problems caused by the immigrants in the United States of America. ... If we talk about the United States of America, increased rate of crimes due to illegal immigrations is not an exception. Various researches show that illegal immigrants have increased the overall number of crimes in the country and the main reasons behind that increase are the social and financial issues of the immigrants. Moreover, the mindset of some immigrants is such that they like to get involved in criminal activities, such as, rape and adultery. Such immigrants are sexually frustrated and when they find easy target somewhere, they do not hesitate to fulfill their desires. However, women of illegal immigrants are also not safe and they are also the targets of smugglers and criminals. Taxin, in an article, gives a proof of such cases and states, â€Å"An 8-year-old Salvadoran girl who reported she was raped by immigrant smugglers in Mexico has been reunited with family in the United States†. Increase in the terrorist attacks in developed countries and threats of terrorism are also associated with the issue of illegal immigrations. The famous and dreadful incident of 9/11 is also an outcome of the illegal immigrants’ issue where a group of terrorists hijacked a couple of planes and hit them with the world trade center. Drug Trafficking Drug trafficking, is also one of the most critical issues associated with large-scale immigrations to the United States of America. Go states, â€Å"The US suffers an annual loss of about 70 billion dollars due to drug-related illnesses, death, and drug related crimes†. Drug trafficking is a business which earns a lot of money to the drug dealers, manufacturers, and all other people involved in this business. The immigrants involved in this

Hector Berliozs Contribution To The Symphony Music Essay

Hector Berliozs Contribution To The Symphony Music Essay The French composer Hector Berlioz (1803 1869) does not belong to any school. Because of his difference in style he has been criticized by critics, and his contemporaries about his works melodies and formal structures. Berliozs work could not be influenced by critics, because of the originality and vitality of his ideas as an orchestral innovator; it allowed expression that affected the fundamental elements of the symphony and the instrumental changes themselves. The misunderstanding between Berliozs work and his critics may be excused, because of the ideas he used in his works, he used it in an unusual extend that unified with literature themes. The themes determined the manner of each work so that there is no defined development from any period. From his early to late style he never repeated inventions, harmonic and melodic nor formal of his predecessors. (Alexander 1989: 143; Hicks 2001: 387; Slonimsky 2001: 314 315; Whittall 1987: 55.) BERLIOZS CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SYMPHONY Berlioz reconceived the symphony as a programmatic work and allowed it to be in an unconventional form to fit the program. Influenced by Beethovens Fifth and Sixth Symphonies, Berlioz shaped his Symphonies around a series of emotions that tell a story. Berlioz was not a pianist and was not influenced by thinking harmonically like a pianist, but was harmonically influenced by guitar playing that was overstated by those who criticized him. (Burkholder 2006: 639; Longyear 1988: 138.) In 1826 Berlioz entered the Paris Conservatoire; he composed Herminie in 1828 for the Prix de Rome and won the second prize, Berlioz used the idà ©e fixe (fixed idea, a medical expression of the new psychology that Berlioz made into a musical term) of Herminie in his first symphony, the Symphonie fantastique. (Downes 1978: 150; Hicks 2001: 386.) Berlioz was a twenty-six year old conservatorium student when he composed Symphonie fantastique. It was his love for the Irish actress Harrieth Smithson that inspired him to compose the Symphonie fantastique. He based the story on his own personal experiences with the actress. The Symphonie fantastique is much unrelated to the works contemporary with it or the past. It is seen as one of the biggest works that helped developing the symphony to new heights, it gave its listeners an experience to listen to, until Stravinsky composed Rite of the Spring. (Alexander 1989: 146; Burkholder 2006: 639; Downes 1978: 147; Einstein 1957: 163 164; Hicks 2001: 386 387; Slonimsky 2001: 315; Whittall 1987: 63.) The Symphonie fantastique is not operatic but is seen as a drama. Berlioz decided to integrate the music with a recurring melody known as the idà ©e fixe which he used in each movement to represent the image of the heros beloved to fit the mood and situation of each point of the symphony. After this work Berlioz and the rest of the Romantic Movement struggled to get along with the leitmotif. (Alexander 1989: 146; Burkholder 2006: 639; Einstein 1957: 134; Slonimsky 2001: 315.) Berlioz made sure that the people who listened to the Symphonie fantastique would understand the inspiration that inspired him to compose the Symphony, by giving it the subtitle Episode in the Life of an Artist and providing it with an autobiographical program, which is being read silently by the listener while the symphony plays. The Symphonie fantastique became a musical autobiography. There are no words sung or read aloud during the performance. The autobiographical document that was provided explained each movements expressions and moods. (Alexander 1989: 146; Burkholder 2006: 640; Slonimsky 2001: 315.) The Symphonie fantastique is divided into five movements: I. Dreams and Passions; II. A Ball; III. Scene in the fields; IV. March to Execution; V. Dream of a Sabbath Night. The first movement describes a musician that falls in love with a woman he sees for the first time, but his mind cannot stop thinking about her, causing the idea fixe to keep on recurring in the movements of the symphony. The first movement have a slow introduction followed by an allegro that has the same characteristics as a sonata form, but the development section is interrupted by an three-measure pause announcing the main theme in the dominant, which he keeps doing until tutti fortissimo appears in tonic. (Alexander 1989: 147; Burkholder 2006: 640; Downes 1978: 150 154; Slonimsky 2001: 315.) In the second movement the musician goes to a ball, but is troubled because he keeps on seeing images of his beloved in his head. Berlioz replaced the minuet with a waltz, describing the musician at a ball with the idà ©e fixe describing the images of the beloved recurring in his head. The third movement is a slow movement which takes place in a country, where he walks and then he hears in the distance two herdsmen piping to their flocks as his mind is distracted by thinking of his beloved. (Alexander 1989: 147; Burkholder 2006: 640; Downes 1978: 150 155.) In the fourth movement the musician is troubled by his rejected love and poisons himself with opium. But instead of the poison killing him he receives dreams that he killed his beloved and is condemned to death. In the end of the march the first four bars of the idà ©e fixe returns like a last memory of his beloved. (Alexander 1989: 147; Burkholder 2006: 640; Downes 1978: 150 155.) In the last movement he sees himself at a Sabbath where beasts and witches gather for his burial. The idà ©e fixe with two other themes are transformed, first alone then combined. The Dies irae is a chant sequence from one of the themes, which is part of the Mass for the Dead. (Alexander 1989: 147; Burkholder 2006: 640; Downes 1978: 150.) Berlioz hoped for an orchestra of over 200 for the premiere, but never had more than 130 players. The variety of orchestral colours was normally achieved with the list found in the printed score: 2 flutes, 2 oboes. 2 B-flat clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 cornets, 2 trumpets, 2 tubas, 3 trombones, 4 horns, piccolo, E-flat clarinet, kettle drums, bass drum, bells, and the strings. (Downes 1978: 155.) Berliozs next important work was Harold en Italie, with a viola as a solo instrument and orchestra. This was his second symphony. The title was drawn and inspired by Lord Byrons poem; Childe Harold. Paganini commissioned it but refused to play it because of the viola part that does not have enough to play. (Burkholder 2006: 641; Downes 1978: 130; Slonimsky 2001: 315.) Harold en Italie is a picturesque symphony. It does not have a program, but it only has specific titles for each movement: I. Adagio Allegro Harold in the Mountains: Scenes of Sadness, of happiness, and of Joy. II. Allegretto. March of the Pilgrims Singing Their Evening Prayer. III. Allegro assai Allegretto. Serenade of an Abruzzi Mountaineer to His Mistress. IV. Allegro frenetic. Brigands Orgy; Memoirs of Past Scenes. (Alexander 1989: 152; Downes 1978: 132.) A reappearance theme in the viola reappears in every movement of the symphony and is combined contrapuntally to each movement. The first movement has an Melancholy opening section that anticipates the principal melody, which represents Harold. It is first presented in a minor key, then the viola takes over playing the melody twice, very soft the second time. The accompaniment is played by the harp. The live part of the movement has an idà ©e fixe symphonic-ally developed in fragments. (Burkholder 2006: 641; Downes 1978: 132.) In the second movement the strings play a melody, soft at first then it crescendos as if the pilgrims is approaching, the it fades away as the idà ©e fixe returns slightly transformed. The third movement after the fast introduction the serenade melody is related to the idà ©e fixe and played by the English horn. Berlioz added colour to this movement by imitating the pifferari. (Allexander 1989: 152; Downes 1978: 132.) The final movement recalls the themes of the first three movements almost like Beethovens ninth symphony, but does not end with a chorale. Between the episodes are rapid modulations, and the viola remains active, so that the work inverts the heroism of Beethovens symphonies. Throughout the first three movements a double idà ©e fixe accurse: in the first both where in the solo viola and melody, in the second and third instead of becoming the mood it is combined with the music. (Alexander 1989: 152; Burkholder 2006: 641; Downes 1978: 132.) The printed score has a piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, English horn, 2 clarinets, 4 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 cornets, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, ophicleide or tuba, triangle, kettledrums, cymbals, harp. the solo viola part was conceived for Paganini. And the string section: 15 violins, 15 second violins, 10 violas, 12 cellos and 9 double basses. (Downes 1978: 132.) Berlioz conducted Harold en Italie near the end of 1838 in front of an audience. After the performance Paganini bowed on his knees and clamed Berlioz as the successor of Beethoven, the following day Paganini send Berlioz money, enabling Berlioz to reduce his journalistic commitments and devote himself to composition. By the end of 1839 he composed and performed Romà ©o et Juliette. (Alexander 1989: 153; Downes 1978: 141.) Romà ©o et Juliette is central to his achievements, it is also the first large-scale work that is based on a major work of art. His symphony played its part in the development of the musical language appropriate to the symphonic poem. It influenced Liszt and Wagner, who were at one of Berliozs performances. Berlioz called this symphony the dramatic symphony, he combined the orchestra, soloist and chorus into an concert drama. (Alexander 1989: 153; Burkholder 2006: 641; Downes 1978: 140 141.) CONCLUSION Hector Berlioz was criticized about his works, but because of his unique style he developed the symphony to a new standard that was beyond those of his contemporaries. Berlioz is seen as the father of the symphony, and was influenced by Beethovens Fifth and Sixth Symphonies. His harmonic influence was developed by guitar playing. (Alexander 1989: 143; Burkholder 2006: 639; Hicks 2001: 387; Longyear 1988: 138; Slonimsky 2001: 314 315; Whittall 1987: 55.) Berlioz invented the term idà ©e fixe and used it in his symphonies to showcase a recurring theme that keeps on returning reminding the listener of a previous event. This is an example that Berlioz was indeed an influence on Wagner when you go look at Wagners works such as his music dramas that contains leitmotivs that is a theme that recurs the whole time reminding the listener of something, like the ring leitmotive in The ring of the Nibelungs. (Burkholder 2006: 639 641, 693 694; Downes 1978: 150; Hicks 2001: 386.) The Symphonie fantastique is just not just an introduction to making a symphony into a narrative or autobiographical purpose, but also Berliozs skill to compose emotional content for communicational purposes. Berlioz unified the symphony by introducing the idà ©e fixe in all five his movements of the Symphonie fantastique and in the four movements of Harold en Italie, extending the ideas Beethoven had in his fifth, sixth and ninth symphonies. (Burkholder 2006: 641) Berlioz created a variety by changing his themes by using different instrumental colours that gave a character to each passage. Examples were muted strings, harps, English horns, offstage oboe, snare drum, cymbals, tubular bells, and by letting the violinists play on the wooden side of their bows. Berliozs creativeness is seen everywhere in his compositions. (Burkholder 2006: 641) Berliozs Symphonies made him the leader of the Romantic movement, all composers of program music would be indebted to Berlioz. He introduced the orchestra with new resources of harmony, colour, expression and form. His orchestration created a new era in which instrumental colour could be used as an expressive tool for composers. (Burkholder 2006: 641) SOURCES Alexander, L. Mc Culloch, D. 1989. Heritage of Music: The Romantic Era. New York: Oxford University press. Burkholder, J. P., Grout, D. J., Palisca, C. V. 2006. A History of Western Music. London: WW Norton. Downes, E. 1978. Everymans Guide to Orchestral Music. London: J. M . Dent and Sons. Einstein, A. 1957. Music In The Romatic Era. New York: Norton Company. Hicks, A. 2001. The New grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, Vol 3. London: Macmillan. Longyear, R, M. 1988. Nineteenth-Century Romanticism in music. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Slonimsky, N. 2001. Bakers Biographical Dictionary of Musicians. Volume 1. New York: Schirmer Books. Whittall, A. 1987. Romantic Music: A Concise History from Schubert to Sibelius. London: Thames and Hudson. Downes, E. 1978. Everymans Guide to Orchestral Music. London: J. M . Dent and Sons.

William Kinmond’s What a newsman found who got into red China and Mark

William Kinmond’s What a newsman found who got into red China and Mark Salzman’s Iron and Silk In William Kinmond’s â€Å"What a newsman found who got into red China† and Mark Salzman’s Iron and Silk, the reader experiences a mental ride of China. Both Salzman and Kinmond use subtlety and skill to write about what they found in Red China. The texts’ have somewhat different subject matters because each writer visited China with different motives and at different time periods. As the title suggests, Kinmond who goes to China in 1957 is there to report for the Canadian newspaper ‘The Globe and Mail’. On the other hand, Salzman goes to China in 1982 to teach English. Nonetheless, both writers’ construction of Red China and its people can be zeroed in with the help of one important issue; their coverage of train transport. Trains are by far the main means of transport in China and most people’s lives are centered around them. Although, through the analysis of train travel, both Salzman and Kinmond construct the C hinese people, Salzman concentrates on the government connection in train transport while Kinmond concentrates on the actual conditions aboard a train. Salzman’s first point about government interference is that travel officials are on a power trip when it comes to dealing with travelers. Since the communist government controls and governs all aspects of train business, Salzman vividly constructs the relationship between the people and the government. He shows that unlike in his home country of USA, travel officials in China go out of their way to deliberately interfere with people’s travels. After two years of teaching English and learning kung-fu in China, Salzman’s received lots of gifts from hi... ...r the reader through their coverage of train travel although they each largely concentrate on the different aspects of it. Salzman illustrates that the government is present in all aspects of train travel in china and people have to put up to its way of running the show. Kinmond shows that the train accommodation is of so low key, but the Chinese people put up to it anyway. Their similar observation concerning government propaganda soliciting should show the ‘the cause and effect’ relationship between government interference and bad accommodation. Works Cited List: Chui, May. Student at Lafayette College. An interview with her in the library. April 11, 2001. Kinmond, William. â€Å"What a Newsman Found Who Got into Red China†. US News and World Report. New York. August 9th, 1957. Salzman , Mark. Iron and Silk . Vintage Departments . New York (1986).