French Influence of Sir Gawain and The Green Knigh Essay Example For Students

French Influence of Sir Gawain and The Green Knigh Essay t Sir Gawain Green Knight EssaysFrench Influence of Sir Gawain and The Green Knight Sir Gawain and the Green Knight utilizes the convention of the French-influenced romance. What sets this work apart from regular Arthurian or chivalric romances is the poets departure from this convention. The clearest departure takes place at the resolution of the piece as the hero, Sir Gawain, is stricken with shame and remorse rather than modest knightly pride, even after facing what appears to be certain death and returning to his king alive and well. Although this manner of closure would leave much to be desired for an audience who is interested in reading a ridigly conventional romance, the coexistence of the romantic convention with the departure from it inspires questions concerning why the author would choose to work within such guidelines and what the significance is of breaching those guidelines. By employing the chivalric convention in romantic literature and then going beyond it to reveal other ways of thinking, the writer challenges the very notion of chivalric conventions of the surrounding social climate. He demonstrates throughout the work a need for balance. As symbolied by the pentangle worn by Sir Gawain, representing the balanced points of chivalric virture, each being codependent of the other in order to remain a whole, the narrative could be considered as a What accompanies an appreciation for the seemingly sudden shift from the typical romance at the end of the piece is the raised awareness that the change does only seem to be sudden. Careful exlporation of the plot, setting, and character descriptions illuminates several deviations from the established convention of the ideal society existing within the text. The effect is then a type of balancing act blah blah blah The opening of the piece sets a fairly typical stage for an Anthurian romance, giving relevant historical and geographical information. King Arthurs court is going on as it is expected to be within the social constructs, merrily feasting and celebrating the Christmas holiday. The entrance of the Green Knight into Arthurs court marks a significant event. He is a courtly figure from their recognizable world. He appears as a knight ought to appear: tall, handsome, and fashionably dressed; however, the Green Knights adherence to the conventions of the court is offset by his departure from that world. He has very unfashionable long hair and a beard; and, most noticably, he and the horse accompaning him are a stunning color green. The author brings to question what his motives are by juxtaposing his possession of holly, a sign of peaceful intent, with the monstrous axe he weilds. The fusion of human and supernatural characteristics add to the ambiguity of the piece, the balance between conventional and non-conventional, and give the first sign that the construction of the narrative is dependent on this balance. The match: a game, yet implies death Arthur swings with the temperment and yet nothing happens. The response of the Green Knight is completely passive. When Gawain intervenes, it can be seen in two ways, that he is intervening with the courtly manner of a true knight of the Round Table, or with an implied criticism of Arthur for involving himself in such a challenge and on the court for letting this to take place. This brings about questions of the reputation of the Round Table and of the truth of the chivalric nature of the knights in the court.

Fate in Romeo and Juliet Essay Example For Students

Fate in Romeo and Juliet Essay Two households, both alike in dignity, / In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, / From ancient grudge brakes to new mutiny, / Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. / From forth the fatal lions of these foes / A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life; / Whose misadventured piteous overthrows / Doth with their death bury their parents strife. / The fearful passage of their death-marked love, / And the continuance of their parents rage, / Which, but their childrens end, naught could remove -The Prologue, Romeo and Juliet (by William Shakespeare). Fate plays a major role in the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. The prologue describes Romeos and Juliets fate, which we see come up many times later on in the play. Throughout the play, Romeo and Juliet unwittingly realize they cannot exist in such reality and that a tragic fate awaits them. The two families, the Montagues and the Capulets continue being rivals all the way to the end of the play until the inevitable event takes its place. In the play, there are many pieces of evidence that further present the prologues sad foretold reality. Even as early as the first scene of the play, we already see some evidence to back up the prologue. RomeoAnd makes himself and artificial night. (I, i, 38) This passage can be seen as the foreshadowing of Romeos suicide. Another line said by Montague, which is Unless good council may the cause remove (I, i, 140), also is evidence of Romeos tragedy. In the first act, Romeo is introduced. His great sadness is shown right away and the theme of love is seen as well. Through Romeos mellow mood we see how desperate he is for love. Romeo is in love with Juliet, which is the daughter of an enemy to the house of Montagues. Fate is definitely involved here, and this innocent love is the first step in a chain of events that lead to the fate driven tragedy. In the same scene, Tybalt is infuriated with Romeo. He is ready to kill him and believes that Romeo is his sworn enemy. Tybalt. This, by his voice, should be a MontagueFetch me my rapier, boy. What, dares the slaveCome hither, covered with an antic face,To fleer and scorn at our solemnity?Now, by the stock and honor of my kin,To strike him dead I hold not a sin.(I, vi, lines 54-59)And to even worsen the situation, Tybalt, says the following to his father, in the intent to show that he is not joking and that he is going to try and kill Romeo: I will withdraw; but this intrusion shall, now seeming sweet; convert to bittrest gall. (I, vi, lines 91-92) The two families rage here is shown and also fate takes its slow coarse and death is already foreshadowed. It is very important to emphasize at this point that the love between Romeo and Juliet cannot exist because of the rage between the two families. Fate is already taking its place. And this particular event, the first acquaintance between Romeo and Juliet, has started the chain of tragic events that shall eventually bring peace to the streets of Verona. Here is another passage which underlines the effect of Romeos and Juliets deaths: For this alliance may so happy prove to turn your households rancor to pure love. Many times there are small reminders between the lines, of the tragic fate that the play is heading towards. Such one is this: Friar. These violent delights have violent ends and in their triumph die, like fire and powder, which, as they kiss, consume. (II, vii, lines 9-11) This line tells of sad reality and its consequences. As tough as reality might be, it gets even worse for Juliet and her Romeo. She has to marry Parris because her father wants her to do so. She now has to hide her love and secretly meet Romeo, so that no man in Verona shall know of their forbidden love. Crime Decreasing Issue Essay My life is better ended by their hateThan death prorogued, wanting of thy love.(II, ii, lines 77-78)And his love knows no limit:Romeo. With loves light wings did I oerperch These walls;For Stony limits cannot hold love out,And what love can do, that dares love attempt.(II, ii, lines 66-68)After Romeo kills Tybalt he shouts, O, I am fortunes fool! (III,I, 134) Here Romeo clearly understands the full impact of this tragic event on his future, and how everything that has happened to him after he met Juliet was not in his favor. Fate is so strong that it works within the characters, and Juliet says If all else fail, myself have power to die. (III, vi, 244) , once she sees how all the events lead to a tragic end. The rivalry between the two families is first introduced in the prologue and continues until the very end of the play before the death of the two lovers. In the first act the servants boys from the tow families rant and make jokes about each others masters and reveal the one of the major conflicts of the play. Fate is the driving force, that is set to stop the war between the two houses, therefore it is important to understand what is the motive behind Romeo and Juliets deaths from the prospective of fate. Many times in the play the two families have to confront each other in uncomfortable situations. Their first encounter that is seen in the play is after the prince has come to stop the chaos on the streets after being told of the quarrels going between the two families. Montague is all fired up after seeing Capulets men, and so is Capulet after seeing Montagues. Capulet. My sword, I say! Old Montague is come And flourishes his blade in spite of me.Montague. Thou villain Capulet! Hold me not, let me go. (I, i, 75-77)And so their hate continues to exist. Even after Tybalt is dead, and Mercutio lies beside him. The Capulets wife is not any better than her husband. After she sees Tybalt slain, she asks the Prince to punish Romeo, even though she is not certain how this tragic event came to be. Only at the end of the play, after their childrens death do they realize how unjustifiable their hatred was, and how meaningless it was to pursue their ancestors sins towards one another. Montague. There shall no figure at such rate besetAs that of true and faithful Juliet.Capulet. As rich shall Romeos by his lady lie-Poor sacrifices of our enmity!(V, iii, 302-304)In this exchange of apologies and forgiveness we see that both fathers are ready to put everything behind and honor each others child, for being messengers of love driven by fate to stop the cycle of hatred. That heaven finds means to kill your joys with love.(v, iii, 293)The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is fate driven. All the events that happen in the play lead to one major event, for which the play is said to be tragic, in which for most part fate plays a large role. Both destined lovers realize their love cannot be pure and simple, and that no matter what they do, it will be tragic. The two families, whos strife can only be stopped by the predetermined love of their offspring, seize the hatred between them.

Are Video Games Bad for You Research Paper Example

Are Video Games Bad for You? Paper Introduction In recent decades, attention has been placed on the influence of violent videogames on the aggressive behaviour of individuals. While some scholars believe that videogames increase aggression amongst children in particular, others claim evidence on the catharsis hypothesis where videogames are argued to be a safe outlet to express aggression (Berger 2002). Although many theories have emerged regarding the influence of violent videogames, the debate continues to be divided between those who claim its destructive nature and others who claim that videogames cannot be solely blamed for the aggressive behaviour expressed by young people. This essay therefore aims to examine different arguments raised in the literature regarding the moral and social issues that are associated with violent videogames. The Debate about the Influence of Violent Video Games In recent times, the nature of video games have become an important topic of debate as politicians in the UK and America argue that videogame playing increases aggression, particularly in children (Freedman 2001; Berger 2002). Despite the absence of scientific consensus, there seems to be a rising concern that videogames can in fact lead to ‘real life’ violence. In 1993 the British Parliament showed concern over the dangers of games such as Mortal Kombat, in 1997 similar questions were raised about Grand Theft Auto, where the aim of the game is to steal cars, shoot people and engage in criminal activities. We will write a custom essay sample on Are Video Games Bad for You? specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Are Video Games Bad for You? specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Are Video Games Bad for You? specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Videogames have also been blamed directly for the school massacres in the United States, where teenage murderers were reported to be avid players of violent videogames such as Doom and Duke Nukem. As a result, parents of the children murdered filed a $130 million lawsuit against 24 videogame and Internet companies. Although the suit was dismissed in May 2000, the debate of the dangers of videogames continues (Poole 2000). It is in fact true that most videogames are violent in nature or have violent elements. But whether or not they lead to players becoming violent is difficult to answer (Poole 2000; Berger 2002). In particular the concern lies mainly in the effects of these games on children as it is argued by psychologists and paediatrics that children are unable to differentiate between fiction and reality. In fact, by becoming regular players they become desensitised because it becomes so much a part of their lives (Jenkins 2006). The question therefore arises whether children should be allowed to play violent and sadistic games. Berger (2002) argues that although there is a significant difference between mediate violence, where the individual sees hundreds of killings, it has a different status from real violence, where the majority of us have never seen anyone get killed. Thus, the fact that violence in videogames is mediated gives it the status of ‘just’ play (see also Poole 2000). However, although a game may not be real, does not mean that it does not have a profound affect on us. As Berger (2002) argues that it may affect us in ways that we are not aware of. Particularly in videogames, people become active participants. Videogames are an active medium that requires constant physical input by the player. Accordingly the player is deeply involved with the game and therefore is significantly more than a mere audience member (Galloway 2004). As violent videogames are more interactive they may also be more harmful than violent television for the player is forced to identify with the aggressor (Anderson 2000; 2003). In addition, many become addicted to the high levels of excitement of videogames and as a result this can lead to the individual trying to find the same levels of excitement in the use of drugs (Berger 2002). The addictive quality of videogame playing has also been reported to lead to personality problems where the individual loses his/her ability to interact in the real world (see Anderson 2000). As such they immerse themselves into a fictional world where they can forget and avoid the reality in which they live. On the other hand in television and films, people are passive spectators however, it is argued that television violence may in fact be a greater concern as on average, most people watch more television. Thus, for children who are regularly exposed to television violence it could have a worse or similar effect to video games (Berger 2002). Some scholars argue however that violence in television, films and video games has in fact the opposite effect. As individuals become ‘saturated’ with violence, it can lead to a catharsis where videogames, television and films become a safe outlet to for aggressive feelings and emotions; as a result, individuals become less violent. Naturally, this argument goes against the idea that children are highly influenced by modelled behaviour as they try to replicate what they see (Freedman 2001). The influence of video games is therefore highly complex to resolve. Poole (2000) therefore argues that videogames may simply be part of many factors that lead to violent behaviour. Videogames as films and television may influence real life violence by having a particular style that is imitated. Pool argues that it is possible that the teenage murderers in America may have imitated the way in which people are killed in the video game Doom, however it is not possible to say that without playing the game they would not have killed their classmates. Research conducted in America reiterates this statement, violent video games may be one risk factor when coupled with other more immediate, real-world influences — which can contribute to anti-social behavior. But no research has found that video games are a primary factor or that violent video game play could turn an otherwise normal person into a killer (Jenkins 2006, website). Rollings and Adams (2002) therefore argue that the debate is not about violence per se, but rather about how violence is portrayed and the circumstances under which it is acceptable. In their book ‘Andrew Rollings and Ernest Adams on Game Designs’ (Rollings Adams 2002), they examine the nature of violence in video games as being highly influenced by the similarities to the real world; the more a game resembles real life ‘situations’ the more debate and opposition it will raise amongst politicians and the general public. On the other hand, if the violence portrayed is abstract and unrealistic, as e. g. killing aliens in Space Invaders, it becomes less controversial. As a result, the more a game resembles real life the more ethical issues it will raise. Rollings and Adam (2002) therefore strongly recommend that ethical realism need to be tied closely to visual realism. Video games makers consequently need to understand this link for there will always be some individuals who will have difficulties in differentiating between fiction and reality. Children in particular need to be protected, as the younger they are, the harder it is for them to distinguish between play and reality, A few designers, mostly young and male, seem to think that deliberately including gratuitous violence in their games is a gesture of rebellion against the antiviolence crusaders. We encourage these gentlemen to grow up and to remember who the game is for. Our customers don’t buy games to see rebellious gestures; they buy them to be entertained (Rollings Adams pp 80) Jenkins (2006) also argues that advertising and marketing aimed at young people need to be restricted however parents also need to take more responsibility. The Federal Trade Commission in America has found that 83 percent of game purchases for underage consumers are made by parents or by parents and children together. Conclusion The debate regarding the impact of violent videogames, particularly on children and young people, continues to remain complex. Although research has shown the link between videogames and aggressive and anti-social behaviour, the assumptions on which this argument is based remain disputed. In recent times these research studies have been criticised on methodological grounds and many scholars now invariably question this link, for they do not accept that videogames can be accused of increased aggression, especially amongst young people. In fact, many argue that due to the mass media frenzy around the impact of violent videogames has led authorities to be more suspicious and hostile to many young people who already feel excluded from the system. It also misdirects the debate from the real causes of anti-social behaviour that seem to be blamed on videogames, television and films alike (Jenkins 2006) However as mentioned in this essay, although the link between violent videogames and increased aggression of young people and children continue to be contested, it is clear that childrens’ use of these games need to be closely monitored and restricted. The fact that children are reported to replicate and follow modelled behaviour is an issue that cannot be taken lightly. It could be argued that without close supervision and support from parents and policy regulations to protect children, some children may in fact be motivated to act upon what they experience in their video game ‘reality,’ due to their inability to differentiate between fiction and reality. References Anderson, C. A. (2000) Video Games and Aggressive Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviour in the Laboratory and in Life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol. 3, No. 4, 772- 790, American Psychological Association, Inc. Anderson, C. A. (2003) Violent Video Games: Myths, Facts, and Unanswered Questions. Psychological Science Agenda Volume 16: No. 5, American Psychological Association, Inc Berger, A. A. (2002) Videogames: A Popular Culture Phenomenon. New Jersey: Transaction Publishers. Freedman, J. (2001) Evaluating the Research on Violent Video Game s, Toronto: University of Toronto. http://culturalpolicy. uchicago. edu/conf2001/papers/freedman. html (Accessed 18th April 2006). Galloway, A. R. (2004) Social Realism in Gaming. The International Journal of Computer Game Research, Volume 4, Issue 1. http://webct. londonmet. ac. uk/SCRIPT/SM2007N/scripts/serve_home (Accessed 18th April 2006). Jenkins, H. (2006) Reality Bytes: Eight Myths About Video Games Debunked. Impact of Gaming Essays, The Video Game Revolution. http://webct. londonmet. ac. uk/SCRIPT/SM2007N/scripts/serve_home (Accessed 18th April 2006) Poole, S. (2000) Trigger Happy: The Inner Life of Videogames. London: Fourth Estate Limited. Rollings, A. Adams, E. (2003) Andrew Rollings and Ernest Adams on Game Designs. USA: New Riders Publishing.

Friendship with Your Reader

Friendship with Your Reader Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: What! You too? I thought I was the only one. ~ C. S. Lewis Whether you write poetry, scripts, freelance features, nonfiction, memoir, or novels, your goal is to touch minds with a reader. And if the stars align, and you write like an angel, you connect with many readers, making them think you are of like souls. Think of yourself as a reader, and remember that special book that touched you once upon a time. The author reached across the void with characters, storytelling, and voice, and made you believe they understood you as a human being. The author deemed you credible, and you felt the same in return. But friendship with your readers means more these days. Once your writing passes muster, you are expected to be readily available online. You are also expected to respect the reader, because they invested time into the reading of your words. Not only do you want to feed them the words they want to hear, but you want to let them know you appreciate them for giving you attention in return. Its a personal relationship. Someone with my publishing house asked me why I still did face-to-face appearances when everyone did online events these days. I told that to a room of twenty ladies this week at a book club, and their faces expressed a combination of shock, disagreement, and dismay. Rumblings went around the room as everyone discussed how they appreciate a writer who dares make appearances, giving to the reader in return for reading the book. One lady even came up to me afterwards and said that she was about to give up on coming until she heard me, and I convinced her to stick with her book club, all because of the experience I gave her that night. So, if you think its about selling books, youre wrong. If you think its about your Facebook numbers, youre wrong. Its about becoming intimate with your readers, embracing them, thanking them for choosing your work to read when the world is flooded with choices. You owe yourself to your readers. Thanks Hope TWITTER http://twitter.com/hopeclark FACEBOOK facebook.com/chopeclark GOODREADS goodreads.com/hopeclark BOOKBUB https://www.bookbub.com/authors/c-hope-clark

Macro and Microeconomics Issues Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 2

Macro and Microeconomics Issues - Essay Example The analysis of price and income effects based on the estimated demand system has suggested that with the increase in food price inflation, the demand for staple food (rice, wheat, and sugar) may not be affected adversely but, that of high-value food commodities is likely to be affected negatively.† The increase in the price of orange due to supply constraints would lead to increase in prices of other fruits in general. Poor people tend to spend more on bread, a staple food item in spite of price increase by reducing their consumption of other food which cost more. This phenomenon is called as ‘Giffen’s Paradox’. Giffen’s paradox is not applicable in the case of orange, as it is not a staple food in poor households. Demand for the orange cannot be considered inelastic. Silberberg and Walker(687) observe â€Å"When the price of the Giffen good changes, therefore, not only does the income term outweigh the substitution term for the Giffen good, but a similar result is produced for the cross effect on the other commodity.† Therefore, increase in the price of orange will lead to increase in the price of other fruits like grapes or apples due to the substitution effect. The increase in price or orange induces farmers to increase the area under crop for oranges which are expected to increase the production of oranges to the normal level of demand in the economy. However, when the farmers have other alternatives of producing corn or other grasses, may be at a lesser cost of production for manufacture of ethanol, the scenario with regard to supply pattern changes drastically. President George W. Bush called for the United States to reduce its gasoline consumption by 20% in the next decade. Considering the growth rates in consumption of gasoline, reduction in consumption of gasoline is very difficult. He proposed an increase in ethanol produced from corn and the stalks and leaves from corn and other grasses.

The Addition of Steroids and Antibiotics in Food Research Paper

The Addition of Steroids and Antibiotics in Food - Research Paper Example This increase in production means a lot of profit for the meat and dairy product industries but on the other hand it is also risking the health of its consumers. FDA and USDA claims that these hormones (steroidal in nature) are free from any harm. Antibiotics which are also used in cattle as preventive measures or to increase the weight of the animal are also producing health concerns in the consumers of the meat and milk. Although the use of antibiotics is banned in Europe it is still legal to inject the low doses of these antibiotics in America and Canada. First we need to be acquainted with Hormones and Antibiotics and to what extent they can affect the health of its consumer. Hormones are the biochemicals produced in the body of human’s as well as animals. Even though they are released in small amounts they control the important body functions such as growth, maturity and reproduction. They are produced by special organs which function to release the hormones according to the requirement and proper timings of its release. This is called the feedback mechanism of the body which manages the amount of hormone released. If body’s requirement of the hormone is fulfilled, by negative feedback mechanism, hormone production automatically stops. Unfortunately, if these hormones are being consumed from any outside sources they can cause serious consequences as there won’t be any mechanism indicating the red alert for the overconsumption. Hormones can be of steroidal or protein in nature. Steroidal hormones remain active even if they are consumed via mouth. Whereas, protein hormones needs to be injected as they are destroyed immediately in the G.I tract (Gastrointestinal tract) by the action of acids and other secretions such as insulin hormone injections by diabetics. Hormones are being used in farm animals to increase their weight and by the use of growth hormones they grow much faster and to a larger extent. They also increase the weight of the animal even if the animal’s food consumption is reduced. In cows, hormones increase the production of milk. Approximately 22% of the Cows are being injected or fed steroidal hormones to get the desired result. Thus, the faster animal reaches to the slaughter weight, the more profitable this procedure becomes for the industries. According to European Union Scientific committee on Veterinary Measures Relating to Public Health, Potential risk to human health can be caused by the use of six types of hormones, including both synthetic and natural hormones. Natural include Oestradiol, Testosterone and Progesterone. Synthetic hormones are Melengestrol, Zeranol, Trenbolone. (Artificial Hormones, 2006). Estradiol and Progesterone are natural female sex hormone and Testosterone is male sex hormone. The other three synthetic hormones are used as growth promoters. FDA approves the use of these hormones in sheep’s and Cattle but not on poultry and Hogs. Recombinant Bovine Growth H ormones (rbGH) is being used in dairy cattle but not on beef cattle.( Consumer Concern about Hormones in Food, 2010) The Committee also put forth questions regarding the issue of such hormone injected animal consumption can cause any imbalance in human hormone system. However, FDA and USDA continuously ensures the consumers that very little amount is

The Food and Farming Transition Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Food and Farming Transition - Research Paper Example This makes it possible to do away with hunger problems resulting from scarcity of food. The only reason why a people from an area can die of hunger may be economic ability to purchase the products not the scarcity. The inability to purchase means the prices are high which could only means the products are not locally produced (Richard Heinberg, 2009). Products produced from far have more value fuel costs attached to it making less affordable to people. While, it may be true that there is more economic gains than losses, it is important to note that this can only be true in some areas and remains to be oppositely true in the area of general gains in all aspects. However, globalization contributes to contamination of the food on transit while also raising a major concern that motivates a rethinking of globalization. This is the high consumption of fuel in the form of fertilizer production process, large-scale farming and other fuel consumption processes that is the case with large-scale agricultural production. Agricultural production in America is done by few people due to large-scale production that employs the use of machineries that consumes fuels. This is a major concern given the diminishing fuel production. To help save the problem that may be caused by uncertainty in oil prices, the governments should reconsider their fuel use policies and compare it against the benefits of transitioning to the policy of using less fuels and local production of agricultural products thereby less relying on imports (Heinberg, 2003). This can be done by reducing the dependence on products that heavily rely on fuel use by acknowledging the demerits posed by the same. Few people practice agriculture because land is less and most services are mechanized. Fertilizers that are used are produced through a process that in itself can produce so much crops than fertilizers and use so much fuel thereby contributing to diminishing of the same. Machineries