Abstract Between the 14th and 19th centuries, Western Europe experienced a large number of mentally unbalanced monarchs. There are many theories attempting to explain this trend. In this paper, several examples of these "mad sovereigns" will be presented in hopes to reveal a common link among them. The theory presented by the author is that the common practice of inbreeding royal bloodlines is the cause for so many crazy kings.
From the Paper "As is shown, mental imbalances seem to ?run in the family.? This seems to support the theory that royal inbreeding was at least a factor in promoting the occurrences of mentally disturbed rulers. This doesn?t mean, though, that inbreeding was the cause, only a factor to consider. In many cases, a disease such as porphyria was simply spread through families through inbreeding and affected just those involved. In a way, inbreeding was the reason for such illness because, otherwise, the disease may not have spread quite as easily. The answer to the question, though, is ?no.?; inbreeding was not the primary cause for so many mentally imbalanced monarchs.
Abstract BMW has been in the field of car manufacturing for a long time now. Nevertheless it keeps evolving to accommodate changing, popular tastes. This paper discusses the various ways in which the company has delivered its promise of "The Ultimate Driving Machine".
Abstract This paper examines how Bayreuth, a small town in Bavaria, Germany, is the site of the dream of one of the Romantic period's greatest composers, Richard Wagner. In particular, it focuses on "Der Ring des Nibelungen", or Ring Cycle, his opera of massive proportions, which required much more than the average opera, an opera house which was built specifically for its performance in Bayreuth. It shows how the building of the Festival House in Bayreuth was both one of Wagner's greatest achievements and a factor in one of his greatest losses and how, after his death, Wagner's widow, Cosima, carried on his wishes to have each of his latter operas performed in Bayreuth. It discusses how the festivals suffered slightly because of her strict adherence to the old ideas and how, because of this, the performers were based less on talent than on their willingness to follow her instructions.
From the Paper "Wagner had very specific desires on what type of town would hold his opera house. He wanted ?one of the less large towns in Germany, favourably sited and capable of accommodating an unusual number of guests, and in particular a town in which there would be no danger of clashing with a large existing theatre.? (Wagner, iv) He did not want the actual house to be of any extravagance either; he thought to make it only of wood, only desiring to make the place large enough to properly perform his cycle. Wagner chose Bayreuth not only because it fit his description but also because it was close to his patron (King Ludwig II of Bavaria) and because certain town authorities were eager to assist Wagner."
Abstract This paper explains that the central theme of Voltaire's "Candide" is that those who live real lives must forgo philosophy for pragmatism. The author points out that another thesis is that which does not kill us only makes us stronger, and all's well that ends well. The paper argues that, in keeping with the alternative title for "Candide", which was "Optimism", throughout the narrative, Candide always looks ahead to the future.
From the Paper "The beginning of the narrative finds Candide living at the pleasure of one of the most powerful noblemen of Bavaria. He falls in love with the baron's daughter Cun?gonde. The baron espies them kissing and casts Candide out of the castle. Thus, begin his travails. The conclusion of the narrative shows that Pangloss, Martin (another philosopher-character) and Candide cannot get away from philosophical discussion about the meaning of life and the origins of good and evil. But in the scheme of things, these discussions merely serve as idle distractions which have no bearing on any of their lives. Indeed, the last line of the literal (English) translation sums this up well. "'That's well said,'replied Candide, but we must cultivate our garden.""
