Abstract This paper provides a general overview of the common superstition that performing "Macbeth" leads to disaster. Opposing theories are provided and disbelievers are quoted. Several true accounts of the curse are described along with quotes from the actors who witnessed the curse firsthand. Facts are provided about the supposed curse, including the fact that Abraham Lincoln was reciting lines from "Macbeth" the night before his death.
From the Paper "In 1961, the Stratford Shakespeare Company was plagued with bad luck. In the final month of their "Macbeth" tour, an actor's daughter fell and died. During that same month, another actor was stabbed to death in a nearby park. Additionally, the manager of the Stratford Shakespeare Company was found dead in his apartment after being beaten, strangled, and stabbed multiple times with a carving knife.
In another incident, the Old Vic company encountered its first disastrous production of Macbeth. By the end of the tour, there had been, among the actors, an attempted suicide, two abortions, an electrocution, a gouged eye, and accidental stabbing resulting in death."
Tags:curse, performance, shakespeare, superstition, literature
This paper discusses that our ancient counterparts used oracles, prophesies and curses as part of their religious beliefs and observances, which served more function than modern religion.
2,295 words (approx. 9.2 pages), 7 sources, 2002, $ 70.95
Abstract This paper provides an overview of some of the practices and belief among different ancient groups, focusing on the traditional cradle of civilization and the classical world. The author points that oracles are always associated with a particular place, prophecies might be generated anywhere and a curse is simply a way of getting the Gods to do one's dirty work for one. The author concludes that when we open the paper to read our horoscope, we behave in the same manner as the ancient people finding their way to the oracle at Delphi.
Table of Contents
A Brief Survey of Oracles in the Ancient World
A Brief Survey of Prophesies in the Ancient World
A Few Curses Conclusion
From the Paper "A corollary to this fact is that oracles are in general associated with a single god or goddess, since deities tended to be tied to certain places or kinds of places, whereas a person might serve as a prophet, or receive prophecies from, a number of different gods or other divinities.
The fact that one had to travel to an oracle to receive wisdom from it rather than having the gods come to one to deliver prophetic information may have granted to oracles a greater sense of authority. This is related to basic economic arguments about scarcity: If prophesies could be had anywhere, but oracles were limited to a few places ? some requiring expensive sacrifices ? then oracles would often be privileged over prophesy."
Abstract This paper will discuss the play by Sam Sheppard's "The Curse Of The Starving Class", and seek to understand how stage settings can be observed throughout a play. By realizing how this plays into the scenes, we can learn the significance of the objects that relate to the story. With this prospectus in mind, it will not be hard to learn the relevance of stage sets in relation to the idea of Sheppard's vision.
Abstract The concept that countries that are endowed with natural resources such as oil, natural gas, and gold should exploit them to promote economic growth and development has long been recognized as one of the fundamental principles of development economics. The principle of comparative advantage also maintains that countries should exploit those factors that they hold in greatest abundance. The revenues that are generated by natural resources can be used to assist in the promotion of economic growth in this view, which will then allow the economy to diversify and produce the kinds of higher value-added goods that are necessary to further accelerate economic development. The resource curse theory. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of peer-reviewed and scholarly literature to determine the relationship between economic growth and human capital, and what current theories and models provide insights into this process. A case study of Nigerian underdevelopment is presented to determine how, in spite of abundant natural resources, the country has failed to fully realize the potential of many of its natural resources. Further, research on the role of western nations in conflicts in Africa as an indirect factor for the mismanagement of natural resources in Africa is also provided. A summary of the research, salient conclusions and timely recommendations are presented in the concluding chapter. The paper includes tables and graphs.
Table of Contents:
Chapter 1
Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of Study
Importance of Study
Scope of Study
Rationale of Study
Overview of Study
Chapter 2
Review of Related Literature
Chapter 3
Methodology
Description of the Study Approach
Data-gathering Method and Database of Study
Chapter 4
Data Analysis
Chapter 5
Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations
From the Paper "While petroleum products are a relative newcomer to Nigeria's "resource curse" mix, coal and tin have been mined in the country since the early colonial period; however, coal production decreased following World War II, as a consequence of the redirection of resources to the potentially more lucrative oil industry. Nevertheless, substantial coal reserves of varying quality remain throughout Nigeria's south-central states (see map at Appendix B) in a strip of country that stretches from Benin to Cameroon. Furthermore, columbite and tin can be found in the Jos Plateau and there are iron-ore deposits in the Lokoja area (situated close to the Ajaokuta steel complex in the lower Niger valley)."
Abstract This essay takes a look into the life of Francois Rabelais and into his book "Gargantua and Pantagruel". Specifically, the focus is on the idea of the curse as mentioned in the book. The curse is that Christians are free and yet they are enslaved. Finally, the paper shows that through his book "Gargantua and Pantagruel", Rabelais examines the curse of Christianity, namely that the Christian has free will, but that the free will he or she is given is limited.
From the Paper "The book contains the story of the birth and upbringing of a giant child, Gargantua, and illustrates the author's views on bad education (Medieval) and good education (Renaissance), and how an ideal humanist leader should behave. The character of the battling monk, Friar Jean, is introduced, with graphically detailed anatomical descriptions of his feats of holy combat."
Abstract This paper discusses the rivalry between and stiff competition between the baseball teams from Boston and New York City, the Red Sox and the Yankees. It examines the root causes of this rivalry which dates back to 1920 when Harry Frazee, the "unlucky" owner of Red Sox, sold Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees for $100,000 and never won a World Series again. This is now known as the Curse of the Bambino which has badly affected the Red Sox performance and fans are keenly awaiting a strong comeback 84 years after the team won its last major championship. It evaluates the games and decisions over the years since 1920, which have served as catalysts for this enduring rivalry and how Red Sox needs to get over this curse jinx if they truly want to beat Yankees and reduce the impact of this long and fierce rivalry.
From the Paper "Since that fateful Bambino trade, New York Yankees has maintained its domination in the field of baseball. Not only do they play skillfully, they also have the right attitude towards the game. Apart from that they have the psychological edge over Red Sox that is backed by a wonderful record. A rivalry, which was initiated by Babe Ruth, was gave a enduring touch by other great players including Bucky Dent whose home run hit in 1978 occupies a major place in the successful history of Yankees."
Abstract In "The Curse of Cain", Regina Schwartz specifically focuses on the nature of Biblical monotheism as it has been expressed in the Jewish tradition. This paper shows that, drawing the foundation of her theory from the allegory of Cain and Abel, the author describes how Jewish monotheism has contributed to a violent, antagonistic worldview. This paper analyzes and discusses "The Curse of Cain" and presents Schwartz's view on monotheism and its consequences on society.
From the Paper "Patriarchy exacerbates and perpetuates the myths of exclusionism and mandatory violence. Schwartz shows how, if power is conferred from father to son in kinship groups, how divine love is also inherited and expressed only through those favored kinship groups. Not only were Cain and Esau excluded from the limited bounty of God's love: their sons were also thus excluded. Whole races of people become seen as Others, enemies of the one God. It therefore becomes impossible to promote inclusiveness and honor diversity. If God has deemed one race or lineage as superior to another, then humans must also practice exclusionism in their earthly affairs. Violence toward other groups of people is essentially mandated by God."
Abstract The author states Oedipus is one of the most famous names in Greek mythology. He believes that Oedipus was not an unwitting victim but rather had a clear hand in his own demise. Although the author thinks that one might curse the stars, he finds that the sense of doom ultimately has its origination in the nature of the human character. In this paper the author also explains why he feels that the term 'Oedipus complex' is an inappropriate reading of the play.
From the Paper "The "back story" the play provides to the opening image is also indicative of Oedipus? arrogance as well. Oedipus? first dialogue with his brother-in-law reveals that the plague has its roots in the murder of the original King of Thebes, Laius. Oedipus reacts with horror to this news. But as the prophet Tiresias later says, "So, / you mock my blindness" Let me tell you this. / You with your previous eyes, you"re blind to the corruption of your life, / to the house you live in, those you live with"who are your parents? (Lines 468-470)."
This paper discusses the use of irony to tell horrific stories in compelling ways in three stories: "A Good Man is Hard to Find" by Flannery O?Connor, ?The Curse? by Andre Dubus and "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" by Ambrose Bierce.
1,045 words (approx. 4.2 pages), 3 sources, 2002, $ 36.95
Abstract This paper explains that in all three stories---?A Good Man is Hard to Find,? by Flannery O?Connor, ?The Curse,? by Andre Dubus and ?An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge,? by Ambrose Bierce---the authors' use of dramatic irony to force the reader's perspective into the minds of the protagonists, making the pain of what they experience surreally intense. The author believes that in these stories the irony can make us laugh, reveal truths that would otherwise be hard to express, or sharpen our focus on the absurdity of a situation. For example the paper explains that in "A Good Man is Hard to Find", the use of irony force's the reader's perspective to take in what the grandmother cannot ? the horror that is going to unfold, committed by men who gave no more thought to murdering children and old women than they would to catching a fish for dinner.
From the Paper "?An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge,? by Ambrose Bierce, tells the story of a man being hanged from an intensely personal viewpoint. Peyton Fahrquahar, southern gentleman and planter, is about to be hung by Union soldiers after he attempted to burn a bridge and so prevent their advance. As the author dryly notes, ?The liberal military code makes provision for hanging many kinds of persons, and gentlemen are not excluded..? As with the protagonists in the other two stories, Fahrquahar has played a part in his situation by not being alert enough, soon enough: when a man in a confederate suit comes to his gate to get a drink of water, he doesn?t realize he is a Union spy setting a trap for confederate collaborators."
This Masters paper discusses how, despite so many advantages, new forms of technology also downplay, rather than facilitate, the globalization processes.
1,900 words (approx. 7.6 pages), 4 sources, 2002, $ 71.95
Abstract This Masters paper discusses how, despite so many advantages, new forms of technology also downplay, rather than facilitate, the globalization processes.
Tags: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY / TECHNOLOGIES AND SOCIETY, blessing or curse
Abstract This paper discusses Basil Davidson's book, "The Black Man's Burden: Africa and the Curse of the Nation-States," illustrating the inappropriate path towards nationalism in Africa. The paper presents the author's own account and theory about how, in the midst of an almost politically free African region, its peoples have yet to experience true freedom in the sense that they cannot govern themselves effectively, often falling prey to the promises of nationalism, but failing to live the ideal model of a nation-state.
From the Paper "Throughout history, the most marginalized race in most countries in the age of capitalism and technological advancement remains to be the African race. Driven to live a life of bondage through slavery in most Western societies and being colonized in their own land, the Africans have not yet defined their true sense of identity as peoples. Instead, what was developed in their psyche is the feeling that they were indeed a race that would inevitably experience prejudice and discrimination in any society in the world."
This paper reviews two examples of fanatical religious literature: Sheri Reynolds' "The Rapture of Canaan" and Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter".
Abstract This paper explains that, when fanatical and out-dated views of religion and life, emphasizing the fear of eternal punishment, are pushed obsessively on children, this far too strict child-rearing results in tormented children who become adults such as Ninah in Sheri Reynolds' "The Rapture of Canaan" and Hester in Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter". The author points out that Ninah is confused and tormented sexually and socially by her guilt juxtaposed with her human desire for sensual attention. The paper relates that Hester fights back against the curse of the community, which gave her the letter "A" on her chest, by keeping her child and her sanity, while the community and law enforcement seems bizarre and lacking any kind of stable grip on their professed values.
Table of Contents
Introduction to "The Rapture of Canaan"
Thesis
"The Rapture of Canaan"
"The Scarlet Letter"
From the Paper "Mr. Dimmesdale's guilt had seemed to have been well established through the lines of narrative, as to his role in Hester's "guilt" as to having a child out of wedlock; and she nonetheless is a strong person. She feels compelled to help Dimmesdale, which clearly shows that she has overcome the emotional demise she was thrust into at the outset of the novel. "With her knowledge of a train of circumstances hidden from all others, she could readily infer that, besides the legitimate action of his own conscience, a terrible machinery had been brought to bear, and was still operating, on Mr. Dimmesdale's well-being and repose.""
Abstract The paper describes how the nature of Oedipus' fate, in Sophocles' drama "Oedipus the King", is revealed to him through different signs throughout the play when he seeks to find out the reason that his kingdom has fallen under a curse. The paper outlines how he pursues his investigation for the good of his kingdom as a noble ruler and for the sake of the truth according to the Greek standard of nobility. The paper shows how Oedipus' nobility is actually just a subjugation or surrendering to pre-ordained fate.
From the Paper "Oedipus is fated. He lives under the illusion that he has free will, but he finds out in the worst kind of way that he doesn't. The exploration of the fact of whether man is fated or how he gets his fates was a source of speculation and fascination in Greek society that was played out in artistic expressions such as theater. The truth could be terrifying, but it was a virtue that had to be accessed. Oedipus had to face his fate, and he pushed forward to uncover the truth, actively pursuing his fate. However, he was not controlling things at that point, he was acting according to a pre-ordained curse."
Abstract This paper discusses America's progressing desensitization to profanity and argues that this trend is not a bad thing. By comparing profane language from the past to modern usage, as well as using examples from television and movies, the author proves that it could be possible for the idea of bad words to be erased and replaced with the idea of bad connotation alone. Specific emphasis on the word "fuck". The paper includes a graph.
From the Paper ""Fuck [taboo]: v.t. To cheat, trick, take advantage of, deceive, or treat someone unfairly. Very common"? (Wentworth, 203-4) This is just around one-tenth of the definition of the word "fuck" from Harold Wentworth's Dictionary of American Slang. An interesting point to be taken from this partial definition is the seemingly paradoxical inclusion of both the ?[taboo]? tag for the word and the phase ?Very common.? Can a word really be taboo (forbidden/unmentionable) if it is in "very common" usage? Apparently it can. There are a huge amount of taboo "bad" words in the English language, words that are spoken with relative freedom but censored from media and prohibited in schools. This censorship, however, has been rapidly losing its importance in American society, with movies, television and everyday conversations becoming more accepting of these curse words that were once so feared. Many censorship activists say that this lax attitude toward profanity is a sign of the decline of American society, and that steps must be taken to set the United States back on track to being a less offensive country. I say, ?Fuck that.? Despite the negative connotation in which I just used the word, "fuck" and other profane words can be used with positive connotations, and thus it is not truly the words themselves that are disagreeable, but the connotation with which they are used. The desensitization of America to profanity is not a bad thing; it is possible, if trends continue, for the idea of bad words to be almost completely demolished and replaced by the idea of bad connotation."
Abstract This paper takes a look at Francois Rabelais' life and how his upbringing influenced his work. The work examined in this paper is "Gargantua and Pantagruel". Firstly a description of his upbringing in a historical context is provided and then a concise look at the novel. The characters are analyzed and contrasted.
From the paper:
"Because to laugh is proper to the man.? ? Francois Rabelais.
Francois Rabelais was a satirist. Throughout his life, he was bombarded with Christian ideals and ideas, yet his works certainly ridicule many aspects of the Christian faith. Francois Rabelais was born in 1483 at Chinon in Touraine. This date, as well as many other details of his life, is in dispute by scholars all over the world. Some researchers believe that his father was an apothecary while others believe that Rabelais? father was an innkeeper. Francois began his studies with the Benedictines but eventually joined the Franciscans where he stayed fifteen years and received his Holy Orders. He later found the convent was against the studies of the Renaissance that he favoured, so with permission from the Pope, he left it. At his new convent home he continued his study of medicine in 1530. By the following year, he was a professor of anatomy at Lyons as well as head physician at Pont-du-Rhone hospital. During his time as head physician, he fathered a child that died young. In 1534 he began his time with Cardinal du Bellay as a physician. He received an indult from Pope Paul III that allowed him to practice medicine and absolved him from his former infraction of fathering a child while in the priesthood."
