Marco Polo s Travels Over The Maritime Route - 1009 Words

Introduction Thirteenth century Europe was marked by a period curiosity of life outside the western world. Little was known of the cultures in Asia and Southeast Asia. This changed when Venetian trader and explorer, Marco Polo published his travelogue accounting for his voyages in the east. Polo was extremely influential to geography, Europe’s trade industry, as well as to future curious travelers. He was the first explorer to travel as far as China and report of his findings. Consequently, seldom was known of the customs and cultures abroad. Marco traveled from Venice to China using both the Maritime route, as well as the Silk Road. For this paper however, I am solely focusing on Marco Polo’s travels over the Maritime route. More specifically, his reports of the coastal trade, customs, and cultures he encountered through this journey. Provinces of India, the coastal islands of Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and China will be discussed, along with background i nformation of Polo, his itinerary, and an analysis of his findings. II. Background Marco Polo was born in Venice in 1254 to a noble merchant family. His mother passed away when he was a child and his father, Nicolo, spent much of Marco’s childhood traveling. In 1260 Nicolo and his brother Maffeo traveled to Mongolia where they met the Mongolian ruler, Kublai Khan. Khan welcomed the Polos and took great interest in the information they shared with him regarding Europe. Kublai was especiallyShow MoreRelatedEurope and the New World: New Encounters4462 Words   |  18 Pagescurious about lands outside of Europe Economic Motives ⠝â€" Although Muslim control of Central Asia cut Europe off from the countries farther east, the Mongol conquests in the 13thc reopened the doors ⠝â€" Marco Polo went to the court of Kublai Kahn in 1271 âž ¢ His account of his experiences, the Travels was the most informative of all descriptions of Asia by ME travelers ⠝â€" In the 14th, the conquests of the Ottoman Turks and then the breakup of the Mongol Empire reduced Western traffic to the East

Drake free essay sample

October 24th 1986, as mixed race and Jewish. His mother and father got divorced when he was about five years old and was raised by his mother in the Jewish community in Forest Hill. Forest Hill Collegiate Institute was the school that Graham had gone to he said, They didnt understand what it was like to be the only African American and Jewish kid in an all-white high school. While attending Forest Hill HighSchool there was a class mate thats dad was in agent in the entertainment industry, after auditioning for the part Of Jimmy Brooks on the Canadian ten hit show Degrades: The Next Generation in 2001. Graham had been a part of the show for about seven years and had earned Young Artist Award for Best Ensemble in the dramatic hit TV show Degrades: The Next Generation. While still performing on the TV show Degrades Graham was trying to transform into the world of hip-hop. We will write a custom essay sample on Drake or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The mistake Room for Improvement was released in 2006 that sold about 6,000 copies.In 2007 Drake released his second mistake called Comeback Season. Comeback Season that also released his first music video called Replacement Girl, Shortly after he got cut from the TV drama Degrades. Even though he was rapping he wouldnt make a living off of it so he had to find a day job, but just in time in 2008 he received an a very unexpected phone call from the famous rap star Ill Wayne who had asked IM to get on an air plane that night to join him on his tour and Drake agreed. Drake free essay sample Dates Musical theater Canadian Aubrey Drake Graham was born October 24th 1986, as mixed race and Jewish. His mother and father got divorced when he was about five years old and was raised by his mother in the Jewish community In Forest Hill. Forest Hill Collegiate Institute was the school that Graham had gone to he said, They TLD understand what It was like to be the only African American and Jewish kid In an all-white high school.While attending Forest Hill High School there was a class mate thats dad was In agent In the entertainment Industry, after outlining for the part of Jimmy Brooks on the Canadian ten hit show Degrades: The Next Generation In 2001. Graham had been a part of the show for about seven years and had earned Young Artist Award for Best Ensemble in the dramatic hit TV show Degrades: The Next Generation. While still performing on the TV show Degrades Graham was trying to transform into the oral of hip-hop. We will write a custom essay sample on Drake or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The mistake Room for Improvement was released in 2006 that sold about 6,000 copies. In 2007 Drake released his second mistake called Comeback Season. Comeback Season that also released his first music video called Replacement Girl, Shortly after he got cut from the TV drama Degrades. Even though he was rapping he wouldnt make a living off of it so he had to find a day job, but just In time in 2008 he received an a very unexpected phone call from the famous rap star IllWayne who had asked him to get on an air plane that night to Join him on his tour and Drake agreed. The phone call in 2008 has changed Drakes life dramatically to becoming on top in the hip hop music world. After going on tour he had released his third mistake called So Far Gone on February 2009, one of my many favorite mistakes. The song best I ever had went to number 2 on billboards top 100 singles charts. From 2007 to about 2012 drake has had a dramatic change in the hip hop world of music.

How does Shakespeare use conflict in Romeo and Juliet Act 1 Scene 1 Essay Example

How does Shakespeare use conflict in Romeo and Juliet Act 1 Scene 1 Paper In this essay I will address how conflict is successfully used in Act 1 Scene 1 to prepare the audience for the rest of the play. It will firstly show how Shakespeare uses physical conflict between the two feuding families. Secondly I will demonstrate the idea that Shakespeare introduces emotional conflict through the character of Romeo, and his outpourings of love for Rosaline. Finally I will show that the character of Romeo demonstrates both physical or external conflict and emotional or internal conflict. The purpose of the prologue is to clearly outline the plot of the whole play in fourteen lines and it also allows the audience to be settled before the actual play properly starts. The audience gets a glimpse of the rest of the play, it is introducing the idea that there is conflict; for instance â€Å"death-marked love† gives the idea of love not being positive, but is hinting that love is in fact negative as it relates to death. The prologue is a fourteen-line sonnet; it rhymes alternately till the last two lines where the sentences end in rhyming couplets indicating to the audience that the first act is beginning. We will write a custom essay sample on How does Shakespeare use conflict in Romeo and Juliet Act 1 Scene 1 specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on How does Shakespeare use conflict in Romeo and Juliet Act 1 Scene 1 specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on How does Shakespeare use conflict in Romeo and Juliet Act 1 Scene 1 specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The audience watching the play would associate a sonnet with love. However the audience is made aware that death and violence are going to be a major part of the play due to very angry, violent and aggressive words; these include â€Å"death†, â€Å"rage† and also â€Å"mutiny†. We are also told that â€Å"from ancient grudge break to new mutiny† which describes a history â€Å"ancient† long standing conflict between the two families. We also learn that there is a â€Å"continuance of the parents’ rage† indicating to the audience that this conflict is still on-going and unlikely to be easily resolved. Act 1 Scene 1 opens with Gregory and Sampson of the house of Capulet, in a public place in Verona City which shows immediately where the story will take place. From the outset it is clear that the servants are looking for physical conflict, as they are ‘armed with swords and bucklers’. At this time gentlemen wore swords, but servants usually didn’t, so by being armed it is obvious that Gregory and Sampson are looking for trouble. The language of the two servants is very masculine â€Å"we’ll draw† (swords) gives the audience the idea that Sampson is looking for a fight. We learn that he â€Å"will take the wall of any man or maid of Montague† learly demonstrating he will not run from any conflict with the Montagues. However, Gregory is not as interested in taking part in this conflict but is more interested in talking with his mouth rather than his sword. â€Å"If thou art moved, thou runn’st away† shows how he would rather goad Sampson and challenge his masculinity with the clever use of words. The language used during the interaction between the two servants, such as addressing each other as â€Å"thou† is very upper class and not the language of a servant. This would appeal to the nobility and the upper classes in the audience. This scene is also very comedic; it does this to show the lighter side of the conflict within Romeo and Juliet. One way it is funny is when talking about the male sexual slurs â€Å"My naked weapon is out† is referring to his sword in a sexual way, which will entertain the audience. Another comedic feature is how Gregory can change the context of Samsons words. Sampson states that â€Å"we’ll not carry coals† meaning that they will not be accept any goading by the Montague then Gregory replies â€Å"No, for then we should be colliers† (coal miners) this is funny as he changed the context of carrying coals to mock Samson. The first encounter between the two families begins when servants of the two households Sampson and Gregory (Capulet) meet Abraham and Balthasar (Montague). Sampson symbolically bites his thumb; this indicates that he is looking for a fight. Again we see conflict being introduced as biting your thumb at someone was an insulting gesture. He does this to stir things up between the two families; admitting that â€Å"I do bite my thumb, sir† the audience would probably see him as a trouble maker and the source of conflict. However their view of him could change because he starts to back down due to finding out the law isn’t on his side and we learn that he does â€Å" not bite my thumb at you, sir. † At this point the audience would then begin to view him as weak. The noble Benvolio (cousin of Romeo) is the peacemaker as he tries to stop the fight and orders them to â€Å"Part, fools! † It is significant that it is Benvolio who is the peacemaker as his name means good will. However, Tybalt (Capulet) comes along and will not â€Å"talk of peace! I hate the word,† leaving Benvolio with no choice but to continue the conflict. The citizens of Verona are obviously sick of the conflict that exists between the Capulets and Montague, as they shout â€Å"Down with the Capulets! Down with the Montague! † So it is clear that the people of Verona do not like the frequent civil wars. This negativity towards conflict could also be seen as a metaphor for maintaining the peace in Shakespearean society. The prince is introduced as the person who tries to maintain order and peace in Verona; he does this firstly by calling to the mob. Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace,† By addressing them as rebellious he shows them as being outside of the law. He also threatens them with torture to control the citizens so he has to address them with ferocity. This is something that the audience would relate to because peace existed at his time during Elizabeth’s rule. However to remain in power Tudor kings and Queens would use torture and execution to control any â€Å"Rebellious subjects†. Torture in the 16th century usually ended in death. With the loss of fingers and then larger limbs, death would usually follow. The rack was also being a predominant means of torture. Shakespeare uses metaphors to add dramatic effect, â€Å"purple fountains issuing from your veins† refers to spilled blood due to the civil brawl; this emphasises that he will not tolerate the feud. Personification is also used when the Prince tells the citizens to â€Å"throw your mistemper’d weapons to the ground† he is talking about the weapons having human traits when they are being used for the wrong reasons. Once again he is emphasising how he feels that fighting is not the answer. Lady Montague’s dialogue shows she is worried about Romeo being involved in the fighting, because she cares about his well being, she asks Benvolio â€Å"Romeo? Saw you him to-day? † However Benvolio is able to tell lady Montague that Romeo wasn’t at the battle and that he was in the forests with a â€Å"troubled mind† introducing the idea of emotional conflict. We further learn of Romeo’s emotional state of mind when Montague describes Romeo’s behaviour as â€Å"black and portentous†. He says that even when it is day he â€Å"pens himself† in his â€Å"chamber† and â€Å"shuts up his windows†. This description of Romeo allows the first scene to change direction from physical conflict to emotional conflict. The audience’s first impression of Romeo is that he is very dark and mysterious due to his habit of locking himself in his room. However the audience at the same time will be intrigued to find out what has caused this depressive behaviour. The question is asked by Benvolio â€Å"do you know the cause? † which would echo the audiences thoughts. The audience learns more of the character of Romeo when Montague compares his son o a flower and how â€Å"the bud bit with an envious worm, Ere he can spread his sweet leaves to the air. † This metaphor enables the audience to learn more about Romeo’s nature, by comparing him to a flower the impression of Romeo is that he is more delicate than the previous characters. The audience learn that Romeo’s emotional inner conflict is due to his love for a beautiful woman (Rosaline) who has rejected his advances. This male suffering was a popular theme in love poetry of this time and was echoed by authors such as John Donne in Sweetest Love, I do not go â€Å"When thou weepst, unkindly kind, my lifes blood doth decay. Romeos dilemma is similar to that of Petrarch who loved a girl called Laura, this identifies Romeo to the audience as a Petrarchan Lover. As the passage moves on we learn more of Romeos inner conflict. His state of mind is demonstrated by the use of oxymorons â€Å"loving hate† â€Å"heavy lightness† and â€Å"sick health† all give a clear indication of how the use of opposites echo the turbulent state of his mind. The sentences are also disjointed when he describes his love he jumps from â€Å"Mis-shapen chaos † to â€Å" cold fire, sick health! which further reflects his confusion because of his unrequited love. However Romeos mood changes and this is indicated by blank verses (iambic pentameters) when he further describes what love means to him. This style of writing helps to make the script flow which demonstrates how Romeos love flows. His feelings of what love means to him are further reinforced by the inclusion of rhyme â€Å"shown, own† â€Å"sighs; eyes;† and â€Å"discreet, sweet†. This elevation in language is reiterated in the language that he uses when he later describes his feelings for Juliet. The audience learns more about Romeos mysterious love when he compares her to Dian. Dian was the goddess of chastity and this gives the audience an indication of the true nature of his love. She is described as having â€Å"Dian’s wit† therefore by comparing her to a goddess she is intelligent and yet has the body of a goddess. The fact that she wants to â€Å"live chaste† and â€Å"Cuts beauty off from all posterity† supports the idea that she will never return his love and adds to his emotional conflict causing Romeo to become depressed. We learn that Romeo declares that he cannot even bare to say her name and he asks â€Å"Bid a sick man in sadness make his will:† Emphasizing the idea that to say her name would cause him to die. Conflict is again reinforced in his love for Rosaline, when he talks about his fight to win over Rosaline. He describes it as a battlefield where he uses words such as â€Å"siege. † These are not words usually associated with love but by saying them the conflict that exists can be seen as both emotional and physical. Benvolio gives Romeo the advice that he should â€Å"Examine other Beauties† Romeo says that this would only make things worse. He likens it to a man that is struck blind can’t forget that he once could see â€Å"his eyesight lost†. Once again Romeo is emphasising that he can never forget his love and the emotions that he is feeling can be related to something physical such as losing his sight. The first act introduces the audience to more details of the physical conflict in Verona that was mentioned in the prologue. We learn that this long standing feud is between the Capulet and Montague families. However it is a feud â€Å"bred of an airy word† demonstrating that it is so longstanding that nobody really knows how it started. Romeo who is a member of the Montague family is key to the idea of conflict and brings together both physical and emotional conflicts. He is himself suffering inner emotional conflict because of his love for a woman who â€Å"hath forsworn to love† and so cannot return his love. Romeos father likens him to a flower that has not â€Å"spread his sweet leaves† this points to the idea that he is not a strong and forceful male. But instead the ideal person to become embroiled in the love affair indicated in the prologue. The emotional conflict that he feels is linked to the physical conflict that is happening around him, by his choice of words when he likens his love to a battle by his use of the word â€Å"siege†. This linking is further reinforced when Romeo likens the idea of emotional conflict to the physical conflict of losing his sight. It is my belief that Shakespeare uses conflict in Act 1 Scene 1 to prepare the audience for the conflicts that exist between the two families and to introduce them to the character of Romeos and how his emotional instability will affect the rest of the play.

Speedway Museum essays

Speedway Museum essays The Speed Art Museum was built in 1927 and is located in Louisville, Kentucky. The museum has a distinguished collection of 17th Century Dutch and Fleming paintings, 18th Century French art, Renaissance, Baroque tapestries, a lot of contemporary American paintings and sculptures, as well as African and Native American works. I was very impressed with the layout of the Museum and how the parking lot area and the Museum grounds are very well kept. I should add that the personnel were very courteous. My favorite painting was Adoration of the Shepperds by Paolo de Matties; the painting shows Christ soon after birth, the shepperds, and some stable animals. It shows how the shepperds were led by the angels to the manger to praise and pay homage to the Baby Jesus who radiates a miraculous glowing light. The whole painting is so alive; Virgen Mary beside Baby Jesus in the manger is the pure reflection of happiness and hope for the whole world. I believe this represents the salvation of the human being by having Jesus Christ born. There were some other paintings that caught my eyes; one in particular was one called The Newspaper Boy. The painting seems to come alive and at things you thought the boy was going to walk out of the painting. The colors are vivid and flow into each other effortlessly with no apparent seams or edges. The details of the back ground are dramatic in every detail, the painter didnt miss anything from the snow flakes to the street lamps to the curding with gutters. Along with all of the paintings there is a large variety of other art such as vases, urns, bowls, sculptures, masks, tapestries, and headdresses. These items ranged from early human to American Indian with items from almost every era in history. There was also some modern works placed throughout the museum at various points so not to interfere with the timeline of each area. The painting that I dislike the most ...

The Things They Carried Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The Things They Carried - Article Example In the rest of the story these items are used as a way of emphasizing the different kinds of emotional baggage that each man carries with him. Jimmy’s photographs signify his innocence and inexperience, while other photographs are used to remember partners and children. Some items denote rank, others denote role in the army, and still others provide much needed reminders of life at home, far from the war. One question which the book explores is how far the men live out their predestined fates – some returning from the war unharmed, while others are killed, and still others are damaged by physical or mental injury. By basing the story around these tiny objects, the author seems to be saying that people’s lives can be mapped out just from looking at what they have on their person. In some ways the book confirms this initial impression that everyone just follows a set plan, as if the objects are a map to the path that the person is fated to follow, but in other ways there is a deeper questioning of the whole meaning of war. It seems to me that the book is showing the reader that human life is not negotiable, and it is predestined to go a certain way, which in turn is decoded through everyday objects. It is true that people are largely controlled by a larger fate, but at the same time acts of heroism and love single out moments when people make moral choices, and this is not due to fate. The point is that acting out of free will is an exceptional thing, while following along a predetermined path is what most people find themselves

Kingdom Business Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Kingdom Business - Personal Statement Example However, the pressure to make profits and to prosper makes it challenging to keep from losing faith and one can only pray for courage and strength to stay true to one's beliefs (Eldred, 2005). However, this ability has far reaching effects. According to Baitu (2006), the challenge of today's landscape should not just focus on the bottom line. Business also have a social responsibility to help alleviate the ills of society and to create opportunities. And this is not just because of altruism. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (2005) says for example that companies should be part of development so that their potentials too can be nourished. Otherwise, markets will not develop and expand leaving companies themselves without a future to look forward to. According to Heinz Suter, building Kingdom Companies does not only require spiritual commitment but also a realization of the social and moral challenges in the context on one's society (Chan et al, 2003, p. 181-194). Ben Cohen who is the cofounder and former CEO of Ben and Jerry's Homemade Ice Cream knows that people will easily doubt their statement of commitment regarding the company's commitment to spirituality. He says that these doubts don't matter as much as that the company continues to show that "there's a spiritual life to businesses as there is in the lives of individuals" (as cited in Saylor, 2005). Hick (2005) says that this is in part because of the continuing religious conflicts world wide that is being echoed by each society. There has been great effort to be able to relieve these situations but Rick Marshall (2005) believes that these efforts can only be truly successful if society itself makes an effort to change. It is daily struggle to remind not ourselves by all things we do and say that it is possible to live religiously and allow other the same opportunity but it is one of the most urgent ac critical challenges we have to accomplish (Eldred, 2005). Building a Kingdom Business Richard Goosen, a professor of finance and entrepreneurship at Trinity Western University says that "money is the oxygen of a business, it's not the purpose" (Saylor, 2005). This implies that no matter how healthy the bottom line is, that is not a indication that owners or employees feel fulfilled or enriched by their work. Often we think disdainfully when we here of industry and business leaders suddenly establishing charities or even giving up their business to pursue enlighten. We feel that that it is a clich' among those experiencing midlife crises. However Eldred (2005) encourages to think about it in another way: these individuals, the brightest and greatest minds of our times just may have realized something at the point in their lives when they could already say that they have everything. They may have realized that there should be more than what they had, that the pursuit of success goes beyond the boardroom and the bottom line. The marketplace seems like such a hostile pla ce to espouse religion. Yet, if one reflects on the history on faith, it is when ministries forge in these environments are the greatest testament of missions. The third chapter of the Eldred's book God is at Work tells us that businesses must be an extension of our church life. One should in a way consider it

The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller Essay Example for Free

The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller Essay We soon see another side to Hale. Abigail mentions Tituba and Hale requests to see her. Hale is quite convinced on meeting Tituba that she is compacting with the Devil and that she has bewitched Betty. He orders Tituba to wake her but when Tituba says she cannot Hale turns angrier and Parris threatens her with whipping. It is not long until Tituba is drawn into making accusations with Abigail and certain names get repeated. Hale is now convinced that the work of the Devil is going on in Salem At the end of Act One, we see how much Hale has a very strong belief in God and that God is with the people of Salem because he announces, Glory to God! It is broken, they are free! Hale enters Act Two at the end. He is drawn a little, and there is a quality of deference, even of guilt about his manner now. He explains how the girls have mentioned Rebecca Nurse and he has just come from her house. He is now on the outside, absolutely certain that it is the work of the Devil going on in Salem, No man may longer doubt the powers of dark are gathered in monstrous attack upon this village. There is too much evidence now to deny it. However, I do feel that Hale is torn between what he feels emotionally, that so many outrageous accusations are being made and therefore something is wrong, and what he feels he must do, keep looking for signs of the Devil in the people of Salem. At the end of Act Two, we see Herrick come to the Proctor household. He has come to arrest Elizabeth by order of the court. Hale seems shocked and speaks with uncertainty about Elizabeths link with the Devil but goes on trusting that God will prevail, I shall pray God open up our eyes. In Act Three Hale has changed somewhat. Hale is not convinced at all with Elizabeth Proctors link with the Devil and also with many other people being held by the court. He is now starting to think and speak what the audience reading the play would be thinking and saying. When Elizabeth Proctor defends her husbands name by lying in the court, Hale cries out, Excellency, it is a natural lie to tell: I beg you stop now before another is condemned! This means that Hale thinks that the people who have been condemned are innocent and it cannot go on. He speaks exactly what everyone reading the play will be thinking in their heads. By the end of Act Three I dont think that there is any doubt I the readers head and that of Hales that the witchcraft is being made up and that Abigail is behind the hysteria. This girl has always struck me false! Abigail begins to twist the court away from believing Proctors and Mary Warrens story when they are summoned to the court to talk about the Poppet. She starts to scream and point at the ceiling, insisting that there is a yellow bird up there. The other girls soon follow suit and start to pretend as well. Mary Warren cannot handle this and soon returns to the group of girls where she feels safer. She now lays an accusation of witchcraft on to Proctor. (pointing at Proctor): Youre the Devils man! Hale once again speaks for the audience, You cannot believe them! I see nothing, Your Honour! and Excellency, this childs gone wild! Hale sees that everyone has been engulfed by this mass hysteria and so he walks out of court, he doesnt want to be involved in these false accusations any longer. I denounce these proceedings I quit this court! In Act Four, Hale is no longer the strong, influential character he was at the beginning of the play. He is now trying to get the convicted prisoners to confess so as to save their lives. I think this perhaps show some guilt on Hales head. He was drawn into believing the accusations and freely did his job, basically condemning people to death. Hale asks the people to abandon their principles and confess.