The Significance of Suicide in Hamlet Free Essays

The Significance of Suicide in Hamlet The concept of suicide is one that is greatly contemplated and discussed by Hamlet and other characters in William Shakespeare’s play. It can be seen through two of Hamlet’s soliloquies and his overall demeanor throughout the play. Hamlet has many issues that he must deal with such as the death of his father and the marriage of his uncle and mother. We will write a custom essay sample on The Significance of Suicide in Hamlet or any similar topic only for you Order Now These two incidents led Hamlet to consider the extreme act of suicide to escape the fate that he had been bestowed. Although Hamlet did not commit suicide, in the end the path that he took inevitably led to his suicidal intentions and his eventual downfall. The contemplation of suicide threatens Hamlet and various characters in the play leading to the demise of the characters and the kingdom of Denmark. The sudden and tragic death of King Hamlet left the kingdom of Denmark and more importantly his son, Prince Hamlet, in a state of distress; as a quick fix to this problem Claudius married Gertrude. In the beginning of the play, after Hamlet’s confrontation with Claudius, he states in his soliloquy that, â€Å"O, that this too too solid flesh would melt / Thaw and resolve itself into a dew! Or that the Everlasting had not fix’d / His canon ‘gainst self-slaughter! O God! God! †(Act I, Sc. 2) Hamlet clearly expresses his Christian beliefs and his fear of being punished for â€Å"self-slaughter. † He believes that it is better to live in his current state then be damned to hell in the afterlife. One may view this outburst as his method of venting or an over exaggerated teenage rant. For it seems that Hamlet is not capable of dealing with the death of his father or the marriage, however incestuous it may be, in a reasonable and non-destructive way. The appearance of his father’s ghost sparked a fire inside of Hamlet; he took it upon himself to avenge his father’s death; a deed that he would not be able to complete if he committed suicide. Hamlet’s Christian beliefs may have held him back from an untimely death at first but his craving for revenge overpowered everything else, driving him to live on. Hamlet was not the only person that struggled with his life and developed a disturbed psyche, the most notable character being Ophelia. Many factors led to Ophelia’s death, one of the reasons being Hamlet’s so-called fake craziness which drove him to ruin his relationship with Ophelia, but it wasn’t the only factor that led to her downfall. Ophelia’s father and brother, warned her against Hamlet, and even though she heeded their warning it led to her ultimate demise. Some people speculate that Ophelia was pregnant and in the Elizabethan era that this play takes place; suicide was the preferred method of â€Å"abortion† or a solution to premarital sex. Preceding Ophelia’s death, she was in a mental state of distress and disturbance; this may have been a reason that led to her death. She may have viewed suicide as the only escape from her cruel, harsh life after Hamlet denied her and after the death of her father; taking into account that her death may have been an accident. She was given a very forced funeral, the priest even stating that, â€Å"As we have warrantise: her death was doubtful. †(Act V, Sc. 1) Had her death been truly recognized as a suicide she would not have received a burial and her body most likely would have been left in the river to rot. The death of Ophelia was devastating to Hamlet, for when he heard of her death and saw her pale body in the casket, he admitted to Laertes and the clown that he did in fact love Ophelia. This deepened his depression, but strengthened his need to avenge his father. The controversy behind her death and the mock funeral that was held for her only further led Hamlet to lose faith in humanity and his own life. One of the greatest obstacles Hamlet faced was how he was going to avenge a murder without committing a crime. Although he wanted to avenge his father’s death, he did not want to do so under circumstantial evidence, he wanted to be completely sure that Claudius was the culprit. He underwent his plan by persuading the troupe to perform a play reenacting the killing of King Hamlet. Claudius’ sudden departure from the room proved to Hamlet that his suspicions were true. This incident pushed Hamlet closer to death. His thoughts and conscience were clouded by the need to kill his father’s murderer. Hamlet believed that if he committed this act he would find his resolve. He believed that he could not leave the world without finishing this task, but once he had done this, there would be nothing more except his questionable Christian faith and fear of the unknown to keep him in the light and away from the darkness; which in the end might not have been enough. Hamlet’s iconic quote, â€Å"To be, or not to be: that is the question,† (Act III, Sc. 1) is the greatest example of his suicidal debate. Hamlet questions why it is not a common act for people to commit suicide, for individuals to escape reality and their current problems. He cannot fathom why a person would endure the tragedies of life throughout the years and whether it is nobler to do so or nobler to end it all. Albeit his Christian beliefs, Hamlet believes that the real reason is fear of the unknown. Death is an intangible force that cannot and will not be explained. Humans fear concepts they do not understand, so they would not willfully venture into unknown territory. One cannot foresee what lies beyond death, heaven, hell or nothingness and Hamlet realizes this, posing the question, â€Å"For in that sleep of death what dreams may come. †(Act III, Sc. ) Individuals feel they must attain truth and sanctity from their lives and ultimately our consciences get the better of us. â€Å"†¦conscience does make cowards of us all†¦ thus the native hue of resolution / Is sicklied o’er with the pale cast of thought. †(Act III, Sc. 1) The events that occurred around Hamlet may have pushed him towards the brink of death, but the y also allowed him to realize that life was worth living. Avenging his father’s death was Hamlet’s prime purpose in the play. He believed that if he in fact did commit â€Å"self-slaughter† that his father would have died in vain. His duty in life from then on was to investigate Claudius and avenge his father. During his return to Denmark, after being forced to leave, Hamlet witnesses Fortinbras and his army on their way to defeat King Claudius and reclaim their pride and power. Despite Fortinbras being an enemy of his country, Hamlet sees how ambitious and driven the man is. This allows Hamlet to realize that life is precious and that if Fortinbras can have that amount of motivation, so can he. â€Å"Witness this army of such mass and charge / Led by a delicate and tender prince / Whose spirit with divine ambition puff’d. †(Act IV, Sc. ) He now possesses a new goal that he feels he must complete; warn his country of the Norwegians attack. Death overtook the entire kingdom of Denmark and Hamlet’s entire family. The final scene of the play when Hamlet fights Laertes shows the internal corruption of the family and the kingdom. In a sense every person that died in the play committed suicide. Laertes’ scheme with Claudius backfired on him and his death was caused by being slashed with his own poisonous blade. Gertrude drank the poisonous drink and although she was not aware of the poison she drank the drink willfully, even after being told by Claudius not to. Claudius died from his own poisonous sword, albeit it was forcefully thrust into his chest by Hamlet, he was without a doubt murdered by his own plan. Hamlet delayed his quest for vengeance and almost ran away from his mission; this delay led to his battle with Laertes and ultimately his demise. The sight of Hamlet dying made Horatio consider following him, he wanted to drink the poison and follow his friend into the afterlife, even if he did commit â€Å"self-slaughter†, the death of his friend was too much to bear, but Hamlet convinced him otherwise, so he may tell his story for years to come. But let it be. Horatio, I am dead / Thou livest; report me and my cause aright / To the unsatisfied. †(Act V, Sc. 2) These deaths left a bad taste in the mouth of the kingdom of Denmark and displayed the true colors of the royal family. From the beginning Hamlet and his family were on the path that would eventually lead them to their end. With the death of King Hamlet and the inc estuous marriage of Claudius and Gertrude, Hamlet’s life and the fate of the kingdom spiraled into madness. The play ended in various deaths and tragedies representing the true significance of suicide in the play of Hamlet. How to cite The Significance of Suicide in Hamlet, Essay examples

Short Research Essay on Andy Warhol and His Influences Example For Students

Short Research Essay on Andy Warhol and His Influences Artist Andy Warhol was a pioneer of the pop art movement in the sasss. He helped to liberate society and crush boundaries in American culture. Whorls work paved the way for people to embrace and explore themselves as individuals and break the social norms. Prior to the asses people in America were very conservative on their views on society and what was socially acceptable. People were divided into categories based on class, gender and race. Warhol broke the mold of modern conformity and challenged idealist visions making alienation, loneliness and being an outcast a trend. America in the asses had n ongoing battle with equality within its culture with race, gender and class being the main catalysts. Whorls work focused mainly on tame, money and tragedy. He broke down typical stereotypes bringing a sense of social equality to everyone, at least where art played a part. He has been quoted saying In the future everyone Will be famous for IS minutes. This is because Warhol made a point to take every day people and mediocre stars such as Edie Sedgwick and turn them in to superstars. Sending the message to millions Of Americans that anyone had the potential to be famous and being eccentric was a good thing. Whorls work catered to the general public and all members Of society, blurring the lines between race, gender and class. You no longer had to be an elitist to enjoy fine art but rather a human being. It was during this time that Warhol started painting ionic American objects such as the Campbell soup cans, Coca Cola bottles and celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor. Often poking fun at American consumerism, conformity and the loss of individuality. Warhol changed how the world viewed simple things. Giving the public a new perspective, He was making a bold statement about being different. These prints were his way to pointing a finger and laughing at mass production and traditionalism. Giving the public a chance to view things in a different light and to think outside the box. Warhol liked to push the boundaries and modern America post 1960 was very conservative. He worked with a wide range of mediums and between 1363-1968 produced over 60 films and countless reels of erotic photography. Many of which drew from the underground homosexual culture and openly explored the complexity of sexuality and desire. The topic of sexuality and homosexuality was a hushed one. Homosexuality was considered malaise and not as a genuine sexual orientation. Homosexuals were seen as deviates and predators and considered a danger to society. Warhol was openly homosexual and he professed that influenced his work and his attitudes and relationships to the art world. Whorls work and personal influence brought sexuality to the forefront making more sociably acceptable for people to be openly gay. Leaving them free to explore their sexuality more frankly and honestly. With raunchy films and pornographic images being readily available through art it was deemed socially acceptable on some level and even trendy to reek the boundaries of heterosexual marriage. Men and Woman were no longer afraid to embrace their sexual identity but were encouraged to exploit it instead. Traditional American values related to sex and marriage was pushed aside and a sexual revolution was born. In Conclusion Andy Whorls work simulated a cultural movement and a sexual revolution in America. Through works like the one pictured (Campbell Soup Andy Warhol 1 968) he was able to change how we kick at the world. What defined a superstar and made them different from the average person? What was sociably acceptable now? Are we all just pawns in the game Of consumerist America? These were all questions Warhol raised and left the public to draw conclusions for themselves.

poem book Essays - Emotion, Limbic System, Subjective Experience

What is the one emotion that has everyone mystified? What is the one emotion that has started as many wars as it has ended? What emotion has had more plays, songs, and stories written about it than anything else? Love, that one emotion that makes enemies into friends and friends into enemies. So many legends surround this emotion, from the goddess Athena and Helen of Troy to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Love comes in so many different levels, that it doesn't appear to be the same emotion at all, but it is. There is so much to love, that it will be hard to put into this simple essay. It can tear people apart and make us do irrational things to bringing together entire nations. What can this emotion not do? It's hard to tell, but there is a lot it can. This emotion, bring tears to our eyes when something happens to our family members, friends, and pets. When we feel love ripped from us, as in death or being spurned by another, we do things we wouldn't normally do, such as go on violent rampages, or mourn to the extent that our loved ones have to watch us constantly to make sure we don't try anything like suicide. Some can move on, always remembering the lost loved one after a while, but others can not let go. These are the ones that need our love and support the most. There are so many levels to love, that I can only express a few of them here. These are the ones we see most in life. Friendship starts this list off. Yes, it doesn't seem like it, but we do feel love towards our friends, this is what helps us get along so well, and why we miss them when we don't see our friends for a long time. It's also why we hold certain friends over others no matter what happens. Sometimes, the bond between friends deepens to the point where a stronger bond of love is made, making them family. Another level of love, are for our siblings and other family members. Even though we do things to our family members, and sometimes we don't like some of our family, that bond is still there. It's this family bond level of love that brought about the phrase, blood is thicker than water. We will do things for our brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, and children before we would even consider doing them for anyone else. Many wars have been started because of this family level, brother avenging brother or father, father protecting his wife and children, or even vice versa. This simple family bond can even extend to include our pets, amazingly enough, and that is a good thing.

Water Resources Management

Water Resources Management Impact of human activities on water resources This has adverse effects on the population of fish that are set to dwindle due to the destruction of their food resources or by killing them through mercury poison. Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Water Resources Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The mercury poison comes from industry effluents. Adverse temperatures that results from dumping of hot water from the industries near water resources also affect the number of fish by killing them. The presences of these pollutants always have the effect of destabilizing the ecological balance of the water (Feldman, 1995). The management of these water resources is a very precarious and complicated. This process requires a careful balance of both ecological and economical considerations. The management plan will include the introduction of laws to curb the water pollution and preservation of fish resources. The laws will have to outlaw uncontrolled dumping and release of industrial effluents in the water. The law should also set limits to the fishing practice the fishermen will have to use. This will include limiting of fishing licenses and setting limits to the size of fishing nets the fishermen will have to use and set limits the amount of fish the fishermen can be allowed to catch. The law should also carry stiff penalties to whoever found in violation of the environmental water laws. Another management policy can be the introduction of an economic policy where the person responsible for the pollution to be made to pay for the cost of cleanup. This will mean that fishermen and other stake holders will have to take out insurance covers to cover their practices. Even consumers who use paper bags will have to pay for them. Finally, the recycling of most materials that find their way to the water resources can go a long way in trying to manage the resources. Recycling of waste and purificatio n of sewage waste should be encourages to avoid toxic wastes spilling up in the water. Effects of water resources managements on the community The effects of the management will be received in different ways by both environmentalists and fishermen. To fishermen the proposal to recycle and reduce the waste effluents will be take positively as it will mean the increase to the number of fish but the proposal to introduce laws to enable the efficient sustainable of resources will be received negatively by the fishermen. Advertising Looking for essay on ecology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This is because the laws seek to limit the size of the nets and the amount of fish each fisherman can catch. In addition, by limiting on the number of fishermen it will result in the increase in the price of fishing licenses. On the other hand, the environmentalists will take the introduction of the laws and the other management pr ocess positively (Feldman, 1995). This is because all these measures will lead to the protecting the water resources as well as allowing the population of fish to flourish. This solution will have different effects to the community. In terms of jobs, the number of jobs might reduce in the community due to the limit of the number of fishermen allowed in the water resources. It will also mean that all the industries that depend on fish like fishmeal factories and filleting plants will have to suffer. On the other hand, due to the cleanup of the water resources, it will have a positive effect on the lifestyle on the community. The practicing of swimming and other sports safely done without the fear of catching water-borne diseases that might have affected the water resource users before the clean up. Problems developed by fishing techniques Fishing can lead to the extinction of species due to the overfishing of rare kinds of fish and other protected kinds .In addition it can lead to t he killing and capturing of unwanted water species. This is because some fishing methods like trawling are indiscriminate on what they catch. Water animals like turtles and water snakes can be caught thus changing the balance of the ecosystem. Finally, fishing method likes trawling involves the dragging of nets at the bottom of the water bodies. The nets can cause the scrapping the floor leading to the destruction of polyps which is an important source of food to the fish.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Water Resources Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Reference Feldman, D. (1995). Water Resources Management: In Search of an Environmental Ethic. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University press.

Helpful Examples of Intrapersonal Intelligence

Helpful Examples of Intrapersonal Intelligence Intrapersonal intelligence is one example of developmental psychologist Howard Gardners nine multiple intelligences. It explores how skillful people are at understanding themselves. Individuals who excel in this intelligence typically are introspective and can use this knowledge to solve personal problems. Psychologists, writers, philosophers, and poets are among those that Gardner views as having high intrapersonal intelligence. Howard Gardners Inspiration Howard Gardner is a professor of cognition and education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He uses the late English writer Virginia Woolf as an example of a person with a  high level of intrapersonal intelligence. He has noted how in her essay, A Sketch of the Past, Woolf discusses  the cotton wool of existence, or the various mundane events of life. She contrasts this cotton wool with three specific poignant childhood memories. The key point is not simply that Woolf is talking about her childhood; its that she is able to look inward, examine her innermost feelings, and articulate them. Many people struggle to identify their deepest feelings, let alone discuss them in a way that others can understand. Intrapersonal Intelligence Dates Back to Antiquity The Greek philosopher Aristotle, born 384 BC, was an example. He is widely credited as the first scholar to study logic. Along with Plato and Socrates, Aristotle was one of the founders of Western philosophy. His dedication to the study of reason required him to examine his own internal motivations, giving him great intrapersonal intelligence. Aristotles work would go on to make an impact on the 19th-century German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. He was an existentialist who exemplified Gardners theory on existential intelligence. However, Nietzche also wrote about the forms of spiritual metamorphoses necessary to lead a meaningful life. His work would influence the novelist Franz Kafka, who wrote The Metamorphosis. This 1915 story is about  traveling salesman Gregor Samsa, who awakens to find himself transformed into an insect. But the story is really about Samsas deep, internal introspection. Another 19th-century thinker gifted with self-awareness is Walt Whitman, poet  and author of Leaves of Grass. Whitman and other writers, including Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Henry David Thoreau, were transcendentalists. Transcendentalism was a social and philosophical movement that surfaced during the 1800s. It emphasized the importance of the individual and was influenced by Plato. Intrapersonal Intelligence: The 1900s Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle are celebrated as some of the greatest minds ever. But during the 20th century, that honor went to theoretical physicist Albert Einstein. One of historys greatest scientists, Einstein liked to spend time thinking during long walks. On these strolls, he thought deeply and formulated his mathematical theories about the cosmos and the way the universe works. His deep thinking sharpened his intrapersonal intelligence. Like Einstein, people with high intrapersonal intelligence are self-motivated, introverted, spend lots of time alone, and work independently. They also tend to enjoy writing in journals, which Anne Frank did during tragic circumstances. Before her 1945 death at age 15 during the Holocaust, she spent much of World War II hidden in an attic with her family. While in hiding, Anne wrote a diary detailing her hopes, desires, and fears in such a moving way that the journal remains one of the worlds most widely known books.   How to Enhance Intrapersonal Intelligence While some people seem to have an innate knack for intrapersonal intelligence, this skill can also be taught. Teachers can help students enhance and strengthen their intrapersonal intelligence by having them journal regularly and write reflections on the topics covered in class. They can also assign students independent projects and incorporate graphics like mind maps to help them organize their thoughts. Finally, just having students imagine themselves as an individual from a different time period can help them focus inward. Teachers and caretakers should take advantage of any opportunity available to inspire students to reflect on their feelings, what theyve learned, or how they might act in different contexts. All of these practices will help them to increase their intrapersonal intelligence. Sources Kafka, Franz. The Metamorphosis. Paperback, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, November 6, 2018. Whitman, Walt. Leaves of Grass: The Original 1855 Edition. Dover Thrift Editions, Paperback, 1 edition, Dover Publications, February 27, 2007.

Case analysis on The Treadway Tire Company Study

Analysis on The Treadway Tire Company - Case Study Example Raw materials depended on the price of oil, which has rapidly increased from $ 20 per barrel to $ 90 barrel in 2007 influencing the economics of tire firms. The rising cost of raw materials was posing a great impact on the company’s economy. Further, Lima Tire plant was facing serious morale problems with the line-foreman. Their dissatisfaction was starting to affect the entire company. The plant presently is undergoing massive expansion in that it aims to modernize its efforts that will increase the plant’s capacity and use new manufacturing technology. In addition, Lima plant has become one of the Treadways top plants in quality ratings and productivity because of the enhanced technology and updated equipment. Treadway closed Greenville Plant situated in South Carolina because of outdated equipment and moved some equipment to Lima. Therefore, with the additional volume, Lima moved to continuous operations, which has allowed Treadways to amortize the substantial fixed costs of operating a tire plant over maximum production volume. Current issues within the plant is the rising cost of raw materials, high level of job dissatisfaction and tension that exist between hourly paid workers and foremen. Currently, there are no enough people qualified to be promoted to the ranks of foreman. The company desires to solve the turnover problem in order to make Lima Plant become Treadway’s top plant for productivity and its lowest cost producer in North America. The Company wants to have employees who are satisfied with their work. Due to this, the company conducted an employee satisfaction research, noticed that some supervisors were not happy with the job, and was concerned about the positions of line supervisors. There is need to increase intercompany transfers and the percentage of college graduates. Summarily, the increase in costs of operation should allow the company to increase

JIT Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

JIT - Assignment Example The next important step is to increase production of the other companies in different countries so that the supplies are maintained. Even though many companies including the Caterpillar face challenges and losses during catastrophes, Just-In-Time (JIT) inventory management still survives due to the fact that storage costs are reduced (Muller, 2011). The company saves millions of dollars annually by reducing the number of warehouses and stores that would otherwise be needed for storing excess inventories (stocks). Another reason for preference of JIT is the fact that risks for producing excess products that would not be consumed after a very long time; the result is reduction in the cost of input or production process. From these catastrophic experiences mentioned above, it is evident that JIT has both its pros and cons during disasters. According to Miller (2011), producing less products means less losses when a disaster happens; this transfers to fewer losses to the company. On the other hand, lack of stocks for future distribution can lead disrupted supply chain which can translate to loss of customers or consumers. For Caterpillar to avoid losses in case of any future catastrophes, the management should ensure that there is at least one warehouse made as a backup plan when there is interruption in production such as fire outbreak or power failure. The policies should indicate clearly how set up times and lead times should be reduced to maintain profit and