English Literature AS Level Courework Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

English Literature AS Level Courework - Essay Example o the fifth act there are multiple paradoxical impressions created by Shakespeare, which makes it very difficult to access the motives and self-awareness of Cleopatra in comparison to a typical tragic hero. After the death of Antony, Cleopatra was left at the mercy of Caesar. Initially Cleopatra resisted to surrender to Caesar, but he leaves Cleopatra with no choice but to succumb to his demands after he says, â€Å"If you apply yourself to our intents, Which towards you are most gentle, you shall find a benefit in this change; but if you seek to lay on me a cruelty, by taking Antonys course, you shall bereave yourself† (â€Å"Antony and Cleopatra†). A true hero fights to his utmost to retain his power until he is completely forced to give up, and in this case Cleopatra to some extent did project that quality. Cleopatra gave up all her wealth to Caesar, but later she was betrayed by her treasurer, who accused of her withholding her assets from Caesar. On Caesar’s inquiry Cleopatra confessed, â€Å"Be it known, that we, the greatest, are misthought, for things that others do; and, when we fall, we answer others merits in our name, are therefore to be pitied† (â€Å"Antony and Cleopatra†). Mentioning this incidence in his book â€Å"Shakespeare the playwright†, Victor L. Cahn, Professor of English at Skidmore College, quotes this speech as an impersonation of the true nature of a tragic hero, whose life affects many others under his rule and whose stature appears somewhat from the survival through pain and trials (236). Even after letting go of all her wealth, Cleopatra learns that Caesar intends to show her are his triumph parade as a spoils of war. This scenario is explained by Courtni Crump Wright in her book, The women of Shakespeare’s plays. The author says that besides all her womanly love of Antony and misery as his death, Cleopatra is a proud ruler who even after being defeated refuses to be disgraced and paraded as a spoil of war (Wright 153). As Antony

Anthropology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 2

Anthropology - Essay Example The people of the Samoan Islands share a common language – Samoan, a common culture – fa’a Samoa and an indigenous form of governance called fa’amatai.2 â€Å"Due to colonialism, the Samoa Islands and people were divided by Western powers. Today, politically the islands have two jurisdictions, the independent country of Samoa at the western half of the islands, and the territory of American Samoa comprising the islands to the east. The two regions are separated by 64km of ocean. Most Samoans are full-blooded and comprise one of the largest Polynesian populations in the world.3 Fa’a Samoa means the Samoan Way.4 Fa’a Samoa dictates how Samoans should conduct themselves. This brings out the Samoan Identity and how they should fulfill their obligations towards their families, their communities, the Church and their fellow Samoans. At the heart of the Samoan Identity is Respect, an unquestioning respect for their established institutions, their systems and their elders. Religion is a very important part of the Samoan Culture. Samoa’s motto in fact is based on religion – â€Å"Samoa is founded on God†5 Originally Samoans had a polytheistic religion. This belief is divided in to two – the Atua (non-human) and Aitu gods (human) which also include ancestor worship.6 Thus, when religious expeditions arrived in Samoa, assimilation of the new world was not met by too much resistance. Today, the main religions in Samoa include Congregational, Catholic, Methodist, Assembly of God, Seventh Day Adventist, Bahai,, the Latter Day Saints and Jehovah’s Witnesses.8 Paganism was replaced by the promise of eternal life of these new religions. But what remains is that religion plays a central part in the lives of Samoans. In Samoa, the aiga (extended family) is all important.9 Villages are composed of aiga’s and the greater