Othello Tragedy At Its Finest Essay - 1907 Words

Othello: Tragedy at Its Finest Tragedy in the modern impression of the word is categorized as an event causing great suffering or distress, it can come in many forms and effect people in different ways, but what constitutes a play as falling under the genre of tragedy? In the Shakespearean sense of the word, most tragic plays follow the pattern of having a hero whose fatal flaw causes his inevitable downfall ending in an untimely moment of clarity with a moral take-away. However, death is always the outcome in addition to the redemption. In the case of the play, Othello, those same factors hold true but the edition of a particularly sinister character, the observation of an unjust death, the first induction of a minority main character and a moral take-away that is less than conventional lead to the realization that this play is not your ordinary tragedy. Surprisingly, one might say that Iago is one of the evilest antagonist of any Shakespearean tragedy. In the first scene Iago instructs his pawn Roderigo, â€Å"†¦Make after him, poison his delight, / proclaim him in the streets; incense her kinsmen†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (1.1.74-80). Right from the start we see Iago’s intentions are dreadful. His want to expose Desdemona to her father and corrupt the perfect image he has of his daughter are unclear and have no motive as to why Iago decides to mettle in business that is not his and be cruel. The manipulative characteristics he displays here by capitalizing on Brabantio’s negative attitude towardShow MoreRelatedXenophobia in Othello and the Merchant of Venice1541 Words   |  7 PagesXenophobia on Comedies and Tragedies From 1589 to 1613 William Shakespeare produced some of the most original, thought-provoking and emotionally compelling plays, sonnets, and poetry. Two of his finest pieces of work, Othello and The Merchant of Venice feature dynamic characters, and insights into the chivalry and the xenophobic disposition of the English people at the time. Throughout these two stories, three primary female characters emerge, Desdemona from Othello, and Portia and Jessica fromRead MoreThe Tragedy Of Othello By William Shakespeare938 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"The Tragedy of Othello† is commonly considered one of Shakespeare s greatest tragedies and one of his finest works. In this play we see many literary devices at work. Several of these devices are involved in Iago’s deceitful plot against Othello that creates much suspense for the duration of the play. In â€Å"The Tragedy of Othello,† William Shakespeare uses symbolism, irony, and tone to create this classic drama. Symbols are central to understanding â€Å"Othello† as a play. There are two significantRead MoreIs â€Å"Othello† Best Regarded as a Domestic Tragedy or as a Tragedy of State Where the Fate of the Central Protagonist Has Significant Impact on Society? Consider in Your Answer the Ways in Which the Central Relationship1553 Words   |  7 PagesWritten in 1604, during Shakespeare’s great tragic period, â€Å"Othello† is one of his most highly concentrated, tightly constructed tragedies, with no subplots and little humour to relieve the tension. Although he adapted the plot of his play from the sixteenth-century Italian dramatist and novelist Giraldi Cinthios Gli Hecatommithi, Shakespeare related almost every incident directly to the development of Iagos schemes and Othellos escalating fears. This structure heightens the tragedys ominousRead MoreOthello Character Analysis1678 Words   |  7 PagesShakespeare’s masterpieces and tragedies such as Haml et, Othello, Macbeth, King Lear and Romeo and Juliet caused a remarkable turning point in English literature as whole, and English drama in particular.His play Othellois one of his unforgettable tragedies. The play of Othello is the finest example of Shakespeare’s poetic and narrative style. Thus, Shakespeare is known as the most influential dramatist whose tragedies found the way to interact with the audience.Shakespeare’s Othello is about jealousy, revengeRead MoreThe Tragic Hero Of Shakespeare s Othello1613 Words   |  7 Pages A tragedy is one of the most captivating forms of drama as it truly grasps the attention of its audience. It unleashes hidden emotions and allows the viewers to escape their own realities. In Aristotle’s, Poetics, he analyzes the theory of a tragedy and explains that the essential criteria of an ideal tragedy consists of the plot, character, thought, diction, spectacle, and song (Aristotle, 169). According to Aristotle, tragedies als o often focus on a tragic hero who possesses a flaw which ultimatelyRead MoreOedipus The King And The Moor Of Venice1294 Words   |  6 PagesOedipus the King was written by Sophocles in 430 B.C, and Othello, the Moor of Venice was written by William Shakespeare in 1604. Both stories involve tragedies that occur to the protagonists. Tragedy’s definition, â€Å". . . presents courageous individuals who confront powerful forces within or outside themselves with a dignity that reveals the breadth and depth of the human spirit in the face of failure, defeat, and even death† (Meyer 1091). Sophocles’ play informs us, the protagonists arrogances andRead More Women as Instigators of Tragedy in the Works of William Shakespeare1219 Words   |  5 PagesWomen as Instigators of Tragedy in the Works of Shakespeare    It is the very error of the moon; She comes more nearer earth than she was wont, And makes men mad. (Othello 5.2.112-14)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The moon is often seen in literature as an allegory for love, virtue, and chastity. In Shakespeares comedies, especially, the moon is personified as Diana, the Roman goddess of chastity. In these comedies, the foolish antics of lovers (literally, lunatics) usually occur underRead MoreIs It Power of Words Which Destroy Othello or His Own Hubris?1714 Words   |  7 PagesIs it power of words, which destroy Othello or his own hubris? Othello is one of Shakespeare’s finest plays, as it concentrates on a courageous’ general’s demise, physically and mentally. It could be argued that Othello bought his destruction on himself, by allowing himself to be poisoned by â€Å"Honest† Iago’s fluent rhymes of lies. However I will argue that it is infact his hubris, his overwhelming pride which infact causes his inevitable demise. Harmatia is a term which was developed by AristotleRead More Redemption in Death in Othello Essay1562 Words   |  7 PagesRedemption in Death in Othello      Ã‚   The brilliance of a tragedy lies in its ability to maintain its moral and the values it explores even in the tragic ending or in the downfall of its heroes. William Shakespeare does just this Othello, so quintessentially that the deaths in the end do not only refrain from undermining or canceling out the virtues of the play, but they actually restore them to the deceased, who have died because they have lost them.   In this play, love, loyalty, and honestyRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Hometown Of The English Language And The World s Best Dramatist1266 Words   |  6 PagesDark Lady a miserable and erotic relationship is shown between the poet and his mistress. The poet is attached to his mistress through a combination of love and lust but is often sickened by her. He compares her to objects of perfection like the finest pearls, diamonds, and rubies to illustrate that his lover is not as beautiful. But Shakespeare ends the sonnet by proclaiming his love for his mistress despite her flaws, showing his undying love for her. Violence was also a very popular theme

Act Utilitarianism And Its Moral Theory - 875 Words

Act-utilitarianism is the view that the rightness or wrongness of an action is to be judged by its consequences, that is the maximisation of utility - whether or not said action is good or bad (Smart 2000). In the scenario presented, an act-utilitarian would suggest that one is morally permitted to pull the lever and kill one in order to save five lives. However, this moral theory does not compare with the majority of people’s instincts– this suggests that act-utilitarianism is problematic and does not allow for society’s general intuitions. In order to make an objection to act-utilitarianism, I think it is essential to compare two distinct trolley problems and equate both the objection to act-utilitarianism and its moral theory – in doing so, we will have a more precise result and also see the reasons act-utilitarianism is severely problematic. If you are to compare Thompson’s (1985) ‘Bystander at the Switch’ with the given scenario, each case seems to be identical. But people’s intuitions tell us otherwise. The act-utilitarian response, in both cases, would be to sacrifice the one to save five - as it appears to present maximum utility. I believe that if we are to consider this difference and come up with a solution, we will be able to draw an appropriate objection to act-utilitarianism. Imagine that after pulling the switch in the bystander case, the one on the track managed to somehow escape, you have then saved five without killing one. Obviously this would be the bestShow MoreRelat edMoral Theory Of Max Act Utilitarianism1576 Words   |  7 Pages Max Act Utilitarianism Kirill Parshin University of San Francisco  Ethics is all about principles of right conduct. Under the umbrella term, consequentialism has a much more specific moral theory known as max act utilitarianism. Max act utilitarianism is one of the most well known and influential theories that provides the best notion for the theory of right conduct. After a brief explanation of act utilitarianism, the argument of this paper will then seek to favor why act utilitarianism providesRead MoreKants Moral Theory and Utilitarism Comparison Essay1166 Words   |  5 PagesKant’s moral theory and utilitarianism are two very different moral theories. Kant’s moral theory works off of the categorical imperative. Utilitarianism works off of the greatest happiness principle. Morality and right action are very different within these two theories, and the idea of slavery is a good example of the differences. Utilitarianism can allow slavery, whereas Kant’s moral theory cannot allow slavery. Kant’s moral theory uses the categorical imperative as its basis. The categoricalRead MoreMoralism And Immanuel Kant And Utilitarianism1746 Words   |  7 PagesDeciding on an action or policy today many people will observe the decision and look to see if it is moral or not. On the other hand, people will look for the outcome of that action and the effects it will have on people. The argument when deciding based on moral beliefs, or solely on the consequences has always been a debate. Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that focuses not on the action itself, but the consequences that come from those actions. In a point in time people began to look at theirRead MoreEssay on Utilitarianism1264 Words   |  6 PagesUtilitarianism There are many essays, papers and books written on the concept of right and wrong. Philosophers have theorized about moral actions for eons, one such philosopher is John Stuart Mill. In his book Utilitarianism he tries to improve on the theories of utilitarianism from previous philosophers, as he is a strong believer himself in the theory. In Mills book he presents the ideology that there is another branch on the utilitarian tree. This branch being called rule-utilitarianismRead MoreDescribe the Main Principles of the Two Normative Ethical Theories of Deontology and Utilitarianism. Compare and Contrast the Two Theories, Bringing Out Any Problems or Limitations You See in Each.1652 Words   |  7 PagesDescribe the main principles of the two normative ethical theories of deontology and utilitarianism. Compare and contrast the two theories, bringing out any problems or limitations you see in each. Bioethics Essay †¢ Intro: Define ethics and define and introduce the two theories. (philosophical theories†¦) †¢ Utilitarianism- example †¢ Deontology- example- compare †¢ comparing- evaluating and critically analyzing*- similarities and differences. †¢ Limitations and positives* Read MoreExamples Of Utilitarianism1498 Words   |  6 PagesUtilitarianism Utilitarianism unlike other theories reviews the consequences of an action and according to Mill and Bentham, should view happiness as being based upon pleasure that are more long lasting and cerebral. I believe that utilitarianism is the most acceptable theory because it requires that we take into account the consequences of an action to promote the maximum amount of happiness and unlike deontology which does not take into account consequences nor does it take in account childrenRead More Utilitarianism vs. Kantianism Essay1363 Words   |  6 PagesUtilitarianism vs. Kantianism Ethics can be defined as the conscious reflection on our moral beliefs with the aim of improving, extending or refining those beliefs in some way. (Dodds, Lecture 2) Kantian moral theory and Utilitarianism are two theories that attempt to answer the ethical nature of human beings. This paper will attempt to explain how and why Kantian moral theory and Utilitarianism differ as well as discuss why I believe Kants theory provides a more plausible account of ethicsRead MoreDifference Between Utilitarianism And Nietzsche934 Words   |  4 PagesPhilosophy Utilitarianism  and Nietzsche Utilitarianism is the actions that things are right by what makes others the happiest. Utilitarianism and Nietzsche theories are very important to know because they show us ways that our society conducts in. Knowing these theories can help us understand or even question the way we believe. The theory is Utilitarianism is an ethical theory of right and wrong and it solely relies on outcomes. Some criticisms of act-utilitarianism are slavery and the act that itRead MoreUtilitarianism : The And Influential Moral Theories890 Words   |  4 PagesUtilitarianism is one of the most renowned and influential moral theories. The basis of act utilitarianism is maximizing utility, that is, doing the things that maximize happiness over suffering. Utilitarians reject moral codes that are based on customs or traditions given by leaders or supernatural deities because they judge the truth or justifiability of morality as its positive contribution to all beings. Both act utilitarians and rule utilit arians concur that the overall aim in determining theRead MoreMoral, Ethical, And Ethical Theories980 Words   |  4 PagesMoral and Ethical theories often conflict with one another. It is hardly ever true that both theories agree with one another. Same is the case for Jean and Pierre. Following the four basic principles of Act Utilitarianism, Rule Utilitarianism, Social Contract Theory, and Kantianism his actions will be discussed in the following paper. Examining his actions, he was in favor of following the moral instinct of Utilitarianism more than any other theory. Rule utilitarianism is a branch of utilitarianism

Self Managed Teams free essay sample

Self Managed Teams Introduction Self-managed teams (SMTs) are relatively small groups of employees given substantial responsibility for planning organizing, scheduling and production of work products or service. SMTs however are more than just another way of directing groups. The concept, according to John Simmons, involves nothing less than, the complete restructuring of the jobs that people does. Thus, Self-managed work teams are groups of employees tasked with monitoring and reviewing a product or process in a firm and coming up with solutions to problems they encounter. Self-organized semi-autonomous small group whose members determine, plan, and manage their day-to-day activities and duties (in addition to providing other supportive functions such as production scheduling, quality assurance, and performance appraisal) under reduced or no supervision. Also called self directed team, self-managed natural work team, or self managed team. Self managed teams are workers who have been organized into teams on the basis of relatively complete task functions. They make decisions on a wide range of issues, often including such traditional management prerogatives as: * Who will work on which machines or work operations * How to address inter-personal difficulties within the group * How to resolve quality problems, and so forth. Also, these teams usually consist of five to fifteen employees, who: * Produce an entire product instead of sub-units * Learn all tasks and rotate from job to job * Take over vacation scheduling, order materials etc. Such groups are self-regulating and work without direct supervision. Normally, a manager acts as the team leader and is responsible for defining the goals, methods, and functioning of the team. However, interdependencies and conflicts between different parts of an organization may not be best addressed by hierarchical models of control. Self-managed teams use clear boundaries to create the freedom and responsibility to accomplish tasks in an efficient manner. The main idea of the self-managed team is that the leader does not operate with positional authority. In a traditional management role, the manager is responsible for providing instruction, onducting communication, developing plans, giving orders, and disciplining and rewarding employees, and making decisions by virtue of his or her position. In this organizational model, the manager delegates specific responsibility and decision-making authority to the team itself, in the hope that the group will make better decisions than any individual. Neither a manager nor the team leaders make independent d ecisions in the delegated responsibility area. Decisions are typically made by consensus in successful self-managed teams, by voting in very large or formal teams, and by hectoring and bullying in unsuccessful teams. The team as a whole is accountable for the outcome of its decisions and actions. Self-managed teams operate in many organizations to manage complex projects involving research, design, process improvement, and even systemic issue resolution, particularly for cross-department projects involving people of similar seniority levels. While the internal leadership style in a self-managed team is distinct from traditional leadership and operates to neutralize the issues often associated with traditional leadership models, a self-managed team still needs support from senior management to operate well. Self-managed teams may be interdependent or independent. Of course, merely calling a group of people a self-managed team does not make them either a team or self-managed. As a self-managed team develops successfully, more and more areas of responsibility can be delegated, and the team members can come to rely on each other in a meaningful way Objective: The objectives of using SMTs are to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of specific tasks. This approach achieves these objectives by having SMT team members look beyond their individual task concerns, to the needs of specific groups and the entire organization. Benefits and uses of SMTs: †¢ Reduced absenteeism †¢ Increased productivity †¢ Increased employee satisfaction, morale cohesiveness †¢ Multi-skilled workforce benefit †¢ Greater level of personal responsibility to the companys targets †¢ Unique flexibility in job functions †¢ 100% of team members all pulling to a common goal †¢ A significant reduction in day-to-day problems †¢ Awards for achievement are shared equally The most beneficial aspects of self-managed teams are that they are management innovations that are based on an accurate understanding of human nature and motivation. They eliminate bureaucratic/pyramidal values and replace them with humanistic/democratic value systems. They provide a work climate in which everyone has a chance to grow and mature as individuals, as members of a team by satisfying their own needs, while working for the success of the organization. â€Å"Self managed teams are closely associated with the concept of employee empowerment which entails the employee to have the requisite authority and resources required by him to carry out his responsibilities. Roadblocks and risks of SMTs Three major SMT roadblocks and risks are listed: 1. The difficulty of rescinding the system, once it is established and experienced by the worker. 2. Varying levels and degrees of resistance by various elements in the organization. 3. Undue peer pressure and its consequences. How Self managed teams differ from Normal Work Team or group A self managed team differs from a normal work team or group in one essential way that the processes or the means to achieve the team goal are designed and decided by the team itself. Given the stiff competition at the global level, all organizations have been forced to focus on developing their human capital. Difference between Self directed team and Self managed teams Work Group A group of people working together Team A group of people working together toward a common goal Self-Managed Team A group of people working together in their own ways toward a common goal which is defined outside the team (Example James River Corporation’s Kendallville Plant ALPHA team. They manufacture cardboard b oxes as defined by executive leadership. Team does their own work scheduling, training, rewards and recognition, etc. Self-Directed Team A group of people working together in their own ways toward a common goal which the team defines (as above, but team also handles compensation, discipline, and acts as a profit center by defining its own future) Before anyone would try to implement something as aggressive as a self-managed (and subsequently self-directed) team, they should know and be able to articulate the expected benefits. A mature self-managed team, when compared to typical hierarchical management, would have measured results showing: How to Manage a Self-Directed Team Self-directed teams are quietly but effectively altering the landscape of corporate business management. Top level managers are finding that self-directed teams are 30 to 50 percent more productive than traditionally structured teams. Step 1 Keep the focus on the whole process. To manage a self-directed team its important to redirect focus on the series of individual steps, as in the Taylor model, to the entirety of the process. By focusing on the entire process, each member of the team is constantly aware of how they and the other members are contributing on a daily basis to accomplish the overall task. Step 2 Gradually transfer management skills and roles. Part of your job as a manager of a self-directed team is to transfer your skills and roles as a manager to the team. The team as a whole needs to receive managerial training. As they do so, the team must decide as a group on how to delegate and divide different roles. You need to manage this process to make sure that it runs smoothly. Step 3 Meet regularly. As a manager of self-directed team you need to reconsider your own role. Its important for you to think of yourself more as a floating member of that team, or as a team consultant, rather than as a supervisor or a manager. If there is anything that you are still supervising it is the implementation of the teams goals in terms of the companys overall mission and vision. Step 4 Give the team an opportunity to correct itself. In cases where a team is under-performing or making errors, you need to manage the situation by bringing the problem to the teams attention and soliciting possible action plans from the team to correct the problem. If the problems persist you should try to re-frame the teams focus or mission. Only as a last resort should you change the membership of the self-directed team. My Learning: Not all groups are teams Some people also use the word team when they mean employees. A sales team is a common example of this loose or perhaps euphemistic usage, though interdependencies exist in organization, and a sales team can be let down by poor performance on other parts of the organization upon which sales depend, like delivery, after-sales service, etc.. However sales staff is a more precise description of the typical arrangement. From Groups to Teams Groups develop into teams in four stages. The four stages are: dependency and inclusion, counter dependency and fighting, trust and structure, and work. In the first stage, group development is characterized by members dependency on the designated leader. In the second stage, the group seeks to free itself from its dependence on the leader and groups have conflicts about goals and procedures. In the third stage, the group manages to work through the conflicts. And in the last stage, groups focus on team productivity Recommendations and Suggestions: 1. To create a team, a demand for performance is more important than team-building exercises. You can get a group together and train them in teamwork for weeks but they won’t be a team until they have a common understanding of the need to perform. First comes the strategic plan, then the tasks needed to carry out the plan, finally, teams are formed to do the tasks. 2. Team basics are often overlooked. Team basics are: size, purpose, goals, skills, approach, and accountability. 3. Teams at the top are the most difficult. Executives have complex, long-term challenges, heavy demands on their time. 4. There’s no need to throw out the hierarchy. Teams are the best way to integrate across structural boundaries. They are the best way to design and energize core processes. 5. Teams permit performance and learning at the same time.

Why Choose Abstinence Essays - Human Sexuality, Personal Life

Why Choose Abstinence Through out the years, pre-marital sex has become more and more accepted in our society. It is depicted everyday in magazines, television shows, and movies. Because of this wide portrayal and acceptance of pre-marital sex, many more teens and young adults have chosen to engage in sexual activities. According to a 1992 Centers for Disease Control study, 54 percent of American high school students (61 percent of boys and 48 percent of girls) say they have had sexual intercourse (Lickona 84). One out of ten U.S. teenagers become pregnant every year and approximately 416,000 teens have abortions (Donovan 28). Also, one in four children is born out of wedlock, compared to one in twenty in 1960. Because of the rise in pre-marital sexual activities, there has also been a rise in the number of people infected with sexually transmitted diseases (STD's). Twelve million people are infected with STD's each year, and of these infections, 63 percent are under the age of 20 (Lickona 316). Many people believe that the answer to these problems with adolescents and young adults lies in the teaching of sex education in the school systems. However, what type of sex education works the best? Advocates of comprehensive sexuality education believe that their approach seeks to help young people understand sexuality as integral to their identity and enables them to make responsible life long decisions (Brick and Roffman 90). There are more than sixty main stream organization that support this approach through their membership in the National Coalition to Support Sexuality Education. Some of these organizations are the American Medical Association, American School Health Association, American Association of School Administrators, National School Boards Association, and the Society for Adolescent Medicine. Under the comprehensive plan for sex education, students learn to ask questions, predict consequences, examine values, and plan for the future (Brick and Roffman 91). This educ ation starts during the preschool and elementary years, which helps students to receive a total understanding of sex and it's pro's and con's by the middle and high school years. Advocates of the comprehensive style believe that it is unproductive to present only one option (abstinence) to students in a world that promotes pre-marital sex through advertising and the media. They feel that students in programs that only teach abstinence are at a high risk of contracting STD's or becoming pregnant if they do decide to become sexually active, because they were not taught the proper use of contraceptives. Peggy Brick, a director of education at Planned Parenthood of Northern New Jersey, and Deborah Roffman, a sexuality educator and consultant, believe that advocates of abstinence only programs, ?do not prepare youth to make decisions in a highly complex world. They permit choice but their choice and deliberately deny potential life-saving information to those who do not conform to their viewpoint? (325). These two women also feel that ?demanding an abstinence only approach dismisses people whose values regarding sexual behaviors differs from their own, asserting t hat these people are without values? (325). However, Brick and Roffman believe instead that ?comprehensive sex education is based on values appropriate to our democratic and pluralistic society, which includes respect for people's diverse viewpoints about controversial issues? (326). Despite the fact that comprehensive sex education may respect many people's viewpoints, it does not prove that this type of education works. During the years 1971 to 1981, government funding at all levels for contraceptive education increased by 4,000 percent. During this time period teen pregnancies increased by 20 percent and teen abortions nearly doubled (Lickona 88). In 1986, a study by Johns Hopkins University concluded that comprehensive sex education did not reduce teen pregnancies (Dawson 162). Another study done in 1986, the Lou Harris Poll, was commissioned by Planned Parenthood (a leading sponsor of comprehensive sex education). Through this study they found that teens that took a comprehensive sex education course (including contraceptive education) were significantly more likely to initiate sexual intercourse than teens whose sex education did not discuss contraceptives (Lickona 317). Dr. John Sholl, a retired medical doctor, call's the term safe sex, which is taught in comprehensive sex education classes, ?a misleading and incongruous combination of words? (Ferriss 3). He believes that teaching students