Critical Analysis on the Use of Supernatural in Richard Iii

CONCERNING THE USE OF THE SUPERNATURAL IN FURTHERING THE PLOT OF RICHARD III On a technical level, Richard III is considered a historical play; it relates the events, if dramatized and romanticized, following the War of the Roses and the birth of the Tudor dynasty. However, Shakespeare’s use of supernatural themes and motifs in furthering the plot is somewhat out of character in its use in such a type of play; usually such themes and motifs form an unconscious backdrop from which the author creates depth and is not portrayed as an active force in the play.This makes the play lean more toward the style of one of his tragedy plays. The use of the supernatural, be it in traditional fairy tales such as Snow White or Jack and the Beanstalk or in the more recent works such as Harry Potter, the Chronicles or Narnia or the Lord of the Rings, is a delicate thing. Magic is the term most would apply to it. Fantasy works are full of it – magic wands, magic shoes, magic rings and ev en magic lands. It can be defined as a mechanism within a story to bypass the natural laws. Essentially, it is the means of moving from the ordinary to the extraordinary.Magic must therefore be treated as a natural law as well – because in a fantasy story, it is real and tangible. This requires therefore a framework within which magic (or the supernatural) can be defined and quantified. Take Harry Potter for example; magic is shown to be something like a science – it can be learnt and studied and practiced. In Jack and the Beanstalk and in Snow White as well as in almost all folklore stories, magic is something that is considered inherent to the world; it appears seldom and usually only to those who look for it or want to master it.C. S. Lewis and J. R. R Tolkien took a different approach; in Narnia and the Lord of the Rings magic is rationalized from a Christian point of view by implying that it stems from an omnipotent being (Aslan and Eru Illuvatar) who is comparabl e to Judeo-Christian God. My point is that, in any story (excluding material primarily gear on buffoonery), supernatural elements are put in a box that we can open and understand, then close and be sure its behaving like it is supposed to.Moving away from those examples, let us consider in what framework the supernatural is presented in Richard III. The story is shaped inside the same framework held in common belief in Shakespeare’s time. The world is therefore Christian, and â€Å"overt† magic and superstition is not considered moral or real. Therefore the primary expression of the supernatural in the play is in prophetic dreams, curses called down from heaven, and if magic is addressed at all, it is termed witchcraft to which a stigma of horror and evil is attached.However, this worldview is slightly stretched – mostly for poetic reasons – in that it includes elements from Greek mythology (the underworld and the Furies) and from non-religious Christian mythology – demonstrated in the use of ghosts that visit people, hellhounds and such – as well as an element from Celtic and Scandinavian mythos in the form of elves (which were commonly blamed for major and minor mischief, see â€Å"elvish-marked†).Chronologically the first use of the supernatural in furthering the plot and the characterizations is Margaret’s curses. This is done to gently introduce the reader (or viewer) to the type of supernatural themes in Richard III. (Compare this with Macbeth or other plays that immediately begin with heightened supernatural events. ) Margaret’s curses function as a sort of irony to the events of the play. Essentially, her curses foreshadow the fate of the characters later in the play.Margaret says to Elizabeth, â€Å" Outlives thy glory like my wretched self; long mayest thou live to wail their children’s loss and see another as I see thee now, decked in thy rights as thou art stalled in mine. Die t hou neither wife, nor mother nor England’s queen. † Elizabeth is cursed to lose everything as Margaret lost everything. By the end of the play, the curse fell, and Elizabeth is without husband, child or crown. Hastings, Rivers and Dorset are cursed to die bloodily for their part in Margaret’s sorrow; but the most interesting to the reader is her curse on Richard himself.Margaret’s curse foreshadows exactly the events of his demise. Observe: â€Å"On thee, the troubler of the poor world’s peace. The worm of conscience still begnaw thy soul. Thy friends suspect for traitors while thou livest, and take deep traitors for thy dearest friends. No sleep shall close up that deadly eye, unless it be whilst some tormenting dream affrights thee with a hell of ugly devils. † Her words mirror Richard’s gnawing conscience and his removal of Buckingham and subsequent betrayal by Stanley.The most impressive of all is the foreshadowing of his dream bef ore the battle – where all the ghosts of his victims â€Å"affrights thee (him) with a hell of ugly devils†. In two cases, a prophetic dream foreshadows the demise of certain characters. The first (and most beautifully and vividly described) is Clarence’s dream of drowning. In the dream, Clarence and Richard are aboard a ship when Richard â€Å"stumbles† and knocks Clarence overboard. The drowning is intensely described; Clarence sees â€Å"ugly sights of death† and hears â€Å"dreadful noise of waters†.Once underwater (and presumably drowned), Clarence sees in piercing detail â€Å"a thousand fearful wrecks, ten thousand men that fishes gnawed upon, wedges of gold, great anchors, heaps of pearl†¦Some lay in dead men’s skulls, and in those holes where eyes did once inhabit there were crept, as ‘twere in scorn of eyes, reflecting gems†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Then the scene changes; Clarence is in the underworld (aptly described as th e land of eternal night) and is confronted with those he had a hand in killing. The murdered ghosts call the Furies upon him who drag him down to depths of hell.While we did not actually observed the fate of his soul past his actual murder (by Richard’s henchmen) Clarence is effectively forewarned about his impending death. Stanley had a similar dream of doom when he was killed by a boar, considered a symbol of ferocity and also Richard’s emblem. Fearful and comprehending what the dream meant, he tries to flee from Richard’s grasp and in doing so warns Hastings. Hastings dismisses it as the cobwebs of troubled sleep. Shakespeare alludes to the supernatural again when Hastings’s horse stumbles three times (a number associated with divinity) on his way to the Tower of London and his execution.Just like black cats and ravens were considered ill omens, when a horse stumbled en route to a certain destination, it was taken as an ill omen. Chronologically after these events, Richard blatantly accuses Elizabeth of witchcraft. Now what must be remembered is that in Shakespeare’s time, being accused of witchcraft was a very real and very serious matter. England was not far past the time of the witch hunts. Thus the perceived threat of black magic was real. This is actually is very interesting plot device. See, in the framework of the story previously discussed, witchcraft and such superstitions were called just that – superstitions.Bringing in that claim and hammering at it past all reasonability, I think, Richard is actually foreshadowing his own fall from reason to paranoia. The world Richard constructed around him was beginning to fall apart. His own sense of reality was leaving him. Thus it is an excellent way to begin to break the reader’s sense of reality and replace it with a feeling of dread as the play moved more and more away from history to a dark, surreal underworld. Overall, Shakespeare’s use of the su pernatural is clear and undisguised, but it represents a subtle force.The events of the play are moved along, not by spells or incantations, but by the conflict of politics, ambition and morality. Shakespeare utilized it like this because fundamentally he was making a historical piece. Perhaps due to his own taste and perhaps to place the emphasis on storytelling and character development, Shakespeare stayed away from using supernatural elements to affect the natural elements of his story. Supernatural elements are there, but they foreshadow rather than determine. They hint rather than compel. Ultimately, this is a play about the eternal duel between morality and vice.

Consulting Project Plan Part Two Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Consulting Project Plan Part Two - Assignment Example In such a meeting, it is possible to determine what the employees strongly believe is not done the right way. Through that, it will be easy to propose a remedy that best solves the issue. On the other hand, status reports are reports that are prepared by the employees showing the status of the jobs. The reports enable close communication and exchange of information about the progress of the job. It will help in rating the contemporary status of Walmatt against the set goals and plans (Mazzei, 2010). For communication to be effective, the frequency must be considered. Discussion should take place more often for easy monitoring of progress and job status. The supervisor should be able to meet their subordinates on the daily basis maybe after close of business. Supervisors should be able to identify the challenges the members had during the day and what should be done. Additionally, there are tools that are necessary in helping meet the commitments that have been put in place. The tools help in ensuring that agreements and duties designated have been achieved. The tools include the following: Holding meetings with the supervisors and employees maybe once a week to identify whether there are challenges in the implementation process. The employees should suggest the suitable solutions and alternatives because it is easier to do what you are part of. I will also make use of a wellness newsletter and calendar which will designate what each employee is required to do, the period and th e reporting structure (Mazzei, 2010). It is recommendable to hold communication after the results and outcome have been evaluated. It involves holding a meeting to outline and give the major problems identified and the proposals suitable to eliminate them. The stakeholders that will attend the meeting will be the management, the supervisors, and the employees at large. I consider having all of them in the meeting because they also have to give

Temporal Analysis in Crime Analysis Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Temporal Analysis in Crime Analysis - Assignment Example Analyzing the subject requires time to observe on their changing characters and reasons of change. Crime analysis is a complex task that requires not only adequate time but also resources. It requires human skills and higher level of training to execute this kind of analysis. Other forms of analysis such as qualitative analysis involve using the available data and records to come up with a particular finding and advice on the most appropriate directions to take based on the results of the analysis. In crime analysis, it requires the utilization of numerous strategies/techniques to come up with the most feasible solution to crime related issues. In crime analysis, the analyst should utilize both the available data and also he should also be able to visit the crime scene to correct the necessary data (Bruce, Hick, Cooper & International Association of Crime Analysts, 2004). The crime series entails the flow of events that took place from the time the crime is yet to be up to the time it had been committed. The use of temporal analysis plays a significant role in the analysis of crime series. Good example of temporal analysis is spatial analysis. This is where ellipses are established to help identify the distribution of crime incidence (Weisburd, Groff & Yang, 2012). Bruce, C. W., Hick, S. R., Cooper, J. P., & International Association of Crime Analysts.(2004). Exploring crime analysis: Readings on essential skills (2nd ed.). NorthCharleston, S.C: BookSurge.

Human Resource Training Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Human Resource Training - Research Proposal Example According to Jackson, Schuler & Sparrow (1994), the continued need for individual and organizational development can be traced to numerous demands. These demands are not limited to maintaining superiority in the marketplace, enhancing employee skills and knowledge, and increasing productivity. In the present phase of events, training is one of the most pervasive methods for enhancing the productivity of individuals and communicating organizational goals to new personnel (Grehart & Becker 1996). Today, project management within the context of effective training has increasingly become part of effective human resource management strategies. No wonder, Bell et al. (2003) postulate that, given the importance and potential impact of training on organisations, the costs associated with administration of training it is important that effectiveness of training programs be incorporated within the context of project management. Bell et al (2003) working on a similar research area argued that, over the past 30 years, there have been six cumulative reviews of the training and development literature (Campbell, 1971; Gold- stein, 1980; Latham, 1988; Salas & Cannon-Bowers, 2001; Tan- nenbaum & Yukl, 1992; Wexley, 1984). On the basis of previous work listed within this dimension and other pertinent literature, I have been able to identify several design and evaluation features that are related to the effectiveness of training and development programs. However, the scope of the present article is limited to those features over which trainers and researchers have a reasonable degree of control (Bell et al. (2003). Here, I have recognised the lack of research on "project management on effectiveness of training". Thus, a shift of focus is made from the usual meta-analysis of training to project management on the effectiveness on training. In this direction, this research by breaching this knowledge gap, the paper seeks to investigate and provide answers to three research questions. How features and instructional attributes of a training method affect the effectiveness of training' How Project Management within the context of effectiveness of training be used to improve on training effectiveness in organisation Finally, to compare and evaluate project management on the effectiveness of training with other meta-analysis training methods. 1.1.2 Objectives and Purpose of Study Today, with the increasing researchers desire to demonstrate the importance of an effective human resource policy on organisation performance

Reagan and Gorbachev at Reykjavik, 1986 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Reagan and Gorbachev at Reykjavik, 1986 - Essay Example Hearing someone say something, even through an interpreter, hearing their tone, seeing their body language, is much better than any e-mail, phone call or letter. Friendships can be developed and communication levels would have been at their optimum. However, no definite agreement in writing was reached at this meeting. Was it therefore merely a non-event? The Reykjavik summit is chiefly remembered for what almost occurred there, what might have happened. Is it possible for something that didn't happen to be significant historically? If it is to be classed as a non-event does that mean that it is significantly different from an event that actually took place i.e. the signing of an actual bi-lateral agreement. Is the historical significance of a non-event inevitably different in character from the significance of an event that did actually occur? This essay will consider this question. Firstly the American administration considered Reyjavik to be only a preliminary meeting, taking thei r cue from Gorbachev’s letter perhaps1, a response to an earlier one from President Reagan. In it the Russian asks only for a very brief meeting where mutually agreeable solutions could be discussed based upon a political will on both sides to succeed in bringing the arms race between the two powers to a peaceful conclusion. It wasn’t expected to be that important. However it is clear from transcripts of their conversations that other topics such as human rights were on the table and perhaps these add to the significance? The list of topics to be covered provided by the American Secretary of State 2certainly saw a decision to have arms talks as being a possible outcome, rather than actual talks. So this was part of a process which would eventually lead to disarmament. This means that this was not a non-event , but the beginnings without which the rest of the process could not have continued. It laid foundations upon which both sides could built . Gorbachev was very ope n. As Document 93 makes clear he was willing to discuss whatever topics Reagan introduced, not just nuclear weapons and possible future disarmament. Also despite the final failure to come to a definite agreement Gorbachev was able to return home and say ‘You see, Reagan is a man we can work with.’ 4 Despite this it seems from Document 6 5that the Soviet reason’s for calling the meeting had been completely misunderstood in Washington. They give a number of possible reasons, but seem to have no way of knowing which is correct. Also, according to Document 7,6 they seem unsure as to how President Reagan should react. The two leaders were able to meet face to face for several days. Their meeting had been originally planned to be a preliminary discussion, as shown by Gorbachev’s letter to the American President in October 1986, but in the end, verbally at least, they agreed bilaterally to greatly reduce their arms, including both nuclear and ballistic weapons. T he agreement later floundered however over details. According to Sokov7 the preparations had been poor and negotiations were disorganised . So politically was this a non-event? George Shultz, the then American Secretary of State had brought the two men together. He is quoted by Sokov as having said :- I suppose that what startled people in Reykjavik was not what was said, because both Reagan and Gorbachev had

Human Resource Managment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Human Resource Managment - Essay Example Figure 1 Applying the principles of total reward strategy into reality, Taj Group devised the STARS (Special Thanks And Recognition System) as an attempt to appreciate the excellent performers and making employees happy by recognizing their efforts and contribution made to the organizational success. STARS was more inclined towards fostering a spirit of cooperation, motivation and excellence by introducing more of intrinsic rewards than cash awards. STARS as such, worked as a five-level strategy where employees earned points for their acts of kindness, hospitality and teamwork (Chandran 2003). Based on the accumulated points, employees were put into silver, gold, platinum, etc. grades and were applauded in public. An overview of the nature of reward system and its components at Taj are shown in table 1 below: STARS Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Grade Silver Gold Platinum Chief Operating Officer’s Club Managing Director’s Club Points 120 130 250 510 >760 Time l imit 3 months Within 3 months of attaining silver grade Within 6 months of attaining gold grade SPECIFIC FEATURES OF STARS Receipts Only recognition, no cash awards Acts Honesty, kindness, leadership, teamwork, etc. Gathering points Positive feedback or appreciation received either from colleagues or customers Rewards Hampers, vouchers, free vacation sponsored by Taj Group, etc. Recognition Award giving ceremony to highest point earners and public display of their photographs. Table 1: Components of STARS at Taj Group The incorporation of STARS fulfills the basic underlying principles of reward management. As Taj Charter says, its people philosophy is orchestrated to make employees feel important and special while working at Taj (Chandran 2003). Its core principle remains to attract,... This paper approves that reward management facilitate employees remain stuck to the organization’s vision of quality, responsiveness and assurance. Cross-functional teams which are the talk of the town also perform well when total rewards strategy is put in place. Reward management even establishes a sense of equity amongst employees whereby they feel that efforts of every single person are appreciated proportionately. The research conducted on Le Meridian’s Hotel of practicing reward management as one of its core HR strategy put forth many positive findings, major of which was employees ranking high on their health and energy aspect. This essay makes a cocnclusion that Taj Group has no doubt innovated in its human resource adaptations and aligning its business objectives with that of people objectives. It thrusts on people-oriented culture rather than work or profit oriented one. This is the reason behind its immense success and expansion spree worldwide. Same feat is replicated by Le Meridian Hotel in Mauritius which is also known for its top class quality and service delivery. The commonality between both remains their people strategy and inclusion of a total reward component in their HR dimension to retain their best talent. Both these hospitality giants present an example of how recognizing and appreciating the efforts of people can garner unimaginable benefits and growth prospects to a service business. Though sustaining on such philosophies and making them happen against set standards remain risky, yet what these two have done is commendable and should be followed by others in the industry.

Martin Luther Kings Religous Beliefs Essay Example for Free

Martin Luther Kings Religous Beliefs Essay Martin Luther King lived from 1929 to1968 in America, there was much discrimination against black people. Even though slavery had been abolished in 1869, most black people still lived in poverty. Black people earned half the amount white people earned and many could not vote. Martin Luther King was Black American Christian who believed that god made everyone equal. Because of his Christian beliefs he worked towards equal rights through non-violent protests; his beliefs being that there was never an excuse for violence as that doesn`t express the love of god just hatred. King followed in his father and grandfathers footsteps by becoming a pastor in 1954 in a Baptist church in Montgomery. Following Rosas Parks protest through refusing to move from her seat on the bus to give it to a white person, he became involved in the civil rights movement. Mixing the Christian idea of perfect love (Agape) with St. Thomas Aquinas` philosophy that an unjust law in the eyes of God is immoral, and therefore, not a law. King said in his letter from Birmingham Jail that, â€Å"an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for the law. † Furthermore his campaign of nonviolent protest and civil disobedience began to take shape. After Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to move from her seat to allow a white person to sit down, King decided it was time to start acting and after calling a meeting, where it was decided for all black people to stop using the buses. This was called a bus boycott. After 381 days with buses being virtually empty (costing the company lots of money), the government passed a law to state that it was illegal to segregate black people from white people on the buses. This was a victory for King and his beliefs in non-violent direct action. King believed that the Good Samaritan parable was a prime example of how we should treat each other equally. In the parable a Jew is beaten, mugged and left for dead. A priest, a Levite both cross to the other side of the road when the see him. However when a Samaritan sees him he helps him and pays for accommodation and care for him despite Jews and Samaritans despising each other. This parable showed you should love each other as neighbours despite religion or race. King demonstrated how you should stick up for your dreams, follow your beliefs and how violence isn`t needed to achieve your goal. His work made life in America better for everybody, his message to black and white people caused them to think and change the way things were being done.