Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Macbeth Tragic Evil

Macbeth Tragic Evil Darth Vader: A Modern Macbeth Obsession with ambition eventually causes heroes, who have achieved greatness, to lose control. These heroes are called tragic heroes. This is true for the men created by William Shakespeare and George Lucas. Macbeth, written by Shakespeare, turns evil, as does Anakin Skywalker from the Star Wars movies, made by George Lucas. The downfall of both men comes from the numerous problems they have. Anakin Skywalker and Macbeth were both heroes at one time. Anakin Skywalker saved a lot of people. What made him a hero was the fact that he was willing to help everybody. During the war, the people were depending on Anakin. He also had a best friend and mentor in his former master, Obi-Wan Kenobi. They are closer than friends. Closer than brothers. Macbeth had also done many heroic acts. He had saved many soldiers on the battlefield. He was a General in the Scottish army and a true war hero. But alls too weak; For brave Macbeth, Disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel. In the beginning of the play, Macbeth saves Scotland and restores peace with help from his best friend, Banquo. Macbeth also looks up to Duncan, the King of Scotland. Anakin Skywalker and Macbeth both had a tragic flaw that led them down the path to the dark side. Anakin has always had anger, fear, and a desire for more power. Macbeth has also had similar ambitions and desires for power. Once Macbeth hears of the witchs prophecies, he begins thinking evil thoughts and murderous ideas. He considers doing it, but has internal conflicts about it. Both men had evil influences in their lives. Anakin had Palpatine manipulating him since he was a small boy, and Macbeth had the witches to give him evil thoughts. Know Banquo was your enemy. Both men had dreams about their own empires. They also committed many murders that were not necessary. Both men loved their wives. Both were obsessed. Anakins main reason for turning to the dark side was to save Padme, his wife, from dying. Macbeth allowed his wife to convince him to murder Duncan and do other bad deeds. Anakin Skywalker and Macbeth had many things in common with their circumstances in becoming evil. Both Anakin Skywalker and Macbeth realized they could not live this way. Anakin redeemed himself in the end. Macbeth had the opportunity to, but did not. Anakin could not stand seeing his son dying. He destroyed his evil influence, Palpatine. By doing this, he fulfilled his destiny and brought balance to the force. Anakin Skywalker died peacefully in his sons presence. Help me take this mask off, let me look upon you with my own eyes. Macbeth did not destroy his evil influence, the witches, but he did recognize their evil intentions. He realized that their prophecies were meant to deceive him. Macbeth became a warrior again. He died with honor, bravely. Yet I will try the last. Before my body I throw my warlike shield. Lay on, Macduff. Macbeth almost redeemed himself when he put his sword down, but he refused to surrender. Macbeth is an example of a classic tragic hero, whereas Anakin is no longer a tragic hero by redeeming himself. Anakin Skywalker and Macbeth are both great examples of a tragic hero. They were once great heroes who gave in to the dark side. Later Anakin redeemed himself, unfortunately Macbeth did not. Works Cited Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Macbeth. 2nd ed. New York: New American Library, 1998. 3-97. Star Wars: Episode VI- Return of the Jedi. Dir. Richard Marquand. Perf. Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher. DVD. Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation, 1983. Stover, Matthew. Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. Del Ray Books, 2005.

Monday, January 20, 2020

Withdrawing Forces from Vietnam Essay -- Vietnam War American History

Withdrawing Forces from Vietnam â€Å"I’ve always said, if you don’t go in to win, don’t go in at all†¦Either you conduct the conflict with all the assets the United States has at its disposal to bring about a quick and successful outcome or you stay out.† -Alexander M. Haig JR. The War That Couldn’t Be Won! By withdrawing its forces from Vietnam in 1973 did the United States admit defeat? This is an argument that historians and observers have been having for years. Before answering that question however, we must first understand if we ever really had a chance to win the war. The circumstances leading up to the war were pretty much out of the United States control with an obligation to our French allies. With threats of communism taking over Vietnam, many felt that our presence was needed to avoid Ho Chi Mihn’s control. With all of the excitement, many important factors were overlooked such as did the United States have enough troops to fight this war, what type of retaliation the Vietnamese would use, and were we ready to fight a sixteen year war? The United States strongly underestimated the power and desire that the North Vietnamese had to gain control and preserve communism. It was thought that the US presence in Vietnam was required to contain the communist influence from living up to the expectations of the Domino Theory. The Domino Theory resulted from the Cold War and stated that if one country was to fall under the communist regime, soon neighboring countries would fall. At the time France was fighting to gain back control of Vietnam as it was beginning to feel resistance from small guerrilla groups known as the Viet Kong, so America saw it as its duty to help out their French allies by giving money and supplying weapons. America believed this was necessary in order to help the French keep control of Vietnam and never fall to Communism. These small Communist guerrilla groups were funded by other Communist powers such as China and Russia. If the whole of Vietnam fell to communist rule this could have had an impact on the rest of the world and show that a Communist regime holds more power than the United States Democracy, thus slowly turning the rest of the world communist. This was just the beginning of the part the US played in Vietnam. Gradually they got dragged further and further into the war and sud... ...m was not even really supported by the Vietnamese people. How could the United States expect to win a war when nobody wanted the government they had set up? South Vietnamese guerillas began to work with the North Vietnamese soldiers to defeat the American supported government and to unify Vietnam. The United States basically turned the Vietnamese that were earlier on their side against them. They became angry that so many of their civilians were being injured and killed and did not want the government set up by the United States to stay in place. With even more Vietnamese people against the United States, there was no way that they were going to be able to win this war. In 1975 many tired troops finally came home from Vietnam, defeated. Their efforts did not end communism and left countless numbers of Americans and Vietnamese people dead. The United States weak strategies, the public’s anti-war attitude, and the Vietnamese’s opposition to the government the United States had set up all contributed to the United State’s defeat in Vietnam. The most tragic part about the Vietnam War was that it took about sixteen years to lose a war that from the beginning we were not going to win.

Sunday, January 12, 2020

What is Womens Studies

Women s Studies explores a wide assortment of issues. Since the scope of topics that Women s Studies covers is so broad, it is difficult to come up with a solid definition that fully explains this subject. I believe that the central category of analysis in Women’s Studies is gender. This subject examines the historically constructed understanding of what it means to be a â€Å"woman† or a â€Å"man. † Women s Studies courses examine gender and women, drawing on a wide variety of experiences from women s perspectives. Not only does Women s Studies explore gender; it also takes a good look at the issues of race, class and sexual orientation and how they impact the development of women in a variety of cultural, social, and economic contexts. Because it is the norm that white, middle class, straight, able-bodied women of a certain age have considerably more access to power and resources than women of color, poor women, lesbians, the disabled, the very young or very old, incorporating the life stories and views of these minority women is a crucial part of Women s Studies. Women of color who are involved in Women s Studies have and still are making great strides in eliminating the stereotypes that not only involve their sex, but their race and culture as well. The text Women: Images and Realities written by Amy Kesselman et. al. includes Black feminist Alice Walker s definition of womanism: Black feminism, or womanism, draws on the historical strength of black women in their families and communities and the rich African-American tradition of resistance, persistence, and survival (12). Women s Studies also takes a in depth look at feminism. Kesselman s et. al. defines feminism as The belief that women have been historically subordinate to men, as well as to the commitment to working for freedom for women in all aspects of social life (9). Women s Studies classes often focus on the early feminists, the struggles they endured, and the impact they have had in getting women as far as they are in society today. I believe Women s Studies owes a big part of its existence to the movement for the liberation of women; the feminist movement exists because women are oppressed. Kesselman s et. al. text, describes Women s Studies as a course which Is an important and exciting experience that introduces new ways of seeing both the world and oneself (8). As our society becomes increasingly diverse, I believe students who study Women s Studies develop an awareness and understanding of diversity that makes an important contribution to any endeavor.

Saturday, January 4, 2020

Symbolism in The Old Man and The Sea Essay - 2610 Words

Earnest Hemingway, a prolific literary writer of his time infuses a multitude of symbolic elements into one of his most well known novels, The Old Man and The Sea, which assist in developing the many themes throughout the story. Hemmingway has constructed the struggle between Santiago and the marlin, his antagonist to symbolize overall themes of strength, perseverance, valor, and defeat. Moreover, his use of such symbols advances the plot toward the eventual defeat of Santiago. These symbols include Santiago’s community, the sea that supports it, and the people who make up the small fishing village. Figures appearing throughout act also on a symbolic level to foreshadow events and reflect inner conflicts central to the story. In addition†¦show more content†¦This fact gives way to coherence in considering, â€Å"when the old man would look at Manolin, he would see himself at a younger age, someone who cared more about the elderly and their heritage than the new ways bestowed to them† (123helpme). Manolin’s presence in the story not only parallels the personality of Santiago, but also represents a tangible sense of hope. The marlin, another symbol and prominent character represents many insubstantial thematic emblems including, endurance, nobility, courage, and defeat. These symbols embodied by the marlin stand as common themes throughout the story and they also tie the character of the marlin with the very representation of Santiago. The great fish, described by the old man as stubborn yet noble demonstrates its immense strength and perseverance as it drags Santiago’s skiff out to sea. The fish’s physical connection through the fishing line to Santiago, who also demonstrates this sort of honorable stubbornness and relentless perseverance, gives way to a symbolic correlation between the two. By Santiago’s own admission that the two relate as brothers, the symbolism of the fish as a representation of Santiago becomes clear. Moreover, the two both face a mutual thread of defeat despite their once held honor and achieved glory. This premise, personified in the final fate of the marl in, destroyed but not defeated, becomes distinctive also of Santiago who once held an honorable reputation among the other fishermen of hisShow MoreRelatedSymbolism Of The Old Man And The Sea4019 Words   |  17 PagesSymbolism in The Old Man and the Sea Symbolism, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is defined as â€Å"the art or practice of using symbols especially by investing things with a symbolic meaning or by expressing the invisible or intangible by means of visible or sensuous representations. This means that any living or non-living object can be visualized as a symbol of something significant. Symbolism, however, used in a piece of literature, is something that makes the story more passionate, moreRead MoreTheme Of Symbolism In The Old Man And The Sea995 Words   |  4 PagesHemingway, author of The Old Man and The Sea and Robert Pirsig author of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance both take a similar metaphorical approach to conveying a tortured soul. A tortured soul has no definition but is seen as a character who is presented with a depressing tone. This character may make reference to a troubled past, while not mentioning a brighter future. Robert from Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance and Sant iago from The Old Man and The Sea both exhibit these qualitiesRead MoreSymbolism in The Old Man and the Sea Essay945 Words   |  4 Pagesnothing left of the marlin. Santiago accepts this loss, because it cannot be avoided, yet he still holds on to the skeleton of the fish because of his courage and values. 3. Firstly, Manolin’s parents who forbid Manolin going out to sea with Santiago are an example of living by this false code. They do not want to accept the pain of Manolin going with Santiago a nd not bringing back something. They don’t have the endurance to accept that loss, although unavoidable, and thereforeRead MoreSymbolism In Hemingways The Old Man And The Sea1488 Words   |  6 PagesHow The Old Man and the Sea’s Symbol’s Relate to Me I always thought the Ocean was a dark and dangerous place, however Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea showed me that the Ocean is an environment that has many symbolic meanings which relate to many people’s lives. Each part of the Ocean represents something in real life and can be used to tell many stories. Throughout my life, I encountered many hardships and challenges similar, but on a smaller scale to the main character of the novel, SantiagoRead More The Use of Christian Symbolism in The Old Man and the Sea Essay565 Words   |  3 PagesThe Use of Christian Symbolism in The Old Man and the Sea Christian symbolism, especially images that refer to the crucifixion of Christ, is present throughout The Old Man and the Sea. During the old man’s battle with the marlin, his palms are cut by his fishing cable. Given Santiago’s suffering and willingness to sacrifice his life, the wounds are suggestive of Christ’s stigmata, and Hemingway goes on to portray the old man as a Christ-like martyr. As soon as the sharks arrive, Santiago makesRead MoreAn Analysis Of Ernest Hemingway s The Old Man 1678 Words   |  7 Pagess The Old Man in the Sea is one of his most memorable books. He was trying to send us all a message about the struggles of everyday life. He wrote the book with minimal amounts of characters but with many examples of symbolism. The way Hemingway wrote this novel he left it open for interpretation despite his claim that there no hidden messages. Hemingway?s use of symbolism was very evident in this book. Many of us can interpret each symbol differently. Some critics believe his symbolism reflectedRead MoreErnest Hemingway s The Old Man And The Sea942 Words   |  4 PagesSome believe to live is to endure, and in Ernest Hemingway s The Old Man and the Sea This idea is explored in a simplistic style of writing called Iceberg Theory, a style unique to Hemingway. In this powerful, yet simple novel Ernest Hemingway eloquently portrays the hardships of the average man. Old Man and the Sea is based on an old man named Santiago and his battle with a giant Marlin in the middle of the sea. The old man s experience with the marlin is one of misfortune, pride, and accomplishmentRead More Man Overcoming Great Obstacles Essay908 Words   |  4 Pagesin Hemingway’s â€Å"The Old Man And The Sea† this philosophy is dealt with and viewed in many situations. In this poignant short novel Ernest Hemingway beautifully illustrate s the trials and tribulations of everyday man, through Santiago’s struggle at sea. The old man’s adventure with the marlin is one of loss, pride, and achievement all combined into one emotional fight for life itself. Hemingway’s use of allegory in â€Å"The Old Man And The Sea† establishes many deeper aspects that man struggles with inRead MoreThroughout his career, Ernest Hemmingway’s writing style has brought many questions from critics1500 Words   |  6 Pagesand direct unlike other fellow writers. This made it easier for people to comprehend and it made connections to his ideas straightforward. In works such as Old Man and the Sea and For whom the Bell Tolls, Ernest Hemmingway uses his style of writing to convey his purpose and ideas of literary elements, such as plot, mood, character, symbolism, and theme, which can be analyzed with New Critical Theory and Iceberg Theory. Before beginning his writing career, Hemingway spent his early days as a journalistRead MoreThe Old Man And The Sea Compare And Contrast Essay792 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self† Ernest Hemingway. The Old Man and the Sea By: Ernest Hemingway and Between the World and Me By: Ta-Nehisi Coates are very similar in many different ways. The comparison of each book is shown well in the setting, theme, and in Symbolism. In the setting, both books provide that the main character is a â€Å"little fish in a big sea†. What that means is that the setting is very large. The character