Shakespeares Macbeth is a Tragic Hero Essay examples -- essays resear

In the late 16th century and early 17th century, no playwright was better known than William Shakespeare. He was especially known for many famous tragedies. When Shakespeare wrote these plays he took many key aspects into account to create as much of an impact as possible on the reader or the audience. Macbeth, for example, is about one man, Macbeth who does what he thinks is necessary to become king but dies tragically due to his judgement. In this play, Shakespeare communicates how Macbeth's destiny can be changed depending on how he deals with his predicted future, in other words, his fate versus his free will. Macbeth makes many foolish decisions throughout his life like believing evil and supernatural powers will help him, allowing the endless verbal assault by Lady Macbeth to control him, and allowing his own ignorance in his decisions to overtake him. These are the main contributing factors that lead to his eventual breakdown and death. There are several instances in the story which suggest that the Weird Sisters are to blame for Macbeth?s downfall. At the very beginning of the book, the witches meet Macbeth and right away fill his mind with desire for the throne by telling him he will be king. The witches state ?All hail Macbeth that shalt be king hereafter!? (1.3.53). Since the witches are telling this to Macbeth, they are giving him a false sense of security by predicting what the future holds for him. After Macbeth converses with the witches, Banquo gets the feeling that the witches are bad news. ?The instruments of darkness tell us truths / Win us with honest trifles to betray?s/In deepest consequence? (1.3.136-138). This means that the ... ...and supernatural powers to control him, allowing his own ignorance in his decisions to overtake him and allowing the endless verbal assault by Lady Macbeth to control him, Macbeth is indeed a tragic hero. He has a fatal flaw that combined with fate, brings on a tragedy of all sorts. The Weird Sisters, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth himself play key roles in the downfall of Macbeth and each of them is to blame for the deaths of many people in the play. Shakespeare therefore allows them to set other people up for their crimes, especially Macbeth who gives a sense of vulnerability to many obvious culprits to the crime, making the play more enjoyable to watch and listen to. Along these lines, Shakespeare?s plays and books are the guidelines to many other tragic plays and books recorded through centuries and centuries of great literature.

Challenges of Microfinance Banking in Nigeria

CHALLENGES OF MICROFINANCE BANKING IN NIGERIA-1 Nigerians, like many other Africans are generally known as their brother’s keepers in view of the extended family system. But when truly analyzed, there is a possibility that this may not be so? Perhaps a hypothetical deep may reveal that not up to 10% of Nigerians would invest in ventures or people that would yield them nothing in return and here I mean, â€Å"Returns in the short run or in the immediate†. The returns may be financial, emotional, spiritual, relational or social. But fact is, there is something the investors expect in return when they give and these could include being worshipped as personal heroes, fear of harassments, fear of being harmed, for family ties, religious ties, being perceived as a caring corporate organization with the intent of bigger business tickets etc. Hardly do the â€Å"Nigerian rich† set aside a portion of their riches for the â€Å"unknown poor† or for true charity except such gifts are meant to make them be seen by the Society or Divinity as good or circumvent some threatening harms etc. This anti-poor behavior is projected into organizations; corporate, social, religious and sometimes even Government and parastatals as people see only the short end of developments without heeding the social woes of economic imbalance and insecurity. Consequent upon my above beliefs, I may classify the challenges of Microfinance banking in Nigeria under five (5) main headings: 1. COMMUNICATION GAPS AND INADEQUATE AWARENESS As a background to the undeniable problem of communication for effective microfinance, listen to this quote by Stan Paris on his article on Microfinance As A Means of Reaching The People â€Å"Problems of communication are endemic in the industry, dating back to what could be considered the first micro-loan. In 1976, Muhammad Yunus, a young economics professor at Chittagong University, Bangladesh, took his students into a small village where he discovered a woman crafting beautiful stools out of bamboo. He inquired what the woman earned for her work after repaying the trader from hom she borrowed. She told him she earned the equivalent of 2 cents in net profit. Yunus was appalled. He wanted to help her find a means of financing that would allow her to make more net profit. But, first, Yunus had an enormous communication barrier to overcome. That was a time in Bangladesh when women didn't touch money and didn't talk to men, explains Sam Daley-Harris, director of the Microcredit Summi t Campaign, an important facilitator of dialogue in the industry. Yunus had to have a female student ask the woman a question, then return to tell him the answer. There were barriers of communication even in explaining the value proposition. † Truth is that today, communication barriers exists heavily in Nigeria particularly given that even within a State, there exist as many languages and dialects as exists ethnic groups. Also, high level of illiteracy even among the educated who fails to read important things that would enable them take positive steps towards personal, interpersonal and national development. I recall given many flyers of Elim Kit â€Å"n† Kin to a friend of mine who is well educated and is on a billion naira business locally and international. This guy was in a church service when a play-lets on Kit â€Å"n† Kin was delivered by a group of young people. But after the service, he approached me on how to go about empowering a friend he wants to help and when I suggested kit â€Å"n† Kin, he asked me what that was? Obviously, my educated friend neither read the flyer which is comprehensive and explanatory nor listened to the play†¦.. here lies the problem of many Nigerians of all classes, hence my concern for communication on micro financing. Lets now look at some of areas of specific communication challenges in Nigerian Microbanking In adequate awareness campaigns and supports by the regulators: The CBN and the NDIC as Federal Government’s engine of economic development need to do greater and continuous campaigns to all stake holders; investors, universal banks, the banking public, the micro targeted poor and low-medium scale entrepreneurs until the micro banking ideas sink in the society and gets well accepted. I hear and read the Governor of CBN assuring the public of safety of the Consolidated Banks. But the Similar truths and campaigns should also be carried for the microfinance industry Lack of trust by the oor themselves who believe that the microfinance banks are just like the unregulated community banks and unregulated finance houses. Going by the antecedents of the banking industry in general, no one would blame the people for lack of trust. Only effective and far-reaching campaigns and exhibited trust in the microfinance banks by the government and the regulators can achieve this desirable confi dence. An Uneducated Population: A critical ill of the populace in Nigeria is the bottom, bottom level of poor education of the people. A country where less than 10% of the populace pays attention to the print media, less than 20% listen or watch educative audio-visuals is a great challenge to information dissemination. Incidentally, the literally â€Å"very† educated people do not read handbills and communicative documents that deal with those things like microfinance banking since they have no interest in such activities. A survey of how many people would read this documentary would shock you even if the Guardian Newspapers circulate it free to just the middle and upper classers. This attitude is worse with the targeted microfinance clients. They are more interested in chasing their â€Å"kobos† than reading or listening to programs that would help them build up and improve on their standards of living The Active Poor’s Current Preference for Gifts Than Loans. Generally, a hindrance to economic development in Nigeria is the gift preference of the poor as a culture from political and religious biases. The politicians, the rich in religious circles, towns and villages all over Nigeria have cultured the poor to beggarliness and dependence rather than empowerment for productive and financial independence. Gifts are not usually regarded as re-investment treasures by the receivers. This is why givers ought to challenge the receivers to effectively put their gifts to work by rendering these helps through microfinance banks. Products such as ELIM Kit â€Å"n† Kin are meant for well intended givers to assist the poor live above perpetual begging. It is known internationally that micro-financing is not charity. Micro funds are meant for the productive activities of the beneficiaries. Consequently, only people who fall within the active poor or low income earners who are willing and able to utilize the loans for productive activities and repay both interest and capital are the bona-fide candidates for microfinance. 2. ANTI-POOR ATTITUDES OF NIGERIANS Dearth of quality investments in microfinance banks:. Most surplus spenders and investors in Nigeria, because of the lethargic attitudes to the poor, would not invest in Micro finance banks. They prefer to invest in the â€Å"billion naira profit making consolidated banks†. Again, Nigeria investors are coasted by the quick-return and trader-like attitudes which surely does not result in a meaningful development for the Nation. They are therefore unable to go through the gestation period required in the young microfinance industry for their investments to start yielding good dividends. The Grameen Bank of Mohammad Yunus did not start making profit in year one, but today, that bank is one of the most profitable financial institutions in Asia and yet, it is a financial institution with classic recognition for adding the greatest value to humanity. Snobbish and selfish attitudes by the financially well to do Nigerians. Hopefully, good campaigns and direct involvement by the who is who in Nigeria would solve the current snub by the rich on poverty alleviation programs and enable these categories of Nigerians see that Microfinance is both a good and rewarding investment and a good development project that directly and indirectly impact their lives. 3. INSUFFICIENT SUPPORT FROM THE REGULATORS AND GOVERNMENTS Poor buy-ins and competitive approaches by the State Governments and Local Governments. The policy direction towards the millennium development goals is that one percent of the annual votes of the State and Local Governments should be channeled to Microfinance banks for on-lending to the poor and low to medium scale entrepreneurs. So far, very few states have taken steps to get this started. Lagos state is a shinning example that has taken the lead to effectively and efficiently put microfinance banking into focus. Their microfinance institutionalization, the dept of involvement of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in developmental activities at the grassroots is equaled by non I know in Nigeria of today. This Ministry is not just a moribund ministry; it is a ministry that is empowered and achieving evidential results. This ministry needs to be copied by every state in Nigeria. Today, some 800 microfinance banks are established in Nigeria, but some states rather than use the services of these banks licensed by the CBN, choose to find a round about way of dealing with mega banks or establishing their â€Å"owned† micro credit institutions. It is my candid opinion that government involvements in microfinance banking would be counterproductive as they should concern themselves with policy formulation and control rather than implementation. How can someone formulate policies, implement it and effectively control it? Nigerian Microfinance banks have what it takes to manage micro funds for states and international bodies and should be given the chance to do so under strict supervision and controls.

Being a member of a social group Essay

People become a member of a social group because of their very nature, that is, not to feel lonely, to feel secure, and to satisfy some needs such as social and self-esteem needs. Being part of a group has both positive and negative outcomes for an individual. Positive outcomes can be listed as enjoying group work, gaining new perspectives and making friends, and being more creative. On the other hand, there are some negative outcomes such as disagreements between the members of the group and losing time. One of the positive outcomes is enjoying group work. In a group work people perform their tasks quicker and in a more effective way. In a group, each person seems to be more capable. Working together provides a perfect information flow. People share their knowledge and skills with one another. By that way, people can feel themselves like a team because they are acting as a single body and are having responsibilities. Such kind of a group work provides each member with new perspectives which is a result of the exchange of ideas between group members. Therefore, they start to look from a different and a more brooder window. Involving in a social group provide opportunities for making friends. This is another positive aspect of social groups. People feel themselves better when they have more friends and worse when they do not. On this issue, (1991, p110) Goleman stated that patients who suffer from cancer and have no friends need more medical care than those who have friends. That proves the importance of the social groups in people’s lives. Only through this way they can become social and enjoy lives more. Besides its positive outcomes, being part of a group has some negative outcomes as well. These are disagreements between members and wasting the valuable time. Disagreements usually exist when individuals have conflicts with the ideas of others. They want to be free-riders which means acting as a single person and do not participate in or not contribute to the common work. That creates disagreements between group members. The group work can bring inefficiency. For instance, it can continue longer and can waste the time present. The disagreements between the members of the group can also cause losing time. To sum up, all it’s negative and positive outcomes considered, groups play an important role in our lives even though it cause conflicts between group members and losing time. A group is a good shelter that satisfies some of the basic needs of the people involved such as social and self-esteem needs. Further more it helps people to gain new perspectives, to be more creative, and to find new friends. Overall, a group is a social institute which combines various kinds of people who are different in mind, appearance, age and gender.

Soil Erosion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Soil Erosion - Essay Example This happens when the soil is saturated with moisture. The low temperatures of our place are a negative factor because they cause snow which when it melts, it causes runoff that carries the top soil with it (Morgan 34). Soil properties are an important factor in solution erosion. The silt soil of our place is a negative factor for soil erosion because it has large pore spaces between soil particles and these particles are moderately cohesive. This increases the ability of this soil to take in water hence increases it erodibility. Slope is the other important factor affecting soil erosion. The steep slope of our place is a negative factor because it increases soil erosion when it rains and strong winds sweep. Soil erosion is highest at the base of the slope (Morgan 34). I live in a place where there are abundant natural soils. The parts of the region with silt soil are fertile and they have a high agricultural productivity. The parts of the place that have clay soil are rich in nutrients that support high agricultural productivity but crops do not do well in these parts because they are sticky and difficult to cultivate. Sandy places are easy to cultivate and whereas agriculture does well, the crops are not very healthy because sandy soil is not fertile (Morgan 35). Silt soil leads to good water quality and less water runoff because it is well drained. The places that have clay soil have poor water quality and more runoff and some of these places are quite marshy because the soil does not allow good water drainage. The water quality of the parts of our place that have sandy soil is high and there is little water runoff. This is because this soil is well aerated (Morgan 35). Finally, the quality of the soil in our place seems like it will support high agricultural productivity in both the short and long run. The state of the soil quality of our

Treasure Island Journal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Treasure Island Journal - Essay Example Jim’s father passes away during these chapters as well. Another character, a blind man comes looking for Billy Bones. He gives Billy a black spot which appears to be a secret pirate code. Jim is very fearful during these chapters. He is not only afraid for himself, but also for his mother. Though Jim is enthralled by the pirates he is also afraid of what they can do and at the end of chapter three he flees the Admiral Benbow with his mother. April 15, 2011 This entry will discuss chapters four through six. Jim and his mother decide to return to the inn. Billy Bones is now dead from a stroke. They take the key from around Billy’s neck and use it to open the sea chest where they find gold. Jim and his mother take some gold and a few papers before fleeing the inn for fear the pirates might return. Both of them manage to hide near the inn. Jim sees the pirates approaching, which included the blind man. It is revealed the blind man’s name is Pew. The pirates seem to b e looking for something in particular and when they don’t find it they become violent and enraged. Pew is killed when he is run over outside the inn by men on horseback. Jim thinks that the papers he took from the sea chest may have been what the pirates were looking for. Jim brings the papers wrapped in oilskin to Dr. Livesey who is at Squire Trelawney’s house. ... April 16, 2011 This entry explores chapters seven through twelve. Squire Trelawney is able to secure a ship and crew. The ship is called the Hispaniola. Squire Trelawney meets the character, Long John Silver in Bristol who assists him and asks to come along on the voyage as the ship’s cook. Squire Trelawney accepts. Jim comes to Bristol to meet up with Squire Trelawney and Long John Silver. Jim brings Tom Redruth along to be part of the ship’s crew. Jim meets Long John Silver at a tavern called the Spyglass. Jim seems to like Silver very much. Dr. Livesey meets Silver and likes him immediately as well. The character Black Dog appears again in the Spyglass, but leaves abruptly when he sees Silver. Also introduced in these chapters are the Captain Smollet and the first mate Mr. Arrow. Mr. Arrow disappears quite early on. It is not clear what exactly happened, but his drunken ways may be to blame. Job Anderson becomes the new first mate. Jim overhears an important conversa tion while hiding in an apple barrel one night. Silver talks about some of his adventures with the dead pirate Captain Flint. Jim now realizes that Silver and most of the crew members are pirates and are out for the rest of Flint’s treasure. Jim confides his new found information with Squire Trelawney and Captain Smollet. April 17, 2011 I have read chapters thirteen through fifteen and this is my account of it. The crew drops anchor and goes ashore but some remain behind. Jim and the other honest men try to reclaim the ship and figure out what to do about the pirates. Jim leaves his friends to go ashore with the pirates and then hides. The others on board the ships begin to arm themselves with weapons. So far Silver suspects nothing. Jim witnesses Silver killing one of his

Theoretical Validity of Alexander Wendts Belief That a World State Is Essay

Theoretical Validity of Alexander Wendts Belief That a World State Is Inevitable - Essay Example This essay stresses that aA unified state inevitability however has been criticised by different concepts within society. The imaginable nature of the political world without tyranny and war among elite nation is what may prevent a one state concept. The social and economic gap between the core state and peripheral state indicate the longer period in which the world could realise the dream of a unified state. The current political temperatures within state and ever-growing military action prevent the force concept of Wendt in ensuring unity. This paper makes a conclusion that , the theory of a unified state is attainable in the end. This implies that the world would develop models that will ensure they attain equilibrium and bridge the gap between nations. These include creating a common economic platform where states will achieve basic needs and satisfy needs based on the local demand. The political scene would mean that nations bury their political differences and work on common agendas to ensure they attain certain goals. Those objected to the global idea would be forced by circumstances or dealt with by other states. The world unified state scenario would be achievable only if major differences within states are worked resolved. The concept could otherwise be just, but a dream in that Wendt could only state his argument as a theory rather than a reality. The argument would mean a progressive revolution of the world and its creature to adapt to a similar concept.

Management Accounting- A case study in balanced scorecard Essay

Management Accounting- A case study in balanced scorecard - Essay Example The balanced scorecard revolves around this strategy. In relation to growing the revenues, the shift of emphasis on traditional ticketing distribution will enable the company to cut on various items on its administrative overhead. This entails a shift in market strategy, mainly by re-positioning the Yunnan Lucky Air brand to becoming an on-line travel leader through its e-commerce business model. These changes are reflected on the perceptions as objectives about the brand and the website on the customers perspective, and would later transform into expectations of customers. In order to meet these expectations, various internal processes in line with the adoption of the e-commerce business model in terms of sales and distribution should be addressed. Lastly, learning and growth objectives are related to the changes in the companys HR policies because of the new organisational structure. Fulfiling these objectives tell about how the strategies will be carried out as soon as changes are enacted. The balanced scorecard has been widely accepted by the business community since its introduction by Norton and Kaplan in 1992 (Kaplan & Norton 1993). This paper aims to explore the benefits as well as the limitations of the framework in order to recommend the adoption of it to the business practices of the Chinese airline company, Yunnan Lucky Air. One major benefit of the balanced scorecard is that the framework provides a multidimensional assessment of the issues in line with a companys vision and strategy using the four perspectives (Dror 2008). In the case of Yunnan Lucky Air, for instance, setting an expansion strategy can be off-the-target if the objectives in line with the strategy are not coordinated by these four objectives. If the company chooses to expand with only regard to the customers and not its shareholders, an expansion strategy of continuing the low-cost positioning