Hero and Leander by Peter Paul Reubens - 982 Words

During this semester’s course we have studied various styles of art throughout Europe, and what has intrigued me the most is Baroque art. Baroque, as we have studied it, is a period of artistic style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, in sculpture, and painting. Baroque style began in Rome, Italy in the 1600s and quickly spread throughout Europe. The Baroque style was endorsed by the Roman Catholic Church, in their response to the Protestant Reformation. The Church encouraged artists to create works of art that would connect their audience intellectually and emotionally with religious themes. For my final visual analysis I have chosen Hero and Leander, by Peter Paul Rubens (Figure 1). Rubens created this oil on canvas painting between 1604 and 1605 in Lombardy, Italy. Ruben’s painting features Leander, a youth of Abydos, who used to swim across the waters at night to Sestos on the opposite side to meet his lover Hero, a p riestess of Aphrodite. The painting measures 96 X 127 cm and is currently located in the Yale University Art Museum, in New Haven, Connecticut. (Early mythological paintings) From Hero and Leander we can see the influence that Michelangelo and Titian had on Rubens during his career, in particular, how the human body moves in extreme ways. Emil Kren and Daniel Marx, on the Web Gallery of Art, give a nice summary of the subject of Ruben’s painting. The subject of the painting is a legend according to which

Macbeth vs. a Simple Plan free essay sample

Macbeth, a play written by William Shakespeare in the early 17th century and A Simple Plan, a 1998 Hollywood production are surprisingly similar. These two tragedies illustrate two contented ordinary men, whose lives are irrevocably altered for the worse, resulting in their downfalls. Both men are happily married to women who share their ambitions and become their driving force. Lady Macbeth and Sarah Mitchell are both intelligent and powerful characters as they understand their husbands’ weaknesses and know how to use it to their advantages. Although the men are the ones who act upon the evil plots, the wives play the more important role as the authority and motivation of their actions. Both Lady Macbeth and Sarah formulate plans to obtain their objectives before their husbands can think far enough ahead. The instant Lady Macbeth reads Macbeth’s letter, stating that he met witches who predicted he would be king, she immediately decides that the king will be killed: â€Å"The Raven himself is hoarse / That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan / Under my battlements† (Macbeth 1. We will write a custom essay sample on Macbeth vs. a Simple Plan or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page 5. 38-40). As Macbeth earlier asks the stars to hide his desire, she openly asks the spirits to strengthen her desire by filling her with manly cruelty: Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full Of the direst cruelty. (1. 5. 40-43) She is clearly willing to do whatever is necessary to seize the throne. When Macbeth arrives home and tells her that King Duncan will come to their castle that night, she says to him: You shall put This night’s great business into my despatch; Which shall to all our nights and days to come Give solely sovereign sway and masterdom. (1. 5. 67-70) This speech shows that Lady Macbeth is the brain behind Macbeth’s actions and that her ambition is strong enough to drive her husband forward. She even facilitates the night’s events as she plans the agenda of the evening, preparing â€Å"wine and wassail† for the two chamberlains, and placing the dagger for Macbeth in the most convenient place. Throughout the play, Lady Macbeth’s shifting control over her husband is mainly responsible for aggravating the struggle between Macbeth’s moralities and â€Å"vaulting ambition†. While Lady Macbeth is integral to her husband’s first crime her power wanes as he begins to act alone. Sarah, on the other hand, is more firm and determined. She ruthlessly attempts to plan out all of Hank’s actions, focusing on what she wants at the expense of others. Just like Lady Macbeth, the moment she realizes the possibility of more wealth and the lifestyle it will bring, she starts to plot her way to obtain it. The night Hank finds the money, Sarah concocts a plan to put five hundred thousand back in the plane to put Hank beyond suspicion, warning him to be extremely careful, while he is still contemplating his guilt. Right after she gives birth to her first child, she announces her second plan, which involves Hank and his brother Jacob blackmailing the third accomplice, Lou. This scene shares some similarity with Lady Macbeth’s own planning for her husband’s cover up of the initial crime. In both instances, the women reveal they are the crucial elements of evil in the actions. Sarah’s second plan leads to more deaths because she does not consider the fact that people react violently when they are threatened. Her determination does not waver as she plans another scheme to avoid the FBI’s investigation for the safety of the money and Hank’s life. Unlike, Lady Macbeth, Sarah’s power of persuasion increases as the story unfolds. Although, it seems like their husbands do all the evil acts, Macbeth and Hank can still be sympathized with because the women proved themselves as the real villain. As a way of setting their plan to action, Lady Macbeth and Sarah manipulated their husbands leaving them with no reason not to obey. Lady Macbeth takes advantage of the fact that she understands Macbeth’s weak spot. Art though afread To be the same in thine own act and valour, As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life, And live a coward in thine own esteem, Letting â€Å"I dare not† wait upon â€Å"I would,† Like the poor cat i’ the adage? (1. 7. 39-44) She taunts his fear and tells him to be a man. When Macbeth shows guilt and frailty after killing Duncan, her reply is again filled with manipulation attacking Macbeth’s manhood. She says he is a coward for being afraid of the dead, as they are just like paintings. Also she says that the blood on their hands will be easily washed off by water, even though at the end of the play just before she commits suicide, she constantly obsesses with the imaginary blood that cannot be washed from her hands. When Macbeth experiences hallucinations of Banquo’s ghost, this was her reply: O! these flaws and starts, (Impostors to true fear) would well become A woman’s story at a winter’s fire, Authorized by her grandam. Shame itself! Why do you make such faces? When all’s done, You look but on a stool. (3. 4. 63-68) Although, words like these can snap Macbeth back to his senses, she does not realize that they can also stimulate a man to neglect real consequences and conscience. Ultimately, her words unleash Macbeth’s true evil side. Sarah also exploits Hank’s manhood in the sense that a man’s entire obligation is to provide for and protect his family. When Hank has had enough of the violence and wants to return the money and live life like it used to be, Sarah goads him into keeping it. She says that they would have the same boring jobs for the next thirty years. Their daughter, Amanda would wear second-hand clothes and play with used toys. Jacob would go back to the welfare office but with Lou gone, just himself and his dog in his filthy apartment, he would probably commit suicide. Just like Lady Macbeth, Sarah knows exactly where to hurt Hank. Her words seem to suggest that if Hank returns the money, he would be a very selfish man. She disregards the fact that keeping the money is illegal, and that it has caused many deaths just because she does not want to a simple life, even though they were happy before the possibility of wealth existed. According to the women, if the men back out and show fear, they are not worthy of men but if they carry out the crimes then they are brave and honourable; in reality, it is the other way around, that it takes real courage to resist the temptation of cheating their way into power. As it seems, without the women’s artful schemes that introduce the men to such desperate violence, the men would be incapable of carrying out the crimes themselves. It is doubtful that Macbeth could killed King Duncan and in such a brutal way, without his wife. Although it is Lady Macbeth that keeps him sane for a while and slaps him out of hallucinations, her manipulation gives him the stimulation he needs to commit more violence later on. Moreover, Sarah is the main cause of all the crimes Hank commits. Without her unnecessary plans and her manipulating words, they would have a higher chance of keeping the money safe. They are all so wrapped up in this greedy world; they fail to consider the consequences of their actions more realistically.

Native Americans Essays (332 words) - Native American Religion

Native Americans Sweat lodges were a basic component of Native American life. The Native American completed a purification ceremony in these sweat lodges. This ritual dealt with purifying the human body and soul. The layout of the sweat lodge, the practice of the purification ceremony, and the symbolism in each of these things are all part of Native American rituals The Navaho used to call sweat lodges tq"ache. They are made out of birch willow branches and resemble a beehive. Outside of the sweat lodges is a fire used to heat rocks. A dirt path from the fire outside goes through the door leading to the fire inside. The door is always facing toward the east. In the middle of the sweat lodge is a hole with the heated rocks from the fire outside. Sweat baths are filled with symbolism. Sweat represents the washing away of physical and moral impurities. This ceremony is meant to revitalize and allow the person to be born anew. The lodge is an image of the universe. The rocks inside symbolize the center of the universe. The heated rocks in the fireplace represent the Mother Earth. The stream created by pouring water over the rocks symbolizes the Thunder Being. The participants purify themselves with rocks, fire, water, earth and air. The practice of the purification ceremony is essentially a sweat bath. When the stones in the fire outside are hot enough they are brought in. The participants chant and sit in silence. After this is done, a mixture of water, sage grass, cedar, and pine needles is poured onto the hot rocks. This produces a hot vapor bath that leaves the fragrance of burning needles and grass. This practice can be done many times a day. There are always sweat baths before important ceremonies, warpaths, or the signing of treaties. This ritualistic ceremony shows many of the beliefs about God's relationship with the earth and humans. This purification ceremony put the American Indians in a frame of mind to make important decisions. The layout, practice, and symbolism in the sweat lodges are a major part of Native American rituals.

The Conscience of a Liberal

The Conscience of a Liberal The Way We Were Krugman starts by describing a period of many protests in the 1950s and 1960s (3). He describes it as a period of transition from economic disparity before World War II to a period of economic equality after World War II. Krugman attributes New Deal policies implemented during Roosevelt’s administration to having created the middle class. Thereafter, he develops the theory of movement conservatism that he argues led to the collapse of the New Deal policies.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on The Conscience of a Liberal specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Krugman describes movement conservatism as a radical force aimed to repeal the New Deal policies. This force is possessed by the Republican Party and its sole purpose is to bring back the economic inequality experience before World War II. He explains its evolution from the time of Reagan’s presidency. He also writes that, contrary to pop ular belief, political order is not established by economic patterns. On the contrary, political developments lead these economic trends. He writes that the Republican Party has shifted significantly to the right while the Democratic Party has remained unchanged since the period of Roosevelt. He ends the chapter by stating that Americans have had enough in terms of movement conservatism and income inequality. The Long Gilded Age Krugman in an effort to demonstrate common inequalities in income starts by comparing the America before New Deal policies and the era of President George Bush. He then describes the ‘Long Gilded Age’ era as the time from 1870 to 1930 (15). It was a period of prolonged economic inequality. He attributes the voting rights for the upper class, Republican Party dominance and election fraud as reasons for the prolonged inequality. He also suggests that racial and cultural tensions prevented people from ganging up to overcome the inequality. These ra cial tensions were mainly between the predominant white and the Africa America black community. Likewise, the common belief that popular opinions could be facts only added to the reasons. However, in spite of the lack of approval from the government, some states began to carry out laws on pension for retirees. The implementation was however slow and small. The Great Depression had to happen for massive changes to take place. The Great Compression Krugman describes The Great Compression as a period between the 1920s and 1950s (37). It is a time when economic inequality in America significantly narrowed. In this chapter, he gives the reason for the decline in economic inequality. Due to taxes, the buying power of the upper class significantly reduced from 1920s. By 1960s, their income was taxed at 90%. The economy continued to grow and did not collapse as many conservatives had expected. This could be attributed to the emergence of middle class who were experiencing a sporadic increas e in purchasing power. Good salaries for the middle class increased their purchasing power. Similarly, better social welfare benefits also contributed to increased purchasing power.Advertising Looking for assessment on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More These benefits formed part of the New Deal policies. They included health care benefits, unemployment insurance programs as well as retirement benefits. The benefits came about as a result of government bipartisanship and unionized labor. As an example, Krugman suggest how easy and popular it became to own a car to illustrate this decrease in inequality. The rise of middle class was also aided by Eisenhower’s interstate highways. The highway system provided the middle class with a means to use their cars. The Politics of the Welfare State In this chapter, Krugman gives reasons for the eventual change to a welfare nation (57). The main reason w as the rise of the Democratic Party to power. One of the factors that led to the rise of the party was the naturalization of mostly democrat immigrants. They were now able to vote. The Southerners also were attracted by the potential benefits associated with a welfare nation. The labor unions also played a big role to the rise of the Democratic Party. They provide the much needed structure, financing and mobilization in the party. Through the unions, the Democratic Party mobilized the mainly middle class to go out and vote. However, Republicans were still able to gain votes from the middle class since the economic policies of both parties at the time were almost the same. The Sixties: A Troubled Prosperity In this chapter, Krugman contrasts the rising sociopolitical unrest with the increasing economic prosperity of America in the 1960s (79). He specifically discusses â€Å"the explosion of crime, Vietnam, the civil rights movement, the growing welfare rolls, and the 1960s counter c ulture† (Krugman 79). In regard to counter culture, the social injustice in terms of police brutality and racial inequality against the African-Americans made them to act violently. However, the middle class continued to grow in spite of these social unrests. Social benefits such as health care, disability cover and unemployment cover were also available. Finally, Krugman disputes the popular belief that the Democrats were killed by Vietnam and suggests that it was in fact movement conservatism that killed the Democrats. He states that it was in the 1950s that â€Å"intellectual† movement conservatism started but it only matured in the 1960s. It was at this time however that movement conservatism as well as neoconservatives got the idea of how well to exploit the social unrest to their advantage. Movement Conservatism According to Krugman, William Buckley headed well financed group of conservatives that lobbied for movement conservatism (101). Their objectives included among others, the continued disenfranchisement of the African-Americans. Movement conservatism grew because of several factors.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on The Conscience of a Liberal specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More First, there was the paranoia associated with communism which many Americans thought should be eliminated rather than being contained. Secondly, mid-sized business owners who were against increased benefits for employees also supported movement conservatism. The neoconservatives also supported movement conservatism. Many economists were against the involvement of the government in economic affairs. They lobbied for the government to be separated from economics. Similarly, sociologists joined them as they opposed liberal ideology. Both the economists and the sociologists were well funded by conservatives. Conservatives later founded conservative-minded organizations to fund and spread their ideo logies. Advancement was however slowed down by the election of Richard Nixon, a Democrat, as president. Nevertheless, the movement still remained active mostly due to issues concerning foreign affairs as well as economic crisis that were prevalent then. The Great Divergence In this chapter, Krugman starts by joining major debate that is common among economists (124). The debate is on whether most Americans are at a better financial position since the end of the economic boom in 1973. He analyzes both sides without taking a position. First, he acknowledges that Americans are experiencing a period of great prosperity. In spite of this, he argues that the median income has significantly deteriorated for each American. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. He attributes this to the decline of unions in the workplace which has led to stagnation of increases in wages and benefits for workers. The Politics of Inequality This chapter explains the reasons for the parti san divide between Democrats and Republicans. Krugman demonstrates this divide in the actions of both parties; Democrats increase taxation of the rich and the Republicans decrease taxation of the rich (153). Krugman attributes this inequality to radicalization of Republicans through movement conservatism. Republicans are now constantly seeking to revoke New Deal policies. However, the Democrats have not displayed any radical acts on their part. The Republicans’ radical forces are therefore responsible for that bipartisanship.Advertising Looking for assessment on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Nowadays, by various foundations are busy funding Republicans to radicalize them to the point of extremism. These foundations fund campaigns, take up influential positions in government, and publicly scrutinize anti-radicals. They also fund radical media campaigns to entrench their ideas in the minds of the general public. According to Krugman, bipartisanship has now become a norm though it is still unclear what caused it. Weapons of Mass Distraction In this chapter, Krugman talks about the voting microeconomics (173). He also argues that, contrary to popular belief, the GOP has not duped voters. Krugman thinks the utility to vote must be greater than the utility to not vote for a voter to actually vote. This utility cannot be shifted by the campaigning of the political candidates. He also argues that the American voters have been divided by economic class and race more than they have been divided by religion and war. The patriotism and vote blocking have also shifted the way people vote. Similarly, the rise of immigrants unable to vote and the evolution of Christian evangelical neoconservatives also shifted voter support. The New Politics of Equality In this chapter, Krugman starts by looking at the Democratic House and Senate victories in 2006 (198). He posses several questions to the reader as to what this would mean. Would it mean an end to the economic inequality? However, he is of the idea that it is not likely. He also argues that movement conservatism will decline. First, the current global economic crisis has led to increased calls for government intervention in the economy. Secondly, reforms in health care can be introduced back. Lastly, national security issues and Iraq have lowered the credibility of conservatives. The general public is therefore not easily distracted or persuaded by them. On the issue of national security, Krugman acknowledges that it is still a future policy maker. In the past, conservative Republicans have portrayed themselves a s being tough on issues concerning national security. However, this is unlikely to help conservatives push forward their agenda because on previous mishandling of the war in Iraq. Mistakes such as insufficient funding of the war due to tax decrements for the rich, massive misappropriation of funds have destroyed the credibility of conservatives. Lastly, the race strategy is no longer a strong one. Krugman argues America is becoming more Hispanic and less white. It is not easy to racially discriminate against African Americans without discriminating against people who are mostly of Hispanic ancestry. The Health Care Imperative Krugman starts by discussing the moral ethics of guaranteed health care for the unhealthy at the expense of the healthy (214). He asks whether it is right for the healthy and those able to pay for their health care to be burdened with other people’s inabilities. Using various polls, he concludes that this is morally right. Furthermore, he writes that â⠂¬Å"a guaranteed national health care program is supported by majority of Americans† (Krugman 214). Movement conservatives know this but do not want to acknowledge publicly that what they think, that is, universal health care should not be for everyone. Instead, they say that there is no health care problem and go further to suggest that universal health care will reduce the quality of health care. In their arguments, they also think it will limit the choice of an individual to health care. They also claim it is uneconomical and impossible to implement. These arguments, Krugman argues, are just another way of lobbying for economic inequality within the health care system. Confronting Inequality Solutions to economic inequality are discussed in this chapter (244). Krugman states that inequality deprives the middle and lower class off economic progress. Similarly, these people are not able to realize the American dream. As a consequence, politics and society are negatively affec ted. Inequalities in wages lead to social inequality. The rich live extravagantly and become richer while the poor grow poorer. In an attempt to mimic the rich, the middle class take up loans to finance basic needs. They are however unable to repay and consequently end up bankrupt. Likewise, political funding to support the ideology of movement conservatism will increase. Lastly, the bonds of society are usually broken by inequality. Krugman divides inequality of income into two forms. These include disposable income inequality and market inequality. The government generates taxes from market inequalities. The inequality of income after taxes represents inequality of disposable income. One possible solution that Krugman suggests is the redistribution of bigger portion of income from taxes. This would mean to revise existing policies on tax. Particularly, he suggests reducing the tax cuts for the upper class. Krugman suggests a more elaborate taxation program is needed. This program will be used to generate enough money to fund all the welfare programs. However, the program should be devoid of any loophole. Similarly, the government must take measure to reduce inequality. Increasing minimum is one of the ways it can do that. Lastly, unionization can also offer a solution. Unions would advocate for workers rights on wages and also mobilize members to be politically conscious. The Conscience of a Liberal At the last chapter of the book, Krugman concludes his argument by logically proving an interesting paradox (265). The paradox is that Democrats, while trying to preserve history that Republicans are trying to destroy, have become conservatives while Republicans have become more radical. However, he is of the idea the two should be integrated, that is, he makes a call to be both conservative and progressive. This simply means to be liberal. Krugman argues liberal is the way to go. A liberal approach will ensure completion of the New Deal as well as the progessive forward movement of the New Deal. Krugman, Paul. The Conscience of a Liberal. 1st ed. New York: WW Norton Company, 2009. Print.

Theodore De Bry and John White Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Theodore De Bry and John White - Essay Example In many of De Bry’s engravings, the facial structure of most of the characters were altered where they ended up looking more like Europeans rather than Native Americans. For instance, in the Indian Woman and Young Girl painting, there is a striking difference between White’s and De Bry’s art works. The girl in De Bry’s engraving is far from the woman and seems to be holding something in the air, which is not similar to White’s painting. The girl also appears to be older in De Bry’s engraving as compared to the girl in White’s painting, which is an obvious difference. Audiences might view this as a subtle change that is not quite noticeable, but it was a significant change that distinguished the engravings from the White’s original paintings. Another element that De Bry applied to the engravings was color in which he was successful at distorting the original images through the introduction of a pale color pigment. De Bry also dis torted the vegetation by coloring them in his engravings, which was quite contrary to what the actual surroundings were during that time. He also gave blonde hair to some of the people in his engravings, which was quite different from the hair color that White had used on his paintings. The important aspect that De Bry failed to capture in his engravings was the difference between Europeans and Native Americans, which was a distinctive feature that should have come out clearly as White intended. De Bry also illustrated his failure to acknowledge, appreciate, and understand.

Part 3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Part 3 - Essay Example The swimming exercise lengthens the lower and upper body. The stretching that one does using their arms and legs pushes the swimmer through the water. The safety in the water is high since there is no impact involved. This security reduces the risk of getting injured in the course of swimming, making it a safe and efficient exercise for joint flexibility. It is a necessary activity when one requires stretching shoulder and elbow joints in the arm and muscles and joints of the legs. The third exercise for improving flexibility in the joints of the body is stationary rowing. This exercise involves making movements with the upper body as if one is rowing a boat. This exercise is a cardiovascular one and extends and contracts all the muscles and joints of the lower and upper body. This training is necessary for improving the knee, shoulder and elbow joints. The fourth exercise is Pilates. It engages the abdominal muscles and improves the mobility of joints. The shallow and profound breaths that take place during Pilates promote flexibility and relaxation. This exercise is necessary for improving the range of motion in one’s joints (Watkins, 1988). Watkins, R., & Buhler, B. (1988). The water workout recovery program: Safe and painless exercises for treating back pain, muscle tears, tendinitis, sports injuries, and more. Chicago: Contemporary

CH8 disscussion questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

CH8 disscussion questions - Essay Example More so, the student may be discouraged and lack for motivation when completing other tasks during other classes. It can be more beneficial to combine the two types of praises making major focus on praising effort rather than ability. It is also important to stress that children can develop the ability if they work hard and next time other students may come up with quick and correct answers. Clearly, time is precious and some educators simply fail to invest classroom time into development of certain skills that can help students to learn more effectively. Nonetheless, it is essential for a teacher to make sure that students acquire the necessary knowledge and skills. An effective strategy can involve giving group tasks. Working in a group will enable a student to observe the way other students work and he/she will be able to use similar strategies in the future. Clearly, it is important to make sure that each group includes slow students as well as bright students. Apart from that, educators have to devote some time to teaching students to use certain learning strategies. Thus, when giving an assignment, it is possible to give students several minutes to discuss strategies they are going to use to do their tasks. The teacher should give some advice and highlight strengths and weaknesses of approaches mentioned. Sometimes a teacher may simply give some tips on completing a task. Willingham (2009) names several strategies that can be applied when helping students to catch up. One of them is quite controversial as asking a student to devote â€Å"a fixed time† to do assignments may be counterproductive since the student may sit with books but think of something else (Willingham, 2009, p. 186). First, it is crucial to make the student understand that he/she will need extra effort to catch up. It is important to add that the student should also understand the importance of catching up. Asking a student to read more or do more tasks