Act 4 Merchant Of Venice Analysis Essay Example

Act 4 Merchant Of Venice Analysis Paper Act IV scene 1 is an intense scene in the play where we see many of the play’s main themes such as justice and mercy, money and status, revenge, loyalty, love and prejudice and tolerance. Shakespeare presents a harsh character in Shylock the Jew, but the fact that he also gives him the chance to speak more than any other European playwright preceding him would suggest that his portrayal is not conventional but much more complex for example in his words in Act III scene 1, lines 57-58: â€Å"I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions?† Much of Shakespeare’s enduring appeal has been in his amazing portrayal of the complexities of the human condition for example Hamlet or Macbeth. Traditionally Jews were the evil villains of Elizabethan drama, frequently Machiavellian or greedy but unlike his contemporaries Shakespeare’s characters were never simply ‘good’ or ‘evil’ but embody the complex mix within each of us that makes us human. Act 4 Merchant Of Venice Essay Sample We will write a custom essay sample on Act 4 Merchant Of Venice Analysis specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Act 4 Merchant Of Venice Analysis specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Act 4 Merchant Of Venice Analysis specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Analysis of Act IV scene 1, in three different versions of The Merchant Of Venice Analysis of Act IV scene 1, in three different versions of The Merchant Of Venice Analysis of Act IV scene 1, in three different versions of The Merchant Of Venice The main dilemma in staging this play today is in the consideration of Shakespeare’s possible anti-semitism and/or sympathies towards his character and indeed whether Shylock only represents the Jewish people or whether he is symbolic of oppression of minority races in general. Through Shylock’s forced conversion in this scene we are reminded of the conversions of other religions according to the ruler of the time such as Henry VIII. This would suggest that Shakespeare is using Shylock as more than a symbol of ‘Jewishness’. In this piece of coursework I will be examining mainly how sympathetic or unsympathetic the various versions seem to be and how each Director has succeeded in making the character of Shylock worthy of Shakespeare’s realism. Jews were traditionally viewed as outsiders and were not citizens. Christians as far back as the 11th century could not lend money without interest and many Jews earned a living from this ‘profession’ as they could not join the artisan guilds. As they became their own debt collectors they soon became the target of resentment. A myth was born; with which Shakespeare’s audience would have been familiar, of ritual murder or ‘blood libel’ that Jews would kill adult Christians. It is to this myth to which Shakespeare seems to allude in the ‘pound of flesh’ incident in this scene. Shakespeare is original in showing us the extent to which Shylock is oppressed by Christians surrounding him and it is through this that Shakespeare succeeds in drawing out sympathy from his audience. Analysis of Act IV scene 1 In the text of Act IV scene 1 before we meet Shylock he is described as â€Å"a stony adversary, an inhuman wretch, incapable of pity, void and empty from any dram of mercy†. Antonio describes Shylock’s spirit as being full of â€Å"tyranny and rage†. When Shylock enters into the scene the Duke challenges him saying â€Å"The world thinks, and I think so too, that thou but leadest this fashion of thy malice To the last hour of act, and then ’tis thought Thou’lt show thy mercy and remorse more strange than is thy strange apparent cruelty†. At this point the audience is immediately drawn into the suspense of the scene. The Duke speaks for everyone in hoping that Shylock will back down. The combination of the Duke’s speech on mercy and his hope for â€Å"a gentle answer† with Shylock’s contemptuous reply serves to further provoke the audience. Calling Shylock ‘Jew’ instead of using his name also manipulates the audience’s reactions into thinking of the stereotype rather than the individual. At this point the Duke says â€Å"Let him stand before our face† suggests Shylock should stand centre stage for this speech. Shylock’s reply to the Duke and onlookers is so long winded that he immediately loses favour. This speech would be effective if he was standing up as he speaks about his values. It is a central point in the scene as it is his first opportunity to defend himself but he does not elicit sympathy from his onlookers. He is instead twisting, evasive and difficult: â€Å"So can I give no reason, nor I will not, more than a lodged hatred and a certain loathing I bear Antonio†. He ends this key speech in his defence with an open admission of his hatred. His illustrations of animals, later paralleled in Antonio’s speech, are deliberately offensive. He plays with the words of Bassanio, twists them and turns them back on the speaker providing a quickfire dialogue which builds up the tension from the outset. The repeated references to â€Å"the Jew† suggest an element of anti-semitism. The imagery of the wolf and the lamb is very effective as it evokes both blood lust for an innocent creature and also the key theme of religion in the form of the lamb of God. His â€Å"Jewish heart† again evokes the stereotype of the unfeeling moneylender. The Duke’s repeated pleas for mercy, a key theme in the scene, serve only to enforce Shylock’s determination to have exactly what he is owed: the pound of flesh. Ironically this steadfast and unrelenting desire to have his ‘bond’ is what ultimately results in his downfall at the end of the scene. There is a certain irony in Shylock’s swearing on â€Å"our holy Sabbath† to have his bond as God teaches forgiveness. His demand of â€Å"What judgement shall I dread, doing no wrong?† conveys his arrogance as he seems utterly convinced of being in the right. When Shylock challenges his onlookers as to their treatment of slaves, this could suggest a defence of those oppressed and support the view that Shakespeare’s position was not only pro-Jewish but more globally in support of oppressed minorities in general. The climax of Shylock’s claim is spoken with great force and evokes some sympathy finally when he alludes to how the pound of flesh â€Å"is dearly bought†. I would exploit this line as a key point in his speech. When he demands the fatal reply from the Court it is ironic as it is the intricacies of the law of Venice which eventually condemns him. He could conceivably be holding his ‘bond’ in his hand at this stage for maximum visual impact. Bassanio’s words â€Å"The Jew shall have my flesh, blood, bones and all† are somewhat reminiscent of Shylock’s earlier words in Act III scene I: â€Å"I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions?† His reference to â€Å"one drop of blood† also sets the scene for what will unfold and heightens the audience’s suspense as to a possible blood libel. Gratiano’s pun on ‘sole’ and ‘soul’ indicate for us how Shylock is sharpening his knife. At this point sympathy for Shylock must be at its lowest as he does indeed come across as having ‘bloody’ and ‘ravenous’ desires and he again seems to dismiss Bassanio’s words with contempt. Antonio and Bassanio must surely end this section feeling thoroughly pessimistic. Their speech would surely be filled with tension and a desperate sense of urgency. With Portia’s arrival, however, the mood immediately lightens. As a symbol of Christianity her determined pleas for mercy provide hope for a more positive outcome and compel the audience further. Even Portia refers initially to Shylock as â€Å"the Jew†. Her lyrical and moving speech regarding the â€Å"quality of mercy† dropping â€Å"as the gentle rain from heaven† contrasts sharply with Antonio’s earlier speech on Shylock’s lack of mercy: â€Å"You may as well forbid the mountain pines to wag their high tops and to make no noise when they are fretten with the gusts of heaven†. It also contrasts with Shylock’s short punctuated sentences. When Portia suggests that Shylock will be blessed in return for showing mercy it is loaded with irony as at the end he is granted mercy regardless of not having done the same. Shylock’s patience seems to be running out when he challenges Portia’s words: â€Å"My deeds upon my head, I crave the law, the penalty and forfeit of my bond†. I imagine this said with controlled anger. Throughout this speech Shylock remains determined and unmoved. He continues to make religious references and begins to compliment Portia on her apparent wisdom. He recites passages from his bond one imagines in a tone of expectation at things going his way. When Bassanio and Gratiano speak with great emotion of their own wives whom they would sacrifice for Antonio’s sake, their words are contrasted with Shylock’s to great effect: â€Å"I have a daughter†. This for the first time really underlines the pain that Shylock has been caused and shows that rather than being a man incapable of emotion, that he too has suffered greatly and that this is at the root of his determination to have what he is rightfully owed. The change in mood at this point makes Portia’s verdict even more shocking and sudden. Ironically Shylock who seemed earlier to know every word of his bond now seems somewhat uncertain for the first time as Portia recites the word of the law to him: â€Å"Is that the law?† He then persists in demanding â€Å"the bond thrice† and seems suddenly unsettled, edgy and in a hurry to depart. This is conveyed through his short, punctuated speech. Towards the end of the scene in a dramatic and ironic role reversal we see Shylock begging for his livelihood and his life: â€Å"Nay, take my life and all, pardon not that. You take my house, when you do take the prop That doth sustain my house; you take my life, When you do take the means whereby I live†. His poignant words â€Å"I am content† in reply to the verdict granted by the Court I imagine being said with utmost humility. His claims of being ‘not well’ could elicit sympathy from the audience. We are reminded here of him as not only being a cantankerous man but primarily an old man, fragile and ephemeral like other humans. It is on this note that Shakespeare chooses to herald Shylock’s exit. Discussion of version 1 The Channel 4 television version was produced and directed by Alan Horrox and starred Bob Peck as Shylock and Benjamin Whitrow as Antonio. This version was very traditional it was set in Venice in the sixteenth century and was filmed both in studio (Millennium studios) and on location in Venice. Music is also used in this version both during Portia’s speech on mercy and again when Shylock is going to cut Antonio this adds to the suspense of the scene. This version portrays Shylock in parts as a harsh character for whom you would show less sympathy. He is portrayed as a haughty character and points his finger at Antonio saying â€Å"The pound of flesh which I demand of him is dearly bought, ’tis mine and I will have it†. In a later part of the scene his haughty attitude is reinforced when he is again asked to show mercy he replies â€Å"On what compulsion must I? Tell me that.† Close up camera work was used effectively at this point. Shylock’s character changes when he feels things are going his way, he grovels to Portia and praises her, he has a look of pleasure on his face when he unsheathes his knife and is ready to cut Antonio. When Shylock is about to cut Antonio he notices that he has a cross around his neck and so he pushes it over his shoulder demonstrating his dislike of Christianity. However, his attitude changes to one of shock when Portia stops him. From this point onward one is inclined to feel sorry for Shylock as he goes from being quite wealthy to losing everything because of his own stubborn attitude and lack of sympathy. At the very end of the scene when Shylock is on his knees you are inclined to feel sympathetic towards him. Discussion of version 2 Trevor Nunn directed this version and it starred Henry Goodman as Shylock and David Bamber as Antonio. It was filmed at Pinewood Studios. The setting was very stark with most actors wearing dark suits and it was set in the 1920s in between the two World Wars. Through this version we see the many different sides to Shylock’s character. At the start of the scene he appears as an old man who has difficulty in walking which elicits a little sympathy. However, Shylock’s character is strong and when he is insisting on his bond the previous feeling of sympathy changes to one of abhorrence. His dislike of both Christianity and Antonio is noted early in the scene by his facial expression when he states, â€Å"More than a lodged hate and a certain loathing I bear Antonio, that I follow thus†. Antonio further emphasises Shylock’s Jewishness when he states â€Å"As seek to soften that – than which what’s harder? – His Jewish heart.† here showing how Shylock is viewed as hard hearted. Feelings change again when Shylock says with regard to his daughter â€Å"dearly bought† as this evokes sympathy for him and close up camera work is used effectively at this point. Shylock speaks with anger refusing to show mercy and insisting on his bond. When Bassanio said â€Å"Yes, here I tender it for him in the court, Yea, twice the sum, if that will not suffice, I will be bound to pay it ten times o’er On forfeit of my hands, my head, my heart. If this will not suffice, it must appear That malice bears down truth† applause was used effectively to show support for Antonio and to isolate Shylock. Shylock goes on to appear very happy and excited at the prospect of receiving his bond. However, when the tables are turned he is stubborn and refuses to beg for mercy this could evoke anti-semitic feelings as he is portrayed standing alone while Antonio has the support of his Christian friends. Although Shylock remained seated at the end I still felt sorry for him as he looked old and frail especially when he removed his Jewish hat and cloth placing them on the scales as he left. Discussion of version 3 This version was directed for television by John Sichel and starred Laurence Olivier as Shylock, Anthony Nichols as Antonio. The actors all wore Victorian costumes and the setting was like a board meeting with all in attendance sitting round it and the furniture was very ornate. This created a highly pressurised environment. Shylock was more confident and walked round the table, his voice was strong and facial expressions were used effectively to portray his emotions. Again we see the confident, stubborn man in early scenes when Shylock is demanding his bond. He shows his disgust and hatred of Antonio both by his facial expression and tone of voice, when he says â€Å"a certain loathing I bear Antonio†. He shows his confidence in his demands when he walks about saying â€Å"What judgement shall I dread, doing no wrong?† His feelings show pleasure as he smiles when sharpening his knife to cut his pound of flesh. He speaks with great arrogance when he says, â€Å"On what compulsion must I?† showing his determination to have what is owed. There is sarcasm in his voice when he refers to Christian husbands willing to sacrifice their wives for Antonio by saying â€Å"These be the Christian husbands.† The lighting was impressive throughout the scene and there was effective close up camera work during Portia’s speech, for example, when she said, â€Å"It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes.† and also when Shylock made the statement â€Å"I have a daughter† because this focused on Shylock’s suffering for the first time.. In this version Shylock is a more arrogant character. He raises his voice and gets extremely angry and looks shocked and surprised when he asks the question â€Å"Is that the law?† At the very end of the scene you feel sorry for Shylock, as he seems old, fragile and weak. He looks as though he has lost everything in the world and he has to hold onto a pillar for support. He falls to the ground and is helped out of the room. The scene ends with just the sound of Shylock crying outside which is very effective as it emphasises his isolation. Comparison of versions and personal opinions Although all three versions told exactly the same story they all had very different settings and portrayed Shylock in a slightly different way although each one elicited sympathy for him. The Channel 4 version was very colourful and used traditional Shakespearean costumes. Lighting and music were used effectively and the setting gave the impression of a real courtroom. I felt some sympathy for Shylock in this version The Trevor Nunn version was simplistic, with most actors dressed in dark suits. It gave me the impression of rival mafia style gangs. The final version, which was done by the National Theatre Company, was my favourite. Laurence Olivier portrayed Shylock as a strong confident character who moved around the room making him appear more arrogant than in the other two versions but also eliciting sympathy. I felt this version was the best as it succeeded in conveying the complexities of Shylock’s character. We saw both arrogance and frailty and I thought it conveyed the story as Shakespeare was trying to put it across in the text.

French people Essay Example

French people Essay Example French people Essay French people Essay The representatives of the French people, constituted into a National Assembly, considering that ignorance, forgetting or contempt of the rights of man are the sole causes of public misfortunes and of the corruption of governments, are resolved to expose [i.e., expound], in a solemn declaration, the natural, inalienable and sacred rights of man, so that that declaration, constantly present to all members of the social body, points out to them without cease their rights and their duties; so that the acts of the legislative power and those of the executive power, being at every instant able to be compared with the goal of any political institution, are very respectful of it; so that the complaints of the citizens, founded from now on in simple and incontestable principles, turn always to the maintenance of the Constitution and to the happiness of all. The opening line of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen enunciates the primary motivation for its creation.   A fundamental document that was the product of the French Revolution, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen espouses what the National Assembly considered as the natural and inalienable rights of man.   Arguing that the individual and collective rights of all of the individuals in all the estates of the realm are universal, this declaration is the answer of the National Assembly against the abuse of power that occurred during the French Revolution.   It was a crucial declaration that paved the way for the institution of a Constitutional Monarchy. : It must be remembered that the French Revolution was major turning point in European History as it signaled the end of aristocracy and marked the age of western Democracy.   The citizens of a nation were no longer to be regarded as servants but as a dominant political force in determining policies of a nation (Doyle, 2002).   There are many interrelated causes for the French Revolution.   Perhaps the single most obvious cause was the rising ambition of bourgeoisie class who were allied with the lower class folk in their attempt to overthrow what was then perceived as an oppressive monarchy in France during that period (McPhee, 2002).   With the hardships that the peasant class experienced during those times, the bourgeoisie was easily able to manipulate them and gain their support.   The fiscal crises that ensued due to the insolvency of the French monarchy led to massive poverty and hunger in France and further attempts to remedy the situation by imposing higher taxes fina lly caused the lower classes to overthrow the rulers of France (Doyle, 2002). The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen was important for the National Assembly to issue because it was the first step in creating the constitution of France.   Prepared by Marquis de Lafayette, this Declaration spearheaded the efforts for reform and was later replaced by the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen of 1793.   It also defined the individual and collective rights that all Estates of the Realm were to be granted.   Since it was influenced heavily by the Doctrine of Natural Rights, the rights that were granted through the Declaration were argued to be universal in its application, being granted to everyone, even to those who were not from the nobility or the clergy. This removal of any distinctions as to class was critical at this juncture in the French Revolution because this was one of the main causes for the revolution in the first place.   The abuses that the nobility and certain members of the clergy committed against those of lower stature had become too much that the citizens decided to revolt.   â€Å"Men are born and remain free and equal in rights. Social distinctions may be founded only upon the general good.†Ã‚   It is clear that the declaration manifested several of the sentiments that the citizenry had for the nobility and accordingly addressed them by making the declarations contained therein. As the first step in paving the way for a constitutional monarchy, the National Assembly saw it as imperative that such a declaration be issued; â€Å"All the citizens, being equal in the eyes of the law, are equally admissible to all public dignities, places, and employments, according to their capacity and without distinction other than that of their virtues and of their talents†.   The principles that are contained in the declaration clearly show this was an essential preparatory step to the establishment of a new type of government.   As such, it was also essential that certain important provisions be included so that the public would be more accepting of such. Drawing on several political philosophies, the Declaration of the rights of man and citizen, was influenced by the philosophical and political principles that were prevalent during the Age of Enlightenment, more particularly individualism and the social contract of John Locke.   This radical re-ordering of society was necessary according to the National Assembly.   The Doctrine of Popular Sovereignty and Equal Opportunity had struck a pleasing chord among the masses and the National Assembly realized that for any change to take place it had to have overwhelming public support. Another reason why it was important to issue the declaration of the rights of man and citizen was because of the fact that it was to be used as the framework for the new government that the National Assembly sought to establish.   In the French Model, the nobility existed for the sole purpose of governance so that there would be a common factor that united the people and helped them progress in a singular direction.   These governments exhibited a certain structure wherein there was a single ruler or head that gave the decrees and orders and determined what laws were to be established.   There was no separation of powers as is characterized by the more modern forms of government that exist around the world at the present.   All powers, executive, legislative and judicial, were more often embodied in a single person or head.   As the events leading up to the French Revolution have shown, this was a bad precedent and has been corrected by the separation of powers to prevent t he abuse by the solitary head or ruler. As such, the declaration clearly set out to define the principle of sovereignty.   It was crucial that the principle of sovereignty was defined as being inherent in the Nation.   To prevent further abuses of power, the declaration made provisions to ensure that nobody was deprived of their sovereign rights.   Being inherent, it recognized that everyone was equal.   This was in stark contrast to the previous assertions concerning the divine right of kings.   The French Monarchy claimed that the authority that the ruler or head exercised was said to have been derived from a much higher being or one form of deity or another.   The power to rule over the people was never claimed, until later years, to be from the common will of the masses but rather was authority that was handed down from God and therefore unquestionable.   This practice was common in most governments until after the Middle Ages when the European societies gave rise to new religions and the birth of the Ame rican civilization.   As such, this provision was included in order to prevent further abuses.   By arguing that power lay with the people and was not bestowed upon a certain class, it protected the masses from future abuses by those in power. Historically, the lower class of French society had few rights, if any.   They did not have the same privileges as the upper classes and were frequently the victims of abuse.   In order to institute the reform that was needed, the National Assembly had to provide this class of society with a sense of identity.   As such, the declaration made sure that these individuals could no longer be trampled on or taken advantage of by those of the First and Second Estates.   The abolition of any distinction and the establishment of sovereignty as being inherent in the members of the States provided the former members of the Third Estate with the identity to participate in the determination of the their nation’s political identity. Rights such as Fair Hearing and Due Process were no longer reserved for the privileged few but were inalienable rights inherent in every citizen.   In cases wherein they would not be properly represented, the National Assembly provided the declaration to ensure that they would be able to freely exercise their right to be heard.   Regarding the issue of taxation, the Third Estate were also protected so that everyone was subject to such tax equally.   As laborers, the Third Estate were also granted protections under law to prevent them from being abused. The declaration of the rights of man and citizen was a crucial piece of legislation that the National Assembly needed to issue in order to facilitate the transition into a Constitutional Monarchy.   By granting the members of the Third Estate with a new identity and with more rights under the law, the National Assembly radically changed the political landscape and thus made it possible for the French Revolution to finally end. References: Doyle, W. (2002) Oxford history of the French Revolution, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press Furet, Francois (1996) The French Revolution 1770-1814 2nd Edition Oxford Blackwell, pp 3-101 944.04 Fur. McPhee, P. (2002) The French Revolution, 1789-1799, Oxford: Oxford University Press Owen, Connelly (1999) The French Revolution and the Napoleonic Era 3rd Edition; London, Thompson Learning, Chapters 1-3 Palmer, R. (1959) The Age of the Democratic Revolution: A Political History of Europe and America, 1760-1800. vol 1 nbsp;

PARAPHRASE chapter 14 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

PARAPHRASE chapter 14 - Essay Example As a result, these technological changes influence the phasing out of some highly regarded popular models. Conversely, global beverages manufacturers such as Coke and Pepsi operate in an industry that is not influenced by technological changes to necessitate the need for a formula change. For this reason, the two continually divest while the recurrent expenditure for the auto manufacturers continually rises to ensure production. Brand equity has been crucial to Pepsi and Coke since consumers valued the brands and identify with them consequently purchasing products from the two firms continually. For this reason, the two companies have created unique brands unlike companies such as Detroit. Indeed, what the two companies rely on is the brand equity since consumer studies indicate that Coke and RC have no different taste. Conversely, creating brand equity has evaded Ford and GM for long. Furthermore, the choice of selecting a particular brand of beverage arises from personal considerations that make consumers stick to the particular brand. On the other hand, facts related to features and prices of a model guide consumers to choose the brand of choice. Factors such as imitations and employee turnover, affect General Motors and Ford’s sustainability since they are a threat to the firms’ advantages in technology and economies of scale. In this case, the copyrights held by the firms at times expire while other firms imitate them and come up with similar products. On the other hand, the formula used to manufacture products by Coke and Pepsi is unique and thus inimitable. To end with, automobile manufacturers have an unlimited access to a wide market enabled by the internet and the option to engage in dealership with other countries for their products. On the other hand, beverage manufacturers and producers of perishable goods entering the market face a challenge to identify shelf

The relationship between HRM and business performance Literature review

The relationship between HRM and business performance - Literature review Example First, the review suggests that human resource practices have synergistic and performance enhancing influences when used in conjunction with empowerment-enhancing practices that boost employee responsibility and autonomy. Secondly, study attempts to explore the link between HRM and firm performance by studying frameworks that link HRM to financial performance despite the various studies that claim there is no link between HRM and Firm performance. The literature offers overview on research regarding HRM and Businesses performance and subsequently shows the relation between HRM and performance in organizations. Business strategy and the integration of HRM practices form an essential factor in organizational effectiveness because the use of business strategy as a contingent factor moderates the relation between human resources practices as el as firm performance. Therefore, business strategies paired together with proper HRM activities have positive influences on the firm’s perf ormance. According to Ahmad and Schroeder(2003) and their counterparts Youndt and Snell(2004), the impact of HRM to organizational outcomes became an essential topic in early 1990s because it attaches significance to motivational aspects of organizational practices in developing and utilizing human capital. HRM involves development of people’s abilities and attitudes in way that the individual can develop personally and contribute toward the organization’s goals. According to Youndt and Snell(2004), other studies consider HRM practices to be pay and reward, recruitment and selection, training and development, health and safety as well as work expansion or reduction. However, various studies suggest that six essential HRM practices that are likely to positively influence a firm’s performance include training and development, teamwork, incentives, HR planning, performance appraisal as well as employment security (Sels, Winne, Delmotte, Maes, Faems and Forrier, 200 6; Seibert,Silver and Randolph, 2004). According to Sels et al (2006), training and development involves the amount of formal training offered to employees, although organizations can offer extensive training, organizations also rely on acquired skills through selection and socialization. Training in businesses influence performance in two key ways the first one being, that training improves on the relevant skills, capabilities, and secondly training compliments employees’ satisfaction in their prevailing job and workplace. Teamwork in businesses contributes to business performance because it results in effective achievement, facilitates flow of ideas resulting in innovative solution and helps in saving administrative costs associated with paying specialists in order to watch people (Sels et al 2006). Incentives in businesses rely on performance and remain one of the usual means for organizations to enhance employee motivation through provision of performance-contingent incen tive in order to align employee and shareholder interests. According to Chiang(2004), although compensation is categorised into financial and non-financial incentives, some incentives like pay incentives in form of bonuses and profit sharing or even indirect compensation like health insurance and vacation all influence the performance of firms. According to Gill and Meyer(2008), HR planning in enterprises involves forecasting

One page sammary Quality Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

One page sammary Quality - Essay Example Customer Focus - This category deals with how the organization captures and holds on to its customers for long-term success. The strategies for this category include how the organization creates a customer-focused environment, and how the organization listens to the needs of their customers. Measurement, Analysis, and Knowledge Management - The focus of this category is how the organization selects, gathers, analyzes, manages, and improves upon its current data and information. It also delves into how an organization implements reviews into their practices to improve its performances. Workforce Focus - The purpose of this category is to examine how the organization develops the workforce to make use of its full potential in regard to the overall mission and strategy of the organization. The goal is to have a workforce environment that is working on its highest performance. Process Management - This category looks at how the organization designs its work systems and how it manages and improves the key processes for executing these work systems to benefit customer value and to obtain organizational success. Results - This category looks at every aspect of the organization’s performance and improvement, from product outcomes and customer-focused outcomes, to financial and workforce-focused outcomes. Performance levels are taken into consideration and examined in regard to those of

The Metamorphosis Symbolism

The Metamorphosis Symbolism The opening line of the story is shocking and bizarre. One morning, upon awakening from agitated dreams, Gregor Samsa found himself, in his bed, transformed into a monstrous vermin. In other words, Gregor is transformed overnight from a human being into a bug. Although it is unclear whether this metamorphosis is literal or figurative, this transformation is undoubtedly the focus of the entire story. Gregors lack of anxiety or panic upon recognizing his dreadful predicament is noteworthy. His conclusion that taking a later train to work will solve his problem is amusing. Taken literally, becoming an insect is reason to panic. His reaction suggests that the metamorphosis was subconscious; he did not literally change into a bug but rather gradually realized his status and felt like a bug. Eventually, however, Gregor realizes that he is just being used by his family. After this reality sinks in, symbolized by his agitated dreams, Gregory actually feels like a bug. He recognizes his isolation and alienation from society. The grand metamorphosis takes place, and eventually Gregor experiences a complete role reversal. He tries to catch the next train to work and to continue as he had before his realization. However, Gregor is so distraught that he cannot bring himself to get out of bed. Subconsciously he can no longer tolerate his familys treatment of him. However, it is only after his oversleeping that Gregor can begin to acknowledge his wasteful existence. Gregors oversleeping through agitated dreams represents his resentment of his pathetic situation. Before his transformation he would quickly jump out of bed to continue his miserable life without considering an alternative lifestyle. In his sleep however he is afforded the opportunity to momentarily escape life to contemplate his inner turmoil. The agitated dreams represent his pitiable existence; the oversleeping serves as the initial stage of Gregor recognizing this existence. Gregor is not the only character in this story that experiences a transformation. His parents and his sister are forced to change as well in order to adapt to their new circumstances. Upon realizing Gregors metamorphosis, his family leaves him in his room and isolates him, just as they had done in the past. His mother cant stand the sight of him, and they separate further. Gregors father is forced to return to work and thereby assumes the role of supporting the family. As long as Gregor was working, his father was unwilling to pursue a career; rather, he was content to let Gregor support the family all by himself. Thus, Gregors working allows Mr. Samsa to sit home all day doing nothing. It is only through Gregors inability to work that his father is forced to assume the role of supporting the family. Consequently, Gregors sickness and death facilitates his fathers career development. In his sickness, even his father cannot stand the sight of him and in disgust fatally wounds Gregor by throwing an apple at him. Kafka uses the apple to make a biblical allusion to symbolize the apple from the tree of knowledge. The apple represents Gregors awareness of his pitiful existence. His father throws the apple at him to show that Gregor is being rejected by his family. This new reality of alienation and isolation drives him to his ultimately fatal mental state. His fathers unhealthy dependence on his son leads Gregor to feel estranged. This alienation causes Gregor to manifest his feelings of worthlessness and isolation in a way that would affect his body. This mental breakdown eventually drives Gregor mad leading to his untimely death. Unlike Mr. Samsa, Gregorys sister cares for him and attempts to nurse him back to health by providing him with food and encouragement. However, even she is unable to put up with him after a while. She comments that the bug cannot possibly be Gregor as if it were he would have realized long ago that human beings cannot possibly live with such an animal and he would have left of his own accord. At that point, being completely stripped of his humanity and being, completely rejected by his family, Gregors transformation to a bug is complete. Ironically, Gregors miserable life of serving his family is better than the alternative. Once he can no longer provide for his family, life was not worth living. After Gregor is dead, the Samsas are relieved, and they make plans for their daughter to get married. As long as Gregor was alive, his family is unable to proceed through life and move on. Rather, they depended on Gregor for everything and made no effort to be productive. Their troubled relationship with Gregor was thereby harmful to the entire family. The numerous transformations in The Metamorphosis emphasize the importance of maintaining healthy relationships. The dysfunctional Samsa household relies on their son Gregory to support the entire family. This ridiculous role reversal not only causes Gregor to have a mental breakdown, but also prevents the rest of his family from pursuing their own careers. Only after Gregorys death is his family able to move on with life. Kafka uses the transformations in The Metamorphosis to reinforce the importance of maintaining healthy relationships. When people get caught in abusive relationships, their entire families fall apart. The important lessons that Kafka teaches in The Metamorphosis continue to have relevance today.

Cathy Ames as the Devil in John Steinbecks East of Eden Essay

Cathy Ames as the Devil  in East of Eden    East of Eden was a novel that explored the roots of evil in its most primal form. Through intricate plot lines and complex characters, John Steinbeck weaved a tale of brutality, cruelty, and isolation. One important character that helped to illustrate the presence of evil throughout the book was Cathy Ames, an intelligent woman who ruthlessly used other people to serve her own needs. When reflecting upon East of Eden, a debate that often surfaces is whether Cathy's evil was a result of nature or nurture. Arguments for and against both sides are in the book. At some times, Cathy is portrayed as a wicked fiend who's aggression stems from nowhere but her own empty heart. Other times, Cathy appears weak and afraid of people who aren't the least bit intimidating. Those are the moments in the book where one must question whether Cathy is truly evil, or just an impatient and self-centered individual.    Cathy's upbringing did not seem to be a likely place to foster dissent and animosity in the young girl. Her pa...