5 Tips for Reading Shakespeare

Movie Reviews on Building Germanys Holocaust Memorial

The twentieth century war memorial is simply designed. It is simple in the emotions it raises. The monument standing on a rough piece of land the stelae nearly falling in to the centre of the position; then rising up again to the edge to form a myriad of crooked stone corridors. The passage along the corridor is scary and disorienting. The slanting ground and being short of vision offers various idea of Jewish incident from the World War II. Eisenman in the holocaust Memorial project has gained credibility which stems from his Jewish origin. The protestors of this work have been numerous. Peter Eisenman is an American Jew and architect who finalized the design of Germanys Holocaust Memorial in 1999. The work was through by 2005, a complete city block covered, in large concrete block and seemingly haphazardly constructed. It had some of it ‘stelae’ on the ground and others stand upright to the height of 4.7 meters. There were 2,711 pillars which were planted close in undulating waves. This is a representation of six million Jews who were murdered by Hitler administration. Peter Eisenman’s documentation chronicles of a major public sculpture located in the centre of Berlin. He shows brilliance in the face of controversy and critique, most of which disappeared with dedication of the memorial. It is special credit to Eisenman for keeping the design of the monument from the traces of Kitsch. The memorials have increased conscience and politics in the international arena the construction is the most controversial part of architecture. There are stelae that vary in heights. The access to the field is through a crisscross of narrow pavement which is barely three feet in width. It is a space enough for a person to pass through at a time. ‘The Memorial for the murdered Jews of Europe’ is the name given to the site. The main purpose of the memorial is to keep the memories of crimes committed during the years of Hitler, thus the importance of keeping the memorial in a prominent place in the middle of the German capital, the exact place where the Nazis had deliberated the genocide. Work Cited Building Germanys Holocaust Memorial Documentary by Peter Eisenman

Essay on Madness and Ambition in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar

â€Å"Even the noblest men can be seduced by power; it has the power to kill, to distort, and to corrupt† Through this passage, Matthew Sims captures in essence how individuals often turn to betrayal and deception in order to gain their heart’s desires. This characteristic is not only present in life, but can also be seen in modern and classical literature, including the well known work of Julius Caesar. In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, the lust for power transcends any one individual and ultimately leads to death and corruption of not only Caesar, but also of Brutus and Cassius. The play begins with Caesar parading through the streets of Rome as he triumphs in his victory over Pompey. However, Brutus, Cassius, and many others hatch a plot to†¦show more content†¦By ignoring the decrees of the Republic in an effort to become an autocrat, he undermined the Roman political system through murder, deceit, and lawlessness. However, moral integrity is not the only thing lost by Gaius Julius Caesar. As previously stated, a person’s greed often leads to their demise. This is most evident with Caesar himself. Caesar was willing to betray Pompey, his once friend and ally, in order to gain sole control over the Republic. In fact, Caesar’s drive to control the city began to evoke the jealousy and fears of many of the inhabitants, â€Å"You showd your teeth like apes, and fawnd like hounds, and bowd like bondmen, kissing Caesars feet. (Shakespeare Act V, Sc.I, lines 47-48). Ultimately this authority causes Brutus to come to the conclusion that Caesar’s tyranny must be prevented through his death (Sims). Caesar’s newfound power put Brutus, his former supporter, in a position where the only way to save the republic would be to depose of its current leader. Caesar’s demise was indirectly caused by his hunger for power, which caused Brutus to kill him in order to stop the would be dictator (Sims). The idea of d eposing Caesar spread like wildfire through the Senate and eventually escalated into murder. Clearly, it was Caesar’s desire to command those around him that in due course led to his death; however, he alone is not theShow MoreRelated A Comparison of the Character of Brutus in Julius Caesar and Hamlet in Hamlet2791 Words   |  12 PagesThe Characters of   Brutus and Hamlet in Hamlet and Julius Caesar  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Written one year apart from the other, one cannot fail to recognize the parallels between William Shakespeares tragedies Julius Caesar and Hamlet. To begin, they are both stories of assassinations gone horribly wrong. Although the details of the plays are different, the two assassins (Brutus and Hamlet) provide interesting comparison. Through these two killers, Shakespeare reveals the different levels of justice; one’sRead MoreCompare and Contrast Between Shakesperean Tragic Heroes1386 Words   |  6 PagesShakespeare Tragic Heroes: Macbeth and Brutus Kyla Yu English 11 August 4th, 2008 William Shakespeare is a world renowned English poet and playwright famous for many tragic plays such as Macbeth and Julius Caesar. These two plays both contain tragic heroes with Marcus Brutus from Julius Caesar, and Macbeth from Macbeth. A tragic hero is defined as a protagonist of high standing with heroic or potential heroic abilities who must oppose some external or internal force. A tragic hero needs to haveRead MoreEssay about Politics and Love in Shakespeares Antony and Cleopatra2222 Words   |  9 PagesPolitics and Love in Shakespeares Antony and Cleopatra Although the political struggles in Antony and Cleopatra are often treated as backdrops to the supposedly more engaging love affair between the two title characters, these struggles permeate the entire play, and give the love story its heightened sense of importance and tragedy. The relationship between Antony and Cleopatra would not have attained its renown and immortality had they not had been extremely powerful and public figures. TheRead MoreBetrayal and Loyalty in Shakespeares plays3231 Words   |  13 PagesAP English Literature Composition March 14, 2012 Betrayal and Loyalty in William Shakespeares Plays William Shakespeare is one of the most recognized playwrights in the history of man. People have analyzed every sentence of his works and have taken note of the various styles used in his writing. Ironically enough, little is known about Shakespeares personal life. It is assumed, however, that like other literary writers, Shakespeare relates occurrences in his life into his writing. The averageRead MoreMacbeth9435 Words   |  38 PagesMacbeth  is a play written by  William Shakespeare. It is considered one of his darkest and most powerful tragedies. Set in Scotland, the play dramatizes the corrosive psychological and political effects produced when evil is chosen as a way to fulfil the ambition for power. The play is believed to have been written between 1603 and 1607, and is most commonly dated 1606. The earliest account of a performance of what was probably Shakespeare s play is April 1611, when  Simon Forman  recorded seeing such a play

The Apology By Bernard Of Clairvaux - 1143 Words

Luxury played an immense role in medieval Catholicism by taking the focus from God and placing it on the acquisition of riches and glory, which is shown by these sources: The Apology by Bernard of Clairvaux, The Book of Suger by The Abbot Suger and Guilty Pleasures: Luxury in the Middle Ages. These sources demonstrate the exorbitant manner that the churches and monasteries were being built in during that time. This not only drew attention away from the real reason for these buildings, but also was a form of idolatry for these monks, despite the honest intentions of some of them, including the Abbot Suger. Each source lends different insight into the corruption of the church during this medieval period. Apology by Bernard of Clairvaux†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"In short, so many and so marvelous are the various shapes surrounding us that it is more pleasant to read the marble tanthe books, and to spend the whole day marveling over these things rather than meditating on the law of God†1 Bernard realized that despite their best efforts, the monks of Cluny could not help but be distracted from God by the riches. Therefore, he tries to bring this to attention in his writing. Another criticism that Bernard brings up in his writing is the integration of the Cluniac monks into society. He mentions that the Cluniac monks are using luxury for the acquisition of more riches, as well as for the attraction of more wealthy benefactors. He asks the Cluniac monks what they are expecting to receive for their efforts, â€Å"Admiration from the foolish? Offering from the ignorant? Or scattered as we are among the gentiles, are we learning their tricks and serving their idols?â⠂¬ 1 Bernard brings up a good point, which is that the Cluniac monks are becoming too worldly. They are becoming too focused on the contributions that they will receive from the world, in order to decorate their churches and monasteries. They are forgetting that they became monks to leave the world behind. The Abbot of Suger has a very contradictory view towards the luxury, which he expounds upon in The Book of Suger. He states the reasoning for the beginning of the luxury that was lavished upon the buildings. In the twenty-third year of

Analysis of Conformity and Group Influence in Twelve Angry Men free essay sample

Analysis of Conformity and Group Influence in Twelve Angry Men Introduction The film â€Å"Twelve Angry Men† directed by Sidney Lumet illustrates many social psychological principles. The tense, gripping storyline that takes place in the 1950s features a group of jurors who must decide unanimously whether a young man is guilty or innocent in the murder of his father. At the beginning, eleven of the twelve jurors voted guilty. Gradually, through some heated discussion, the jurors are swayed to a not-guilty verdict. Upon examination, the film highlights social psychology theories in areas of conformity and group influence. Theories and Application Conformity Conformity, a change in one’s behaviour or belief to correspond with others (Myers, Spencer, amp; Jordan, 2009), is without a doubt dangerous in the context of this film. â€Å"Twelve Angry Men† exhibits two types of social influences that are the grounds of the jurors’ need to base their decisions on the decisions of fellow jurors in the room: informational social influence and normative social influence. We will write a custom essay sample on Analysis of Conformity and Group Influence in Twelve Angry Men or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page According to informational social influence, one conforms because they believe other’s views or understanding of an uncertain situation is more superior or compelling than their own. Normative social influence states that individuals conform because they have a desire to gain approval and avoid rejection from others. A classic example of conformity reveals itself right from the beginning of the film after the accused’ trial adjourns. The twelve jurors gather in a small, stuffy room and take a preliminary vote by a show of hands. Normative social influence is characterized by several of the jurors who seemed unsure of their vote but eventually give in to the pressure of the group and vote guilty. Because this vote is taken openly, these individuals perhaps feel inclined to cast their vote with the majority in an effort to avoid appearing deviant. This is particular in the line judgement study done by Solomon Asch. Like 37% of participants in Asch’s experiment, the more hesitant jurors choose to make a decision that coincides with the majority ven though they are experiencing uneasiness and conflict with this decision (Walker amp; Andrade, 1996). Perhaps the power of the need to feel accepted is most evident in the character of juror number two, a rather meek and hesitant individual, who during several occasions of being confronted by more strong-willed or hostile jurors, displays quick retreat in his subtle opinions. Informative social influence is also apparent in â€Å"Twelve Angry Men†. Juror number twelve, a well-dressed, advertising businessman for â€Å"Rice Pops† exhibits a character that is easily-swayed by convincing arguments from both sides. He first changes his vote from guilty to not guilty after juror number five’s demonstration with the switchblade only to change his vote again after he is overwhelmed with â€Å"evidence that he is unable to arrange in order. † His inability to explain his reasons for his decisions to change his votes demonstrates the complication of the situation as well as his own feelings of incompetency (Myers, Spencer, amp; Jordan, 2009). Instead, juror number twelve relies on the arguments of other jurors and changes his votes according to the credibility of other’s judgments. Group Influence There is no doubt that people are often susceptible to conformity. However, another closer look at â€Å"Twelve Angry Men† reveals more than just social influences. We continue to see how groupthink, group polarization, and minority influence influences each and every character. Let us not overlook the obvious fact that there is one key individual throughout this film. If he had not withstood his decision to discuss the trial further, there would have been no point in the film. In fact, without a dissenter amongst the group, the jurors is more than likely to engage in groupthink, a theory that suggests a type of thinking that overrides what is realistic for the sake of group unity. The influence of the deviant juror has allowed, most importantly, an exposure to differing opinions. Juror number eight, our deviant juror, proves to be an effective minority influence. His consistency in his convictions for a fair assessment of the trial and his unwavering, yet objective confidence makes him a powerful one man influence on the group’s ultimate decision (Sloan, Berman, Zeigler-Hill, amp; Bullock, 2009). Conclusion â€Å"Twelve Angry Men† not only highlights the fragility of justice, but also the flaws of human nature. We would think that twelve men, though with different backgrounds but with a seemingly good grasp of the situation and sound minds, would come together and provide a fair and just verdict. However, the film has certainly demonstrated the dangers and limitations of conformity and group influence. In the place of these men, we are probably no different than they are. Very few of us would find ourselves in the position played by the deviant juror and it would have been, of our very doing, an inevitable death sentence on a possibly innocent young man. An awareness of these social psychology theories is valuable and essential in the understanding of why we think and behave the way we do. Works Cited Myers, D. G. , Spencer, S. J. , amp; Jordan, C. H. (2009) Social Psychology (4th Canadian ed. ). Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson. Sloan, P. , Berman, M. , Zeigler-Hill, V. , amp; Bullock, J. (2009). Group influence on self-aggression: Conformity and dissenter effects. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 28(5), 535-553. Walker, M. B. , amp; Andrade, M. G. (1996) Conformity in the Asch task as a function of age. The Journal of Social Psychology, 136, 367-372.

European Exploration Dbq free essay sample

He result if European exploration in the early modern time period between 1450 and 1750 negatively impacted the foreign nations that it came in contact with by exhibiting various failed labor systems, countries restricting foreign interaction as well as trade and the rise of the Portuguese in the Atlantic Slave Trade. One effect of the expansion of Europeans was various unsuccessful labor systems in the Americas, Antonio Vazquez De Espanola, a Spanish missionary, expressed his opinion about the corrupt Mitt system that dictated the labor force at the Pots mines in Peru, 1622.This works out very badly, with great losses and gaps in the quota of Indians, the villages being depopulated; and this gives rise to great extortions and abuses on the part of the inspectors toward the poor Indians. Espanola describes the losses from the elected Indian representatives that created gaps in the Spanish expectation of tributary labor and silver production guaranteed by the Indians. We will write a custom essay sample on European Exploration Dbq or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The immense diffusion of European culture and technology eventually lead foreign countries to reject Westernizes and restrict confrontations between themselves and the West. Although many countries continued to adopt the Spanish silver currency and participated in the Atlantic Slave trade, they dismissed the revolutionary philosophies and selectively chose the Europeans advancements in technology.Outgas limiest, a Japanese shogun, issued and Closed County Edict to two commissioners of Nagasaki in 1635, it read, No Japanese is permitted to go abroad, If there are any Southern Barbarians who propagate the teachings of padres, or otherwise commit crimes, they may be incarcerated in prison, limiest further writes a list if rules outlining how the Japanese deal with foreigners and procedures or those who confront them, all resulting in negative enforcement.The lack of effective labor in the Americas motivated the Portuguese to salvage suitable workers in Africa as well as recruiting the N ative Americans, consequently leading to the Atlantic Slave Trade. In a Benign saltcellar in the 16th century, an unknown African artist sculpted a earn that portrayed Portuguese men whom wielded both a sword and a captured African. The physical characteristics of the African was very dissimilar in comparison to the Portuguese, as well as the differentiated clothes that each was wearing.Abducting Africans to sell in the Atlantic Slave trade was a common practice in this time, an Banana King wrote to a French member of an English slave trading expedition, negotiating to lower his price of his slaves in order to continue increasing profit, However to moderate matters and encourage trade with us, he would be content with thirteen bars for males and nine bars and two brass rings for females, etc. In conclusion, the overall impact of the European exploration resulted in negative consequences, with the expansion of culture and the advancements n technology, came conflicting ideals and isolated civilizations.However, the enlargement of the worlds economy (of which was a direct result of the immense quantity of silver products and slave labor) induced newly developed Western colonies in the Americas to arise revolutionary behaviors. Thus introducing the world into the new era of reformation. If a document that contained a primary account of the isolation that occurred in Japan was acquired, it would further demonstrate the assumption of the negative impact that resulted from the European exploration.