Vengeance In Shakespeare And Literature English Literature Essay

Vengeance In Shakespeare And Literature English Literature Essay Numerous dramas and works of literature by William Shakespeare are known for their intensely dramatic scenes. And because of violence enhancing the deaths of literature works, it is in favor for writers of literature to put much violence and death in their works and literature, after annotating Shakespeares use of revenge, and how it brings out the life of his plays. Shakespeares works use vengeance because it leads to the root of violence as well as draw excitement to readers, and by also showing the consequences of revenge, his works leave a notable and significant message that vengeance is not necessarily the best way to solve problems, and yet his use of vengeance in his works encourage the use of vengeance in literature. What is vengeance exactly? Vengeance is basically an infliction of injury, harm, or humiliation on a person who has been harmed by that person. Revenge and vengeance can be best described by the term an eye for an eye, a quotation from several passages of the Hebrew Bible (Leviticus 24:19-21, Exodus 21:22-25, and Deuteronomy19:21) in which a person who has injured the eye of another is obligated to give the value of his or her own eye in compensation. This mythological perspective is the main basis for many works of literature; most notable is that of Shakespeares Hamlet (DiYanni). The idea of vengeance for family honor causes great chaos and madness throughout the play Hamlet, and causes many more people who were beloved to get caught up in this circle of chaos, madness, and vengeance. Revenge causes the characters in Hamlet to act blindly and inattentively through anger and emotion, rather than through reasoning, intuition, and reliable thinking between actions and consequences. Based on the principle of an eye for an eye, this action is not always the best means to an end, nor is it righteous. The three characters Fortinbras, Laertes, and Hamlet urged to avenge the deaths of their beloved fathers, whom were all murdered. All three characters acted on the emotion of rage driven by the thirst for revenge for their fathers deaths, and this led to the tragic death of both Laertes and Hamlet, and the rise of power for the Norwegian crowned prince Fortinbras who was heading for Denmark. This further leads to the perception that ones desire for vengeance can lead t o their downfall. Lost by his father, with all bonds of law, to our most valiant brother, provides information of Fortinbras, King of Norways, death which leads to the basis and understanding of how Fortinbrass thirst for vengeance arose (Hamlet I.ii.24-25). Fortinbras then aspires to recover the lands and power lost by his father as a way of honoring and avenging him (pinkmonkey). Polonius was an advisor to King Claudius and was a devoted member to Claudiuss ruling. Not only being a simple advisor, Polonius was the father to Laertes and Ophelia. How now! A rat? Dead, for a ducat, dead, gives detail of Prince Hamlet killing Polonius while he was secretly listening in on a conversation between Hamlet and his mother (Hamlet III.iv.25). Once Laertes figures out his fathers murder, he does not hesitate and proceeds for vengeance quite hastily. King Claudius asked Laertes, to show yourself youre your fathers son in deed more than words (Hamlet IV.vii.137-138). Laertes then replies back stating, to cut his throat ith , thus proving Laertess inner desire for retribution of the death of his father. As for Hamlet; after hearing of his fathers death, Hamlets initial reaction was not vengeful nor did a desire for retribution occur. Hamlet first fell into a state of melancholy and depression. Not until King Hamlets ghost reveals the truth to Hamlet that his whole melancholy and depressed attitude changes. King Hamlets Ghost says to Hamlet, Murder most foul, as in the best it is, but this most foul, strange and unnatural (Hamlet I.v.31-32). Hamlet then replies to his fathers ghost stating, Haste me to knowt that I with wings as swift as meditation or the thoughts of love may sweep me to my revenge, thus interpreting that a whole new drive for vengeance has arose. Hamlet is almost totally sure that his uncle King Claudius had killed his father in order to take the power of the throne of Denmark (Hamlet I.v.33-35). But unlike Fortinbras, Hamlet does not act quickly or hastily because he is paralyzed by his own indecision and fear (pinkmonkey). The inability for Hamlet to take immediat e action becomes his main obstacle throughout the play. Eventually Hamlet does get his revenge, but the irony in the play is that Hamlet, by fulfilling his revenge, has destroyed the family whose honor he sought to avenge, which is a major turn around in the whole work, and gives readers an inner depth of feeling to this work (pinkmonkey). Fortinbras, Hamlet, and Laertes are burdened with the responsibility of avenging the murders of their respective fathers. The most interesting fact about Shakespeares work in context, that most readers would overlook, is the fact that while both Hamlet and Laertes find themselves in similar situations, they do not respond to their situations in a corresponding way for revenge (Sexton). Their display for vengeance is quite significantly different. Hamlet spends much of the play plotting on ways to take vengeance against his fathers murderer and is held back by his fear, while Laertes, on the other hand, reacts to the news of his fathers murder very quickly and rapidly (Sexton). These differences are based on both Laertes and Hamlets personality, values, initiative, and anger, which are the building blocks and glue to all acts of vengeance. Laertes can be described as an inflexible person and has a different sense of honor. Laertes acts out of great aggressiveness and pure anger, while Hamlets code of honor, on the other hand, can be portrayed as extremely different, because throughout Shakespeares work. Hamlet attentively plots and questions himself on which course of action is the utmost proper and effective way for his act of vengeance to take forth. This continues to support the theory that different men tend to different acts when it comes to vengeance. Unfortunately, this decision leads to the death of them both. Rather than approach vengeance as a task to be carried out in the most acceptable fashion, Hamlet and Laertes brainwash in their heads that murder is the only means of revenge, which is portrayed as a sociologic al aspect in literature: that a means of vengeance, particularly to men, has to involve death (pinkmonkey). Whatever happened to placing itching powder in ones underwear? Or just plain out of forgiving them, as one is supposed to in The Bible? Society now refers to vengeance as mere violence and bloodshed. Overall the plays conclusion makes it clear that the great distinction between Hamlet and Laertes is quite significant to Shakespeare because it develops a conflict in his work, and leads to deeper questioning whether vengeance is truly the best means to an end. Another Shakespearian work that displays a theme of vengeance in literature is Macbeth. In Macbeth the characters Malcolm and Macduff portray a desire for retribution for the deaths of their loved ones, whom Macbeth has murdered in his thirst for tyranny. He has no children. All my pretty ones? Did you say all? O hell-kite! All? What, all my pretty chickens and their dam at one fell swoop, explores Macduffs grief for the loss of his wife and son (Macbeth IV. iii. 216-219). Tyrant, show the face! If thou beest slain and with no stroke of mine, my wife and childrens ghost will haunt me still, explains that Macduff considers that he has the right to carry out vengeance (Macbeth V.vii.15-17). He may just have the right towards an eye for an eye, but just because one has a right to an action, doesnt necessarily mean that taking that action is the utmost right thing to do. For every action there is a consequence. In Hamlet the consequences of vengeance are exceedingly displayed. Although it never directly states that vengeance is the best means to an end, one can easily interpret that vengeance is not the correct motive. Hamlet proves that vengeance leads to more death that could have easily been avoided. To further display the negative aspects are sacred books such as the Holy Bible. The Holy Bible gives great detail of avoiding vengeance, and is the major source of answer to the question of whether vengeance is the best means to an end through a mythological perspective. God speaks out in the Bible stating: It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them, thus stating that God only has the right to avenge anyone, while we as his people do not the right to seek any vengeance (Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19; Hebrews 10:30). God says that he will take care of everything. God never accepts vengeance from impure motives, such as taking part in vengeance for emotional distress. In Psalm 94:1, the psalmist asks God to avenge the righteous, not in a sense of anger, but out of justice from God, whose judgments are perfect. Although vengeance is a sin, and causes a negative impact to our society, it should still be encouraged to be placed in works of literature, and maybe movies, thats if the people who view such movies are competent enough to not act out upon such viewings. Who doesnt like a good story filled with vengeance? Vengeance in literature can play the role of an end to a magnificent plot, a ground-breaking intro, or encouragement for a friend to get his hands off the PlayStation every once in a while. To further prove vengeances impact on literature take note of best-selling books: Grendel by John Gardner, and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and how vengeance gives these works great value in the eyes of many readers. The Great Gatsby is basically the basic soap opera that ends with death, due to misunderstanding and the need of vengeance. In the Fitzgeralds work, George Wilsons wife, Myrtle, is killed in a car accident. And by just assuming that his wife was intentionally murdered, and that its the will of God for him to act put upon vengeance; he shoots Tom Gatsby while he is floating in the swimming pool. Tom Gatsbys death played the dramatic climax in Fitzgeralds work, leaving thoughts in the minds of readers as the story concludes. For instance, the most captivating quote was about the basis of Toms death and Georges revenge When a man gets killed I never like to get mixed up in it in any way. I keep out. When I was a young man it was differentI stuck with them to the endLet us learn to show friendship for a man when he is alive and not after he is dead (Fitzgerald, 147). By placing vengeance in literary context, Fitzgeralds work went from simplistic to captivating, in the eyes of many reade rs. Grendel by John Gardner possesses vengeance as well, and some may argue that it possesses greater value of vengeance than The Great Gatsby. Grendels mother and Beowulf display the best aspects of vengeance. Beowulf is assigned the task to slay Grendel, and cease his routinely devastating raids. The slaying of Grendel plays the role of vengeance, and also redemption within Gardners work. After her sons dismemberment Grendels mother also takes her place to seek revenge, although vengeance was not needed, for it was Grendel who had it coming. However, Grendels mother is still a mom who loves her child, and her task is to obtain vengeance for her son. This epic story reveals how vengeance can make literature into a visionary cinematic pleasure. Most great authors themselves promote vengeance in their work opposed to philosophers. Peter A. French is one of the many authors that defended vengeance and demonstrate its prevalence throughout our history and our literature -Although most moral philosophers reject vengeance as a barbaric sentiment, Peter French argues that it has fallen into disrepute without being seriously examined with respect to its real moral value. In beginning his philosophical examination of the virtues of vengeance, he investigates the use of vengeance themes in literature and popular culture. Literary works from the  Iliad  to  Hamlet  and modern film Westerns such as Clint Eastwoods Unforgiven  are reviewed in his exploration of the philosophical and ethical aspects of vengeance. He then concentrates on the conditions that could make acts of vengeance virtuous(kansaspress). Vengeance is the main foundation of a plethora of literary works, but most notable is that of Shakespeares. Vengeance plays a theme of most of Shakespeares plays, and is main component of its success. The portrayal of the consequences of vengeance shows that vengeance is most definitely not the best means to an end, and for those who are of Christianity, portray vengeance as a sin, because God strictly prohibits it. On the other hand vengeance, can be a positive impact in not just Western literature, but worldwide. By displaying vengeance in books, people can learn from mistakes, and speak towards their own thoughts on vengeance. Vengeance is an endless matter, and should also be endless theme of literature works throughout our time.

The Feasibility of Different Techniques for Providing Fresh Water to Arid Regions in the World

The feasibility of different techniques for providing fresh water to arid regions in the world 1. 0 Introduction Water is the most valuable and indispensable resource for all forms of life. People need it for every activity: domestic use, agriculture and industry. Access to fresh water is regarded as a universal human right (United Nations Committee in Economics, Social and Cultural Rights, 2003). Drought has become an increasingly important problem in many parts of the world. Water scarcity is most common in arid and semiarid regions of the world, which cover one third of the Earth’s land surface (Smallwood, 2011).UNESCO and the Italian Ministry for the Environment and Territory (IMET) have launched â€Å"The Water Programme for Africa, Arid and Water Scarce Zones†, which seeks to develop the potential management of water resources to protect the fragile environment of water scarce regions. Additionally, limited fresh water resources available in these regions are also threatened with deterioration in quality due to hydrological changes. The accessible water in arid regions are often restricted to groundwater. Surface flows are usually limited to flash floods due to short duration and high intensity rainfall events.The purpose of this report to describe the feasibility of different techniques for providing fresh water to arid region, like Africa. Firstly, this report will consider the background to this problem and then it will compare and analyze two water provision methods in Africa, desalination and dams. Finally, this report will offer some recommendations. 2. 0 Background Water is not only a physical resource: in every culture it is spread among social, spiritual, political and environmental meanings. So, solving the water problem means progress across all of these developments.This is mostly relevant in countries with no perennial rivers, streams, or permanent surface fresh water. Also, people in arid regions are uniquely vulnerable to econ omic and social changes. Achieving sustainable development has dramatic implications for reducing poverty and hunger. Today, millions of people still lack access to basic sanitation and every year many of them die from diseases related with inadequate water supply, sanitation and hygiene. According to The Water Project statistic’s, nearly 1 out of every 5 deaths under the age of 5 is due to water-related disease, such as cholera, diarrhoea and malari.Current predictions (UNWWAP, 2003) show that more than 20 developing countries will experience water shortage by 2025. Most of this countries are found in Africa and the Middle East. 2. 1 Water problems in Africa Water problems mostly take place in Africa, where it is predicted that 300 million people are affected by water shortages. (UNWWAP, UNESCO 2003) The University of Cape Town studied that climate change have a huge impact on Africa. For example, rain shortages have already caused many problems there.In East Africa more tha n 3 million people face hunger this year, because there hasn’t been any rain for three month. (BBC, 2011) Most people in Africa live in rural areas and they are still dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods. Internal renewable freshwater resources average about 3 950 km3 per year. This amounts to about 10 per cent of the freshwater resources available globally and closely resembles Africa’s share of the world population at 12 per cent (Donkor, 2003). Three of four Africans use the ground water as their main water supply.The ground water is not always available, it accounts for only 15% of the continent’s water. Perhaps the greatest cause of Africa’s problem of a lack water is that they can’t effectively utilize its resources. Approximately 4 trillion cubic meters of water is available every year, and only 4% of that is used. The continent and people lack the technical knowledge and financial resources. In Africa is the greatest percentage of people lacking access to safe drinking water, there are 25 nations in the world and 19 are in Africa. The global challenge, 2011) So adequate management of its water resources is crucial for the future of the African continent. 3. 0 Comparison of Options 3. 1 Dams In meeting critical water needs, there is some alternative technologies, such as dams and desalination. According to ICOLD (International Commission on Large Dams), a large dam is dam with the height of 15 m or more. Regional inventories include nearly 1300 large and medium-size dams in Africa, 40 % of them are located in South Africa. Most of these were constructed in past 30 years, the reason is rising demand for water from growing population.The majority of dams in Africa have been constructed to facilitate irrigation (52%) and to supply water to municipalities (20%). Although only 6% of dams were built primarily for electricity generation, hydroelectric power accounts for more than 80% of total power generation in 18 African countries. Only 1% of African dams have been constructed to provide flooding control, according to the World Commission on Dams. Sudan’s president, Omar al-Bashir, is so proud of the new Merowe dam in the north of his country. Costing $1. billion, it will produce 1,250 megawatts and create a lake 108 miles long, above the Nile’s fourth cataract. (The Economist, 2010) However, if dam construction is predicted, then not only technically feasible options should be considered, but also economical viability, social acceptance and environment stability. 3. 2 Desalination In Africa, where water shortages are particularly severe, desalination technology has been developed to a point where it can serve as a reliable water source at a price almost comparable to that of the conventional sources.Desalination techniques are one of the available tools to avoid stressing freshwater resources. Nevertheless, they should always be considered as just one of the components of an i ntegrated water resources management process developed in conjunction with water conservation strategies (UNESCWA). South Africa is considering a major desalination programme for its coastal cities. Cornelius Ruiters, deputy directorgeneral of national water resources and infrastructure, told GWI that â€Å"At the moment, less than 1% of our water comes from desalination. We need to increase that by 7% and 10% by 2030.We are mostly dependent on surface water, and there is obviously a limit to that – we need to diversify our mix. † The cities of Cape Town and Ethekwini (Durban) are at the beginning of investigating desalination, but not decision have yet been taken on what technology would be used. Ruiters told â€Å" We have to examine all the options, both financial and technological, and look what are they doing in the Middle East, Singapore and China. Public – private partnerships are a possibility. † (Global Water intelligence, 2009) 4. 0 Conclusion a nd RecommendationDeveloping suitable policy and management system is essential to improve the value obtained from fresh water resources. This includes interventions to strengthen governance, improve knowledge and information systems including data collection and monitoring and evaluation, enhance human and institutional capacity, develop IWRM systems which focus on catchment and basins as the management unit, and mainstream gender. Cooperation and partnership, between multiple stakeholders and at multiple levels, from the local to the sub-regional to the regional, are at the core of successful interventions.These responses should improve the opportunities to meet urgent needs for potable water, sanitation, irrigation and hydropower, among others. A critical issue that will need to be addressed systematically in Africa is financing. Reference list UNESCO. (2004-2006). Water Program. Available: http://unesdoc. unesco. org. Last accessed [29. 11. 11] Arizona. (undated). Global Water Sh ortage Looms In New Century. http://ag. arizona. edu/AZWATER/awr/dec99/Feature2. htm. Last accessed [29. 11. 11] Iahs. (1995) Isotope techniques for water resources in arid and semiarid region. ttp://iahs. info/redbooks/a232/iahs_232_0003. pdf. Last accessed [29. 11. 11] Abufayed, A. A. ( 2003) Desalination: supplemental source of water for the arid states of North Africa. http://www. ipcc. ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/wg2/ar4-wg2-chapter3. pdf. Last accessed [29. 11. 11. ] Fao. (2007) Dams and Agriculture in Africa. http://www. fao. org/nr/water/aquastat/damsafrica/Aquastat_Dams_Africa_070524. pdf. Last accessed [29. 11. 11. ] The Economist. (2010) Dams in Africa. http://www. economist. com/node/16068950. Last accessed [29. 11. 11. ]

Analysis Of Mahatma Gandhi, Robby Novak, And Farah Ahmedi

Numerous people undertake missions, just like Mahatma Gandhi, Robby Novak, and Farah Ahmedi. All goals, whether small or large, have an underlying purpose. Mahatma Gandhi freed India from British Rule and tried to establish equality for all. Robby Novak, also known as Kid President, wants to make the world a better place by uniting kids and adults. The Other Side of the Sky is about Farah Ahmedi tried to escape war-torn Afghanistan using help from others. Even though these three had different missions, all three wanted to make the world a better place or make a better life for themselves. Mahatma Gandhi was a man who fought for India to be free from the British domination and equality for all. Gandhi was a shy lawyer who did not like†¦show more content†¦Gandhi urged the Indian people to create their own clothing. In March of 1930, Gandhi and 78 followers marched to the sea to collect salt. When he and his followers reached the sea, He walked onto the beach and picked up a lump of salt in defiance of the Salt Acts, (Rau 84). This was of the most important, and most memorable, act by Gandhi. On August 15, 1947, India finally became free from the British rule. After India became free, Muslims and Hindus fought, so India was divided in two. Gandhi decided to fast to get the two groups to settle their differences. Nathuram Godse was a Hindu Extremist and killed Gandhi on January 30, 1948. One of Gandhis most famous quotations is, Be the change you wish to see in the world, (Gandhi). This shows that to make a change, people cant tell others what to do, but they sh ould do it themselves. Gandhi did not just say to make a change, he made the change himself. For doing things Gandhi thought were right, he was imprisoned 4 times throughout his life. Gandhi had been a light to the people of India and to the world. [...] He proved that truth and love are the strongest forces for change, (Rau 101). Gandhi inspired many people in the world and he did all of this to create a better life for others. Robby Novak has osteogenesis imperfecta, a medical condition where the bones in one’s body become brittle and easy to break,, but that doesnt stop him. Since he has had a lot of broken bones, he has had a lot of time on

Subordination with Adjective Clauses

In English grammar,  coordination is a useful way of connecting ideas that are roughly equal in importance. But often we need to show that one idea in a sentence is more important than another. On these occasions, we use subordination to indicate that one part of a sentence is secondary (or subordinate) to another part. One common form of subordination is the adjective clause  (also called a relative clause)--a word group that modifies a noun. Lets look at ways to create and punctuate adjective clauses. Creating Adjective Clauses Consider how the following two sentences might be combined: My father is a superstitious man.He always sets his unicorn traps at night. One option is to coordinate the two sentences: My father is a superstitious man, and he always sets his unicorn traps at night. When sentences are coordinated in this way, each main clause is given equal emphasis. But what if we want to place greater emphasis on one statement than on another? We then have the option of reducing the less important statement to an adjective clause. For example, to emphasize that father sets his unicorn traps at night, we can turn the first main clause into an adjective clause: My father, who is a superstitious man, always sets his unicorn traps at night. As shown here, the adjective clause does the job of an adjective and follows the noun that it modifies--father. Like a main clause, an adjective clause contains a subject (in this case, who) and a verb (is). But unlike a main clause an adjective clause cant stand alone: it has to follow a noun in a main clause. For this reason, an adjective clause is considered to be subordinate to the main clause. For practice in creating adjective clauses, try some exercises in Sentence Building With Adjective Clauses.   Identifying Adjective Clauses The most common adjective clauses begin with one of these relative pronouns: who, which, and that. All three pronouns refer to a noun, but who refers only to people and which refers only to things. That may refer to either people or things. The following sentences show how these pronouns are used to begin adjective clauses: Mr. Clean, who hates rock music, smashed my electric guitar.Mr. Clean smashed my electric guitar, which had been a gift from Vera.Mr. Clean smashed the electric guitar that Vera had given me. In the first sentence, the relative pronoun who refers to Mr. Clean, the subject of the main clause. In the second and third sentences, the relative pronouns which and that refer to guitar, the object of the main clause. Punctuating Adjective Clauses These three guidelines will help you decide when to set off an adjective clause with commas: Adjective clauses beginning with that are never set off from the main clause with commas. Food that has turned green in the refrigerator should be thrown away.Adjective clauses beginning with who or which should not be set off with commas if omitting the clause would change the basic meaning of the sentence. Students who turn green should be sent to the infirmary. Because we dont mean that all students should be sent to the infirmary, the adjective clause is essential to the meaning of the sentence. For this reason, we dont set off the adjective clause with commas.Adjective clauses beginning with who or which should be set off with commas if omitting the clause would not change the basic meaning of the sentence. Last weeks pudding, which has turned green in the refrigerator, should be thrown away. Here the which clause provides added, but not essential, information, and so we set it off from the rest of the sentence with commas. Now, if youre ready for a short punctuation exercise, see  Practice in Punctuating Adjective Clauses.