Becoming A Knight Essays - Knight, Stock Characters, Romance

Becoming A Knight Essays - Knight, Stock Characters, Romance Becoming a Knight During the middle ages, in order to become a knight one had to go through many years of training. A knight-to-be spent at least fourteen years of his life learning the proper conduct and etiquette of knighthood. Once the years of training were completed, often an elaborate ceremony took place when the gentleman was knighted. Once knighted, the man had to live by the code of chivalry. This code had the basic guidelines of a knight's behavior. This code was so respected that abiding by it brought honor and respect from others. The education of a knight began at the age of seven. This was when a boy was taken from his home and sent to the castle of a famous noble, perhaps his father?s lord. Here he served the lord and the lady as a page until he was fourteen years old. One of the many duties of a page was to accompany the lord and lady at all times. He also waited on them during meals, and went with them on various affairs doing whatever was asked of him. As a page, he received religious instruction from the chaplain. The squires taught the page fighting skills, and gave him training in arms. The mistress and her ladies taught the page to honor and protect all women. He also learned to sing and to play the lute, in order to hunt and hawk. The most important thing that he learned during the seven years as a page was how to care for and ride a horse. This was a skill that was essential when becoming a knight, because a horse was his primary mode of transportation. At the age of fourteen, the page became a squire, and at the same time, was formally assigned to a knight. He now learned to handle a sword, lance, and to bear the weight of heavy armor. Along with his continued duties from when he was a page, he now had to carve at the dinner table, and accompany his knight to war. He was constantly receiving instructions from the knight, and attended to the knight?s personal needs. He assisted the knight with putting on his armor, and had to make sure the sword and other arms of the knight were polished. He also had to care for the knight's horse, which entailed grooming, feeding, and constant attention. The squire stood by in battles to give aid in a conflict should the knight be overmatched, and to lend his horse should his master lose his own. It was the squire who picked up the knight when he fell, and took his body away if he was injured or killed. This all lasted for the next seven years of the squire's life. At the end of th! is period, when he was twenty-one, a squire who had demonstrated his competence and worth, either by successful completion of his training or on the actual field of battle, was knighted. The ceremony of the squire becoming knighted was often very elaborate. The squire had to first take a purification bath that symbolized the purity of his new life. After the bath, he knelt or stood all night in prayer before the altar on which the armor he would wear later lay. In the morning they had a religious ritual, with perhaps a sermon on the knight?s duty to protect the weak, make wrongs right, and honor women. After this, in the courtyard in the presence of the assembled knights and fair ladies, the knight's armor was buckled on. He was presented with a pair of golden spurs, which only a knight could wear, a shining new suit of armor, a sword, a shield, a lance, and a charger. After putting on the armor piece by piece, he knelt to receive the accolade. This was a blow upon the neck or shoulder, given by the officiating lord, or knight with his fist, or with the flat of a sword. As the blows were given, the lord said, ?In the name of God and St. Michael and S! t. George, I dub thee knight; be brave and loyal.? He was now a full-fledged bachelor knight entitled to all the honors and privileges

Comparison of Women Status essays

Comparison of Women Status essays In addition to age, gender is one of the universal dimensions on which status differences are based. Gender is a social construction that specifies socially stereotyped roles that men and women are to follow. Women have always had lower status than men, but the extent of the gap between the sexes changes across cultures and time. In ancient Greek civilization, the role of women varies obviously from pre-classical times to the classical period. There was a huge social distinction between the women living in this society. Generally, there were three status levels a woman could evaluate in Ancient Athens; a citizen, a freedwoman and a slave. Citizen women gained their citizenship at birth by being born from parents who were also citizen. This kind of women generally known as respectable and had to follow specific codes regarding their public and private behavior. Freedwomen consisted of the slaves who had acquired their freedom or foreigners from other countries who had settled in Greece to live. Lastly, slaves were mostly foreigners who had been captured from conquered areas or were children of slaves. In Islam religion, there is no social distinction between women living in society obviously. On the other hand, wealth is an effective component which create social distinction between women. Greek women had not have a chance to control own right. If they were married, control went to their husband. If they divorced, control and rights went back to their father. The primary duty of respectable women were in charge of houseworks for instance, raising children, making family clothes etc. Society limited the women time at outside home. "Women run households and protect within their homes what has been carried across the sea, and without a woman no home is clean or prosperous. Consider their role in religion, for that, in my opinion, comes first ...

The Difference in the Use of Language between the Young and the Old Research Proposal

The Difference in the Use of Language between the Young and the Old Generation - Research Proposal Example It is evident that the old generation tends to differ with the young generation in their use of language when they speak. This topic is necessary in the study of language as it illustrates how the language barrier tends to affect communication between the young generation and the old generation (Cissna & Keating, 2007). The purpose of the study This study will focus on the difference in the use of language between the young and the old generation. The difference in language use between the young generation and the old generation arises from factors such as; difference in perspectives between the two generations. The other factor is the difference in the topics that are normally discussed by people belonging to the two generations, and stereotypes also contribute to this difference in language use between the young and the old generation. It is evident that the taboos that people of the old generation were exposed to influence their use of language; they are normally formal in their u se of language (Fletcher, 2007). Stereotypes also influence the difference in the use of language between the young generation and the old generation in that; the perceptions of people belonging to the young generation towards people belonging to the old generation results to a difference in the use of language between the two generations. ... These expectations, therefore, influence the difference language between the two generations (Gibb, 2008). The other factor that results to a variance in the use of language amid the young generation and the old generation is the generational perspective. In this instance, it is evident that people who lived during World War 2 and the Great depression, tend to be formal in their use of language, this is because of the belief instilled in them that the use of language contributes to respect. However, there is a generation referred to as the Baby Boomers who tend to exhibit a communication style that tends to be more personal. The other generation is generation X that exhibits little formality in their use of language. Therefore, it is true to state that the generational perspective also influences the difference in language use between the two generations (Hayes, 2003). The change in technology, which led to, the introduction of computers, phones and social media have also led to a di fference in language use between the young and the old generation. The change in technology has normally led to a generational communication style, which has also affected the language of persons belonging to the young generation. Technology has contributed to the use of slang by people of the young generation, resulting to variation in the language used by people of the old generation that tends to be restrained and formal (Day, 2007). However, the difference in the use of language between the old and the young generation has also been accompanied by some advantages. It is believed that the difference in the use of language tends to bridge the gap between the two generations. It is evident that for there to be a difference between these two generations, it is essential that a

Issues in Human Sexuality Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Issues in Human Sexuality - Essay Example Traditionally, we believed that the feminine role was an expressive one, and the masculine role as instrumental. Expressive activities of the woman fulfill internal functions, and man, on the other hand, performed the external functions of a family, such as providing monetary support. Gender identity, to a large extent, refers to an individual’s identification with male or female gender roles and behaviors and the labeling of different activities as feminine and masculine, which is largely a social construction based on stereotyped expectations regarding gender and perceived gender differences. It is recognized that individuals’ identification with masculine and feminine personality traits could vary when measured in different contexts or when gender identity was more or less salient to the other variables being examined-as found in the observations. If we closely examine the whole thing, we learn that the gender role is a set of behavioral norms associated particularly with males or females in a given social group or system. All societies, to a certain effect, have a gender/sex system, although the components and workings of this system vary widely from society to society. A persons gender role is composed of several elements and can be expressed through clothing, behavior, choice of work, personal relationships and other factors. There is nothing strange in seeing that people spontaneously categorize stereotypically masculine and stereotypically feminine traits and job labels according to gender even when the task at hand has nothing to do with gender. They are grounded in perceptions of differences between these gender categories.

Development and Diversity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Development and Diversity - Essay Example Later Thorndike added to the Pavlov’s theory by incorporating the idea of learning occurring when there was a â€Å"bond† between the stimuli and the response (Standridge, 2002). For Thorndike, the learner’s behavior could be adjusted by the presence of strong connections between the stimuli and response. B.F. Skinner added operant conditioning to the milieu and he established the concepts of reward and punishment. Rewards or praise connoted positive reinforcement. This type of reinforcement produced the necessary connections between the stimuli and response as posited by Thorndike. Likewise, punishment was considered to be negative reinforcement which causes the learner to reduce the inappropriate behavior. Skinner believed that although reinforcement increases learning, reinforcement that is given on an irregular basis allows the learning to be added to the long-term memory. Skinner’s operant conditioning was followed by Watson and eventually Guthrie est ablished his â€Å"contiguity (simultaneity of stimulus and response events)† theory (Lefrancois as cited in Standridge 2002). The behaviorist theorists all concluded that behavior could be changed through classical conditioning. In particular, behaviorist theorists combine reward and punishment in order to change the behavior of individuals. Thus, within a classroom setting, rewards and punishment are two dimensions of the behaviorist theory that still have great impact on the day to day operation of the classroom. Firstly, teachers can adopt the strategies to change the behavior of a disruptive student to more appropriate behavior. For example, if a student is continuously shouting across the classroom to other students then the teacher may choose either of two options. One, the teacher may use a simple praise tactic such as smiling with the student when he/she remains quiet in the seat or openly praising the behavior when it occurs. Secondly, the teacher may apply the nega tive reinforcement of ignoring the behavior providing that it does not cause damage to the said student or anyone else within the classroom. In ignoring the behavior the teacher does not give the student the attention that is craved by the student. In addition, the teacher may provide rewards on a minute basis such as praising the student whenever the teacher catches the student displaying the appropriate behavior. This act of rewarding appropriate behavior and negatively reinforcing inappropriate behavior is one example of learning for the behaviorists. In spite of these advantages to the classroom, the behaviorist theory has drawbacks to its use within the classroom setting. Firstly, Standridge (2002) suggests that behaviorists explore the observable behavior of individuals therefore the internal workings such as thought patterns, feelings and emotions are not included in the idea of behaviorism. Further, behaviorism considers learning that takes place due to the interaction of re inforcement and punishment but no consideration is given to behaviors that occur outside of these two elements. Moreover, Piaget suggests that individuals learn through adaption of new information into their schema. The behaviorist th

Marketing Analysis Tools for Business

Marketing Analysis Tools for Business Todays world all businesses around the world become intense competition. Companies have to find their own strongest strategies by using effective marketing tools in order to survive in the business competition. By doing that, there are many marketing tools such as SWOT analysis, PEST analysis, BCG matrix, 4P s, Porters five forces, etc. The main purpose of using these is to help the companies create and enhance their strategies so that their business performance will be improved. On this assessment, it will illustrate SWOT analysis and PEST analysis which give an understanding how they work through the business companies. To begin with SWOT analysis, it is one of the most important marketing tools that is used for analysing the business situations and strategic plannings. It is also useful for determining the new strategies by analysing the internal and external factors (Bartolomei, 2010). This strategy is beneficial for various organisations or businesses. Besides, SWOT analysis is divided into two categories which are examining on the both internal and external factors. Internal factors consist of strengths (S) and weaknesses (W), while external factors comprise opportunities (O) and threats (T) (Novicevic, Harvey, Autry and Bond lll, 2004). Thus, SWOT analysis plays a crucial key in the companies strategies to succeed. There are many examples that support conducting SWOT analysis with the companies. To begin with the first example, Zahorsky (n.d.) claimed that there are plenty of businesses have capability to aware of their inner-performance while the outer-performance are not well enough. Hence, SWOT analysis is very useful for them to examine their companies especially for small businesses. In addition, it is effective to look for the companies growth, comprehend their structure, and improve the competitive marketing and advertising. The second example is Vanichakul (2004), who is the lecturer in Thailands university, explained that SWOT analysis could be used to create the strategic planning and analyse the current situation in order that the organisations would minimise the weaknesses and threats whereas they would maximise the strengths and opportunities. However, he also gave an example that in Thailand the majority of organisations especially schools and universities applied SWOT analysis to not only create their new strategic planning but also determine their performance so as to improve their organisations consecutively. The third example is about Mcdonalds case study (The Time 100, 2009). It was discussed about SWOT analysis which could be used for multiplying the opportunities in strategic business marketing because of the different demands of each customer. Another thing, of which the companies should do, was the regular customers record. Furthermore, the strengths and weaknesses of Mcdonald were referred to brand loyalty, serving time, tastes, convenient food and the quality of food. While the opportunities and threats were referred to its competitors, target groups, menu and facilities. The fourth example is Tasmeen (2009) provided the case study of Ford by conducting SWOT analysis and considering the internal and external environment factors which influenced on Ford s performance. Additionally, the Interpublic Group of Companies was scrutinised the structure, procedures, histories and products by using SWOT analysis so as to enhance its strategic plannings (Aarkstore, 2010). Moreover, The Ashley Furniture Industries was also examined by SWOT analysis. Following this, the result of it included the history, employees, main competitors, essential product and services (Companiesandmarkets, 2010). However, there are several advantages and disadvantages for this marketing tool. Firstly, SWOT analysis is useful for businesses because of increasing the strengths of companies and reducing the weaknesses of companies. Furthermore, the analysis of opportunities and threats is to analyse the external factors, which the companies sometimes cannot control. From these reasons, SWOT analysis will enhance the image of companies and lead to the effective business performance. Secondly, SWOT analysis will help the companies to create new strategies. Due to a better business performance, the companies should aware of their weak points and build their own strong points so as to have their efficient future plans. It is certainly true that SWOT analysis is easy to adapt with a variety of situations such as selection, prioritizing important orders, facing to the unexpected problems, analysis the cause and effect of problems, generating the new project, enhancing the work effectiveness and creati ng the acquisition of knowledge. Besides, Bartolomei s article (2010) supported that the benefits of SWOT analysis are to provide and help the companies to forecast the causes and effects more explicitly. On the other hand, there are some arguments that against the advantages. For instance, there are many misunderstanding of SWOT analysis which causes problems about the quality of information such as skills, experiences, and the researchers. Another example is SWOT analysis should be repeated doing intermittently in order to examine the changes of situations and factors. Moreover, people who take responsibility for SWOT analysis could not have the bias due to avoiding the distorted information. (Novicevic, Harvey, Autry and Bond III, 2004) This part is going to discuss about PEST analysis, which is one of the marketing tools. Companies or organisations use this tool to analyse the external factors including political (P), economic (E), social (S) and technological (T) factors that are difficult to control. However, it also has impacts on the organisational or business performance. In addition, according to Haughey s thinking (n.d.), PEST analysis is the significant part of conducting a strategic planning of project. Firstly it will analyse political factors such as tax rate, labour laws, law enforcement, trade policy and charging fee as well as the certain situation of politics. Secondly, for economic factors, it will consider economic crisis, economic growth, interest rates, exchange rates, inflation and deflation. Thirdly, in term of social factors, it will pay attention to the social value, the social aspects, cultures, believes and medical cares, population growth, longer life period, unemployed rate, crime rate an d safety. Finally, the last factor, which is about technologies, will illustrate conducting Research and Development (RD), mechanization or industrialization, the development of technological motivations and the technological changes. There is an example that conducting PEST analysis with a company, which is one of the tourism industries in the UK, namely Simply Travel. According to the article, PEST analysis was influenced on the customers needs (123HelpMe, 2011). Another example is UNISON, which is the biggest public sector trade union in the UK, conducts PEST analysis in order to reach the demand of its staff and determination. Following the article, it is clearly revealed that the Migrant Workers Participation Project had a good impact on the alien employees outside Britain by using PEST analysis (The Times 100, 2010). Nevertheless, there are many benefits if the companies use PEST analysis. For instance, the companies will be aware of the extensive firm s factors. Not only does it motivate the firms to improve their strategic planning, but the firms also are cautious their risks if they need to gain more profit as well. Besides, the companies will be indicated their opportunities so that they will enhance their effective performances. Despite the fact that PEST analysis will help the companies to understand and create the up-to-date marketing strategic planning, it also has some limitations that affect its actions. For example, the dramatic change in the competitive market leads to the difficult companies situation in the future. Having a lot of information might be problem for finding the real useful information. Many people believe that PEST analysis uses for analysing the macro external environment and it is associated with others components such as their own companies, businesses and competitors (CMI, 2005). To conclude, it is obviously true that every marketing tool has not only many advantages but also many disadvantages. However, it is better to use SWOT analysis simultaneously because PEST analysis can be shown only the external factors. Therefore, SWOT analysis will be covered the internal factors analysis. Additionally, there are some suggestions that the companies should use other tools such as PRIMO-F analysis, Porters five forces in the same time (Morrison, 2010). Although, using both of PEST and SWOT analysis are beneficial, the companies should updated their information in order to avoid obsolete information. Consequently, the companies will be able to understand their performance, improve their strategic planning and compete with their other competitors.

Free Waste Land Essays: The Current Relevance :: T.S. Eliot Waste Land Essays

The Current Relevance of The Waste Land Eliot’s poem, The Waste Land, is at least as relevant to life today as it was in 1922, when it was first published. All of the themes stated at the beginning of the Norton Anthology's introduction to the poem ("spiritual dryness," a lack of "regenerating belief" to give meaning to life, and death without resurrection) are with us to an even greater degree than they were at the time the poem was first published. (Introduction 2146) The attitudes toward sexuality that are implicitly condemned throughout the work have not changed in any way that Eliot would be likely to see as an improvement, either. "The Waste Land" does not merely present an anthropological description of a culture, however, and the solution proposed by Eliot seems as relevant today as it must have been in 1922. Like Blake, Eliot constructs a personal mythology, but Eliot draws on a larger number of sources than Blake does: various religions from both the east and the west, works of literature from around the world, and works of philosophy and anthropology. Eliot refers to the fragmentary references throughout the poem at the end of the poem by saying, "These fragments I have shored against my ruins" -- that is, Eliot has taken fragmentary references and pieced them together in an attempt to come to grips with the modern situation in which he finds himself. (line 431) The references from the poem are nearly always references to the past, when a cultural heritage was common to an entire people, the themes described in the Norton Anthology's introduction were nonexistent (or were problematic to a much lesser degr ee than in the modern era), and when sexuality found its expression in a context Eliot would have seen as appropriate -- a mature relationship between men and women that expresses both love and physical passion. Perhaps more important than the building of this personal mythology, however, is the solution Eliot explicitly offers in "What the Thunder Said." Eliot weaves in a Hindu story in which gods, devils, and humans each ask their common father, Prajapati, for advice.