Duncan I of Scotland and Lady Macbeth Essay Example

Duncan I of Scotland and Lady Macbeth Paper MACBETH SIMPLIFYING THE PLOT Macbeth is an ambitious man who wants to be King but who originally lacks the desire to act upon his ambitions, despite the fact that he is confronted by three witches who predict future glories, including the bestowal of titles and the Kingship. His wife however, is eager for him to achieve his potential, and she plays on his human weaknesses to encourage him to kill the King and usurp power for himself. The involvement of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in the murder of King Duncan at first seems to have achieved its objective. Macbeth and his wife rule Scotland as King and Queen. However, they are plagued by the belief that their reign might be ended in the same way they ended King Duncans. With this in mind, Macbeth, often without his wifes approval, conspires to murder anyone who has the potential to destabilise his reign. This is the rationale behind his murder of Banquo and Lady Macduff, and his attempted murder of Fleance. In the end however, the actions of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth set them on a path of self destruction. Lady Macbeth is driven insane by a conscience that cannot live with her past actions, but also by the indifference of her husband. We will write a custom essay sample on Duncan I of Scotland and Lady Macbeth specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Duncan I of Scotland and Lady Macbeth specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Duncan I of Scotland and Lady Macbeth specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Macbeth, likewise deals with mental anguish, and is ultimately defeated. He is the victim of his own human weakness and of his mistaken trust in the witches prophecies, which allowed him to arrogantly construct a notion of himself as invincible. With his death order is again restored to Scotland. QUESTIONS ON ROMAN POLANSKI’S ‘MACBETH’ 1. How is Macbeth described early on in the film? 2. Who does Macbeth defeat in the film’s opening scenes? 3. What is the significance of the statement â€Å"never have I seen a day so fair and foul? † 4. What prophesies do the witches make for Macbeth? 5. What prophesies do the witches make for Banquo? . How does Lady Macbeth react to Macbeth’s letter and its revelations about the witches prophesies? 7. How does Lady Macbeth describe her husband? 8. What is the significance of King Duncan’s decree that his son, Malcolm, shall be Prince of Cumberland? 9. How does Macbeth react to Duncan’s decree? 1 0. What does Lady Macbeth suggest Macbeth should do to King Duncan when he arrives? 11. Why does Lady Macbeth call upon the spirits to â€Å"unsex her†? How might an Elizabethan audience react to this? 12. What does Macbeth mean when he suggests that â€Å"bloody instructions return to plague the inventor? 13. What strategies does Lady Macbeth use to persuade Macbeth to kill King Duncan? 14. What is meant by the statement â€Å"Macbeth has murdered sleep? † 15. Is Lady Macbeth proved right when she says â€Å"a little water washes us of this deed? † Explain your response by referring to specific events. MACBETHS PATH TO DISASTER MACBETH CULTURAL CONTEXT The Reign of King James Macbeth was probably performed for the first time in 1605 during the reign of King James. James was crowned King of Scotland at the age of three, when Elizabeth 1 had deposed his mother, Mary Queen of Scots. The early Elizabethan period was characterised by a wave of instability, most notably between Catholics and Protestants, but also by those who lacked confidence in a female monarch. James, like Elizabeth, had to deal with a period known more for its unease than its calm. As King of Scotland, James was forced to contend with a number of plots on his life. The most notable of these occurred in 1605 and was known as the Gunpowder Plot, involving an attempt by English Catholics, with the help of Spain, to overthrow the Protestant ruler of England. Convinced that he was called upon by God to rule, James regarded any attempt of overthrow as the work of the devil or witches. Given this historical context, it is unsurprising that the content of Shakespeares Macbeth was particularly interesting for the King who liked it because it dealt with the act of witchcraft. At the time such acts conjured up a wealth of superstitions. Indeed the instability of the Kings early reign led parliament to pass a law that condemned witches to death for practicing their craft. In addition to dealing with witchcraft, Macbeth also looks at the subject of Kingship. Greenhill observed that the author shows what King James most feared. (Greenhill W and Wignall P, [1996] Macbeth, Heinemann. p5) Shakespeare forces readers to confront issues pertaining to the acquisition of the crown. We are provided with a range of contrasts, including a King who ruled lawfully by virtue of decent and a King who ruled illegally by virtue of a seizure of power. Historical Macbeth While Macbeth is most celebrated as a literary figure, he was nevertheless, historically, a King of Scotland. Coming to the throne in 1040, his reign is consistent with Eleventh century tradition, which saw 11 Scottish Kings assassinated, often by their would be successor. (Aitchison N. [1999]. Macbeth: Man and Myth. p13). Macbeth rise to the kingship came after deposing his cousin, King Duncan. His claim to the throne was threefold. †¢Firstly, he was no less entitled to inherit than Duncan, given he had the same royal grandfather, Malcolm II. †¢Secondly, his wife, Gruoch, was a direct descendant of either King Kenneth II or King Kenneth III. Aitchison observed that Macbeths marriage to Gruoch was fundamental in stimulating his ambition for the kingship. (Aitchinson, [1999]. Macbeth: Man and Myth. P 65) It is highly probably that Gruoch believed that Macbeth was entitled to the kingship based on the fact that she saw Malcolm II (Duncan and Macbeths grandfather) as an illegitimate ruler, since Malcolm II had killed her likely grandfather, Kenneth III, thereby excluding her descendants from eligibility. †¢Thirdly, Duncan had a series of military failures, compromising his ability to hold kingship, while Macbeth was a capable and established military strategist. Macbeth ruled for seventeen years from 1040-1057. Though little is known of his rule, the predominant evidence testifies to its relative militancy. Given his seizure of power and his attempts to eliminate Duncans heirs, this seems unsurprising. Beyond his ability as a war leader, however, Macbeth was also known for his patronage of the church and pilgrimage to Rome. . Lady Macbeth Gruoch While much of Lady Macbeths infamy was carved from Shakespeares imagination, she is equally intriguing as a historical figure. Herself a descendant of Scottish Kings, Gruoch was probably first married to Macbeths cousin, Gillacomgain, who was involved in the assassination of Macbeths father in 1020. Macbeth later went on to avenge his fathers death by killing Gillacomgain and marrying his wife, Gruoch (Lady Macbeth), which, for Wyntoun, was an enduring symbol of the sons comprehensive victory. Beyond this however, it seems that Macbeth married Gruoch to cement his political ambitions, which were improved as a result of a marriage with confirmed monarchical descent. Given her ancestry, Gruoch is considered to have wielded some power within Macbeths court, but little is recorded of the role of Queens in medieval Scotland. We do know that she probably had only one son, Lulach, born of her first marriage to Gillacomgain. Macbeth is believed to have developed a sincere attachment to him, signified by his adoption of him, and by his provision for him as heir. SHAKESPEARE AND THE NATURE OF TRAGEDY Macbeth is considered to be one of Shakespeares greatest tragedy pieces. A tragedy is a type of drama or literature which involved the fall of a great man as a result of: †¢forces beyond his control his own error In the fourth century BCE, Aristotle contemplated the nature of tragedy. He observed that a playwright who wished to write a tragedy had to choose his main character very carefully. For Aristotle, the character had to demonstrate a capacity both for good and evil, and it was in the struggle between these paradoxes that the audience could more e ffectively reflect upon the source of his fall. In Macbeth and other tragedies, the nature of the fall is not an offspring of pure evil but of human weakness which combined to forge tragic consequences. Macbeth in the context of Elizabethan Society Elizabethan society expressed very definitive views on concepts including nature, the state and humanity. These views are integral to an understanding of the cultural context in which Macbeth was conceived. Nature The universe was nature and was an ordered structure. Every living thing had a place in the hierarchy of the universe. Harmony depended on everything staying at its own level. The State The state was a part of the hierarchy of nature. The King was a symbol of order. Obedience to the King was seen as natural. Harmony was produced by justice. Necessary virtues were justice, kindness and pity. Humanity It was the duty of the mind to keep control over the lower basic instincts of humans. Order within the universe depended on order within the political state and humanity. Analysis of Significance Whenever the system was breached, whenever the natural law was broken, destruction and chaos were let in for example, cruelty would replace kindness. This meant, for example, that to disturb order in the political arena was to lead to the chaos of war. This in turn, led to an erosion of individual humanity and personal chaos. God King Mind Nobles Soul Commoners Animals Base Instinct Inanimates Question In what ways did Macbeth and Lady Macbeth upset the principles that governed the Elizabethan understanding of nature, the state and humanity? What was the consequence of this upset? MACBETH AN OVERVIEW DISCOURSESDOMINANT POSITION Power / Ambition Deceit / Treachery Evil Masculinity Femininity Humanity / Human Weakness Leadership Shakespeares Macbeth provides readers with an enduring reminder of the poisonous and corruptive nature of ambition, by highlighting the tragic fall of the two main characters. Readers are positioned to view both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as individuals who, governed by their greed for power, set about on a course which leads to their own self-destruction. In this context, Shakespeare also explores the promise of ambition; suggesting that ill-gained ends proffer a hollow reward. Acts taken to secure power and prosperity turn against their maker, leading them on a path of inner conflict and turmoil. OPPOSITIONAL DISCOURSES IN MACBETH Semiotic theorists have argued that the process of meaning making is often constructed in relation to oppositions. In other words, receivers understand what something is, in relation to what it is not. In this context, many of the underlying discourses of Macbeth are constructed through oppositions. The three main oppositions in Macbeth include: †¢Chaos vs Order †¢Light vs Darkness Imagery †¢Appearance vs Reality Chaos versus Order In the early orientation phase of the text, readers are presented with a struggle between order and chaos. In declaring war on Scotland the King of Norway, assisted by the traitorous Thane of Cawdor, had set about to destabilise Duncans rule, bringing about disorder. When the Thane of Cawdor is killed and the Norweigian army defeated by Macbeth, order is temporarily restored. This restoration of order and peacefulness is constructed as a positive, signified by the Kings appreciation of Macbeths achievements and the celebratory gathering of the warring party. From the moment Macbeth and Lady Macbeth decide to kill Duncan, order is eroded and chaos ensues. The intensity of the chaos rises as the plot develops. The chaos exists internally, in the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, but also externally, within Scotland as a whole. The following quotes attest to the growing nature of chaos and the erosion of order within the text. Macbeth does murder sleep. Macbeth shall sleep no more. (ActII:ii) The night has been unruly. Where we lay, our chimneys were blown down and, as they say, Lamentings heard ithair, strange screams of death. (Act II:iii) Each new morn, new widows howl, new orphans cry, new sorrows strike heaven on the face (Act IV:iii) Light versus Darkness Imagery The use of light and darkness imagery within the text assists the author in the construction of representations of good and evil. A highly superstitious society, the Elizabethans feared the night, associating it with potential evil. This socio-cultural fear is used effectively by Shakespeare to communicate the principal conflict between those who fight for order (the good) versus those who destroy order (the bad). The witches, for instance, are referred to as instruments of darkness and are associated with the evil that occurs in the plot development. Macbeth uses light / dark imagery to alert the audience to his growing ambition. For instance: Stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires.. (Act I:iv). Lady Macbeth, likewise extends this imagery, calling on the thick night, [to] pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell, that my keen knife see not the wound it makes, nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark. (Act I:v) Many of the most violent events of the play take place at night. The murder of King Duncan, for instance, comes when The moon is down (Act II: i), likewise Banquo and Fleance are attacked while the two murderers were waiting in darkness. Towards the end of the play, when Lady Macbeth has been driven insane by her own evil deeds, the gentlewoman attending her tells the readers that she requires the light to be left on, signifying that she is deeply afraid of the dark a metaphor for her own evil. This imagery is continued by Macbeth, who, sick of living observes Out, out, brief candle! (Act V:v) and I gin to be aweary of the sun (Act V:v) Appearance versus Reality Much of the enjoyment audiences / readers derive from Macbeth is as a result of the shock of uncovering the true mask of characters who appear to be what they are not. To this end, the discourse of the deceptiveness of appearances is integral both to our understanding of character but also in the construction of the dominant viewpoint. In the opening phase of the novel, for instance, readers are alerted by the witches to the paradox, Fair is foul, and foul is fair (Act I:i) suggesting that all is not what it seems. As an extension of this idea, Duncan refers to Macbeth as noble Macbeth (Act I:ii), yet later we see him constructed as capable of murder. For Lady Macbeth, the appearance of propriety rather than the possession of it, was a useful weapon. When she advises her husband to look like an innocent flower but be the serpent undert (Act I:v), she alerts the reader to the potential for deception despite the appearance of bravery and nobility. This is confirmed by Macbeth who observed, False face must hide what the false heart doth know. (Act I: vii) In this sense, the reader is aware of what King Duncan is not, and we quickly become acquainted with the horrible price of his ignorance. In addition to alerting readers to the potential for duplicity, the construction of the appearance versus reality discourse also encourages a re-examination of initial conclusions. This is particularly true of the witches prophecies, which clearly demonstrate a gap between appearance and reality. Macbeth for instance assumes that he will not be beaten by any man born of woman (Act IV:i), yet he later discovers that all is not what it appears to be. Similarly, while readers are more likely to judge Lady Macbeth as a conniving villain lacking feminine warmth we come to view her as a tragic character whose duplicitous resolve is undermined by her husbands disregard. Macbeth Act I : vii If it were done, when tis done, then twere well It were done quickly; if th assassination Could trammel up the consequence, and catch, With his surcease, success; that but this blow Might be the be all and the end all here, But here, upon this bank and shoal of time, Wed jump the life to come. But in these cases, We still have judgement here; that we but teach Bloody instructions, which, being taught, Return to plague the inventor; this even-handed justice Commends the ingredients of our poisond chalice To our own lips. Hes here in double trust: First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, Strong both against the deed; then, as his host, Who should against his murderer shut the door, Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan Hat borne his faculties so meek, hath been So clear in his great office, that his virtues Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongud, against The deep damnation of his taking-off; And pity, like a naked new-born babe, Striding the blast, or heavens cherubin, horsd Upon the sightless couriers of the air, Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye, That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which oer-leaps itself And falls on the other. TASK 1. What dominant viewpoint of Macbeth is the reader being encouraged to adopt? What aspects of his character have been privileged within this scene? 2. Establish a modern context for this scene. Transform it, in keeping with the discourses, by using modern language. LADY MACBETH Of all the characters in the play Lady Macbeth is arguably the most controversial. Her infamy can be attributed to a range of factors including: †¢Her role in the assassination of King Duncan, and subsequently, her husbands downfall †¢Her relinquishing of quintessential female attributes Her path to self destruction and insanity Consider the following scenes to assess Lady Macbeths impact on her husband and her role in creating Shakespeares dominant position. SceneSubjectLady Macbeths actions / positionTechniques of persuasion Act I: vThe reading of the letter Act I: viiPersuading Macbeth Act II: iiThe night of the murder Act II: iiiThe discovery of the murder Act III: iiThe conversation before the feast Act III: ivThe banquet and Banquos ghost Act V: iThe sleepwalking scene CHARACTER QUESTIONS LADY MACBETH 1. What aspects of Lady Macbeths character have been foregrounded in the text? 2. How do the relationship roles of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth transform, as the plot develops? 3. To what extent does the characterisation of Lady Macbeth encourage readers to accept Shakespeares dominant viewpoint on the corruptible nature of ambition and power? THE WITCHES The role of the witches in Macbeth has been hotly contested for a number of years. While some suggest that the witches compelled Macbeth to act in a way he otherwise would not others see them as characters who merely led him where he was already wanting to go. Shakespeare deliberately constructs them as enigmatic figures who occupy an important role in the communication of the discourses. This importance is underscored by the fact that they are the first characters of the play the reader is confronted with. Beyond this, they talk in paradoxes that the receiver does not entirely understand. Their use of phrases Fair is foul, and foul is fair and When the battles lost and won, suggest that they have the potential to offer greater insight into future events. The sense of their mysteriousness is further conveyed by the fact that they appear against the backdrop of thunder and lightning, so the audience immediately understand them to be suspicious characters who portend evil. This is confirmed in their meetings with Macbeth, when they demonstrate a power for prophecy that upsets the Elizabethan idea of a natural order. Complete the table below to analyse the affect of the witches prophesising on Macbeths attitude and actions. The Witches PropheciesMacbeths Reactions 1. Thane of Glamis 2. Thane of Cawdor 3. King hereafter 4. Beware the Thane of Fife 5. None of woman born shall harm Macbeth 6. †¦ Never vanquished be until Great Birnam wood marches to Dunsinane POSITIONING IN MACBETH Shakespeares Macbeth positions readers to accept the dominant discourse on the corruptible nature of power and ambition by highlighting the human affect it has on two of the leading characters. By the end of the play, we are presented with two tragic figures Macbeth and Lady Macbeth; and, while we recognise their role in their own destruction, we nevertheless cant help feeling some level of sympathy for them. For literary theorists, this sympathy was intended by the author to achieve a specific purpose to make us identify with the discourses on a broader level and to see their relevance to our own lives. By presenting Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as human, flawed characters with a propensity for evil, rather than as inherently evil, Shakespeare alerts us to the possibility that each of us must confront our own inner demons. Nevertheless, we are positioned to recognise the shortsightedness of their actions and to be horrified by the level of duplicity of which they were capable. By contrast we know nothing about the kind of King Duncan was, the circumstances in which he assumed the throne or his earlier treatment of Macbeth. This dominant viewpoint has been achieved primarily as a result of the privileging and foregrounding of some material and the silencing and backgrounding of other material. From the outset, for instance, Shakespeare introduces scenes that highlight the ambitious nature of the main characters and the extent of the deceptiveness that they enter into. There is an inference that Macbeth and his wife have had conversations about the kingship long before the witches have prophesised it for him. Moreover, the inclusion of scenes which privilege Macbeths propensity for, and direct involvement in violent acts, contribute to our understanding of his growing relinquishing of humanity. TASK What scenes have been included to encourage a negative interpretation of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth? INTERTEXTUALITY, POSITIONING AND LADY MACBETH All kinds of texts whether poems, novels, films, even jokes gain meaning through their similarities to other texts. If this were not true, readers would be astonished and puzzled by every new text that confronted them. The term intertextuality describes the way texts of all kinds are bound together by the broader reading and writing practises of a culture. (Moon, 1992, p69) Authors have used the character of Lady Macbeth in modern texts to make an intertextual link which allows for the adoption of an unfavorable viewpoint about a particular subject. In recent times, for instance, this intertextual link has been made in relation to analysis of the r ole of former First Lady, Hillary Clinton. Consider the article below. HILLARY CLINTON: THE LADY MACBETH OF LITTLE ROCK (in The Weekend Australian, July 25-26, 1994, p21-23) Her public image is one of consuming ambition, inflexibility of purpose, a lack of human feeling. The image of Hillary that has crystallised in the public consciousness is, of course, that of Lady Macbeth; consuming ambition, inflexibility of purpose, domination of a pliable husband and an upsetting lack of tender human feeling, along with the affluent feminists contempt for traditional female roles. The surprising thing about Hillarys image problem is self-generating †¦ The only big scandal to blow in her direction concerned her errant husband, and that should have earned her general sympathy. Hillary Clinton is a self-detonating explosive. The condescending comments and snide comments have landed her in such trouble †¦ she always seems to be one smart remark away from getting in trouble. Friends of the Clintons say there is a very powerful bond between them, a bond immediately apparent to anyone who sees them together. Powerful though it may be, there is a pattern of details about their relationship that suggests it is not fully fused†¦ †¦ Hillary suffers from a massive misunderstanding of the function of parents. Hillary has been likened to Eva Peron but its a bad analogy. Evita was worshipped by the shirtless ones, the working class, while Hillarys charms elude most outside of an elite cohort of Left-liberal baby-boom feminists the type who thought Anita Hill should be canonised and that Thelma and Louise was the best movie since Easy Rider. Questions 1. Identify three intertextual connections that have been used by the author to construct meaning in the text? 2. What is the affect of these connections in terms of the construction of an overall opinion about the character of Hillary Clinton? . What dominant viewpoint of Hillary Clinton has been constructed by this author? 4. Given your reading of the play, do you agree with this authors assessment of the character attributes of Lady Macbeth? MACBETH : PRACTICE ESSAY To what extent does the characterisation of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth encourage readers to accept Shakespeares dominant viewpoint on the corruptible nature of ambition and power? INTRODUCTION = THESIS STATEMENT + EXPLANATION + SIGNPOST By privileging scenes which highlight the transformation of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth from noble and worthy characters, to individuals who are overcome by anxiety and disquiet, Shakespeare highlights the idea that ambition for power can result in the corruption of otherwise good characters who are susceptible to human weakness. The journey of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth throughout the play focuses on their acquiescence to ambitious impulses which has the affect of altering both their regard for each other and their natural identity. For Macbeth the price of power and ambition is the destruction of valor and morality. For Lady Macbeth it is the destruction of purpose, strength and, by the end of the play, sanity. This essay will explore how the two leading characters were overcome by ambition, and the manner in which Shakespeare foregrounds their undoing in order to construct an impression of the corruptible nature of lust for power. PARAGRAPH ONE = TOPIC SENTENCE + ELABORATION + EVIDENCE + CONCLUDING SENTENCE In highlighting Macbeths transformation from a noble individual esteemed for his valor to a butcher whose death is celebrated by the masses, Shakespeare constructs in readers an awareness of the trappings of ambition. At the beginning of the play the audience sees Macbeth as a worthy figure who has restored the disorder brought to Scotland as a result of the treachery of the Thane of Cawdor. He is referred to by King Duncan as valiant; the King goes so far as to suggest that he is a peerless kinsman. Yet, despite the bravery for which he is renown, Macbeth is also constructed as a flawed character whose major weakness is an ambition for power. His association with the witches at the beginning of the play highlights the fact that he is tempted by unnatural influences. Beyond this, he is described as overtly ambitious for power and the prestige of office associated with it. In Act I:vii, he refers to his own vaulting ambition. He also confesses his deep desires. Any subsequent downfall that Macbeth experiences, therefore, is attributable to his ambition. This idea is reinforced by Shakespeare when he constructs and causal relationship between Macbeths growing state of disquiet, Methought I heard a voice cry, Sleep no more! Macbeth Macbeth does murder sleep. nd the growth of disorder, both for Scotland, and for Macbeth personally. Evidence of this external disorder can be seen in the assassination of Banquo and Lady MacDuff. It is also manifested in the increasingly bloodthirsty nature of Macbeths regime and the growth of opposition, led by Malcolm, Donaldbain and MacDuff. Furthermore, Shakespeare constructs the impression of evil doing within the narrative itself, highlighting the extent to which Macbeths ambition has led to the increase of chaos and darkness. The night has been unruly. Where we lay our chimneys were blown down and, as they say, Lamentings heard ithair, strange screams of death. (Act II:iii) From a personal perspective, Macbeth is defeated by his own lust for power. He admits to being â€Å"steeped in blood so far†, and is plagued by the vision of Banquo’s ghost. Beyond this, the health of his marriage is compromised by a growing indifference towards his wife, who, in the early scenes of the play, takes an active role in the conspiracy. Towards the end of the play Macbeth’s original character has been corrupted to the extent that he admits being weary of life and attributes this weariness to his acquiescence on the night of Duncans murder. â€Å"I ‘gin to be weary of the sun. † Out, out, brief candle! Lifes but a walking shadow. Thus, it can be seen that Shakespeare privileges scenes which highlight Macbeths transformation from valiant war leader to evil King, thereby confirming Macbeth’s early prediction that â€Å"bloody instructions return to plague the inventor. (Act 1:VII) He further creates an impression of the negative consequences of ambition by associating it with growing disorder in Scotland as a whole. This is also the case for Lady Macbeth. Activity 1. Underline in a different colour pen, each of the features of a paragraph. 2. Evaluate the evidence used in the text. Does it prove the argument? 3. What other words or phrases can you think of, to begin the concluding sentence? 4. Write a paragraph that follows this structure, dealing with the part of the question that asks for an analysis of Lady Macbeth.

How to Manage and ID Japanese Maple

How to Manage and ID Japanese Maple Japanese maple is one of the most versatile trees for any yard, patio, or garden. Often grown for its unique 7-palmed green or red colored leaf, the maple also has an interesting growth habit, with a fine leaf texture and muscular-looking multiple trunks. Japanese maples have extraordinary fall colors that range from bright yellow through orange and red, and is often striking, even on trees grown in total shade. Specifics Scientific name: Acer palmatum Pronunciation: AY-ser pal-MAY-tum Family: Aceraceae USDA hardiness zones: USDA hardiness zones: 5B through 8 Origin: not native to North America Uses: Bonsai; container or above-ground planter; near a deck or patio; trainable as a standard; specimen Availability: generally available in many areas within its hardiness range Physical Description Height: 15 to 25 feet Spread: 15 to 25 feet Crown uniformity: symmetrical  canopy  with a regular (or smooth)  outline  and individuals have more or less identical crown forms Crown shape: round; vase shape Crown density: moderate Growth rate: slow Texture: medium Foliage Descriptions Leaf arrangement: opposite/subopposite Leaf type: simple Leaf margin: lobed; serrate Leaf shape: star-shaped Leaf venation: palmate Leaf type and persistence: deciduous Leaf blade length: 2 to 4 inches Leaf color: green Fall color: copper; orange; red; yellow Fall characteristic: showy Popular Maple Cultivars There are many cultivars of Japanese maple with a wide variety of leaf shapes and color, growth habits, and sizes. Here are some of the most popular: Atropurpureum - has reddish leaves with only five lobes  Bloodgood - new foliage is bright red, some leaves darkening to a dim green  Burgundy Lace - reddish foliage with cut leaf (sinus nearly down to the petiole)Dissectum - finely dissected leaves in green or red, growing 10 to 12 feet tall  Elegans - leaves with rose-colored margins when they first unfold  Ornatum - leaf is beautifully cut and reddish Trunk and Branch Descriptions Trunk/bark/branches: bark is thin and easily damaged from mechanical impact; droop as the tree grows, and will require pruning for vehicular or pedestrian clearance beneath the canopy; routinely grown with, or trainable to be grown with, multiple trunks; showy trunk; no thorns Pruning requirement: requires pruning to develop a strong structure Breakage: resistant Current year twig color: green; reddish Current year twig thickness: thin Pruning a Maple Most maples, if in good health and free to grow, need very little pruning. Only train for developing a leading (or multiple) shoot(s) which will eventually establish the trees framework. Maples should not be pruned in spring and could bleed profusely. Wait to prune until late summer to early autumn and only on a young tree. A habit should be encouraged in which the branches develop low and grow up at sharp angles. If suckering of green-leaved root stock occurs below the graft line on your red-leafed grafted variety, remove the green sprout immediately. Japanese Maple Culture Light requirements: tree grows best in part shade/part sun but can also handle the shade. Soil tolerances: clay; loam; sand; slightly alkaline; acidic; well-drained Drought tolerance: moderate Aerosol salt tolerance: none Soil salt tolerance: moderate Common Pests Aphids can infest Japanese maples and heavy populations can cause leaf drop or a dripping of honeydew. Scales can be a problem. Neither insect will cause the tree to die. If borers become active, it probably means you have an already sick tree. Keep the tree healthy. Leaf scorch  may become a problem during periods of high temperatures accompanied by wind. Planting Japanese maple in a bit of shade will help. Keep trees well-watered during dry periods. Symptoms of scorch and drought are tan dead areas on foliage. Bottom Line The growing habit of a Japanese maple varies widely depending on cultivar. From globose (round or spherical form) branching to the ground, to upright to vase-shaped, the maple is always a delight to look at. The globose selections look best when they are allowed to branch to the ground. Be sure to clear all turf away from beneath the branches of these low growing types so the lawn mower will not damage the tree. The more upright selections make a nice patio or small shade trees for residential lots. A large selection or compact cultivars make wonderful accents for any landscape. Japanese maple tends to leaf out early, so it may be injured by spring frosts. Protect them from drying winds and direct sun by providing exposure to partial or filtered shade and well-drained, acid soil with plenty of organic matter, particularly in the southern part of its range. Leaves often scorch in hot summer weather in USDA hardiness zones 7b and 8, unless they are in some shade or irrigated during dry weather. More direct sun can be tolerated in the northern part of the range. Be sure drainage is maintained and never allow water to stand around the roots. The tree grows fine on clay soils as long as the ground is sloped so water does not accumulate in the soil. It responds well to several inches of mulch placed beneath the canopy.

Fundamentals And Applications Of Programmable Logic Controllers Research Paper

Fundamentals And Applications Of Programmable Logic Controllers - Research Paper Example The vast number of advantages offered by Programmable logic controllers in industrial automation has ensured their predominance over the last decades and some years to come. Programmable logic controllers are cost effective for the control of complex systems, flexible and can be easily reapplied to control other systems, simplified programming and reduced downtime given their troubleshooting aid, sophisticated control owing to their computational abilities and long-term operation capability without failure given their reliable components. (Evans, 2006) The central processing unit (CPU) is involved with the performance of logic and arithmetic functions of a PLC. It utilizes the program stored in memory to process the accepted input signal from the input modules into the desired output. It sends the desired output signal to the output modules which converts it into an appropriate actuator signal. In general, the CPU performs the functions of updating the input and output, logic and arithmetic functions and memory communication. The CPU is further divided into three major subsystems; Control Unit (CU), Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU) and the Registers. Instructions are fetched from a specified location and loaded into the registers then decoded by the Control Unit. The arithmetic and logic operations such as the subtraction, addition and basic logic operations such as OR/AND are done by the ALU. Control Unit directs the results into a special memory location for storage. Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU) is a logic gate collection with outputs, inputs and control bits for determining operation type.

The Cannabis (Licensed Premises) Act 2000 (CLIP) (a fictitious act) Essay

The Cannabis (Licensed Premises) Act 2000 (CLIP) (a fictitious act) permits cannabis to be sold lawfully from licensed premises. Anyone wishing to sell cannabis - Essay Example Under the law, you are entitled to a fair assessment of your application and in the event of a denial such denial must be communicated to you replete with the reasons that the Council has for refusing your application. It is rudimentary under public and administrative law that a public agency must apprise a denied applicant the grounds for denying his application for license so that the applicant can prepare himself or herself with the appropriate rejoinders to such grounds for denial in the event that the applicant will elevate and appeal his case to the same board or a higher authority. In addition, flatly refusing you to put your case in person before the council, again without justification, so that you can appeal is in contravention of all known administrative procedural processes. The acts of the Bumbling Council, has in effect, denied you of your basic rights to notice and hearing under the fundamental tenets of due process constitutionally guaranteed by our laws. Existing statutory laws on premises licensing all enshrine these basic principles. The Licensing Act of 2003, for example, which is the current legislation and basis for premises licensing for use on licensable activities like alcohol sale and certain entertainment related businesses provide a mechanism for approving and denying applications. Specifically, Section 23 of Part 3 of the said law mandates the licensing authority to give notice of such denial with reasons, to wit: The CLIP, an older legislation, although silent on the matter is presumed to follow the elementary precepts of due process. In addition, the rationale for giving notice to the applicant of his denial and laying down therewith the grounds and reasons for such denial is founded not only on the basic principle of due process but for practical considerations as well. A denied applicant in premises licensing may seek to subsequently elevate his denied application to the magistrate court which will then

Sales Management - Roll Play Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Sales Management - Roll Play - Assignment Example Do the customers like your products? Do you have a variety of the golden jewelry? Based on your answers, I feel we can have a very productive discussion in so far as the golden jewelry products are concerned. Are you available on Friday for a brief presentation of about 10 to 15 minutes where I can give more insights into the products we deal with and have an extensive discussion together concerning the product? (The sales person is in the pre-approach stage). Sales person: It is my pleasure and once more I come from a Goldenberg investment company and we deal in jewelries made of gold. One of the major characteristics of the products we deal with is that they are genuine and original. Sales person: Wow! That is a very good question. The jewelries that we seek to provide for your company are unique and rare in the market. The various jewelries are modeled to suite everyone’s needs though they are fashionable and offers versatility to a greater extent. On the other hand, the jewelries are unisex in the sense that either of the gender can use them (Husain, 1). Sales person: Thanks once more for the question. When we offer the products to you, we will offer three months sales services to the company through our marketing vast marketing system. We will also recommend your company to a number of our know customers and retailers and sales boosting

Identifying Work Place Hazards Construction Essay

Identifying Work Place Hazards Construction Essay Injuries at the place of work are of major concern for all people involved in the business operations for an organization. The issues which cause accidents took place in the workplace and work-related ill health are called as Hazards. The demand for methodical organization of OHS hazards and their associated risks applies to all business/unions/organizations etc and all activities and functions within an organization. It is of worth importance to differentiate b/w hazard, risk and exposure when undertaking risk management. Hazard is the probable for harm, or unpleasant effect on an employees health. Everything that can cause injury or illness to anybody at or near the place of work may be called as hazard. Risk is the likelihood that a hazard will cause injury or ill health to anyone at or near a workplace. The level of risk increases with the severity of the hazard and the duration and frequency of exposure or vulnerability. Vulnerability/exposure happens whenever anybody comes into contact with a hazard. Risk management process consists of four steps; Identifying the Potential Hazards Assessing The Risks Associated With The Hazards Controlling the risk Reviewing the process The first and most significant step in reducing the probability of an accident/mishap is hazard identification. This means recognizing all workplace situations or events that can lead to cause an injury or illness. The second step is an evaluation of the level of risk of the hazards that have been identifies during the first step. This step engages in collecting information and building conclusion. It is imperative you consider the level of the damage/destruction or consequence from a hazard and the likelihood of harm occurring. If your assessment is that an unacceptable risk to health and safety exists, you must introduce controls to reduce the risk to an acceptable level. There are three categories of, you might take, while control measures. You can; get rid of the hazard reducing the risk introducing back-up controls (this point will be applied, after all other options in the last two categories have been worn out). The third step in successful risk management is to initiate and maintain systems which provide opportunity for day to day evaluation and review procedures. Evaluation means examining control measures to ensure risks are eradicated or minimized and no unacceptable risk is being caused by new hazards. The assessment system applies to the risk management process on the whole and checks the process is working efficiently to identify hazards and manage risks. Management of the Risks is an organizational issue and a productive program needs the assurance and cooperation of all. All the program managers and their staff need to recognize the fundamental importance of OHS risk management, for it to work. The most valuable practice is implanting OHS risk management into daily usage at all levels of an organization. Best practice can be achieved if you can integrate risk management principles and practices into everyday business practice. 1. IDENTIFY THE HAZARDS Hazard identification The 1st step in minimizing the probability of an accident/mishap/disaster is hazard identification, which relates to identify all situations or events that may cause to an injury or illness. Eliminating/minimizing place of work hazards requires a methodical approach. It is necessary to try and anticipate all potential hazards at the workplace recognized as the what if? approach. What is of Hazard? It is a source or potential source of any individuals injury, illness or disease. Anything which might cause to an injury or illness to anyone at or near the place of work is a hazard. While a number of hazards are quite clear and easy to recognize, others are not; for example exposure to noise, chemicals or radiation. Classes of hazard Hazards are classified into five different types. They are Biological hazards comprises of animals, Bacteria, Insects, Mildew, Mould, Vermin, Viruses. Chemical hazards comprises of chemical stuff such as acids or poisons and those that may cause to fire or explosion, cleaning agents, dusts and fumes from various processes such as welding. Mechanical and/or electrical hazards comprises of cranes, dangerous goods, Electricity, Equipment, fork lifts, hoists, Machinery, pressure vessels. Physical hazards comprises of air quality, excessively loud and prolonged noise, falling objects, fire, Floors, heat and cold, ladders, manual handling (lifting, pushing, pulling), poor lighting, radiation, slippery surfaces, Stairs, steps, ventilation, vibration, work platforms. Psychosocial environment hazards comprise of workplace stressors occurred due to a variety of sources. Note: some chemical and physical hazards can direct to explosion, fire and other safety hazards. METHODS FOR IDENTIFYING HAZARDS The 1st step in control of a hazard is to recognize and list them. Many other methods which are useful for identifying hazards, includes; benchmarking against or liaising with similar workplaces. considering Occupational Health Safety implications, when analyzing work processes. consulting with workforce, health safety responsible persons and OHS Committee members receiving feedback from workers can often give precious information about hazards, since they have hands on experience in their area of work injury and ill health records evaluate your employees compensation data and ensure the occurrence, mechanism agency of injury, and the cost to the organization. The organization can be altered to examine the information of presence of hazards investigating workplace incidents and near hits reports in some cases there may be more than one hazard contributing to an incident performing walkthrough surveys, checking or safety audits in the workplace to review Health Safety system of the organization. 2. ASSESS THE RISKS Assessment of risks When a hazard has been identified, do a risk assessment. A risk assessment process means you collect information about every identified hazard consider the number of people exposed to each hazard and the duration of the exposure use the information to assess the likelihood and consequence of each hazard use a risk assessment table to work out the risk associated with each hazard Factors for consideration The following factors should be considered during the risk assessment process; the hazards nature posing the risk combinations of hazards injuries or illnesses types predictable from exposure consequences of duration and exposure to the hazard layout of workstation workplace working stance and position new work processes introduction employees skill experience level personal characteristics of employees exposed to the risk (colour blindness or hearing impairment) existing control measures in place such as the use of clothing and personal protective equipment. TABLE FOR RISK ASSESSMENT Using risk assessment table is the one method of assessing risks. Record the risk rating for each hazard you have identified. To construct an assessment matrix, you can; set up a specialist risk assessment team get expert/specialist recommendation brainstorm within the workplace, particularly with employees, health and safety representatives and OHS committee members they are often a valuable source of information and experience. Before introducing new or changed work practices, substances or plant review your original assessment. It is good management to do regular reviews. CONSEQUENCES LIKELIHOOD Very Likely Likely Unlikely Highly Unlikely Fatality HIGH RISK HIGH RISK HIGH RISK MEDIUM RISK Major Injuries HIGH RISK HIGH RISK MEDIUM RISK MEDIUM RISK Minor Injuries HIGH RISK MEDIUM RISK MEDIUM RISK LOW RISK Negligible Injuries MEDIUM RISK MEDIUM RISK LOW RISK LOW RISK Risk Assessment Table USING A RISK ASSESSMENT TABLE By using risk assessment table, assessments of likelihood and outcomes can be translated into levels of risks. High risk areas can be given first priority for removal or control in the place of work. Consequence or extent of the injury or illness were it to happen, can be rated in the following way; Fatal accident Serious or major injury (severe damage to health which may be permanent, wanting medical attention constant treatment). Such damage is likely to grip significant time off work Minor injury (temporary health damage, which may need medical attention but partial ongoing treatment). This is less possible to involve significant time off work Insignificant injuries (first aid only with little or no lost time). Unlikely to involve more than 1 day off work. Likelihood, or the chance of each of the situations or events actually occurring, can be rated in the following way. Very likely (bared to hazard continuously) Likely (bared to hazard occasionally) Unlikely (could occur but only rarely) Highly unlikely (could occur, but probably never will) This categorization would be used very rarely. Acting on the findings The probable conclusions which might be drawn from risk assessment process and the actions that might be taken are listed below; 1. Risks are not significant now and not likely to increase in future. Actions end current assessment and record assessment details review assessment if situation changes or in 2 years provide induction and ongoing training follow safe working procedures 2. Risks are considerable but already effectively controlled, could increase in the future. Actions conclude safety measures to retain controls and reducing the chances of higher exposure occurring conclude extra measures for regaining control if a high risk event occurs, despite safety measures conclude if monitoring or health observation is required to check efficiency of controls if situation changes or in 2 years then review assessment give orientation continual training reassure that safe secure working measures are followed. 3. Risks are significant now, and not adequately controlled. Actions recognize and employ instant measures for stopping or controlling exposure consider stopping the process commence review of longer term control requirements re-evaluate exposures when the upgraded control measures are in place determine if monitoring or health surveillance is required provide induction and ongoing training ensure that safe working measures are followed But if there is still uncertainty about risks and not enough information is available or unsure about the level of exposure, then the following actions should be considered. Acquire more/additional information. Apply good practice to minimize exposure until more information is available Get specialist advice if necessary Arrive at conclusion 1, 2 or 3 and take the appropriate actions. Summary of key points Assess all reasonably foreseeable workplace hazards which may affect the health or safety of employees or other persons at work. Ask yourself how serious could it be? what is the likelihood of its occurrence? what is the significance of the risks? are risks assessed following the hazard identification exercise? are risks to others considered? are records of assessment maintained? which identified hazards create a significant risk? 3. CONTROL THE RISKS Control measures Once a hazard has been identified then the correct course of action is to use control measures which normally fall into three categories which are as follows; get rid of the hazard reduce the risk use backup controls when all other options in the previous categories have been exhausted. The best way to control a hazard is to eliminate it. The elimination of a hazard is the first choice in a system called the hierarchy of controls. Hierarchy of controls The order of priority in hazard control is as follows; get rid of the hazard from the place of work completely. This is considered to be the best method to control a hazard. Removal of a noisy machine from a quiet area is an example of exclusion. Substitute or modify the hazard. This can be done by replacing it with something less dangerous, for example, by using a paint which does not contain asthma- encouraging agents. Isolate the hazard. This can be done by physically eliminating it from the place of work. Use engineering methods to control the hazard at its source. The tools and the equipment can be redesigned and the local exhaust ventilation systems could be used to block the cause of a hazard. Use of administrative controls is management strategies that can be introduced to ensure the health and safety of workers. introducing personal protective equipment (PPE) as a provisional measure for reducing exposure to a hazard. 4. MONITOR AND REVIEW A continual and repeated process Risk management programs are recurring; once the hazards related to current workplace are controlled successfully, then the process does not stop. Systematic monitoring and reviews must be implemented because of the probable for new hazards to be introduced into a workplace. These hazards can be due to a change in work environment (moving to a different office, staff reduction) the introduction of new staff with different skill/ knowledge levels. the introduction of new work practices or procedures the use of new technology, equipment or substances Planning Effective forward planning is an integral part of monitoring and reviewing risk management. You must address all issues before introducing new equipment and work procedures. For example, planning allows you to include OHS compliance into tender specifications for new equipment or services. Record keeping Record keeping is an important part of monitoring and review. Systematic records will help to identify hazards and review the effectiveness of risk controls. Keep records which show details of workplace inspections worksheets/checklists used to identify hazards methods used to assess risks control measures implemented reviews of workplace systems of work, or health and safety audits any action that has been taken to fix particular hazards instruction or training done to ensure staff competency health surveillance of staff maintenance of plant and equipment. Achieving the desired results It is important to keep checking that solutions to your workplace hazards are achieving the desired result. You can only ensure your control methods are working by regular monitoring and review. Meeting best practice Good hazard management will result in compliance with set performance indicators. This is a positive sign that your agency is on the way to OHS best practice. Achieving best practice in OHS risk management results in increases in staff morale decreases in workers compensation costs promotion of a safety-conscious culture in the workplace. Summary of key points Has the program achieved its purpose? Does it work? Is it being adhered to? What has been done to control the hazard and what remains to be done? Are new hazard control measures required?

Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol :: Charles Dickens Christmas Carol Essays

Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol The editor of one edition of ‘A Christmas Carol’ wrote â€Å"A story so admirably told, the details of place, of time, of person so dexterously made real for us† How does Dickens achieve this? How does he ‘A Christmas Carol’ a story which â€Å"No one could help but enjoy† In this essay I am going to be writing about the different techniques in which Dickens uses, and by using these bring people, place and time to life. Dickens cleaver use of techniques throughout this book really makes us feel as if we are actually there are selves. I think that the reason why dickens is so good at making this all seem so real to us is because when he was younger he grew up as a child in London himself, which I think would explain why this book has so much detail in it. A lot of what happens in this book most probably happened to Dickens as a boy as he used to be quite poor himself, an example of this is the cratchits Christmas dinner which I think was based on what Christmas used to be like for Dickens. Dickens motive for writing this book was so that he could make people aware of how awful it was to be poor, so he therefore wrote this in a story to try and get his point across. This is why Dickens is so good at using a range of different techniques which really create an image in are heads of what is really going on. I am mainly going to be focusing on the different techniques used in three certain passages from the book; these are going to be the description of Scrooge, the description of the shops in London and Fezziwigs ball. I have chosen these three passages as I think that they have been written in great detail and show us exactly how Dickens brings things to life and how well he does it. Even though I am focusing particularly on these passages Dickens use of techniques is constantly used throughout this book. His constant uses of adjectives throughout really create an image in are head of what something looks like or what is going on. He uses adjectives in a number of different ways but contently uses these same ways all through the book. Dickens will use listing such as â€Å"Great joints of meat, sucking pig, long wreaths of sausages, plum puddings.† He will also list three adjectives and then a noun for example â€Å"Cold, bleak, biting weather† and â€Å"Long, bare, melancholy room.† This really helps us to create an