Merchant Of Venice Shylock The Antagonist Essays - Orientalism

Merchant Of Venice: Shylock the Antagonist? In The Merchant of Venice, by William Shakespeare, there appears Shylock. He is a Jew, that much we are told in the cast list. But, as the play unfolds Shylock is seen to be the villian. He is protrayed as being cold, unbending, and evil. But is he? Is Shylock really the antagonist in this play or can he also be viewed as persecuted individual who resorts to revenge only after he has been pushed too far. To fully understand the character of Shylock we must first look at Elizabeathen attitudes towards Jews. In the sixteenth century Jews were rarely if ever seen in England. In the Middle Ages Jews had fled to England to escape persecution in France under the Normans. They were granted charter in England by Henry I in return for a percentage of their profits from trade and moneylending. It is here that the stereotype of Jews lending money was started. Because of the tariffs placed on them by the crown Jews took to charging high interest rates to secure profits for themselves. Here we see echos of Shylock with his usury. Finally the Jews were ordered out of England in 1254 by Edward I. They did not return to England until the later half of the seventeenth century. (Lippman 3-4) Jews were also viewed as devils by Elizabeathan audiences. Old stories portrayed them as "blood- thirsty murders" that poisoned wells and killed Christian children for their bizarre Passover ritu! als. (Stirling 2:1) These were the stereotypes which Shakespeare's audience held in regard to Jews. Shakespeare himself had never seen a Jew but he goes to great lengths to humanize Shylock even while perpetuating the stereotype. In Act 1:3, before Shylock ever says a word to Antonio, he lets the audience know in an aside that he hates Antonio. He hates him for having hindered him in business and for having humiliated him in public by spitting on him and calling him names such as "dog" and "cutthroat Jew". Shylock tells the audience he hopes to exact revenge on Antonio both for his own humiliation and for the persecution that the Jews have long suffered at the hands of the Christians. I hate him for he is a Christian;. . . If I can catch him once upon the hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him.He hates our sacred nation . . . Curs?d be my tribe if I forgive him (I,iii,40-49) Shylock then tells Antonio that he wants to be friends with him and will conclude the bond for a pound of flesh as a "merry sport." In the second act, however, he still seems to bear a deep grudge against the Christians, for he tells Jessica that he is going in hate and not in friendship to dine with them. "But yet I'll go in hate to feed upon the prodigal Christian. . . .I am right loath to go." (II,v,14-16) After Jessica's elopment, Shylock suspects Bassanio and Antonio of abetting her escape, and this suspicion increases Shylock's animosity toward Antonio. We learn later in the play that Antonio has personally rescued a number of debtors from Shylock's bonds when Antonio says "I oft delievered from his forfeitures; Many that have made moan to me." (III,iii,23-24) We also discover that Shylock cannot or will not explain his reasons for demanding Antonio's flesh. "But say it is my humor," is all the reason he is able to show. The sum of Shylock's motives for hatred is gi! ven in the rarely quoted lines b efore the famous "Hath not a Jew eyes": "He hath disgraced me, and hind'red me half a million; laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine enemies_and what's his reason? I am a Jew." (III,i,49-54) (Lippman 2) Shylock himself is an alien in a society geared towards Christians. His clothes, customs and race make him an object of scorn in Venetian society. We as a modern audience are bound to feel some sympathy for him. When Jessica runs away from home we realized that Shylock's most trusted prop has failed him, he placed absolute confidence in his daughter with his house and wealth. The fact that he cries out for his ducats as well as his daughter should not obscure the sense of keen personal loss he feels. " I say my daughter is my own flesh and blood." (III,i,34) We also see this when Tubal tells Shylock that Jessica has traded one of his rings for a monkey. Shylock's lamentation for his

Farenhiet 451 Essays - Marshmallow, Sugar Confectionery, Flame

Farenhiet 451 Essays - Marshmallow, Sugar Confectionery, Flame Farenhiet 451 IT was a special pleasure to see things eaten, to see things blackened and changed. With the brass nozzle in his fists, with this great python spitting its venomous kerosene upon the world, the blood pounded in his head, and his hands were the hands of some amazing conductor playing all the symphonies of blazing and burning to bring down the tatters and charcoal ruins of history. With his symbolic helmet numbered 451 on 5 his stolid head, and his eyes all orange flame with the thought of what came next, he flicked the igniter and the house jumped up in a gorging fire that burned the evening sky red and yellow and black. He strode in a swarm of fireflies. He wanted above all, like the old joke, to shove a marshmallow on a stick in the furnace, while the flapping pigeon-winged books died on the porch and lawn of the house. While the books went up in sparkling whirls and blew away on a wind turned dark with burning. 10 Montag grinned the fierce grin of all men singed and driven back by flame. He knew that when he returned to the firehouse, he might wink at himself, a minstrel man, burnt-corked, in the mirror. Later, going to sleep, he would feel the fiery smile still gripped by his face muscles, in the dark. It never went away, that. smile, it never ever went away, as long as he remembered.

Cross Cultural Management. Importance of Value Essay

Cross Cultural Management. Importance of Value - Essay Example Cross cultural management refers to a mechanism formulated to train people regarding the variations of practices, preferences, and culture in global business. With the lapse of time, diversity in practices, cultures, and preferences of consumers increase substantially, thereby increasing the need to bridge the communication gap by implementing cross cultural management. In management, cultural differences refer to varying taste, preferences, culture, likes and dislikes, ways of communications, norms, values, and beliefs of every culture. The objective of this paper is to examine the cultural variations in the light of scholarly articles as mentioned in two renowned models. An extensive study of Hofstede and Schwarts model will be done followed by a criticism of Hofstede model. These two models can be viewed in terms of how the business managers react to cross cultural management. The business managers face various sorts of cultural issues while performing their tasks e.g. workforce d iversity, language barriers, religious issues etc. Under these circumstances, it is highly effective for the business managers to understand these two cross cultural models and incorporate their effects in their organizational context. Importance of Value Hofstede and Schwartz have studies cross cultural values and their findings are in the subsequent parts of this section in order to gain acquaintance with importance of value and varying values in different culture. Hofstede Model Hofstede (1993) stated that when management theorists embark to other parts of the world, outside their own country, they encounter strange customers, beings, theories, organizing and disorganizing, immoral or old-fashioned ways of doing things. Some of them work but some of them fail to work. After gaining this experience, the traveler comes to home country and can use this experience advantageously. The purpose of the study of Hofstede (1993) was that all great ideas relating to management, politics, or science, have come from different parts of the world and have been enhanced by foreign influences. Hofstede (1993) examined the context of management from different parts of the world. Hofsetde (1993) reviewed the managerial culture of countries like Japan, France, China, Holland, Russia, Germany, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Hofstede (1993) stated that management is what is common among all countries but its context and meaning differ to a smaller or a larger extent from country to country. Hofstede (1993) further stated that it requires considerable cultural insight to understand the philosophies, processes, and problems. Further arguing, Hofstede (1993) stated that if management is such a broad word and it means so many varying things, then it cannot be expected that management theories of one country will be applicable to abroad as well. Management is related to government, politics, and school. It is present in beliefs and religion about science. Manag ement theories are interdisciplinary but as soon as national boundaries are crossed, it becomes more interdisciplinary. By stating so, Hofstede (1993) divided cultural difference into five dimensions. i. Power distance; inequality among people that is considered as normal among people ii. Individualism vs. collectivism; degree to which people of a country tend to act as individuals instead of a members of a group iii. Masculinity vs. femininity; where tough values like performance, assertiveness, success prevail over gentle values such warm relation, care, quality of life. iv. Uncertainty avoidance; people preferring planned situation over unstructured ones. v. Long-term orientation vs. short-term orientation; long-term refers to values

Management Dissertation Proposal Proforma Research

Management Dissertation Proforma - Research Proposal Example Yes Degree Programme: MBA in Finance & Accounting Specialization Track: General _______ Finance ---X--- Marketing_______ [Please check as appropriate] Other___________________ (please specify) DATE: January 10, 2012Aims of dissertation Background of the research Financial markets across the world have been reporting increasing integration within the as well as across different boundaries. There are several factors that have drastically grown the financial markets in the last decades particularly in the developing countries and some of these factors are globalization, deregulation and advancement in technology (Abraham, Seyyed, and Al-Elg, 2001). Financial markets around the world are not uniform and this is the reason why an investor is able to make more profits then he should have by capitalizing on the opportunity created because of differences in prices (Masih, and Masih, 2002). Gain of one investor would result in the loss of another. However, if these markets are integrated and made uniform then an investor would not be able to make such gains (Stulz, 1981). With the passage of time, financial markets around the world have being integrated among themselves. The term market integration is referred to as a market where there are no obstacles for investors like legal restrictions, taxes, transaction costs etc (Solink, 1974). There are several advantages or benefits for integration among stock market and this is the reason why investors, financial analysts as well as policy markets have been paying considerable attention towards this subject. Some of the most important advantages of market integration are that investors investing in different parts of the world would expect the same amount of return from the investment as arbitrage opportunities would not exist. Also as the expected return would be the same therefore if an investor would like to earn higher return then it would have to take more risk and thus reward to risk ratio would be balanced. Also becaus e of market integration, the overall economy becomes more stabilized. It also encourages more people to make investment as there would be fewer chances of loss of investment as the overall productivity of the country would improve. If the Kuwait market is integrated with the global financial market, then the overall productivity and efficiency of the country would improve and more investment opportunities would emerge in the country. Also this would encourage more local business as well as foreign investors to invest in this market thus the GDP of the country would improve. These are the most important benefits that Kuwait market or any other market would experience if the financial market is integrated with the global market. Integration of financial market has become an important topic in today’s world as investors are able to invest in different markets in order to make the most of the opportunities prevailing in different regions (Kearney, and Lucey, 2004). Different scho lars and researchers have been focusing on this topic and considerable amount of research has already been done in order to analyze the impact of

Outsourcing and Offshoring Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Outsourcing and Offshoring - Essay Example The changes at WW Company are in a bid to achieve 5% economic growth and cut down costs by 5%. The company believes that an incorporation of information technologies will enable it perform competitively in the transportation and distribution industry. In the restructuring process, WW has identified an area in service delivery and customer relationship that would highly benefit the company in achieving its goals. Firstly, the company has identified its existing operational systems as slow and duly lacking in optimal service delivery. Employees in various departments complain of too much work load in accurately feeding the systems with data. They say that the system is error prone due to the fact that most of the input work is done by the employees who are likely to make inaccurate entries. Additionally, employees complain that the existent systems are too slow in execution of tasks, thereby causing a hold up in work management and service delivery. The new changes in IT have seen a range of projects span up at WW. Among the projects includes the development of a Customer Relationship Management Software. Right before the introduction of the changes at WW, the management had a meeting where they decided to change the company’s strategic plan. The changes in strategic planning were essential in that they would suit the new direction that the company was taking, which involved incorporation of information technology. With the introduction of IT at WW, all systems would go upgrades and re-specification so as to ensure that they perform as expected. Additionally, the newly hired Chief Information Officer of WW was expected to introduce technological systems in areas where they had not yet been explored in the company. This includes the newly proposed Customer Relationship Management Software. The proposed project involves

SWOT analysis for TUI Travel PLC

SWOT analysis for TUI Travel PLC TUI Travel PLC is organized through the merger between TUI Tourism First Choice Holidays PLC on 3 September 2007 and listed as TT on the London stock exchange in FTSE100. TUI Travels headquarter is in UK. The company itself operates in mainstream sector, and specialist sectors that includes accommodation destinations, specialist activities. Today, TUI Travel PLC, the success leisure travel company, have around 27 key source markets, 500 000 people that they employed, and operate their business in more than 180 countries with 30 million customers. TUI Travel PLC (2010) SWOT analysis Strengths -Well recognized brand -Superior management team effective operations -Market leader well responsible corporate governance -Good marketing skills economies of scale -Good financial stability. Weaknesses -Heavy reliance on technology -Capacity-led volume reductions backfire -Diverse portfolio and potential risk to cost of financing. Opportunities -Expand Low-Cost Airlines/ form Alliances -Doing Investments -Market Specific Targeting (Ecotourism, Medical Tourism) Threats -Climate change -Hedging and exchange rate -Geopolitical/ natural catastrophes/ pandemic, supply chain / product failure -Supply Chain / Product failure -Aviation cost flow fund of capital cost -Economy decline and impact of consumer demand capacity commitment -Decline in market share Strengths There are five strengths of TUI. First, TUI Travel PLC has more over than 200 brands. Most of the brands are well recognized such as TUI, Thomson, Fritidsresor, Jetair, etc. And most of these brands are the trusted brand that leading in the market place. Second, they have many experienced leaders and also they have around 50,000 colleagues that commit to TUI Travel PLC where the company builds a better working condition for employee such as reward, employees survey, etc. Through their superior management team, the company has an effective operation which are flexible business model where they can adapt and meet to the changes happen, strong performance, synergy, and merger integration processing well. TUI Travel PLC (2009) Third, they are the number one travel websites in UK Germany by visitor numbers, number one in water based holidays, snow sports, adventure, etc. TUI Travel PLC (2010) shows that TUI Travel PLC was a market leader. Since they are the market leader, they are well responsible in governing their corporate business which is being ethical such as controls the usage of carbon emissions. Fourth, TUI segmented their market into niche market that provides product differentiation. Their distribution strategies are through internet, call centre, and retail shop. Since, they are the largest distributor in the large market, it is certainly benefits them such as supplier advantage, innovation/ RD, and cost reduction. Therefore, company has effective marketing skills with an efficient distribution channel which helps them to reach customer satisfaction. And Fifth, TUI Travel PLC maintains their finance stability through hedging by a group of expertise and cash balances from the strong relationship with banking financing partner. TUI Travel PLC (2009) Weaknesses There are some weaknesses that we have identified. First, TUI is highly relying on technology to operate their business in servicing and trading around 27 key source markets. So if there is any faulty, it may interrupt the business activities. Second, their results in planning on increase volume of sale which offers low price bid are not to their expectation, they get wrong speculation on the market situation. Third, risks such as liquidity and cash management may happen when companys expansion grow so fast and diversify. TUI Travel PLC (2009) Opportunities Some opportunities may happen such as profit margins will be increased if take chance of low-cost airlines such as Air Asia, Etc. or forming alliances since people likes to travel in budget airline with their limited budget. Second, doing some investment and expansion since there is growing markets around such as in South East Asia, Africa, Middle East, Etc. that have a good infrastructure and destinations. Third, target new market segment since ecotourism and medical tourism are emerging because people wants to travel for their own purpose such as want various adventure and have treatment. Threats Company need to look forward the threats which are climate change due to the global wastes such as carbon emission that will affect the travelling activities. Next, fluctuation of foreign exchange and fuel prices that may interrupt hedging process and unstable economy that may cause cost base increase. Third, political instability such as riot, natural disaster such as tsunami/volcano eruption, and diseases such as H1N1 will affect the operation to the desire destination and safety of customer. Fourth, even though TUI is a big distributor, building relationship with supplier is still important so that they able to maintain their supply chain and provide the qualified product to customer. Fifth, if not able to secure the fund and capital cost of aircraft it may cause a lot of expenses. Sixth, company need to be prepared that there might be economy decline that bring impact of consumer demand capacity commitment. Seventh, TUI is not the only one that keeps progress in the tourism indu stry; there are many competitors that TUI needs to be aware. TUI Travel PLC (2009) Recommendation Since there is booming in the tourism industry, competition is arise. And TUI Travel has their main competitors which were Thomas Cook, MyTravel Group, ReweTouristik, and First Choice Holidays. To be able to maintain their position, my recommendation to TUI travel are international strategy and differentiation from their competitors in attract customers, gain market share, and growth where there are opportunities that actually can be apply from my SWOT analysis such as alliance, target to new market segment, expansion in other country, Etc. TUI Travel is a big company and operates in many sectors. They have big responsibilities and challenges in running a big company. My recommendation to TUI travel is monitor well their business performance such as add value product and service in achieving customer satisfaction and loyalty, innovation, social responsibility, build better working conditions, and upgrade technology changes in achieving better information. Reflection From this report, it is compulsory for TUI Travel PLC to analyze and make sure to have a good research before take any strategy action. Through analyzing and understanding the PESTEL and SWOT analysis, I believe the company can still continue to emerge with the opportunities that they can get, handle their challenges, and develop their business. Because through analyzing, company is aware of whats happening and will able to find solution in different challenges that they may face. I have recommended some solutions through the capability that the company did not aware and it can be works on it. It will be successful solved the situation if the company implement and monitor it well. And through this report, I learn and experience a lot in how to analyzing and conduct TUI Travel PLCs SWOT, PESTEL analysis, and recommend solutions after a better understanding in the lesson of SWOT, PESTEL analysis, and discussion of group presentation.

Essay --

City of God we would all think of a holy place to be in but on the controversy it wasn’t the safest place to be in. â€Å"But in the end one needs more courage to live than to kill himself.† Albert Camus Many young kids do not have a house to run to, a mother to cuddle with, a father to set things straight siblings to get love from. Reality getting involved in violence can make you but in the end break you. Power with violence can make you stronger five you more power but break you in a blink of an eye. Brutality of life is revealed in Rios slums in this Brazilian film. A powerful film that views violence, lack of education, lack of money in 3rd world countries People create a civilized society individuals make it the norm however there are those ignorant people that just destruct everything and make it a disaster. It is part of a human balance to have good and evil. According to Urban Cinefile Critics, "A powerful and haunting film that explores the myriad of stories that lie deep within the slums of Rio, City Of God shocks, enlightens and above all affects us by taking us into a world where drugs and organized crime are a way of life." But in this film it shows that everyone choses their own paths to walk by for instances if it wasn’t for the harsh and brutality in that city Rocket, who is intelligent, cannot survive to do the work that his intelligence entitles him to do. Take pictures be in the photography industry and have his work published. Intelligence can be made in everyone that chooses to succeed in life the right way however a charter named Lil Z in this movie shows us otherwise. Stupidity, lack of knowledge (thinking he is famous being in the newspaper) not being able to read at his age is just sad. Thinking he is God of... ...see karma in the ending where Lil Z returns to the city looking for the children for help id assume these children turn on hi and kill him Rocket captures the whole scenery which made him famous having one person on the inside and living another life where that shot he took landed on the front page of the newspaper. Neighborhoods do have an impact on a child's behavior as well as the way they vision themselves growing up. A child's background in life matters no matter what. Where a child has grown up the neighborhood history remains the same until someone changes the perspective of the scenery the children grew up in as well as the violence that was always surrounded them. They need a better role model because in the end history bounded to repeat itself having now kids under the age of 15 walking around thinking they run the place till history repeats itself again.