Choo Bee Metal Industries Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Choo Bee Metal Industries - Coursework Example The company registered a marginally lower profit before tax of RM5 million in 2010 compared to the figure of RM18 million in 2009. This decrease is attributed to the fall in steel prices and dampened business activities. Because of the slumping price situation, the Group also adjusted their inventory net realizable value by taking on a write down of RM10.2 million. The company earned revenues of RM221 million in 2010, which was 13% more than the prior year's results (RM196 million in 2009). The net income fell at from RM14 million in 2009 to RM5 million in 2010. The dividends per share (Sen) remained fixed at 4.50 while the earnings per share (Sen) decreased from 18.49 (2009) to 14.80 (2010). Since most companies in the supplies and fixtures areas of construction do not pay a dividend, the positive trend Choo Bee Metal Industries has shown in dividend payments, deserves a special mention.

Micro Marketing Environmental Forces

Micro Marketing Environmental Forces The LG 60PK250 Plasma HDTV was launched less than a year ago and is currently within its growth stage. To continue its growth process, a differentiated marketing strategy has been implemented in which the company should make use of annual holidays such as Christmas and Wimbledon for advertising campaigns. Moreover, a marketing strategy change has been recommended for the next 12 months that involves achieving a wider distribution network. This will be done by not only focusing on retailing outlets but also focusing on expansion into supermarkets such as Tesco with the use of competitive pricing strategies. Introduction LG electronics is a consumer electronics company that was founded in 1958 as GoldStar (LG, 2010). They product Koreas first ever consumer radios, TVs refrigerators, washing machines and air conditioners and were renamed as LG Electronics in 1995 (LG, 2010). Since then LG has become one of the leading electronic brands through continuous innovative product development, evolving technologies and their easy going ethos of making our customers lives better and easier-happier, even through increased functionality and fun (LG, 2010). LG was the company that produced the worlds first 60-inch plasma TV in 1998 (LG, 2010). The LG 60PK250 60 Full HD Plasma TV was launched in March 2010. Although it is a relatively new product with a well-established brand name and company, it is a plasma screen television and an appropriate marketing strategy will need to be applied in order to ensure the success of the product and prolong its life cycle. The report will analyse the internal and external marketing environment of the television industry within the UK by focusing on what makes up the internal and external environment, LGs main competitors and consumer buyer behaviour. It will use relevant theories and concepts to assess different aspects of the market and from this an appropriate marketing mix for the next 12 months will we developed and recommended to try and ensure success of the Television within the UK television industry. Macro marketing environmental forces Marketing Environment Organizations can succeed if they match their products and services to the marketing environment. A companys marketing environment consists of the actors and forces outside marketing that affect marketing managements ability to develop and maintain successful transactions with its target consumers (Kotler et al. 2001, p. 116). The Marketing environment is made up of the Micro Environment and Macro Environment. Micro marketing environmental forces Political Buyers Economic and competitive Competitors The business Legal Company Suppliers Customer Marketing interme- Techno- logical Publics diaries Regulatory Societal/Green (Adapted from Dibb et al., 2006, p. 90) Micro environment The micro environment comprises all those individuals and organizations that affect the operation of a business on a day-to-day basis (CIM, 2002). Below are all the areas that make up the marketing environment applied to LG. Customers In order to generate profit, it is necessary to create a customer (CIM, 2002). It is important to predict what customers will require rather than wait and follow them. To create products and services that not only meet customers needs but also benefit them is of high importance. LG Electronics is one of the worlds largest electronics manufacturers, producing a large variety of consumer electronics and IT products. They strive to improve their customers lives with intelligent products, intuitive functionality and excellent performance. LGs customers take pride in owning an object of excellence and take comfort in knowing theyve made a smart, informed purchase, every time (LG, 2010). LG keeps close relationships with its customers in more than 180 countries through the four basic elements: values, promise, benefits, and personality. Based on a principle of creating value for customers, LG Electronics is safely providing products that customers want, offering differentiated services, and protecting customer information (LG, 2010). Source: LG, 2010 (See appendix 4 for details) Competitors A successful company is one that provides greater customer value and satisfaction than its competitors. LG has some top direct competitors like Sony, Samsung, Philips, Panasonic or Sharp. However, the Group, with its new topic Worlds only maintain nutrition television and declaration as digitally yours to express to the consumers that it majorly addresses the consumer obligation and make things simpler to them, has become a very mighty business in the television commerce in the present years. Consumer approval has been the centred topic from the development stage to the maturity stage and augmented product: 5 year warranty time span and productive after sales service along with call centres are provided by the Group might also be the reason why competitors could not trounce LG in periods of sales for many years. LG also has some indirect competitors that can damage, to a degree, its television market such as internet, PS series, or high tech products like the I-phone, I-pad, etc. Intermediaries are organizations that help a company promote, sell and distribution its products to target customers. They can be wholesalers, retailers, distribution firms, marketing agencies, or financial intermediaries. Effective intermediaries, is crucial for a firms marketing success. Televisions, from LGs agency located at Noida, are dispatched to the local agency dealer, and then to the consumers. However, the Group values a selective circulation convention where products drop into the hands of only couple of intermediaries, not one or all. This assists the business in having a good market treatment with more command and less cost than those of intensive distribution. Suppliers are the key component in transformation of materials to final products and services. It is important to review how suppliers, manufacturers and intermediaries co-operate with each other. LG establishes the win win management with its business partners in which LG has always been trying to grow alongside its suppliers by strengthening their competitiveness. Still, it re-established its strategic direction for purchasing and refurbished its support division for suppliers to effectively deal with the recent economic crisis as any responsible business partner would do in a similar situation (LG, 2010). Importantly, LG is committed to the Eco Supply Chain to develop eco-products under the Green program. It is operated in coordination with partner firms who supply parts, raw materials, and other materials to establish themselves as environmentally friendly companies. The television LG 60PK250 60 Full HD Plasma is an eco-design that shows harmonized cooperation between LG and its suppliers, in which resource consumption is reduced, components are recyclable, and safe materials are facilitated (See appendix 3 for details). Shareholders are the ones who have supported, are currently supporting, or may support the organization in the future (Palmer, 2009, p.45). They provide funds to the firm to finance its financial and non financial performance. LG has experienced a consecutive increase in investment by domestic investors between 2005 2008, while investment by foreigners has decreased and investment by the Group remains sustainable. LGs Shareholder Composition Source: LG, 2010 (See appendix 1 for details) Employees are involved in a companys marketing plans, in which groups of people must be taken into consideration: top managers, finance staffs, RD staffs, purchasing staffs, or manufacturing and accounting staffs. On the way to Great Company, Great People, LG believes that only great people can create a great company. LGs workplace is the space of solidarity, creativity, and freedom. LG strives for greatness in what it has recognized as People Leadership which concerns with market dominance achieved by selecting and nurturing talented team players able to internalize and execute innovation across the board (LG, 2010). (See appendix 2 for details) Macro EnvironmentThe macro environment, also known as the external environment, comprises general trends and forces which may not immediately affect the relationships that a company has with its customers, suppliers, and intermediaries, but sooner or later, as this environment changes, these trends and forces will alter the nature of such micro level relationships (Palmer, 2009, p.51). The macro environment is beyond the control of the marketers, but it is evaluated to help a company make decisions and plans. Macro environment could be divided into a set of subject areas frequently used in the UK SLEPT: Socio cultural environment Legal environment Economic environment Political environment Technological environment SLEPT Analysis(CIM, 2002) Socio cultural environment: is fundamental to a businesss operation in a specific community. It is crucial for a company to keep up with the changing needs of customers. Demographic environment Demography is the study of populations in terms of their size and characteristics. (Palmer, 2002, p. 59) We can sub-divide the demographic environment into following categories: Population size and growth trends Age sex structure Changing family Number of educated people Increasing diversity The TV LG 60PK250 60 Full HD Plasma is a high tech innovation with eco design, which can be listed as one of LGs prides. It might be an ideal product for young age groups who are focused on style and dominant features, or for older age groups who are interested in energy saving functionality. The TV can also attract both males and females who are looking for bigger screen size, better picture quality, and digital ready TV. LG might expect the highest sale of this TV to be to households who have children aged 5-9, or households with family size 5+ (Mintel, 2009). However, the Group should never look for a higher sale of this model compared with that of LCD TV because LCD TV is always likely to be the first choice for all ages, sex, or occupations. Cultural changes Cultural environment is made up of institutions and factors that affect each societys values, attitudes, perception, behaviours, and so on. Marketers must be aware of cultural influences and changes across societies in order to renew the firm and adapt to the changing needs of customers. Some culture groups should be considered within a society: ethnic and racial cultures, religious cultures and classes (CIM, 2002). Cultural values are always important and highly appreciated in a society. Shifts in cultural values during years will lead to a change in customers philosophy of life, and then result in consumption habits. Nowadays, changes in audio-visual culture have resulted in differences in buyer behaviour. The TV LG 60PK250 Full HD Plasma is an evidence for a shift from basic need to self esteem need of consumers. LG TVs with reputation, high technology and high quality are always every customers desire. However, they are most preferred by high socio economic groups. It is the development of society that situates LG in the competition against other celebrated brands in which its products need to have competitive advantages to survive in the changing and challenging market. Social trends Social changes involve changes in the nature, attitudes and habits of society. Social changes are continually happening, and trends can be identified (CIM, 2002). Rising living standards: higher incomes, proper and developed services in recent time can result in higher expenditure, wider ownership of luxury products like LG 60PK250 60 Full HD Societys attitude to business: LG always strives to be consistent and systematic in full scale implementation of social activities on raising environmental awareness, alleviating global famine and combating infectious diseases. Fundraising and volunteer work are the key points of the Groups goals and operation system. The workforce: high skilled labours are needed for not only LG but also other manufacturers in the macro economy. Besides, there have been changes from manual jobs to an increasing intellectual employment. LG has a vision of expected core capabilities of its employees: Product leadership refers to the ability to develop creative, top-quality products, using specialized new technologies. Market leadership refers to the ability to achieve top ranking, worldwide, thanks to a formidable market presence in countries across the globe. People leadership refers to the market dominance achieved by selecting and nurturing talented team players able to internalize and execute innovation across the board. (LG, 2010) Political and legal environment: is treated as an unpredictable element in a companys marketing environment. It comprises government, politicians, and pressure groups. Changes in government policies or changes of government can exert great impacts on businesses performance. Legislation is a part of political process. It covers all aspects of an organizations operation. Laws and regulations are adopted by the government, in which some basic issues of economic policies are recognized: criminal law, Health and safety law, company law, tort, legal framework, employment law, contract, consumer protection, data protection. (CIM, 2002) LG is headquartered in Seoul, Korea functioning 60 subsidiaries in 34 nations and making its products to consumers in more than 180 countries. Therefore, it will be affected to some extend if there is any change in these countries politics, especially in Asian countries and Middle East. However, LG is always committed to basic laws and regulations on corporate business such as customers health guarantee, customers information protection, environmental protection, employee right protection, and so on. Economic environment: A state of economy in which a company operates, where trade should always be at the very heart of performance. Economic environment includes factors that can influence consumer buying power and spending patterns. A company should keep an eye of both regional or national economic changes as well as movement in the global economy. The main aspects of economic environment are: Income distribution and purchasing power Consumer spending patterns Market competitiveness Business cycle: recession, inflation, unemployment, fluctuation of exchange rate, etc Before a luxury product like LG 60PK250 Full HD Plasma appeared in the market, economic factors would have been taken into cautious consideration. According to Mintel (2009), there has been a trend of higher personal disposable income and consumer expenditure since 2004. This could be a good sign for LG if customers can afford that type of TV. However, the global economy has not escaped from the recession. Therefore, the product sale could be damaged by customers attitude if they delay their purchase. Moreover, the TV market is becoming competitive when a wide range of available products are introduced by numerous manufacturers. The TV market has to face a rising number of different technological products like online video. This could make customers confused when making their purchase. The lower average price may also have benefited customers but it is not a good sign for the producer because deeper price cuts can cause market values to drop off much more steeply, especially with lar ge screen TVs like the LG 60PK250 Full HD Plasma. Technological environment: As human society develops, technological change happens. Technological development can create favourable conditions for productivity and business efficiency. New technologies provide new markets and opportunities but sometimes they can affect a firms determination towards whether or not to invest in radical new or high technologies to achieve their targets. Shifts in technologies are sometimes problematic to several organizations. However, companies operate in an environment where technology changes must be adapted quickly to the business for improvement and innovation. They should pay attention to pace of technological change, RD budgets, concentration on minor improvements, and increased regulations (Kotler et al. 2001). LG Electronics is a company that thrives on innovation. It is reinforcing centre competencies to father its status as the Digital Leader. LG is now developing its Smart Technology which creates convenience and adds joy to customers lives. Smart Technology is a development philosophy that embraces sensitive communication with customers in order to provide products that everybody wants to use, and easily can. (LG UK, 2010) Competitor analysisThe television market consists of highly competitive players, who are continuously innovating (Mintel, 2009). Competitor analysis is essential to be able to plan effective marketing strategies. According to Kotler and Armstrong (2004) there are 3 steps to analysing competitors: Selecting which competitors to attack or avoid Assessing competitors objectives, strategies, strengths and weaknesses, and reaction patterns Identifying the companys competitors Porters five forces is a strategic tool used to assess an industrys competitive environment based on the strengths of five generalised forces (Henry, 2008). These five forces are: threat of new entrants, bargaining power of buyers, bargaining power of suppliers, threat of substitute products, and amount of rivalry among firms in the industry (Henry, 2008). In this case, Porters five forces can be used as an effective tool to analyse the competitor threats LG would face in the television market. New Entrants Economies of scale Government policy Capital requirements Proprietary products/technologies Threat of new entrants Buyers Price/total purchases Buyer concentration verses firm concentration Ability to backward integrate Price sensitivity Competitors Market volumes/shares Market sectors/product/ service type Market responses Bargaining power of suppliers Suppliers Differentiation of inputs Supplier concentration Threat of forward integration Switching costs Bargaining power of buyers Substitutes Switching costs and propensity to substitute Relative price performance of substitutes Threat of substitutes (Adapted from Baines, Fill and Page, 2008, p. 74) The television manufacturing industry faces intense segment rivalry due to the fact that few players dominate the market. The main competitors in the television industry are LG, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony and Toshiba, with LG being one of the best (Mintel, 2009). Company Brands LG LG Panasonic Panasonic, Viera Samsung Samsung Sony Sony, Bravia Toshiba Toshiba, Regza (Mintel, 2009) In the case of being threatened by new entrants, as mentioned before, the TV market is a well-established industry that is highly competitive and requires constant innovation and technological investment. This makes it an industry with high entry barriers (Kotler and Keller, 2006) therefore it is not an easy market to enter, especially when competing with a company as established as LG. Suppliers bargaining power increases when there are a few substitutes and when there are fewer suppliers in the industry (Kotler and Keller, 2006). High costs and the importance of the product has an impact on their bargaining power as well. Televisions are considered a necessity in most homes and are an important product therefore suppliers will have some form of bargaining power however the television industry is large and will have a large number of suppliers therefore switching suppliers would be easy to do, which means that LG will have more power over its suppliers because they are a well-established and large consumer electronics company and suppliers would not want to lose business to such a mass producing company. In the case of buyers one of the main reasons their bargaining power increases is when they have many options (Kotler and Keller, 2006). When purchasing a television, a customer considers every aspect of the product because it a long term and expensive purchase (Mintel, 2009). Consumers have a wide range of products and features to choose from when trying to buy a HD Plasma TV. Plasma screens are becoming increasingly unpopular and are the least published type of screen nowadays (Mintel, 2009), therefore in the case of this particular product consumers will have high bargaining power because of high choice and plenty of manufacturers with different prices, for example currys and PC World. However, since the recession the amount of people willing to pay high prices for the latest technology has reduced and price has become the most important factor (Mintel, 2009). The threat of substitute products within the television industry can be argued. It would be considered low because a television is considered an essential and few efficient substitutes are available. However, PC screens have become an increasingly popular substitute for video (Mintel, 2009). People within the UK are using more and more internet technology and online streaming websites to watch TV. Companies like Sony and Toshiba are releasing televisions that are internet compatible (Mintel, 2009) and the LG 60 HD Plasma TV will not be able to keep up. Larger TV screens have also become less popular since the recession (Mintel, 2009) which will make it harder for LG to ensure the televisions success. Due to the fact that the television industry is dominant by a small number of well established large firms that produce a range of products but have slightly different quality standards, features and style. Therefore the market can be described as a Differentiated Oligopoly (Kotler). In this case companies are better focusing on one attribute and attracting the people concerned with it (Kotler) LG has been an innovator in the television industry for a long time. Amongst many other innovations, they were the first to product a 60 plasma TV (LG, 2010). Therefore although there is high pressure within the industry LG is constantly keeping up with it by focusing on their customer needs. In 2008 they introduced their new global brand identity as Stylish design and smart technology, in products that fit our consumers lives (LG, 2010). The PLC theory is based on the idea that every product goes through a life cycle from its introduction onto a market, to its decline and withdrawal from the market (Hoffman et al., 2009). The traditional PLC curve consists of 4 stages: Introduction, Growth, Maturity and Decline (book?). Product Life Cycle (PLC) Traditional Product life cycle Introduction Growth Maturity Decline  £ Sales The product life cycle can be a useful tool in analysing how a product is doing and for a firm to manage its portfolio of products (Palmer, 2008). It is also useful in helping make strategic decisions about the marketing strategy of a product and the best way to market it while it goes through the stages because the marketing mix varies at each stage. It is more descriptive rather than predictive (website). The life-cycle of different products vary, and it can be difficult to identify the stage at which the product lies in a PLC. The shape of a PLC varies as well and depends on the marketing strategies being applied to the product, as well as whether it is a product form, product class or brand that is being considered (Palmer, 2004). A television is a product class and usually has a lifecycle of about 70 years however it is easier to identify the life-cyle of a product form for example plasma TVs. HDTV is relatively new technology that is likely to be in its growth stage and has a lot of potential for the future however plasma is an older technology that is now most likely to be in its decline stage (website). LEDs and LCDs are much more popular and 3D TVs and OLED technology are being introduced as well. HDTVs lifecycle is predicted to grow and evolve over the next two decades due to the prediction and development of HDTV LCDs, OLEDs, 3D TVs, Laser TVs and Holographic TV (Squidoo, 2010). The LG 60PK250 60 HDTV is likely to fit into the growth stage of the traditional PLC as it was launched in March 2010 and combines HDTV technology with Plasma screen technology. The right kind of marketing strategy can be applied to help extend its life-cycle. (Refer to appendix 5) BCG MatrixThe Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Matrix is a tool that was developed in order to analyse the portfolio of an organisation to assess the products position according to its growth rate and its relative market share (Henry, 2008). It can be used to help make strategic decisions about their products and how to maximise returns on them (Henry, 2008). The growth rate is determined by looking at the growth rate of the economy and its market share is refers to its competitive position within the industry (Henry, 2008) The position of the LG 60PK250 HDTV can only be estimated based on the knowledge available. It is a relatively new product and is priced quite high. A lot of people would rather pay that money towards purchasing an LCD screen, however all the major retailers such as Argos, Currys, PC World etc. sell the television. LG also has a well-established brand and a loyal network of customers. For these reasons the television is likely to be a cash cow. Its market share would be relatively high due to being an LG TV as well as the fact that it is a HDTV. However its market growth is likely to be low due to the overall economic recession and PC screen technology replacing televisions. However the BCG matrix assesses performance based on only these two factors. It overemphasizes the importance of market share and market dominance (Henry, 2008, p. 241). It also relies on managers judgements (Henry, 2008) and does not take into consideration other internal or external factors that could determine the success of the product. However it is a useful tool to use in conjunction with other strategic theories such as the PLC curve before. SWOT AnalysisA SWOT analysis is a framework used to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of an organisation and its marketing environment (Palmer, 2004). The strengths and weaknesses consider the internal environment and the opportunities and threats are linked to the external environment (Henry, 2008). SWOT Analysis of the LG 60PK250 60 HD TV Strengths Well established and popular TV Brand Big screen size Built in freeview Currently in intro/growth Weaknesses Plasma screen technology declining Expensive due to screen size No innovative technology Opportunities Popularity of HD TVs Potential for growth Increasing sales due to end of recession Threats Similar products available at different prices High competition PC/online video streaming technology taking over Innovative technology taking over for example 3D and OLED TVs A SWOT analysis can be useful for the general and competitive external and internal environment however it does not take into account unpredictable changes or events in the external environment (Henry, 2008). It helps identify weaknesses and opportunities for which strategies can then be developed to make improvements. However, some of the limitations of a SWOT analysis are, it is hard to identify what is a threat and what is an opportunity, sometimes the same thing can be a strength or a weakness and the analysis can be too focused within the industry boundary (Henry, 2008, p. 120). In this case the SWOT analysis is stronger as it has been used in conjunction with a PEST analysis which was conducted to analyse the external environment in detail. Buyer Behaviour If organizations want to survive in a challenging market, customers should be always at the very heart of their operation. Marketers are expected to be aware of what consumers are thinking, what they need and what they want to buy. Basic insights into buyer behaviour can be seen as a versatile key to unlock all those thorny questions. The model of buying behaviour Evaluation of alternatives Information research Purchase decision Post-purchase behaviour Need recognition Source: Kotler and Armstrong, 2004, p. 198 The model is designed to synthesize and coordinate relevant concepts that reflect the problem solving progress inside the emotional consumer. The three main components of the model are: input, process (buyers black box) and output (Kotler et al. 2001, p.191). The input The input component rests on external influences which can be observed as sources of information affecting consumers product related values, attitudes, and behaviour. Firms marketing efforts and other stimuli like socio cultural environment, economic environment, technological environment and political environment are chief among those. Marketing Efforts The firms marketing activities are direct components that play a pivotal role in persuading consumers to buy and use products of a manufacturer. Marketing strategies consists of products, promotion, price, and channels of distribution. We will have an in-depth insight into the marketing efforts of the product LG 60PK250 60 Full HD Plasma TV in the session marketing mix later, but some key points can be identified as: Product: The TV can be classified as a consumer product generally acquired by the last consumers for individual consumption. It is an amazing innovation of LG which allows customers to enjoy creativity, high technology, convenience and other great values. The TV could be a big opponent against a number of other high tech TV series in the market in 2010 because of its outstanding features providing superb crystal clear picture quality perfect for bringing the cinema experience home, or converting the living room to a sports stadium. Promotion: LG foremost advocating of the product is through publicity crusades on TV, publish newspapers, hoardings and the internet. Price: According to Mintel 2009, 86% of customers consider the prices of products as their first priority. The price of LG 60PK250 60 Full HD Plasma is quite high (more than 1000GBP), and this could be a disadvantage f

Analysis Of Amy Lowells Poem A Decade :: essays research papers fc

Analysis of Amy Lowell’s Poem “A Decade';   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In “A Decade,'; a poem by Amy Lowell, the reader is shown how a lover’s attitude can go from infatuation at first to just predictability and love. In this poem Lowell uses imagery and similes to elaborate on the feelings of the speaker towards his/her lover. In the beginning of the relationship the speaker is infatuated with the lover, and Lowell expresses this infatuation through the use of a simile in line one when comparing the lover to “red wine and honey';. As the relationship goes on deeper into the decade a comparison between the lover and “morning bread'; is made in line three, showing the reader that instead of being like “red wine and honey'; in the beginning, which burnt the speaker’s mouth with sweetness, now the lover is perceived as being “smooth and pleasant';.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The speaker of the poem could either be male or female, who is in love with someone and has been with that person for a decade. The speaker is telling the one that he/she loves how the feelings have gone from just being infatuated with them to being “nourished'; by them. The tone of the poem is hard to describe; it is actually the “lovey dovey'; feeling that should come to the reader while reading this poem. The poem has no set rhyme scheme, and is six lines long in one stanza.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Following, is my paraphrase of the poem. When we first met you were sharp and sweet And when we kissed it burnt my mouth because I wanted you so. Now that it has been a few years you are still pleasant and smooth. I really don’t pay attention to how you taste, now I know you too well. You complete me. Thorne 3   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the poem “A Decade'; by Amy Lowell, she tells the reader how feelings go from being wild and crazy to being second nature to the speaker.

William Shakespeare’s Hamlet Essay

The tone of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet is set by the theme of madness and deception. The death of Hamlet’s father and the appearance of his ghost to his son sets into motion a series of events that end in leads to the near total destruction of the Danish court. No one proves to be safe from the pervasive nature of their own guilt, real or imagine, as the character’s fall victim to Hamlet’s madness and the king’s deception. Revenge and fear, in particular, play central roles in the eventual conclusions of the play, as it provides a vehicle for the concepts of madness and deceit, as well as the bloody and darkening shadow that falls upon Denmark itself. Even before he sees his father’s ghost among the castle walls, the seeds of suspicion and disgust have already grown to fruition within Hamlet’s mind. All that is needed to touch off this dark depression into full-blown action is a spark. This spark comes in the form of the deceased king, who gives voice to his son’s suspicions. It’s interesting, given the full blown form that Hamlet’s madness later takes, to consider that the conversation between father and ghost may have been a delusion. Though it’s hard to write off the apparition itself as false, since it is the guards who first see the ghost walking silently, the conversation between father and son is private and serves to provide justification for Hamlet’s later actions. In this way, it’s possible that this conversation was simply the beginning point for Hamlet’s growing insanity. From this first act, the other events fall in quick succession as though predicted. Death becomes a central almost fated result of the lethal mixture of Hamlet’s growing insanity and the guilt of the king There is a fine line between Hamlet’s realities and his delusions, as shown in the truth of his uncle’s deceit. It’s important that the tragedy of Hamlet begins and ends with death, providing a full-circle to the King’s murder of his brother and Hamlet’s own revenue and death. This is due in part to the larger significance of death both as an ending and a beginning. The tragedy of Hamlet itself begins and ends with death while the dead themselves provide witnesses. It’s important to note that even as the death should be released by the chain of events, they are not allowed to truly rest. From Hamlet’s father the king, to Ophelia’s drowned memory, they are allowed little reprieve. Instead their deaths act as cataclysms for more tragedy and death. It is Ophelia and Polonius’s deaths that cause Laertes to meet his death at the end of Hamlet’s poison-tipped blade. Connected to the idea of revenge, the dead are fuel to the fire and darkness that seep into the minds and actions of all involved. Given the heavy presence of death, it is no wonder that the images of darkness and the adjective â€Å"black† is repeated throughout the book. It seems to be almost an eternal night in Hamlet’s Denmark. There is no comfort. There is no hope, only sadness and death. Revenge, madness, and pride are connected in Hamlet through their common dark designs and darker endings. The need for revenge, which is bred from Hamlet’s encounter with his father’s ghost and eventually drives his madness, is not justice. This revenge is part duty, part self-preservation. Hamlet is lost in his new role in his family, with his mother’s marriage to his uncle and the usurpation of the crown from Hamlet’s own head. In taking action against his uncle, Hamlet is defending the honor of his family and attempting to reclaim his own self which has been lost (I. iv. ll. 21). With the new developments, Denmark itself has become a prison (II. ii. ll. 241), and he is a prisoner to the awareness of his position and the growing need to exact revenge. It is important to make the distinction between the two, revenge and justice. Hamlet is seeking to right the wrong of his father’s death, at first through revelation but then when this fails through violence. There is not the sense that Hamlet expects to escape his own death in the process of exacting revenge but at the same time there is the maddened sense of invincibility about him. He hopes to regain part of himself in destroying his uncle, however, he is already lost to his own fear and insanity. The concept of blood is important throughout the play, both in literal form in showing the brutality of Hamlet’s actions, and as representative of family. The physical presnece of blood is seen throughout the play in the deaths of even those who do end in bloodshed, like Ophelia;. The final scene in Act V is the bloodiest, with the deaths of Laertes and Hamlet, the wounding of the King, and the poisoning of the Queen. That final scene is also a good example of the power of blood, in the family sense, as Hamlet finally gains resolution in the deception of his uncle and his mother’s marriage and Laertes himself is able to avenge his sister and father. However, the concept of family goes much farther back in the play, to the very beginning with the first appearance of the dead king, still linked to his son and the tragedy of his blood, who himself is heard by Hamlet to call for revenge. For Hamlet, the concept of blood is perhaps the most sensitive and the core root to his own madness. A chief source of hurt pride for Hamlet is the marriage of his widowed mother to his uncle. In Hamlet’s eyes, not only has the new king usurped the role of his dead (murdered) brother but he has also taken over his brother’s position in the Queen’s bed. This is not a difficult idea to understand; Hamlet obviously feels a strong loyalty to his father and to the idea of his own succession. However, Hamlet’s constant condemnation of the King and Queen’s marriage being â€Å"incestuous† shows more about Hamlet than his mother, who is constantly condemned by her son for the marriage. The king is Hamlet’s paternal uncle and therefore, unrelated to the Queen except through the marriage of his deceased brother, Hamlet’s uncle. Therefore there is no real incest going on between the newly married couple but rather a joining of past and present. Instead Hamlet is showing an intolerance to change, that when divorced of his uncle’s treachery, is not quite as damning. However, true to the form of the play, the marriage has been built upon the dark deeds of the King. Their marriage is a deceptive continuity, the Queen herself innocent to the dark deeds of the King. She is not wholly innocent, as she ignorantly believes in the innocence of the new King. While she obviously loves her son, in sensing and fearing Hamlet’s growing restlessness and insanity, she does in a manner turn away from him. Seeing only death in her son’s countenance, it is understandable that she would ally herself with the calm presence of the new king. However, there is something of a resolution between mother and son. When the queen drinks the poison, the King has prepared for Hamlet, she joins the ranks of the innocent dead. Like Ophelia, the Queen becomes a kind of martyr to the ulterior motives of royal ascendency and the revenge of her only son. Though the King may have had larger ideas of their marriage, the Queen’s tragedy seems to be a belief in hope. In remarrying she is hoping to continue her life and in Hamlet she sees hope for her love and affection, even as he rejects her. Without the morality of justice, Hamlet’s revenge fails to provide any resolution. While death is certainly an end and a recurrent theme throughout the play, the persistence and skewed senses of madness prevent the carnage of the Danish court from representing an absolute ending. Instead, there simply seems to be no one else to truly die, no one else to suffer within this narrative of tragedy. Hamlet’s madness had acted in a way to bring about the complete destruction of all he’d ever held dear, it spent not only the resolve of it’s master but everything which it touched. The court of Denmark is withered but no longer a prison to Hamlet as he can depart in death as he was never able to in life. Though Hamlet finds his revenge and his end, he does not find true peace. Fueled by his own depression and anxiety, the injured pride of a fallen son, Hamlet instead creates a cycle of violence and fear which in the end even he falls prey to.

Excessive Happiness with Patch Adams Essay

â€Å"Patch Adams† is one brilliant movie that touches the hearts of those who watch it and also has this very strong force that attracts the viewer’s attention to continue indulging into every scene, to listen in every line spoken by each actor, for in each line hides a deeper meaning. Lastly, this movie truly affects the lives of the people watching, young and old alike. Patch Adams is truthfully a very heartwarming story that makes one person think and focus on one’s own purpose and plan in life. It thought me to enjoy every moment of my life and to keep on pursuing what my heart truly desires. As Arthur Mendelson said, â€Å"If you focus on the problem, you can’t see the solution. Never focus on the problem! See what no one else sees. See what everyone chooses not to see†¦ out of fear, conformity or laziness. See the whole world anew each day!† This movie is also packed with humor, sorrow, love, but most of all hope. It is a one of a kind story that lifts the spirit of all who are depressed, of those who feel as if they’re all alone in life, and those people who are battling with sickness. It teaches us that death is a natural phenomenon which we can’t avoid and escape from, and at the same time it instill in our minds that as long as we live, we should make the most out of our lives, fix all the misunderstandings, communicate to the person we haven’t talked for a long time, and above all, continue serving the people and God. I could not say anything negative against the movie because in the first place, it has excellently portrayed the beauty of life. Also, the story imparted a lesson that what matters most is the happiness and feeling of fulfillment in ourselves as we take care of the others and not just the payment that comes for the service offered. When we do service wholeheartedly, we touch lives, we change perception, and we are able to be appreciated by the people whose lives we were able to transform. To end this reaction paper, all I can say is that God works amazingly and that each one of us has a purpose in life. The realization of this purpose depends on the person if he will accept this unreservedly and will commit to it ready to face all the hurdles that will block his way. We must never be afraid to take risks and when we do things, when we make a decision, we must always offer it to God that He may guide us along the right path. When we do this, we are assured of not only extreme happiness, but also ETERNAL AND EVERLASTING SERENITY with God.

The United States and Johnsons War essays

The United States and Johnson's War essays In the 1950s, the People's Republic of China became a growing source of concern for the United States. China's expansion of power and influence was potentially leading to the spread of communism in the world, especially in Asia. The United States wanted to keep its position in Asia, so they decided to take a lead role in the containment of China. The United States new containment policy focused on South Vietnam. It was here that the revolutionary Vietcong were trying to overthrow the South Vietnamese government, which America supported. The Vietcong, supported by Communist North Vietnam, had ties to China. After the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson inherited the conflict in Vietnam. Johnson came to office convinced that the United States had to respect its commitment to South Vietnam and resist communist control. The President felt that the United States could only encourage and support the development of the political and military programs in South Vietn am. He was convinced that success depended predominantly on the South Vietnamese. As the war dragged on the South Vietnamese became weaker, and the war became increasingly controlled by the United States. Johnson's dilemma was whether he should Americanize the war or not; his resolution was to become involved in the conflict, and his decision crippled his plans to improve the nation. The Johnson Administration's approach to foreign policy was that we would not tolerate aggression, and we would honor our commitment to South Vietnam. The United States learned in World War II, that aggression could not be tolerated because it can lead to such atrocities as World War or a Holocaust. In addition, the United States had a policy that we would limit the spread of communism because, in the eyes of America, democracy should prevail. To prevent communist control of South Vietnam, which already had an American presence, the United States was committed to supporting ...

Ancient Philosophical Orientations essays

Ancient Philosophical Orientations essays Considering the events that occurred in the United States recently, the mathematical and humanistic orientation should be used to advise the U.S. citizens and help them deal with their problems. The mathematical orientation attempted to move from the material level to a general principle for all life. Pythagoras formulated this orientation. He stated that we know the world through our......................... Hippocrates was also a mathematician. He claimed that unity of numbers is the basis of life. The people in the U.S. could use this orientation. Firstly, it is stated that the world is distorted and artificial, this can be clearly seen in what occurred on the 11th of September. The distortions of this world are easily noticed and humans can sense them through our sense impressions. Through our senses we know the world. Secondly, it states that a more permanent reality exists in underlying relationships. The U.S. citizens should create those kinds of relationships to make themselves stronger and use their reasoning to get through this terrible situation. They can also follow Hippocrates, who states that the unity in numbers is the basis of life. If the U.S. people could stick together they would be able to deal with their problems together, which will make their problems easier to deal with. Americans should start believing that there is power in unity. Under the mathematical orientation it is also stated that humans beings should focus on perfection in their lives. They should try to live perfect lives. Perfection can only be developed by the perceptions that we create of the world. If we want to live perfect lives we can rise above the destruction and distortions in the world and become perfect ourselves. Therefore, Americans should rise above all the destruction that terrorists are creating in their lives, and try to get back on track and adjust to their lives as it is now. ...