The Subject of Human Rights as Treated in Blood Diamond Movie Review

The Subject of Human Rights as Treated in Blood Diamond - Movie Review Example It is through the application of this theory in the concrete conditions of the people of Sierra Leone that it would be proven that the idealist concept of human rights is insufficient in resolving the social issues of the country. The film Blood Diamond highlights the domestic conflict that occurred in Sierra Leone. The country is deeply divided by a civil war between rebel groups that fight an unstable national government with an army which includes a sizable number of children that have been kidnapped and forcibly conscripted. In the film, the political causes of the conflict were not discussed much. What are presented quite well though were the effects of the civil war on the non-combatants and the children. It is apparent that the rebel groups do not seem to distinguish the civilians from the fighters, which, as insinuated, actually refer to the fact that the civil war in Sierra Leone was genocidal. There are basically two points in the war that is the film’s setting that that creates a very profound impact on the audience, especially for those who are educated on the subject of human rights. First of all, the rebel group headed by Captain Poison does not mind about any human rights of civilians for as long as it is able to achieve its goal which is to free the country of a regime that it considers as oppressive. Secondly, the Revolutionary United Front, which is the rebel group that is fighting the Sierra Leonean government, is portrayed as insurgent force that employs child soldiers who were actually made up of children abducted in the course of the genocidal war. The UDHR stands on the premise that all men are born equal. It is with this concept that the definitions of human rights are created and agreed upon by the signatory countries. However, it is also clear that this concept could hardly be justified or proven correct in the case of the human rights violations committed in Sierra Leone. In the movie Blood Diamond, it was obvious that men are not born with equal privileges and this could be ascertained in the field of politics and economics. Of the main characters in the film, Solomon Vandy represents those who were not born in a family or social group that possesses political and economic clout. It is under this circumstance that he, his family and tribe were subjected to different forms ofhuman rights violations. Vandy personifies the sufferings of the Mende tribe, which was victimized by the RUF. His family was massacred and his son was taken away from him turned into a child soldier by the rebels. Even as Vandy manages to isolate himself and his family from social issues and the war, he cannot avoid witnessing the inequalities among peoples. When he tells his son Dia to study hard and that â€Å"English boys don’t go to school every day,† he articulates that the black African must go to school in order to succeed in life while the white European does not have to do so. Vandy’s articulation essent ially challenges the premise of the UDHR that all men are born equal. In this respect, the fundamental principle of the universality of human rights cam be argued against by people like Vandy, whose concept of the absence of rights is related with the reality that there is no equality in their society. Article III of the

Association Football and B Essay Example for Free

Association Football and B Essay Introduction Soccer is the worlds most popular sport. It is the national sport of most European and Latin-American countries, and of many other nations. Millions of people in more than 140 countries play soccer. The World Cup is held every four years. Soccer is one of the most famous international sports. Soccer is known world wide and is played in the Olympics. In a soccer game there are two teams of 11 players who try to score a point by kicking a ball into the opponents net. Soccer is played on a rectangular field with a net on each short side of the field. All players must hit the ball with their feet or body and only the goalie is allowed to touch the ball with his/her hands. There are many things you can do to condition yourself to play. Soccer the way we play it came from England in the 1800s. Soccer was not that popular until the mid-1900s. Today soccer is very popular and it is one of the nations fastest-growing sports. There are many exercises and drills you can do to improve how you play soccer. There is also many physical conditioning that players can do. Soccer can help you stay fit and healthy. Many people can play soccer and benefit from it. Soccer is very fun and a great recreational sport. History of the Activity Games similar to soccer were played in China as early as 400 BC. In about 200 AD the Romans played a game in which two teams tried to score by advancing a ball across a line on the field. The Romans passed the ball to one another but they never kicked it. London children in about 1100 played a form of soccer in the streets. During the 1800s the people of England played a game similar to soccer. Many rules changed and each person interpreted the rules differently. In 1848 a group of school representatives met at Trinity College in Cambridge and drew up the first of soccer rules. In 1863 English soccer clubs founded the Football Association. By the late 1800s soccer began to spread to the rest of the world. The Canadian Soccer Association was established in 1912 while the United States Soccer Federation was set up in 1913. The first World Cup Championship was in Montevideo, Uruguay. Since then it has been played every four years except during WWII. During the 1970s soccer grew to be a very popular spectator sport as well as participant sport. A soccer game begins with a kickoff in the center of the field. A coin is flipped to decide which team will kickoff. The other team kicks off at the start of the second half when the teams switch sides or nets. After a team scores the other team gets to kickoff to begin again. The kickoff takes place in the middle of the field. When the ball is kicked it must travel the circumference of the ball and touch another player before the kicker can touch the ball again. After the ball is in play it remains in play unless it crosses a goal line or a touch line. All players attempt to stop the ball from coming in their zone while at the same time trying to score a goal. A player may kick the ball into the net with any part of the body except the hands and arms. If the ball goes out of bounds the play is restarted with a corner kick, a goal kick, or a throw-in. The referee decides what type to use. If the ball crosses the goal line and the defensive team touched it last then there is a corner kick by the offense. If the offense touches the ball last and crosses the goal line then it is a goal kick. A throw in happens when the ball crosses the touch line. When it crosses the touch line the team that did not touch it last throws the ball in bounds. The ball is thrown over their head with two hands. Fouls are called when a player does not obey the rules and acts unsportsman-like. When a foul is called the opposite team receives either a penalty kick, a direct free kick or and indirect free kick. Physical Conditioning There are many exercises that people can do to improve in soccer. Exercises that strengthen your legs and improve flexibility are ideal. Physical conditioning is important if you plan on being good at soccer. Here are five exercises that are ideal for soccer: Running: running helps to improve cardiovascular fitness. In soccer there is lots of running for the ball so endurance and a speed is a must. Leg Stretches: using weights can help strengthen the legs. Using weights makes you kick harder and makes the ball travel farther, as a result you become a better player. Leg Machines: exercising all muscles in the leg makes you kick harder and prevents injury when you are diving all over for the ball. The strong muscles help prevent injuries. Stretching: stretching allows you to be more flexible. Sometimes soccer players need to kick the ball in the most awkward positions. Flexibly helps the player to kick the ball in those positions more effectively. Weight Training: all around weight training makes a soccer player even better. A stronger body helps prevent injury and improve all around performance. Practice Drills help the soccer player be more skillful and a better player. There are many drills that can be done. Drills like dribbling to head butting are often used. Some of these drills include: Practicing kicking the ball is a very important and often done drill. To practice the player will kick the ball into the net. Often there is a goalie that they try to score on. Kicking is the most important skill in soccer. Practicing will make your kick stronger and more controllable. Passing is also a very important skill. One drill that can be done is to run side by side with another player and pass the ball back and forth. This skill will improve your passing and receiving skills. Passing is also vital in the game of soccer. Heading is one of the only ways to legally hit the ball when it high in the air. With another player heading can be practiced. One player throws the ball high over top of the other player. The player then will jump up and hit the ball with his forehead and try to control the ball. Heading is very hard and often lots of practice is required. Control of the ball is also very important. By setting up pylons in any order and distance and weaving through them in a pattern like formation can improve your control of the ball. Trying to go quick can also improve your speed of running while dribbling a ball. One on one practice improves both your dribbling and tackling. With two players one is given the ball and must keep the ball away from the other player. While one player is improving his faking and dribbling the other is practicing his defense and tackling. When this drill is done often it can improve your offense as well as defense. Soccer can be done in many age groups. Children often play the sport in school as early as elementary school. Many adults also play the sport. Seniors rarely play soccer because of the easiness it is for them to get injured. Soccer is often very demanding. Soccer for many kids can be very fun. Most children dont think of soccer as work and often enjoy playing soccer. Adults also sometimes find soccer fun and even some adults have careers in the area as a professional soccer player. Soccer is very valuable in obtaining life long fitness. Soccer can be a very demanding sport. Soccer can improve your cardiovascular fitness as well as strength and flexibility. All the physical conditioning and practice drills are very important in keeping fit. Soccer players are able to be healthy and strong because of the physical involvement.

‘Bouncers 1990s Remix’ by John Godber and ‘Shakers-Restirred’ by John Godber and Jane Thornton :: Drama

For my Coursework I studied ‘Bouncers – 1990s Remix’ by John Godber, and ‘Shakers-Restirred’ by John Godber and Jane Thornton. For my Coursework I studied ‘Bouncers – 1990s Remix’ by John Godber, and ‘Shakers-Restirred’ by John Godber and Jane Thornton. Originally set in the 1980s but later adapted for the nineties, the plays are often performed together. They tell stories about urban nightlife from the points of view of nightclub bouncers and cocktail waitresses. Each play only involves four actors, and they play all the parts. I enjoyed studying the plays as they use comedy, melodrama and music to portray some very different characters. I also noticed that sometimes, beneath the comic aspects of the play, there were more serious messages about life. Area of Study 1 – Character and Context Our play was similar to ‘Bouncers’ and ‘Shakers’ as we worked in groups of four too. Our characters were police officers, as we felt that the police see just as much of the things that go on in nightclubs and bars as Bouncers do. As well as being police officers, we also played all the parts of the smaller characters in the bars and clubs. We took this idea of playing multiple characters from the plays we read. My main character was a female police officer called Karen Smith. She comes across as a very strong, blunt and confident character, from a rough background, but she hides a secret. When Karen was younger her dad was really violent to her, her mum and her sisters, and it was years before he was finally caught and arrested. It was as a ten year old, seeing her dad taken away, and feeling so relieved, that she decided to be a Police officer when she grew up, so she could help other people. (See Role on the wall) I wanted to show the hard and soft side of Karen’s character, and so I tried really hard to show the reason for her harshness. At one point she speaks directly to the audience about her past; this is when her true character is revealed. The others in my group played the following roles: Matt – Tom Rivers – a police officer who has only recently joined the force. He is gay, and is worried that people will find out. He tries to seem extra tough. Sam – Ron Brown - he has been a police officer many years and thinks he knows everything. His wife died a year ago and now all he has is his work. Anna – Marie Graves – a young policewoman who is very pretty and

Modernism and the Visual Arts Essay

Originally titled as Le Bain, means the bath; Luncheon on the Grass was exhibited at the Salon de Refuses in 1863. It is painted with oil on a large canvas by Édouard Manet created in between 1862 and 1863. The painting represents the contrast between a female nude with fully clothed men in a rural setting. By that time, normally woman in paintings didn’t look at viewers straight, especially with nudes. Traditionally, nude models mostly looked away from the view. But however, Manet’s naked female model straightly stares at the viewer. This was shocking, but also challenging at the same time. The Luncheon on the Grass, received a great attention by causing public scandal with nude female and painting was success through setting, color, technique, composition and light. Luncheon on the Grass brought in much argument at its reveal. From this painting, the viewer is provoked by a naked female directly looking at the audience. By this time, this naked woman was obviously politically improper and especially, woman looking at the viewer as unashamed was totally unbelievable and offensive in a male-controlled, conquered society. This was the main reasons why it was forbidden and got teased from the public. Not only because picture of the naked female, but it was a commentary, and arguable as well. Painting it makes seem usual, and normal, besides something with sexualized. However, the two fully clothed men are not looking directly; it is only the naked female who grabs attention to be focus of the painting. Once again, the setting is very unusual, and it is unique. It seems like the models are just posing instead of having lunch together. The picnic basket lies on its side in the corner without any attention, and also the naked female has been completely left out along. The woman in far back in lake also seems left out from the lunching group too. None of these people seems gathered in the nature. However, some critics have inferred the painting as oddness with compositional sense, but it is delightful with the thought of the illusory. Manet’s use of color was influenced by the Impressionist movement, and it led the painting successful. Manet’s color use is combined with a very practical theme. He used mostly dark colors for the foreground such like dark greens, orange-browns and blacks for outlines. He also broke up of the movement of figure to add reality. Manet also inserted element of still life which is picnic basket in the bottom left corner of the painting. It subsidizes an added level of color. What is interesting in this painting is that he limited to use warm colors. And instead of having soft brush strokes and color mix, he uses vivid outlines around the figure. This concept lets the figure pop out of the landscape. Looking at the female figure, Manet painted in a flat tone with very little shading to capture the moment. The painting contains flat areas of color, and even in some places, Manet left it as a bare canvas. With limited of shading and contrast using of cool and warm colors prevent the tradition of depth and volume; also cause viewer’s attention to the surface of the painting. Manet’s light source through the painting was also interesting. This impression era is covered by the use of broad and detailed light source, which limits almost no shadows. However, the lightning in this scene of painting is unreliable and unusual. Compare to the two clothed men, the nude female takes the spotted light. She almost has no shadows besides strong outlines. Also because the two clothed men are wearing dark clothes, the nude female obviously pops out from the background and grabs viewers’ attention. I can see where the light hits in different areas, but the nude female takes the main light source, and therefore, the landscape background smoothed out the light. Tradition to this time era, Manet’s techniques were extraordinary and brush strokes become much less developed. Most of his brush strokes have been done in free handed. Focusing on the nude female, her skin is not smoothed out with value of color and brush techniques. Also the background is containing a rough brush strokes. During this time period, most of the artists are hiding brush strokes for their technique, but Manet did the opposites. It is obvious to see each brush stroke in nude female giving a rough complexion. In the background, also this style of rough brush strokes are made noticeable, and this even seems unfinished. Manet was free with technique. He did not try to hide or to follow the trends; indeed, some scenes in the painting seem unfinished. Through the composition, the figures are positioned in central. The interesting thing is that through this composition, I can draw myself a direct pyramid from. From the foreground nude female figure rises up to the lady in the water. With this compositional sense, attention falls between the two men. Men seem very odd and just stuck to be posing because compare to the women two men seems very dull and not interested in. They were not paying attention to the woman, and also not gathered at all. None of the figures seems relaxed. Rather than posing natural in the nature, these figures give tightness look. However, Manet successfully balanced the light against dark, use of cool color background and well blends the nude figure with warm tone, covers up the oddness and conveyed as successful painting. To sum up, Manet’s Luncheon on the grass is with mystery, oddness and wonder. He detailed his idea to the work, and all the elements he included in this painting lead great result follow in 1863. As an impressionist, Manet earned great media attention by causing public scandal and painting was success through setting, color, technique, composition and light. Artist: Édouard Manet Title: The Luncheon on the Grass Date: 1862 and 1863 Medium: Oil paint

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Reason, also known as logic and sensibility, is one's ability to think something through, keeping in mind the consequences of one's actions, while paying attention to all aspects of the problem. In ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream' Reason is explored against various types of Romantic love, including- Lust, committed love, young love and one sided love. Using examples in the play, it can be both proven and contradicted, that ‘Reason and Love keep little company together'. Hermia and Lysander, the play's young and lustful lovers prove that in ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream' while love is concerned, reason isn't. At the beginning of the play, the audiences are introduced to â€Å"fair Hermia† and her lover Lysander. Hermia wishes to marry Lysander, while her Father Eugeus, wants her â€Å"to marry with Dimitrius†, another Athenian men. Eugeus' force and commitment to the task of getting Hermia to marry Dimitrius, drives Hermia to desperation † Belike for want of rain, which I could well beteem them from the tempest of my eyes. † Lysander, wanting to marry Hermia, came up with a plan. He plans to go to his â€Å"widow aunt† who lives outside of Athens, where â€Å"There gentle Hermia, May I [Lysander] marry thee†. Hermia agrees to the plan. This shows that neither Lysander nor Hermia fully comprehend the possible outcomes of their intentions, since running away and getting married without permission can bring to them losing everything- Family, connections, respect and reputation. In their time, these were few of the most important things that a man or a woman can own. Thus Both Lysander and Hermia are willing, without listening to the voice of reason, to give it all up for Love. Moreover, Reason does not keep company in Helena's lust and love full head. Helena, Hermia's best friend, is in love with Dimitrius; however, it is a one-sided love, since Dimitrius is in love with Hermia. Thus Helena is jealous of Hermia, since â€Å"Dimitrius loves your [Hermia's] fair†. In aim to gain Dimitrius' thanks Helena â€Å"will go tell him of fair Hermia's flight†, then â€Å"to the woods will he [Dimitrius]†¦ pursue her [Hermia]†. By doing so, Helena clearly ignores her reason, since she thinks only of the attention she will be given by Dimitrius. Otherwise, Helena would have saw that she was, in fact, sacrificing her friendship with Hermia and endangering Hermia's happiness, just for another chance in romance. Yet again Helena looks through her reason, by following Dimitrius into the woods. In the woods, following Lysander and Hermia, Helena is all alone with Dimitrius â€Å"who loves [Helena] not†. Dimitrius is â€Å"wood within this wood† since he cannot â€Å"meet†¦ Hermia†. His frustration is increased by Helena who follows him. Dimitrius then threatens Helena to take â€Å"the rich worth of [Helena's] virginity† something which was most valuable to a woman at the time. In addition he threatens to â€Å"do [Helena] mischief in the woods†. Helen in replay says â€Å"Ay, in the temple, in the town, the field, you do me mischief†. Thus Helena is abandoning reason, in the name of lust, and love. Additionally, the play reveals the option that even old loving couple can lose their reason. Such is the case of Titania and Oberon- King and queen of the fairies. Titania is married to Oberon, and they both share long committed love. Firstly, the audiences witness a bitter fight between them, where Oberon is â€Å"passing fell and wrath†, since Titania will not give him † a little changeling boy†. In revenge, Oberon plots to put Titania under the spell of Love in Idleness. This flower † will make or men or women madly dote upon the next live creature that it sees†. Oberon, after years of loving Titania, lets his reason drop, and with no sympathy or regards for his â€Å"Queen† and â€Å"lady†, puts her under the spell. Titania, on her part wakes up to fall in lust (under the spell of Love in idleness) with Bottom, who wears a head of an ass. Not only that Titania lost her reason by falling in love with an ass, but also, since she does not question this sudden occurrence. Later on, after the lusty spell have been reversed by Oberon, It is revealed that , while in lust and out of reason Titania â€Å"gave† Oberon the changeling child- thus turning her back on her principles to take care of the boy. This shows, that even while in a committed-love relationship, lust can make one abandon his/hers reasoning. On the other hand, it is also showed that even while in love, Theseus uses his reason. Theseus' â€Å"nuptial hour draws on peace†, He is to marry Hippolyta, queen of the amazons. It is evident that love exists between the two:† Hippolyta, I woo'd thee with my sword and won thy love doing thee injury†¦ â€Å". As the ruler of Athens, one of Theseus' roles is to judge cases that are brought in front of him. As was discussed before, Eugeus brought in front of Theseus the case of Hermia and Lysander. According to the Athenian law, Hermia belongs to Eugeus and he â€Å"may dispose of her, which shall be either to [Dimitrius] or to her death† Instead of being over sympatric to Hermia and overruling Eugeus, or in other words, making and irrational decision, Theseus used his reason and introduced a third option for Hermia:† to abjure for ever the society of men†. It is important to remember that overruling Eugeus is irrational because it would discredit Theseus' leadership since he ignores his own law. Hence, Theseus proves that even while in love, reason can be involved. A Midsummer Night's Dream' explores many types of romantic love. Lust, committed, young and tempered, these are just a few examples. Furthermore, Shakespeare demonstrates how any of these can interfere with one's reasoning, leading them to do mischief, irrational and hasty decisions and actions. In contrast, it is also evident that there are examples where Love and reason can exist in harmony together. Many would agree with Bottom that â€Å"Reason and Love keep little company together nowadays†, and many would also agree that â€Å"Love has reasons which reason cannot understand. † [1] A Midsummer Night’s Dream Reason, also known as logic and sensibility, is one's ability to think something through, keeping in mind the consequences of one's actions, while paying attention to all aspects of the problem. In ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream' Reason is explored against various types of Romantic love, including- Lust, committed love, young love and one sided love. Using examples in the play, it can be both proven and contradicted, that ‘Reason and Love keep little company together'. Hermia and Lysander, the play's young and lustful lovers prove that in ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream' while love is concerned, reason isn't. At the beginning of the play, the audiences are introduced to â€Å"fair Hermia† and her lover Lysander. Hermia wishes to marry Lysander, while her Father Eugeus, wants her â€Å"to marry with Dimitrius†, another Athenian men. Eugeus' force and commitment to the task of getting Hermia to marry Dimitrius, drives Hermia to desperation † Belike for want of rain, which I could well beteem them from the tempest of my eyes. † Lysander, wanting to marry Hermia, came up with a plan. He plans to go to his â€Å"widow aunt† who lives outside of Athens, where â€Å"There gentle Hermia, May I [Lysander] marry thee†. Hermia agrees to the plan. This shows that neither Lysander nor Hermia fully comprehend the possible outcomes of their intentions, since running away and getting married without permission can bring to them losing everything- Family, connections, respect and reputation. In their time, these were few of the most important things that a man or a woman can own. Thus Both Lysander and Hermia are willing, without listening to the voice of reason, to give it all up for Love. Moreover, Reason does not keep company in Helena's lust and love full head. Helena, Hermia's best friend, is in love with Dimitrius; however, it is a one-sided love, since Dimitrius is in love with Hermia. Thus Helena is jealous of Hermia, since â€Å"Dimitrius loves your [Hermia's] fair†. In aim to gain Dimitrius' thanks Helena â€Å"will go tell him of fair Hermia's flight†, then â€Å"to the woods will he [Dimitrius]†¦ pursue her [Hermia]†. By doing so, Helena clearly ignores her reason, since she thinks only of the attention she will be given by Dimitrius. Otherwise, Helena would have saw that she was, in fact, sacrificing her friendship with Hermia and endangering Hermia's happiness, just for another chance in romance. Yet again Helena looks through her reason, by following Dimitrius into the woods. In the woods, following Lysander and Hermia, Helena is all alone with Dimitrius â€Å"who loves [Helena] not†. Dimitrius is â€Å"wood within this wood† since he cannot â€Å"meet†¦ Hermia†. His frustration is increased by Helena who follows him. Dimitrius then threatens Helena to take â€Å"the rich worth of [Helena's] virginity† something which was most valuable to a woman at the time. In addition he threatens to â€Å"do [Helena] mischief in the woods†. Helen in replay says â€Å"Ay, in the temple, in the town, the field, you do me mischief†. Thus Helena is abandoning reason, in the name of lust, and love. Additionally, the play reveals the option that even old loving couple can lose their reason. Such is the case of Titania and Oberon- King and queen of the fairies. Titania is married to Oberon, and they both share long committed love. Firstly, the audiences witness a bitter fight between them, where Oberon is â€Å"passing fell and wrath†, since Titania will not give him † a little changeling boy†. In revenge, Oberon plots to put Titania under the spell of Love in Idleness. This flower † will make or men or women madly dote upon the next live creature that it sees†. Oberon, after years of loving Titania, lets his reason drop, and with no sympathy or regards for his â€Å"Queen† and â€Å"lady†, puts her under the spell. Titania, on her part wakes up to fall in lust (under the spell of Love in idleness) with Bottom, who wears a head of an ass. Not only that Titania lost her reason by falling in love with an ass, but also, since she does not question this sudden occurrence. Later on, after the lusty spell have been reversed by Oberon, It is revealed that , while in lust and out of reason Titania â€Å"gave† Oberon the changeling child- thus turning her back on her principles to take care of the boy. This shows, that even while in a committed-love relationship, lust can make one abandon his/hers reasoning. On the other hand, it is also showed that even while in love, Theseus uses his reason. Theseus' â€Å"nuptial hour draws on peace†, He is to marry Hippolyta, queen of the amazons. It is evident that love exists between the two:† Hippolyta, I woo'd thee with my sword and won thy love doing thee injury†¦ â€Å". As the ruler of Athens, one of Theseus' roles is to judge cases that are brought in front of him. As was discussed before, Eugeus brought in front of Theseus the case of Hermia and Lysander. According to the Athenian law, Hermia belongs to Eugeus and he â€Å"may dispose of her, which shall be either to [Dimitrius] or to her death† Instead of being over sympatric to Hermia and overruling Eugeus, or in other words, making and irrational decision, Theseus used his reason and introduced a third option for Hermia:† to abjure for ever the society of men†. It is important to remember that overruling Eugeus is irrational because it would discredit Theseus' leadership since he ignores his own law. Hence, Theseus proves that even while in love, reason can be involved. A Midsummer Night's Dream' explores many types of romantic love. Lust, committed, young and tempered, these are just a few examples. Furthermore, Shakespeare demonstrates how any of these can interfere with one's reasoning, leading them to do mischief, irrational and hasty decisions and actions. In contrast, it is also evident that there are examples where Love and reason can exist in harmony together. Many would agree with Bottom that â€Å"Reason and Love keep little company together nowadays†, and many would also agree that â€Å"Love has reasons which reason cannot understand. † [1]

Reading Notes on Robert Frost’s Poem “Nothing Gold Can Stay”

Reading Notes on Robert Frost’s Poem â€Å"Nothing Gold Can Stay† Robert Frost wrote a number of long narrative poems like â€Å"The Death of the Hired Man,† and most of his best-known poems are medium-length, like his sonnets â€Å"Mowing† and â€Å"Acquainted with the Night,† or his two most famous poems, both written in four stanzas, â€Å"The Road Not Taken† and â€Å"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.† But some of his most beloved poems are famously brief lyrics- like â€Å"Nothing Gold Can Stay,† which is condensed into only eight lines of three beats each (iambic trimeter), four little rhyming couplets containing the whole cycle of life, an entire philosophy. Double Entendreâ€Å"Nothing Gold Can Stay† achieves its perfect brevity by making every word count, with a richness of meanings. At first, you think it’s a simple poem about the natural life cycle of a tree: â€Å"Nature’s first green is gold,Her hardest hue to hold.† But the very mention of â€Å"gold† expands beyond the forest to human commerce, to the symbolism of wealth and the philosophy of value. Then the second couplet seems to return to a more conventional poetic statement about the transience of life and beauty: â€Å"Her early leaf’s a flower;But only so an hour.† But immediately after that, we realize that Frost is playing with the multiple meanings of these simple, mostly single syllable words- else why would he repeat â€Å"leaf† like he’s ringing a bell? â€Å"Leaf† echoes with its many meanings- leaves of paper, leafing through a book, the color leaf green, leafing out as an action, as budding forth, time passing as the pages of the calendar turn... â€Å"Then leaf subsides to leaf.† From Naturalist to PhilosopherAs the Friends of Robert Frost at the Robert Frost Stone House Museum in Vermont point out, the description of colors in the first lines of this poem is a literal depiction of the spring budding of willow and maple trees, whose leaf buds appear very briefly as golden-colored before they mature to the green of actual leaves. Yet in the sixth line, Frost makes it explicit that his poem carries the double meaning of allegory: â€Å"So Eden sank to grief,So dawn goes down to day.† He is retelling the history of the world here, how the first sparkle of any new life, the first blush of the birth of mankind, the first golden light of any new day always fades, subsidies, sinks, goes down. â€Å"Nothing gold can stay.† Frost has been describing spring, but by speaking of Eden he brings fall, and the fall of man, to mind without even using the word. That’s why we chose to include this poem in our seasonal collection of poems for autumn rather than spring.

Treatment of women by Shakespeare and Sophocles

Treatment of women by Shakespeare and Sophocles Othello, The moor of Venice was a play written by William Shakespeare and has contributed to his reputation as a great poet. Oedipus, was a play written by Sophocles and has secured great audience. There is similarity in both plays on how women are treated in the society. The essay will focus in outlining the different treatments accorded to the women as outlined by Shakespeare and Sophocles.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Treatment of women by Shakespeare and Sophocles specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In both plays women are highly controlled by men in the society. Women are not accorded the right of making their own decisions. In Othello, Roderigo beliefs that he should be the one to marry Desdemona no matter what happens. Roderigo and Lago accuse Othello falsely and tell Brabanzio that he has stolen his daughter, Desdemona using witchcraft. ‘Transported, with no worse nor better guard, but with a knave of c ommon hire, a gondolier, Shakespeare 7.’ Further, Brabanzio attempts to control his daughter’s life by accusing Othello to the senate. Consequently, Desdemona confesses that since she is married to Othello, she is submissive to him. ‘So much I challenge that I may profess Due to the Moor my lord, Shakespeare 11.’ Lago controls Desdemona successfully and implicates her as having an affair with Cassio. Lago controls Emilia and lures her to commit crime. Emilia is submissive and obeys her husband’s order of stealing Desdemona’s handkerchief. Further, Lago attempts to silence Emilia in the end of the play after she realizes what he has done. In Oedipus, Creon kidnaps Antigone and Ismene since he is unsuccessful in abducting Oedipus. The kidnap shows how easily women are controlled by men. Further, Creon refuses to listen to explanation given by Antigone after she buries his brother. ‘No woman’s going to govern me no, no- not while Ià ¢â‚¬â„¢m still alive, Sophocles 4’ Women are accused falsely and tortured in both plays. In Othello, Lago accuses Desdemona of having an affair with Cassio. ‘O, beware, my lord, of jealousy, Shakespeare 23.’ Further, Othello accuses Desdemona of being a prostitute. Othello kills Desdemona because he thinks that she is unfaithful. Lago kills Emilia because she tells the truth and attempts to escape. In Oedipus, Creon sentence Antigone and Ismene to death simply because they have given their brother a proper burial. Despite the fact that he forgives Ismene, he orders that Antigone should be buried alive.Advertising Looking for essay on comparative literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Creon attempts to kill Antigone when Haemon fails to support his judgment. ‘No, not when I see you making a mistake and being unjust, Sophocles 7’ After the advice given by the blind prophet, Creon i s reluctant to free Antigone. Antigone hangs herself because she is imprisoned and maltreated by Creon. In both plays the views of women are disregard. In Othello, the views of Desdemona being in love with Othello are only taken seriously after the judgment is given by the senate. ‘Adieu, brave Moor, use Desdemona well, Shakespeare 18.’ Othello disregards the views given by Desdemona on reinstating Cassio to his position. As a matter of fact, he interprets the views presented by Desdemona as being due to an affair with Cassio. Othello disregards the explanation that Desdemona has in regard to the accusation of being unfaithful and kills her. ‘Shes, like a liar, gone to burning hell, Shakespeare 28.’ After Othello killed Desdemona, he believed more in Lago who was lying than Emilia who was telling the truth. In Oedipus, Creon disregards the explanation given by Antigone after she buries her brother. ‘Tell me with no lengthy speech, Sophocles 6.’ The body of Antigone’s brother is exhumed which shows that her actions were disregarded by Creon. Oedipus fails to yield to Antigone’s plea of accepting his brother’s request. Oedipus refuses to be comforted by Jocasta which can be interpreted as disregard. ‘Listen to me I beg you, do not do this thing, Sophocles 18.’ Eurydice curses her husband and kills herself for the disaster that his pride has brought to the land. Eurydice had always warned Creon about his stubbornness and pride but he never yielded. Tragedy Theme of tragedy is well featured in both plays. Oedipus starts with a flashback of tragedy. Polynices and Eteocles are children of Oedipus who fight and end up killing each other. Creon orders that Polynices’s body should not be buried. Antigone buries the body secretly and is sentenced to death along with her sister Ismene. Afterwards Creon orders for release of Ismene but Antigone is to be buried alive in a tomb. The blind prophe t however warns Creon against this act as it will bring calamity to the land. ‘How good advice is valuable- worth more than all possessions, Sophocles 9.’ Haemon is the first person who arrives at the tomb where Antigone is imprisoned. He finds out that Antigone has committed suicide and is devastated. Upon arrival of his father Creon, Haemon throws a sword but misses him. Haemon kills himself after he fails to kill his father. After Eurydice learns that his son is dead she is devastated and stabs herself as well. Creon is not able to withstand the many tragedies and begs for his own death. ‘I don’t know where to look or find support, Sophocles 11.’Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Treatment of women by Shakespeare and Sophocles specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The plague in the land is associated with murder of king Laius that took place long time ago. The remedy of the plague is bas ed on expulsion of the murderer of King Laius from the land. His murderer happens to be his own son King Oedipus who was raised in Corinth. His mother had sent a shepherd to kill him when he was a baby because it had been prophesied that the baby would kill his father and sleep with his mother. The shepherd opted to take the baby far away from Thebes but what had been prophesied was fulfilled since Oedipus killed his father and slept with his own mother. When Jocasta realizes that Oedipus was his son whom he has lived with as her husband she kills herself. Oedipus stabs out his eyes and orders Creon to take care of his daughters since he should be sent to exile. ‘Take care of them, Creon; do this for me, Sophocles 19.’ Oedipus dies in Athens and the city in which he is buried is safe from calamities. Creon is the main antagonist in the play as he betrays King Oedipus. His betrayal leads to many tragic events including death of his entire family. ‘Cruel mistakes th at bring on death, Sophocles 10.’ The calamity in the land is associated with tragic murder of King Laius. Both plays have featured the theme of Tragedy as evidenced by the death of main protagonists in both plays. In Othello, Desdemona is killed by her husband Othello because Lago makes him think that she is cheating on him. ‘O, falsely, falsely murdered! Shakespeare 30’ Roderigo plans to kill Cassio so as to prevent Othello from leaving with Desdemona since she loves her. Lago orders Roderigo to ambush and kill Cassio but instead Roderigo is wounded. ‘Here, at thy hand: be bold, and take thy stand, Shakespeare 32.’ Lago attempts to kill Cassio but only succeeds in wounding him. Lago pretends and accuses Roderigo of the attempted murder on Cassio and kills him. ‘O murderous slave! O villain! Shakespeare 33’ Lago kills Emilia after she told the truth and attempts to run away. Lago is seized by Lodovico and Graziano. Othello wounds Lago b ecause of his betrayal. Othello talks of how he would like to be remembered and kills himself. Lodovico gives Othello’s property to Graziano and orders for execution of Lago. ‘Graziano, keep the house, and seize upon the fortunes of the Moor, Shakespeare 36.’ Lago is the main antagonist who is the cause of tragedy.Advertising Looking for essay on comparative literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More He designs a plot to separate Desdemona and Othello which succeeds. However, the separation of Othello and Desdemona is associated with so many tragic events. Fairness and justice The theme of fairness is well featured by Shakespeare and Sophocles in their works. In Othello, Roderigo and Lago feign to search for justice by telling Brabanzio that Othello has stolen Desdemona using witchcraft. Brabanzio and Roderigo accuse Othello to the senate demanding him to release Desdemona. The senate rules fairly that Desdemona should be allowed to stay with Othello since she loves him. Cassio persuades Desdemona to plead with his husband on his behalf for him to be reinstated in his position. ‘Madam, my former suit: I do beseech you, Shakespeare 23’ The ill plot by Roderigo of separating Desdemona and Othello is accorded justice by the rule made by the senate. Roderigo’s attempt to kill Cassio is fruitless and is avenged by his death. When Cassio wounds Roderigo Lago interv enes and wounds him as well. Emilia pays for her mistakes of stealing Desdemona’s handkerchief with her life. Cassio is demoted for engaging in a fight and killing Brabanzio when he was drunk. Desdemona tries to plead with Othello to reinstate Cassio to his position to ensure justice and fairness. ‘Pray you, let Cassio be received again, Shakespeare 25.’ Further, Desdemona tries to explain to Othello that she is not involved in an affair with Cassio so that he could treat her fairly by not killing her. Othello kills Desdemona and tells Emilia that she has paid for being unfaithful to him with her life. Emilia tells the truth as a way of ensuring fairness. Lodovico and Graziano attempt to take Othello for trial because of killing Desdemona to ensure justice. ‘To the Venetian state, come, bring him away, Shakespeare 37.’ Othello pays for killing Desdemona with his life. ‘Killing myself, to die upon a kiss, Shakespeare 39.’ Lago is sentence d to death for his crimes and all the tragedy he has caused. Cassio was appointed to replace Othello as a way of justice since he had lost his position unfairly. In Oedipus, Antigone buries her brother as an act of being fair and respectful to him. Haemon refuses to side with injustice of his father by saying that Antigone should not be killed. ‘You’ll not catch me giving way to some disgrace, Sophocles 7.’ The blind prophet warns Creon of the impending disaster if Antigone is not freed from the tomb. Creon pays for all his crimes and unfairness by losing his entire family. The parents of Oedipus opted to kill their baby so as to prevent the injustice that had been prophesied concerning him. The shepherd who was told to kill baby Oedipus preferred taking him to another place rather than killing him. ‘I was told to get rid of it, Sophocles 18.’ The shepherd thought that his actions could be the only way to be fair to Oedipus and his parents. The blind prophet says that the murderer of King Laius is supposed to be expelled from the land as a remedy for the calamity that has stricken the land. When Oedipus learnt that he was the killer of his father he told Creon to send him to exile so as to pay for his sins. ‘Send me away from Thebes, Sophocles 19.’ Jocasta pays for the attempt to kill her baby with her life. Oedipus failed to support either of his sons because they did not support him when he was sent to exile. ‘Each of you suffers himself alone, Sophocles 16.’ Antigone tries to persuade his father to be lenient and fair with his sons. Athens is accorded the privilege of safety because the president helps Oedipus when he is in exile. Creon attempts to abduct Oedipus because he believes that he should be buried in Thebes for them to enjoy benefits of safety from calamities.