Odysseus vs. Gilgamesh Essay Example For Students

Odysseus vs. Gilgamesh Essay Character is built in several different ways. Some may view character as how one handles a certain hectic situation or how well one person treats another. A true definition character contains these elements, but ones character is built and developed mainly on how one picks and chooses his time to act and his time to wait. This definition refers to restraint and discipline. Gilgamesh and Homers The Odyssey uses many instances in which the main characters must use incredible restraint to protect not only themselves, but also the ones they care for and love. Although both stories use this theme of self-control and discipline to develop certain personalities, each one tells a different account of how these characters are viewed by their fellow men and women and the rewards that come from showing the traits of restraint and self-will. In Gilgamesh, the character that holds back and exhibits patience is viewed as a coward, as Gilgamesh believes, and is a sign of a lack of bravery and confidence. The way that patience is portrayed in Gilgamesh reflects how the society of the time feels about everything in their lives. The author of this story wants the reader to believe that one must not hesitate and must act decisively and quickly. Opposing this belief, Odysseus holds back emotions of rage and homesickness in order to complete the task at hand. Homer, living in Greek society, understood that his people thought more about the problem before coming to a quick conclusion and then acting on it impulsively. So, although both stories repeat the concepts of self-restraint and discipline as character building qualities, they differ in the way that these attributes build or weaken a personality. The story of Gilgamesh begins in the ancient Middle East, a land that was mainly war-faring and used take by force tactics to gain leadership, power, and fame. Since this was the prevailing opinions, the authors, few may it be, tended to define their heroes as men of quick, vicious action. Those who hesitated were run over by those who didnt. Character was built based on ones ability to act quickly and without uncertainty. Gilgamesh was involved in several situations in which he could choose to wait and act later or push forward and complete the task at hand. Gilgameshs brother, Enkidu, also did not use restraint in several of his performances. The very first instance of Enkidu doing such is when he is tempted by the harlot. Enkidu is half man and half beast when this happens. There he is. Now, woman, make your breasts bare, have no shame, do not delay, but welcome his love She was not ashamed to take him, she made herself naked and welcomed his eagerness (Gilgamesh 20). Enkidu did not refrain in the least from leaving his animal ways to go to the tempting woman. When he tried to return to the beast after his six days of passion, they rejected him, for he was now fully human. Because of his lack of will-power, Enkidu lost his life in the wild, but he also gained his life in the manly world. His character as a human was reinforced and was now stronger and wiser than before. A second example of a lack of patience comes from Gilgamesh in his decision to travel into the Cedar Forest and fight the terrible Humbaba. One day, he decides to fulfill his destiny and make a name for himself, and the next day, he is on his way. Gilgamesh does not think of the recourses of his actions and does not plan his adventure carefully and wisely. Even the elders tell him, you are young, your courage carries you too far, you cannot know what this enterprise means which you plan (Gilgamesh 25). As they continued to warn him of Humbabas strength, Gilgamesh paid no attention. Gilgamesh continues on with his plans, and Enkidu and Gilgamesh slay Humbaba. They are welcomed home with great appreciation by the people of Uruk, and all know that there character cannot be topped. Homeless in America EssayAfter this scare, Odysseus would never use such reckless abandon again. His character had been developed after this situation, but not because he succeeded, but because he had escaped with his life. Several more instances occur threw his telling of his journey, where Odysseus shows great will-power in making decisions, but some of the most important character-building occurrences happen as he re-enters his home city of Ithaka. Disguised as a beggar, Odysseus must first take a verbal and physical assault from one of his own workers, Melanthios. He is cussed for being a dirty beggar and then kicked in the hip. It takes Odysseus all of his strength to hold back from killing Melanthios in one blow, but he does hold back, and he keeps the secret of his arrival safe. After he has arrived at his own palace, Odysseus has been informed by Athena that he must beg the suitors for bread. He uses his experiences with each suitor to determine their capability and if they will be a problem. Once again, Odysseus must beg from the men who are taking house and home from him, and he does this with great cunning and discipline. The most difficult occurrence of Odysseus holding back happens when Antinoos becomes enraged with a comment that Odysseus had made. Antinoos responded, You think youll shuffle off and get away after that impudence? Oh, no you dont! The stool he let fly hit the mans (Odysseus) right shoulder Odysseus only shook his head, containing thoughts of bloody work (The Odyssey 426). The man that Odysseus was about to kill had physically struck him, refused to give him food and told him to get his filthy rags out of the room. As the reader of The Odyssey view this happening, they can only gain great respect for Odysseus great determination to wait for the right time. Normal people could not stand what he was going through without lashing out, but Odysseus held strong, and his character is shown to be even stronger than before. Homer builds Odysseus character slowly through the story and allows Odysseus to learn from his mistakes. Homer allowed his characters to develop through experience, thought and rationale. The ancient epics of Gilgamesh and The Odyssey both use many instances of restraint and discipline to help further develop the character of Gilgamesh, Enkidu, and Odysseus. This similarity is only true in that the heroes were developed through these qualities, but the stories differ in how each hero uses self-restraint to their advantage. Gilgamesh shows little or no rational thought before he tackled a challenge. He moved forward regardless, and he succeeded. His lack of self-discipline did not hurt his character, for he won each battle, and his people viewed him as a hero. In contrast, Odysseus at times did not show restraint and was punished for his actions. He only succeeded when he was able to hold back his raging emotions and wait for the time to strike. For this, Odysseus was praised as a leader and hero. Homer and the author of Gilgamesh both tell wonderful stories of adventure and conquest, but their stories also reflect the societies in which each lived. Regardless of the fact that Gilgamesh and Odysseus gained character in opposite ways, both societies in which they lived recognized their accomplishments and how they were achieved. Both societies accepted Odysseus and Gilgamesh as great heroes, and Homer and the author of Gilgamesh were successful in creating such developed characters.

Nucleosynthesis Essays - Nuclear Physics, Nuclear Chemistry

Nucleosynthesis The big bang which created the universe, only created the elements Hydrogen (H) and Helium (He) and possibly a very small amount of Lithium (Li). However, a glance at the periodic table of the elements shows that today (some 15 billion years after the big bang) there are at least 108 known elements. Every atom of every element heavier than Li has been produced since the big bang! The factories which make these elements are stars. Nucleosynthesis or the synthesis of nuclei, is the process by which stars (which start out consisting mostly of H and He) produce all other elements. The key is nuclear fusion, in which small nuclei are joined together to form a larger nucleus. (This contrasts with nuclear fission, in which a large nucleus breaks apart to form two smaller nuclei). Fusion requires an extremely large amount of energy (see fig. 1), and can typically only take place in the centers of stars. FIGURE 1 a) Low energy proton is strongly repelled by the 7Be nucleus.b) High energy proton moves so fast that it can strike the 7Be nucleus. Once the proton touches the nucleus, it has a chance to stick. If the proton sticks, the 7Be becomes a 8B nucleus.c) 8B is radioactive and changes into 8Be plus a positron (b+) and a neutrino (n). 8Be is itself radioactive, and almost immediately breaks into two 4He nuclei. Protons repel each other. This repulsion becomes stronger as the protons get closer together (just like when you try to stick two magnets together north to north, or south to south. Try this! As you push the magnets closer together, it becomes harder to do). However, if the protons can actually touch each other, they have a chance to stick together! This is because of the strong nuclear force which attracts nucleons (protons or neutrons) together, and is much stronger (at close range) than the electromagnetic force repulsion that makes protons repel other protons. (Magnets do not do this: two like poles will never stick together). In order to get a proton to strike another proton (or a nucleus that contains several protons) they must be traveling at high relative speeds; if their closing velocity is not great enough, they will never get close enough to stick together, because they strongly repel each other. But, just as you can make two of the same magnetic poles touch each other by providing sufficient force, so too can protons touch when they have sufficient relative speed. This can take place in the center of the sun, where the temperature is extremely high. Temperature is related to atomic motion: the hotter something is, the faster its atoms are moving [] see demo food coloring in water[]. Table 1 shows the nuclear reactions that are taking place in our sun, as well as nuclear reactions that take place in stars that are either older than our sun, or hotter than our sun. The reactions in columns 2 and 3 occur after a star has entered the red giant phase. How fast a star evolves to this point depends on its mass: stars heavier than the sun can reach this phase in less than 5 billion years (the age of the sun) whereas stars with about our sun's mass take about 10 billion years to get there. The particles you may be unfamiliar with are: n the neutrino, g a gamma ray (high energy light wave), and b+ the positron (the antimatter version of the electron). TABLE 1. NUCLEAR REACTIONS IN STARS OUR SUN NOW OLDER, OR HOTTER STARS p + p ? 2H + b+ + n 4He + 4He ? 8Be + g 12C + p ? 13N + g 2H + p ? 3He + g 8Be + 4He ? 12C + g 13N ? 13C + b+ + n 3He + 3He ? 4He + p + p 12C + 4He ? 16O + g T1/2 = 10 min 16O + 4He ? 20Ne + g 13C + p ? 14N + g 3He + 4He ? 7Be + g 20Ne + 4He ? 24Mg + g 14N + p ? 15O + g 7Be + p ? 8B + g 15O ? 15N + b+ + n 8B ? 8Be + b+ + n

Music in American Culture free essay sample

Music is completely different in America then any other country in the world. There are many deferent genres of music . Whatever kind of music you want to listen to, America has It. One of the genres In American society today are rock, which has different types such as classic, alternative, and heavy. Another very popular genre is rap, which is popular among the youth of the nation. Besides rap, a very popular genre is country, which has an ever-growing fan base. Rock music has been around since 1950 and has been quite influential among the enervation of people who have listened to It all their lives.One of the biggest pioneers of American classic rock Is Elvis Presley, Is known worldwide and is still listened to today. Presley created a catchy class of rock that almost every American from that era and the generations that followed enjoy. I am from Gloucester City, New Jersey. We will write a custom essay sample on Music in American Culture or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page , people consider it the birthplace of rock and roll. Bill Haley and the Comets played six nights a week at what is now Jacks Twin Bar. Bill Haley and the Comets are considered the original rock and roll band as well as the band that paved the way for o many bands and solo artists to blossom and become a part of American culture. Alternative rock became pretty big In the asses with bands Like Nirvana and Creed that led the way. Nirvana was such a force when they hit the music scene. The world had never seen anything like them. Their songs were popular and received mainstream acknowledgement. The song Smells like Teen Spirit was voted the greatest song of the ass. Their only fame and success was cut short because the lead singer, Kurt Cabin, killed himself after a long, strenuous battle, against drugs. After this tragic event the band split up and went their own way. One of the members went on to form the band Off Fighters which also became a popular alternative rock band. Another popular band was known as Creed. They formed after the Nirvana hysteria started to fade away. Creed was popular in the late asses and early asses. Throughout their time on top of the rock world Creed had accumulated multiple ARIA( Recording Industry Association of America ) certifications as well as a three Grammar nominations, winning one of these Grammar nominations for the song With Arms Wide Open. Heavy metal rock Is beginning to form a cult following.Not as mainstream as other hypes of music but it is starting to make a name for itself. The original pioneer of heavy metal is Metallic. Their hits are influential among most of the heavy metal bands that are active today. The song Enter Sandman is widely known as one of the greatest metal songs of all time. Rap Is completely different then any genre of music you have ever heard. In the asses rock was not the only popular type of music. What Is now considered old- school rap was quite popular in its day. Artists like Outpace, Biggie Smalls, and Snoop Dog paved the way for todays rap artists. These artists were popular all throughout he asses and their hits are still listened too regularly. What derailed Outpace and Baggies careers were their deaths. Snoop Dog is still popular today since he has adjusted his style to the ever-changing times. Today, the rap game as it is referred to has evolved to a mixture of fast beats and a quick mind. Amine, Ill Wayne, and three of these rappers became popular at a very young age. Amine is widely considered one of the greatest rappers of all time. This is an even tougher accomplishment and feat to achieve because he is white. Most rappers are African-American.For Amine to be white and come out with so many songs and raps is probably one of the hardest goals to fulfill in life. But he did not let that get in the way of him and success. In the summer of 2000 when he came out with the song The Real Slim Shady he set the rap world ablaze. That was the most instrumental song for paving the way to his successful career as a rap artist. Ill Wayne has had so many songs on the radio as well as underground hits that are still garnering followers each and everyday. Starting with the song Go D] Ill Nannys career skyrocketed. The aspect people like about Ill Wayne is his flow. FlowIS how good you make a particular line or verse sound. If you want to be considered a good rapper the you have to have flow. In Ill Wanes songs his lyrics do not even make sense, the reason everyone overlooks this and listens is because he makes it sound good. This is why having flow is so important. Wiz Kalmia has not been a household name in the rap world for a long time but sure has made a name for himself in the brief period he has been in the game. Since 2008, Wiz Kalmia has steadily risen to the top. Starting with his first big hit Say Yeah Nix Kalmia has been working as hard as he can to get to the top.Finally in 2011, after all the hard work and effort put into the cause. Wiz Kalmia is considered one of the best rappers out there with so much potential to be one of the greatest of all time. Country music has become very popular in American culture in recent years. Artists such as Kenny Cheney, Brad Paisley, and Keith Urban have been leading the Nay and being main contributors to country musics mainstream popularity. Kenny Cheney has been involved in the country music world since he was in college. He began to gain some steam in 1994 and never looked back. From that point on he has en producing hit after hit and is still one of country musics top artists. Brad Paisley started making music at a very early age and has never looked back. All throughout his childhood and teen years he has been producing songs of the country genre and finally made a breakthrough with the 2003 album Mud on the Tires. From that point on, Brad Paisley has been at the top of the country music Nor and has not looked back. Keith Urban has been getting it done on the country music scene from an early age as well. All the work he put in as a child, teen, and young adult has led to the success he enjoys today.The pivotal moment in his career came when he released the hit Somebody Like You. From that point on he has etched his name in the list of country musics all time greatest artists. As you can see, all of these genres of music are combined and mixed into American culture. There is a type of music for any person. Whether it be rock, rap, or country, there is something for anyone. Music helps to shape our society and these genres are the most influential in that aspect. To your taste , these kinds of music may be abnormal or abrasive, however to American society, these kinds of music are Nay of life.

Ellectoral College essays

Ellectoral College essays The Electoral College has been used to elect the President since the beginnings of the United States. In the two hundred some odd years of history, there have been instances when the college did not work. There have been many ideas that have floated around about fixing the problem with the electorate. Then again, there are many plusses to using the Electoral College system. In an election, the President is elected not by the popular vote, but by the votes of the electorates. The electorates are representative of each state. There are a number of electorates per state equal to the amount of persons in both the House of Representatives, and the Senate. The District of Columbia also has three votes to cast. One of the major drawbacks to the Electoral College is the fact that it can at times be very undemocratic. If a candidate wins the votes in certain states, and gets all their electoral votes, it is possible to win the Presidency, without getting the most popular vote. In the 1800s, there were three instances where the Electoral College disagreed with the popular vote. On the same note, in 1968, the race would have ended up in congress shy of a few votes for George Wallace. Again in 1976, the electoral vote gave Gerald Ford the victory even though Jimmy Carter one the most popular support. How would you fix this problem, there is no easy answer to this question. One way to solve this is send percentages of electoral votes, or ignore the winner-take all system. For instance, say that in Florida, who has 25 votes, 80 percent of the popular vote supports the democratic nomination, whereas the other 20 percent went for the republican nomination. Then 20 electoral votes would go to the democrat, and 5 would go to the republican. Another way to solve this problem would be to base electoral votes solely on the population, separate the nation into regions with approximately the same population, and give them each votes...

Diversity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 5

Diversity - Essay Example CEI is an indication of zero tolerance to discrimination in the workplace, especially with reference to the LGBT community. The rating of corporations in terms of their CEI displays to the public companies with good and ethical practices in terms of their corporate cultures. For a company to appear in the list of top ten LGBT companies, it has to exhibit maximum CEI. This compels potential employers of LGBT community to develop their organizational cultures with gender orientation in mind. Consequently, the 100 percent CEI requirement is a good initiative of checking workplace discrimination on LGBT community in a work environment crippled by dearth of LGBT workplace protection law. Human rights must be protected from all dimensions. Every member of the society deserves to enjoy protection against discrimination of whatever kind. Consequently, it is difficult to object the demand by Diversity Inc’s requirement of 100 percent CEI for companies listed in their website, which is a public exhibition of companies that are socially responsible and zero tolerant to workplace

The Impact of the Increase of Cigarette Taxes Term Paper

The Impact of the Increase of Cigarette Taxes - Term Paper Example This term paper focuses mostly on the implication of the increased cigarette tax to smokers, to the target beneficiary of the law and to the government. The researcher also gives light on how the cigarette tax is implemented. Studies and articles reviewed in the paper show strong indication of positive and negative effects of additional cigarette taxes. It has pointed out that the low-income earners and the youth are the categories of smokers who are most likely to quit due to the economic reason of price. The real loser in any price increase is the smoking public who shoulders the cost passed on to them by manufacturers, distributors, and retailers through the tiers of taxes imposed by the government. The positive growth of government revenue is shown as tax increases government income. As a source of revenue, tax collections increase as higher taxes are imposed thereby providing a source of revenue for project allotments. In this term paper, the tax hike in 2009 is intended to bene fit the expansion of the State Children Insurance Program. But this is contradicted that the amount of collection will not be sufficient to support this program. The researcher then concludes that cigarette tax is a conflicting policy that has to be weighed in terms of revenue generation, health promotion, and social considerations. However, it is an economic tool that balances economic and social policy. In Asian experience, their policy favored the tax increase, in the same way, that this year, US has implemented cigar tax hike.

The Cost of Conflict Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Cost of Conflict - Essay Example There was a recent business article which featured two former Boeing employees. During the time, Michael Sears was the CFO and Darleen Druyun was the corporate vice president. Darleen decided to retire earlier from the Air force as a Number 2 acquisition executive. The beginning of the events that transpired was sparked by Darleen requesting Sears for jobs for two of family members. Darleen allocated a contract to Boeing out of the appreciation for the company for offering her and her two family members. This was seen as not only unprofessional and breach of codes of conduct but also a violation of established legislation. From the viewpoints of the participants the cost of this conflict could be seen both in terms of economy and development of the organization. It should be noted that the contracts were awarded not on the basis of merit but as a result of paying back for a favor done. This could have detrimental economic impacts to the company. This conflict had the potential of bringing down the company since the employees were not picked on the basis of their qualifications for the jobs they were expected to perform. The implication of this is that the employees could not be trusted to discharge their duties with the professionalism and dedication deserved. This conflict was resolved in court. Since it was a matter of breach not only to the professional codes of conduct but a matter of contravention to the contract law, the matter was brought before the court. Since both the participants were guilty, Darleen was sentenced to nine month’s imprisonment because of awarding the contract not out of qualification but gratitude because she and her two family members were given jobs by the company. Similarly, Sears was sentenced to four months in prison the reason being that he handled the employment in an improper way. He improperly and unprofessionally