Shakespeare Essays (315 words) - Kings Men, William Shakespeare

Shakespeare Shakespeare was born April 23, 1564 in the town of Stratford, England. His father, John Shakespeare was a glove maker and his mother May Arden inherited land so they had some money. As a result of his father having money he did not have to stay home and help out as much. He probably unlike many other children at that time attended the town's free school. At the age of eighteen Shakespeare married Anne Hathawy November 27, 1582 who was eight years older then him. He had three children his first was Susanna then twins Hamnet and Judith. For most of his life he lived in London and had very little to do with Stratford. He listed as a member of the Lord Chamberlains Company, which is a troupe of actors in 1594. By the mid 1590s his plays were extremely popular, he was once rated by a critic as the best author of both tragedy and comedy. In 1599 the Lord Chamberlains Company built the Globe Theater. In the year 1608 the Lord Chamberlains Company acquired control of the Blackfriars, which at that time was the only theater within the limits of London. Shakespeare was a shareholder in both of these theaters. This suggests that Shakespeare might have been a businessman as well as an actor and playwright. In Shakespeare began to write plays for his troop Lord Chamberlains Company. In writing his plays he had to take several things into account. Some examples are the skills of the actors in his troop, and also that all of the actors were men, because of the fact that no women were allowed to perform at that time. By 1592 he was recognized as a successful actor, also as a poet. During his life he wrote at least 36 plays. Between 1611 and 1613 he bought a house in Stratford and retired from the theater. He did at the age of 52 on his birthday. His was buried and remains at the Church of Holy Trinity in Stratford.

The Descent of Hag

The Descent of Hag The Descent of Hag The Descent of Hag By Mark Nichol The headline of this post uses descent in two senses: This post discusses the etymological origin of hag, but it also points out how the connotation of the term has plummeted in status. The contemporary connotation of hag is â€Å"old woman,† with additional senses of a careless, ugly, or evil appearance; the offensive term â€Å"fag hag† refers to a straight woman who associates with gay men. In the Middle Ages, the term referred to a female demon or an evil spirit, but it was originally associated with highly respected oracles, or soothsayers. Hag is the truncated version of the Old English term hagetes (also spelled hagtesse), meaning â€Å"witch† or â€Å"sorceress.† The second syllable, later misidentified as a mere suffix, was lopped off, but that’s the essential element; it’s probably related to words in other languages referring to demons or spirits, while hag is likely cognate with hedge. The significance of that term is that hedges were considered the boundary between civilization and the wild, and witches- and reclusive women with mysterious healing abilities who were sometimes accused of being witches- straddled both worlds. A term with a loose association, hagridden, refers to sleep paralysis, because of the belief that one’s sense of being immobilized while lying in bed was caused by a spirit bearing down on the sufferer; by extension, the term also means â€Å"tormented,† and the verb hagride means â€Å"torment.† Similarly, the rare adjective hagged originally meant â€Å"bewitched† and later acquired the sense of â€Å"gaunt,† due to the belief that such an appearance was the result of bewitchment. Haggard, originally meaning â€Å"unruly† or â€Å"wild,† is not directly related- it comes from the Old French phrase faulcon hagard (â€Å"wild falcon†)- but it’s a distant relation that acquired the sense of â€Å"worn† by association with hag. Other related words include the archaic noun haw, meaning â€Å"enclosure† (the first syllable of hawthorn), and hex, which originally referred to a witch but later came to apply to a witch’s spell. (Haggle has a separate derivation; it’s related to hack.) Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Apply to, Apply for, and Apply withWriting the Century25 Idioms with Clean

Aspects of British Culture

Aspects of British Culture Aspects of British Culture What is culture? Is it the language we speak, overall ethnicity in a region, or the simple customs of a daily routine? Culture is something we are all a part of whether we like it or not. Your family may have certain customs and routines. This is culture. In this research paper I will be analyzing British culture in four categories: history, ethnicity, customs, and also the future direction of British Culture. How did Britain become so rich in culture? Well Britain certainly did not just appear one day. The name of the country and the term â€Å"English† derive from the Old English word for one of the three Germanic Peoples that invaded the British Isles in the 5 th century (Countries and Their Cultures). The Angles â€Å"Britain† and â€Å"British† derive from a Roman Term for the inhabitants (Countries and Their Cultures). In fact, written records of British History do not exist until the arrival of the Romans (J.P. Dommerville). Be fore the arrival of the Romans, there is only archaeological evidence of Britain’s inhabitants (J.P. Sommerville). The earliest inhabitants of Britain for whom there is compelling evidence are bands of hunters living in Southern and Western England during the Hoxnian (J.P. Sommerville). Many peoples make up the rich history of British Culture. There were many immigrants that came to found The United Kingdom. Their genes still walk the grounds today. Just like America this country was founded, and made by immigrants from many different backgrounds. Like many cultures, there are different peoples whom make up the general ethnicity. British Culture is no exception to this understanding. Britain or the U.K. known to others is located in Western Europe, islands including the northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland between the North Atlantic Ocean, and the North Sea, northwest of France (UK – Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette). The capital of the United Kingdom is London (UK – Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette). The population is roughly 60, 766, 238 people; with an ethnic make-up of White, Black, Indian, Pakistani, Mixed, and Other (UK – Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette). The White Population is composed of: 83.6% English, 8.6% Scottish, 4.9% Welsh, and 2.9% Northern Irish (UK – Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette). The other ethnic populations are composed of: 2% Black, 1.8% Indian, 1.3% Pakistani, 1.2% Mixed, and 1.6% Other (UK – Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette). As you can see, all of these different ethnicities will definitely impact culture. So what customs will follow this diverse cultural background? Many people may assume that British Culture is defined with scones and tea, or the rich writings of Shakespeare; however it is not like this at all. There are many customs that British people practice, that Americans or any other type of nationality may find odd. Many customs are a ssociated with the annual climate, and British Culture is once again no exception. The annual climate of the United Kingdom has temperatures that are moderated by southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current, and more than one-half of the days are overcast (UK – Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette). The U.K. is also home to a constitutional monarchy (UK – Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette). Although there is no defined official language due to the diverse cultural background, the primary language is English (UK – Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette). About 70% of the population speaks English (UK – Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette). Other languages that are frequently spoken include: Welsh, Irish, Ulster Scots, Cornish, Gaelic, and British Sign Language (UK – Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette). The United Kingdom is comprised of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland (UK – Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette). Now all of these countries share a common thing, and that is to address a person from a country properly. For instance, English and British do not mean the same thing (UK – Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette). The term â€Å"British†, denotes someone who is from England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland (UK – Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette). The term â€Å"English†, refers to people from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland (UK – Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette). People from different countries want to be known for what they are; another example is people from Scotland are identified as â€Å"Scots†. People from Wales are identified as â€Å"Welsh†. People from Northern Ireland are identified as â€Å"Irish† (UK – Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette).

Health care Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 3

Health care - Essay Example The Sage online dictionary defines health as ‘the general condition of body and mind’, as well as ‘A healthy state of well-being free from disease’ (The Sages Dictionary Online, 2012). This literal meaning assumes relative proportions when visualized through the glass of personal viewpoint on health, which might differ in individuals, or be heavily influenced by cultural and ethnic identity. A more comprehensive definition, as standardized and agreed upon by pertinent authorities in the World Health Organization (WHO), framed in the year 1946, states that ‘Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’ (Awofeso, 2012). The WHO bulletin claims that health was considered a divine gift in antiquity, until Hippocrates rationalized its comprehension as a physical state attained by following the basic tenets of sanitation and a good lifestyle. A more recent definition which includes the element of psychological health, with particular emphasis on human health, is the one given by Bircher, which states that health is a dynamic state of well-being characterized by a physical and mental potential, which satisfies the demands of life commensurate with age, culture, and personal responsibility (Bircher, 2005). The WHO definition has persisted for 60 years but has come under criticism due to the emergence of new patterns of illness due to the high number of aged persons in the world, who ironically survive due to better healthcare facilities developed over the years (Huber, Knottnerus, Green, et al 2011). Health promotion literally translates into any activity undertaken to maintain good health, as comprehended as a layperson. Technically, however, definition of the phrase is again provided by WHO which, in its Ottawa charter adopted in Geneva in the year 1986, states that ‘Health promotion is the process of enabling people to increase control over and to improve their health’ (WHO,

Marketing For Non-profit Organizations Case Study

Marketing For Non-profit Organizations - Case Study Example Coming to the Political factors which can influence the museum, it was identified that the Mayor's commission on the inclusion of Asian and African settlers in London into the Heritage could play an instrumental role in deciding if the museum would get the required support from the Greater London Association (GLA) for its further needs. It could also play a role in making a political impression, which could go a long way in the museum's growth. The 2012 Olympics and its preparations were also taken into consideration while formulating the political factors. At this juncture when the Government of UK was looking forward to make rapid changes to the city of London in a big way and also promote tourism, it is an undisputable fact that the museums would directly be impacted from this move. The 2012 Olympics and the Government's preparations for it and also the modernization agenda of London would really help the museum sector in the long run. Likewise, the social factors were identified to be the literacy rate of the city, country and the constitution of the population. Around 28% of the population consisted of the Asians and Africans and it was clearly identified that there was a need to include and appreciate their services too. Hence, extensive SWOT and PEST analyses on the British museum and the museum sector as a whole and suggestions were made. Since the marketing audit is essentially divided into Internal and External m arket analyses, we classify strengths, weaknesses as the internal analysis of the museum. Likewise, we classify political, economic, social and technological factors as the external environmental condition for any organization. It is obvious that the external environment for the museum too plays a crucial role in the growth of the organization in the long run. Marketing Audit and Recommendations It is a well-known fact that the British museum in London is one of the world's greatest museums of human history and culture. Its collections, which number more than 13 million objects from all continents, illustrate and document the story of human culture from its beginning to the present. is a point of controversy whether museums should be allowed to possess artefacts taken from other countries, and the British Museum is notable target for criticism (Albert Gunther, 2003).The Elgin marbles and the Benin Bonzes are among the most disputed objects in its collections, and organisations have been formed demanding the return of both sets of artefacts to their native countries of Greece and Nigeria respectively. The British Museum has refused to return either set, or any of its other disputed items, stating that the "restitutionist premise, that whatever was made in a country must return to an original geographical site, would empty both the British Museum. The Museum has also argued th at the British Museum Act of 1963 legally prevents it from selling any of its valuable artefacts, even the ones not on display. Internal Environment Analysis The Weaknesses Lack of funds, has clearly paralyzed the prospects of development of the museum in a real big way. Under funding has clearly caused discontent among the employees of the organization. In fact there were instances when the employees had gone off their duties in order to protest the government's attitude towards the museum. At a time when

Business Across Borders Essay Example for Free

Business Across Borders Essay In the business world today, borders are blending and multi-national mergers are causing many company nationalities to become indistinct. As the globalization of markets rapidly increases, many companies are finding international expansion a necessity of competition. North America is greatly affected by this movement towards a global market, and many companies are finding it extremely important to adapt to other cultures. Favorable trade agreements and explosive growth of the middle class in countries once considered underdeveloped have both been important factors in the rush towards globalization. However, the most important factor in increased globalization has been technological advancements, including new transportation and information technologies. Presentation of information is more frequently processed by members of a virtual team a work group not necessarily in the same geographical location. With the proliferation of e-mail, videoconferencing, fax machine, and the telephone, virtual teaming is becoming increasingly efficient. The most considerable obstructions to successful international marketing involve misinterpretations and contrary views resulting from cultural differences. Being both aware of some of these issues and prepared to make the necessary accommodations can save companies time, effort, and a considerable amount of money. Exploring Context Context is described as the most important dimension of culture and yet is the most difficult to define. Context refers to the stimuli, environment, or ambiance surrounding an event. Communication styles and business practices as a whole are often identified with the context of a country. North American, Scandinavian, and German communicators are generally considered to be low-context cultures. They expect a high level of detail in their visua,l verbal and written communication. Low-context cultures tend to  be analytical, logical and find words and contracts very important. Individualism, freedom and personal achievement are highly valued by these cultures. High-context cultures, such as Japan, China, Arabia, tend to assume the receiver does not need much background. Information and words are not as important as what is surrounding the situation. They are more aware of a communicators status, interpersonal relationships, the setting, and ambiance when conducting business relations. In general, tradition and social customs are more important in high-context cultures. These cultures emphasize membership in organizations and groups. Because they avoid confrontation, they frown upon individual decision making and prefer consensus. Relationships In many countries personal relationships are the key to success. It is important to not expect to get down to business right away, but rather get to know a person first. In Mexico, for example, business deals are only made with friends, so one must develop a friendship with any business partner. It is considered polite to ask personal questions about family, and also to answer any questions about your family. Discussions are warm and friendly. In Japan it is unlikely to get very far without connections. Carefully chosen intermediaries are a necessity. Not only will the Japanese feel obliged to be loyal to them, but rank of ones associates will determine their status as well. A Japanese businessman will always consult within his group before making a decision. Because of their intense loyalty, ones identity is subsumed into the group. It is important to never single out a Japanese counterpart, even for praise or encouragement. Contrarily, the Spaniards have a hierarchy style of management and it is best to deal with el jefe or el pardon-the one who will be making the decision. Spaniards also will expect whomever they are dealing with to have decisions-making authority. Saving Face When dealing with Spain or most Asian cultures, it is also critical to understand the concept of saving face. Any loss of control of emotions or embarrassment is considered disastrous in business negotiations in these cultures. Honor and personal pride mean everything and they must not be insulted. Because of this attitude it is very important to carefully prepare presentations so that they are easy for the audience to understand. Paying close attention to determine if anything is misunderstood during the presentation is also a must. Because of this concept of saving face the presenter will not know if they are having difficulties. Close attention must be paid to conversations in order to discern the sincerity of what is being said. In Japan, a deal is never refused directly, and any dealings with Japanese business culture should remain indirect. Business Cards In nearly all countries, it is important that business cards be printed one side in English, and the other in their language. When presenting the card, it should be presented with their language facing the recipient. In Japan, the exchange of business cards is not to be taken lightly. When you receive the card of a Japanese businessman, be sure to make a show of examining it carefully and then making a remark about the card. Ask any questions about anything on the card which is difficult to pronounce or understand. The card should then be placed in a case or on a near by table. A card shouldnt be shoved into a pocket or be written on. Concepts of Time Time orientation is an important cultural difference that Americans must pay close attention to. In America, time is viewed as a precious commodity. Time is related with productivity, efficiency, and money. Many other countries have a much more relaxed perception of time. They take their time, and enjoy it. In Mexico you can ask if a scheduled appointment is en punto (the precise time), or mas o menos. Mas o menos appointments are often scheduled a half an hour to an hour before the actual time. With both  Mexican and Japanese cultures it is also important not to expect instant results. Plenty of time should be allowed for contemplation and decision making. In Mexico it is important to adjust any expectations regarding deadlines and efficiency. Conclusion Doing business over borders and through time zones has become commonplace in the twenty-first century. Technological advancements in communication and travel make it possible to do business across the globe almost instantaneously. Doing business with multiple cultures can be a challenging venture. International communication skills of an organization can determine success or failure. In order to interact with different cultures, it is necessary to understand the basic characteristics of the culture. This type of understanding helps to make adjustments and accommodations. We must rid our minds of pre-conceived notions, stereotypes, and prejudices. It is imperative that one be knowledgeable about such topics as: context, traditions, social rules, etc. It is equally important to possess competent listening skills and to be aware of ones own nonverbal messages. The ability to adapt to an intercultural perspective is probably one of the most crucial aspects of doing business in todays global village. Bibliography Sellin, Robert H. J and Elaine Winters. Cultural Issues in Business Communication. Berkeley: Program Facilitating and Consulting, 2000. Guffey, Mary Ellen. Business Communication: Process and Product, 4th ed. Mason, Ohio: South-Western, 2003 Etiquette and Local Customs. The Travelers Yellow Pages Online. http://www.infoservices.com/stpete/342.htm. InfoServices International, Inc., 2002 What to Know Before Negotiting Execitive Planet.com. http://www.executiveplanet.com/business-culture.html.

Willy Russells Educating Rita Essay -- Willy Russell Educating Rita E

Willy Russells "Educating Rita" Educating Rita is a play about a working class girl who is tired of her lifestyle and asks a university tutor to educate her in an attempt to change her ways her life. Her tutor, Frank, shows her the cultures and values of the middle class world as well as teaching her about literature even though he too is tired of his lifestyle. Rita forces herself to change and realises the damage she causes to herself, acting as someone she isn't. Willy Russel writes about the clash of cultures from each of the English classes. In the beginning of the play when Rita and Frank first meet, they hardly understand each other: 'Frank stares at Rita who stands by the desk Frank: You are? Rita: What am I? Frank: Pardon? Rita: What? Frank: (looking for admission papers) Now you are? Rita: I'm a what?' The way of speaking in each class is so alien to the other and both Rita and Frank are totally bemused. Willy Russell uses this to show how much each class is separated with the other and how little to do they have with each other, each representative of each class in the play is depicted as having made stereotypes of the other: 'Rita: Can I smoke? Frank: Tobacco? Rita: Yeh. Was that a joke?' And: 'Rita: You wouldn't watch ITV would y'? Its all BBC with you, isn't it? Frank: Well I must confess Rita: It's all right, I know. Soon as I walked I here I said to meself, 'Y' can tell he's a Flora man. Frank: A what? Rita: A Flora man. Frank: Flora? Flowers?' In these two passages in scene one, it is possible to see the stereotypes that both Rita and Frank have of each other. Frank thinks that Rita might want to smoke cannabis, and Rita initially thi... ...hat she hadn't said it. But she had. And that's why I came back', Rita feels that her family is acting in pointless ways, pretending to themselves, e.g. like her mother, and feels she cannot bear to keep living a lie and wants to be able live how she wants to live, but in the end realises her education may not have been as amazing for her as she thought, in the last scene she tells of her flatmate and how she resented her lifestyle, in the end trying to kill herself. Rita realised she didn't want just to be able to regurgitate quotes and empty phrases, but to be herself, to enjoy whatever aspects of each social class she wants. In conclusion, the message that Willy Russell is trying to convey is that the boundaries of social class can be broken, and the key to success is to be yourself and embrace individuality rather to conform to the sheep of society.