Odyssey Essays (1433 words) - Greek Mythology, Epic Cycle

Odyssey When one ponders the Greek mythology and literature, powerful images invariably come to mind. One relives the heroes' struggles against innumerable odds, their battles against magical monsters, and the gods' periodic intervention in mortal affairs. Yet, a common and often essential portion of a heroic epic is the hero's consultation with an oracle or divinity. This prophecy is usually critical to the plot line, and also to the well being of the main characters. Could Priam have survived in the Achaean camp if not at the gods' instruction (200-201)? Could the Argos have run the gauntlet of the Prowling Rocks if not for the gods' advice of using a sacrificial bird (349). Moreover, prophecy can be negative as well as positive. Achilles was prophesied to die gloriously in battle if he chose his life's way as a warrior. Oedipus was exiled and condemned by his own words, after he slew his sire and wed his mother. This type of prophesy can blind even the gods themselves; Chronos was fated to be defeated and his throne stolen by his son. Demeter loses Persephone periodically every year because her daughter ate Hades' pomegranates. Prophecy plays an important role in the whole of Greek folklore. Something this ever-present bears further examination. In The Odyssey, prophecy in its myriad forms affects nearly every aspect of the epic. Prophecies are seen in the forms of omens, signs, strict prediction of the future, divine condemnation, and divine instruction. Though conceptually these forms are hard to distinguish, they are clearly separate in the Odyssey. Moreover, prophecies can be interpreted not only on the "plot device" level, but also on the level of characterization. Whether a character accepts or denies the gods' prophecies tells the reader something about the character himself. Omens are brief prophecies intimately connected to the action at hand, which must be interpreted in terms of that action. Halitherses comments on the eagle attack after Telemakhos condemns the suitors (463-464); he correctly interests it to mean that if the suitors keep feeding off Odysseus's possessions they will be destroyed. Yet the suitors ignore the omen, inviting their eventual destruction. This haughty treatment of a divine omen is a justification for their deaths. When Penelope says if Odysseus had returned he would, with his son, surely slay the suitors, Telemakhos let loose a great sneeze (429). This omen reinforces the previous one, and simultaneously prepares the reader for the carnage to follow. However, not all omens are effective. In the case of Telemakhos we see many bird omens signaling for him to do something about the suitors. Whether it was his immaturity to interpret the bird omens or blind arrogance Telemakhos does not act on them. In fact, it's not until Athena comes to him that he thinks to take action against the suitors in his house. Signs are similar to omens, but differ in one crucial aspect; the prophesee is looking for a specific omen in order to decide whether he should or should not take some action. There is only one good example of a sign in the Odyssey; on page 460, Odysseus asks Zeus for two divine signs to decide if it is time to slay the suitors. Zeus answers with a thunderclap from a cloudless sky and allows Odysseus to overhear a maid's prayer for vengeance. Because of these signs, Odysseus begins his plan to slay the suitors. Later on, with a thunderclap Zeus actually signals for the precise time to strike. Signs are helpful devices; they allow not only a rationalization for when an event occurs but also shows the approval of the gods on such an action. Not only are signs and omens plentiful in the Odyssey, but also the type one usually associates with prophesying, strict prediction of the future, abounds as well. Penelope states that she will marry the man who can string Odysseus's bow and perform his famous feat (469). Since Odysseus is the only one to do so, the prophecy is fulfilled. This "prophesy" is just a statement of the future; it contains no judgmental quality whatsoever. Theoklymenos's prophesies to Penelope that Odysseus is at hand on the island and plotting vengeance on the suitors (417) This, of course, is already true, so the prophecy is technically true as well. However, it makes no judgement on the rightness or wrongness of either Odysseus's or the suitors' position. Teiresias shade's speech to Odysseus (333) is a strictly objective foretelling, but nevertheless crucial to the plot and character development. He states that Odysseus will land on Thrinakia; that

Bipolar Opposition Essays

Bipolar Opposition Essays Bipolar Opposition Paper Bipolar Opposition Paper Bipolar Oppositions as stated by Betty Brown with regards to the deconstructions that are done by Cixous and Derrida are products of culture that are primarily based on conceptual contrasts. They are pair of terms that have been historically connected with Western culture. The members of the pair are regarded and believed as absolutes: the one is being valued and the other is devalued. Some of the bipolar oppositions that are mentioned by Brown are: male/female, good/evil, self/other, heaven/hell, culture/nature, and mind/body. Cixous bipolar oppositions that are revealed in the text are: activity/passivity, sun/moon, culture/nature, day/night, father/mother, head/heart, intelligible/sensitive, logos/pathos. The bipolar opposition that she has discussed that is not in the text is the query with regards to sexual difference which is traditionally anchored with activity/passivity. She juxtaposes the ideological interpretation of Freud’s theses as to what makes a woman an imperfect man and Jones’ â€Å"femininity is an autonomous ‘essence’. † Cixous bipolar opposition is apparent in Peter Paul Rubens’ The Judgment of Paris in a sense that Ruben’s artwork illustrates Phallocentrism, the root of all sexual-difference opposition. Cixous notions coincide with John Berger’s perspective that â€Å"the ideal spectator is always assumed to be male and the image of the woman is designed to flatter him†. The painting portrays the judgment done by Paris as to who is the most beautiful among the three women. It showcases the historical and cultural boundary where men are enclosed as the ones who possess power. With regards to that, women, as shaped by ideological apparatuses, are inferior to men; it definitely conveys its origin to Phallocentrism.

MAF202 Money and Capital Markets Assignment T1 2012 Essay

MAF202 Money and Capital Markets Assignment T1 2012 - Essay Example Hence, there has been widening of spread between cash rate and the interest rates set by the major banks. Banks have argued to such anomaly by mentioning that the rising costs of funds have led them to take such decisions. Since the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), banks have relied more on debt funding which are expensive sources of fund than equity and others. If we look at the recent global economic scenario, it can be found that the euro-zone crisis situation is still unresolved, and economic growth rate is expected to slowdown in 2012. There have been no rate cuts by the central bank of UK since 2009. In India recently there have been rate cuts by Reserve Bank of India and banks have started responding to it positively. Central bank of China follows a tightly regulated monetary policy and is expected to have rate cuts in 2012. Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is the central bank of Australia established in the year 2006. Its principal task is to control and regulate the monetary policy of Australia (Reserve Bank of Australia, 2012a). RBA uses cash rate as a tool to control the pressure of inflation in Australia. RBA targets to keep the inflation rate in and around 2% to 3%. This refers to the monetary policy followed by RBA. RBA’s monetary policy also includes curbing unemployment rate and assuring a stable economic growth of the country as its other objectives. When the inflation rate goes beyond the target of RBA, the cash rate is enhanced. Otherwise RBA tries to reduce the cash rate when it feels that inflation is not posing a great threat and Australia can have a faster economic growth. RBA regulates the monetary policy of Australia by setting up the lending rates on loans available in the money market on an overnight basis. These rates of interest set by RBA have an influence on the rest of the interest rates in Australian economy. Subsequently it has an effect on how the

Establishing Money Exchange and Transfer Business Research Proposal

Establishing Money Exchange and Transfer Business - Research Proposal Example UAE has an extensive record of the money changers who are involved in exchange of foreign currencies and remittance. The process of remittances took place in the form of a third party money payment system, where the person may pass on the currency to the second party located within or outside the country. This service was utilized heavily by the emigrants in UAE. In the other countries money changers are prohibited, while in UAE and the other Gulf countries they are regulated, licensed, and supervised by the central bank. The money exchange and transfer industry in UAE comprises of more than 212 offices. These money changers utilize the banks, exchange houses, and even agents to take and receive remittances. Â  This system might appear to be informal, but they are formal contractual agreements, and their business is legal and well-established in UAE. The currency of UAE is Dirhams which is linked to the US Dollar. However, Dirham has remained constant more than a period of 20 years (Campbell, 2007, p. 354). Even the foreign exchange market in UAE is not centrally controlled by specific exchange. It is mainly run by the bank through ‘over-the counter’ and by the companies who trade in currencies. The currency brokers are there in the market to offer good deal in foreign exchange because the exchange rate is not the same. There are different prices on which currency is traded depending on the rates offered by the banks or companies into trading and fund transferring business.

An Inspector Calls by J.B Priestley Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

An Inspector Calls by J.B Priestley - Essay Example It also mentioned the woman who urged Eva to go to the Palace bar who was an agent of Brumley's prostitutes. More to that are the people mentioned in her lodgings. The play portrayed so many concerns that relates to how a person should act in the society that he or she lives in. One of the highlights of the play is the death of Eva which led to the most important argument in the play which is responsibility. At the beginning of the play, Mr. Birling gave his restricted view of responsibility in a extensive dialogue. Moreover, Mr. Birling's definition of responsibility was followed by the appearance of the Inspector. Then the inspector gave his concept of responsibility as well before he left. Second is the lowers costs and higher prices. It manifested the playwright's view on of Mr. Birling's enthusiasm for joining the two affluent families of Croft and Birling and his hopes that they can still work for lower costs and higher prices. As a businessman, lower costs are mostly realized by paying the workers lower wages. Third, the play opened the window about divulging the identity of the Croft and the Birling families- their likeness and their differences. It also showed how the two families present themselves in gatherings. Lastly, this play depicted a common scenario in the early 20th century.

The Death With Dignity Act

The Death With Dignity Act Although the Death with Dignity Act empowers individuals to control the timing of their death, physician assisted suicide still remains a controversial topic in todays society that raises many ethical questions. These questions include: Who is the true owner of our lives? Should relieving suffering always be the highest priority or does suffering occur for a reason? Is suicide a purely individual choice (Mathes, 2004)? The answers to the above questions are subjective, yet healthcare workers deal with the difficult issues associated with end-of-life care on a daily basis. Since patients and families frequently ask nurses to provide information about support in dying, it is important for nurses to thoroughly understand the topic of physician assisted suicide regardless of whether it is legally permitted within the State where they are working (Ersek, 2004). The purpose of this paper is to describe benefits and disadvantages of assisted suicide and to discuss the ethical reasoning behind both of these opposing viewpoints. Throughout the literature, there are many arguments that support the prohibition of physician assisted suicide. One of the most obvious arguments is that health care providers are supposed to save lives-not take them. (de Vocht Nyatanga, 2007). This principle of nonmaleficence can be traced back in time to Hippocrates, a Greek physician, who states this duty as I (healthcare provider) will use treatment to help the sick according to my ability and judgment, but I will never use it to injure or wrong them (Beauchamp Childress, 2009, p. 149). In other words, this statement can be interpreted as do no harm. The American NursesAssociation supports the notion that active participation in assisted suicide goes against the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses (2001). Helping a client take their own life is not only in contrast with ethical traditions of nursing but it could also discourage clients from seeking out medical care due to fear (Ersek, 2004). In response, proponents for assisted suicide argue that it is well within the patients right to decide whether he or she lives or dies. Emphasizing the importance of the principle of autonomy, they feel that quality of life is a very personal opinion. By preventing clients from taking their life, they feel healthcare providers are being paternalistic and imposing their views onto their patients. Some also feel that it is pride, not altruism, which inhibits healthcare workers from supporting assisted suicide. They argue medical professionals do not like to admit that they cannot fix a situation, because it causes them to acknowledge their own limitations and evokes a feeling of failure. (de Vocht et al, 2007). Another reason many dislike physician assisted suicide is their belief that it might eventually lead to involuntary euthanasia. This slippery slope conjecture is based on the idea that small steps will eventually lead to an inevitable chain of events that cannot be stopped once started. This notion is supported by statistics gathered from the Netherlands that state roughly 1,000 patients die due to the result of an end-of-life decision made without their explicit consent (Dieterle, 2007, p. 129). Therefore advocates of this theory feel that the best way to prevent the establishment of involuntary euthanasia is by barring assisted suicide. In contrast, supporters of physician assisted suicide feel that the slippery slope argument is an exaggeration. Since the passage of the Death with Dignity Act in Oregon, involuntary euthanasia is far from being a reality of the status quo in the United States. This is a living example that demonstrates assisted suicide can be passed without spirali ng out of control. Therefore support of the slippery slope argument is closed minded and shows little faith in human nature (Dieterle, 2007). However, the possibility that patients might be coerced into participating in assisted suicide against their will is very concerning to many people. Opponents to legalizing assisted suicide fear that patients could be persuaded by their family or insurance companies into requesting support in dying. A specific concern exists for vulnerable populations which include the elderly, poor, and minorities. These groups of people may be easily manipulated and lack the means to defend themselves. In summation, it is very possible that abuses of law could occur (Dieterle, 2007). The argument also exists that legalizing assisted suicide would make it easier to regulate these practices. One result of not legalizing assisted suicide could be that people might utilize the euthanasia underground as a source of relief. These people are very determined to die and may go to other countries or fall back on illegal methods to reach their goal. This not only makes it hard to control what is happening, but some people are also dying in ways that they do not prefer (de Vocht et al, 2007). Since assisted suicide is a complex issue, many feel that forming comprehensive legislation that is safe is an impossible task. The current Death with Dignity Act uses many terms which are subjective. For example, there is no definite way to determine the exact time and date when a person will die. Therefore the 6-month prognosis is not reliable even if it is agreed upon by two different physicians. In addition, mistakes in assisted suicide are permanent and cannot be corrected (Gannon Garland, 2008). Conversely, assisted suicide supporters argue physicians are already familiar with facilitating the death of their patients. Currently, In all 50 states in the US, patients have the right to refuse treatment and be allowed to die. Furthermore, all 50 states have procedures in place for allowing substituted judgments for the refusal of treatment (Dieterle, 2007, p. 132). Although end-of-life issues are complex, legal support for physicians comfortable with this process should continue. Another argument against assisted suicide is that it could encourage people to give up and take the easy way out. By allowing a person to take their life when they feel hopeless, it might give off the wrong impression to the public that when life becomes hard it is acceptable to quit. (Dieterle, 2007). Instead of focusing on ending life, emphasis should be put on how to enhance palliative care. On the contrary, proponents for assisted suicide argue that the people who are requesting it are not hopeless and depressed. The clients who utilize the Death with Dignity Act in Oregon, Linda Ganzini states, are not so much depressed as determined (Schwartz Estrin, as cited in Dieterle, 2007, p. 134). Ironically, these people say that assisted suicide actually instills hope in people because they feel they have a way of controlling their life if it becomes too unbearable. Conclusion While there many arguments for and against assisted suicide, the answer to the question of whether it is right or wrong remains ambiguous. One reason for the lack of clear cut answers is that assisted suicide is an ethical issue which is dependent on a persons values, morals, religion, and experiences. In general, the topic of end-of-life decision making is very sensitive and evokes strong emotions and opinions. Instead of debating the issues involved with assisted suicide, this paper merely describes pertinent arguments that have been presented by both sides. There are many nursing implications that are associated with assisted suicide. Among these is the importance for nurses to be aware of their own beliefs about end-of-life care. Selfawareness will prepare nurses for obstacles they will face when dealing with death. Another implication is that nurses need to be cognizant of politics and legal authority. Becoming active in political processes, nurses can work to ensure that they w ill not be forced into doing procedures that come in direct conflict with their beliefs. Writing this paper has taught me that autonomy is a very controversial issue in the health profession. I have also learned that there is a fine line between being a patient advocate and acting paternalistically. There is also a very fine line between providing a patient with information and influencing their decision making process. I plan to use this knowledge in my practice by being aware of my own biases and respecting the beliefs of my patients. I have come to the conclusion that facing ethical issues is inevitable part of a nurses professional practice.

Choosing Between Low-Fat and Low-Carb Diets Essay -- Energy and Intake

Kay’s compromise is setting her up for troubles. She is doing the acceptable thing by researching the issue however she has missed some finer points. While fats at 9 calories per gram do in fact yield more calories per gram than carbohydrates which are 4 calories per gram and as such do indeed have a greater potential for energy use she is misguided in her thinking and taking an approach where she drops her carbohydrates low and takes in high fat in her diet is perverting the facts. A diet of the energy-dense fats will not be better for her in this event. She needs to trust and listen to her coach and their recommendation for her to see a sports nutrition professional. It will take following a properly guided meal plan for her to be competitive in this event and remain healthy. As Fink points out, Carbohydrates, in the form of glucose, are the main source of fuel for all physical activity. Fats on the other hand are primarily used as a fuel source while resting and when performing moderately to low intensity exercises. (Fink, 2012, p.3) It’s these facts that are so significant. The event she participates in will be fairly short yet very intense with that in mind as an 800-meter track athlete the Carbohydrates are going to serve her the best. She will require immediate as well as a short sustained use of energy for her event. While she will be using both energy systems Fink states she will mainly be using anaerobic energy system which â€Å"is a major contributor to intense activities that last from 1 to 3 minutes.† (Fink, 2012, p. 50) Undoubtedly Kay must be experiencing some undesired results during her races which she wants to correct. She is managing to do the correct thing by seeking nutrition as the answer. She is cur... ...etermine which adjustments actually need to be made. If Kay is currently truly following a well planned high carbohydrate diet then her issue will be her training. Works Cited AERENHOUTS, D., DERIEMAEKER, P., HEBBELINCK, M., & CLARYS, P. (2011). Energy and macronutrient intake in adolescent sprint athletes: A follow-up study. Journal Of Sports Sciences, 29(1), 73-82. Fink, Heather Hedrick., Alan E. Mikesky, and Lisa A. Burgoon. (2012). Practical Applications in Sports Nutrition,3rd edition. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Hunt, J. (2011). We Can Raise American Distance Runners To Gold Medal Levels. Track Coach, (196), 6239-6247. Rosenkranz, R. R., Cook, C. M., & Haub, M. D. (2007). Endurance Training on Low-Carbohydrate and Grain-Based Diets: A Case Study. International Journal Of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism, 17(3), 296-309