Abstract
This essay discusses the negligent and fraudulent misrepresentations made by Enron which triggered an accounting scandal that led to its downfall. First, the paper gives some background history of the company to show that the downfall wasn't something expected. Next, the paper gives an overview of the scandal. The paper then discusses the negligent and fraudulent misrepresentations the SEC uncovered when they began their investigation. Finally, the paper discusses the fallout at Enron and the legal and its ethical lessons.

From the Paper
"There have been a few high profile corporate governance and securities fraud scandals in recent years such as those of WorldCom, Tyco, and Adelphia, however none have been as widely publicized as Enron. These scandals have had a negative effect on American business as well as a detrimental effect on the investors in these businesses. Enron, especially, costs its employees and others greatly with the loss of their jobs and their retirement funds. Furthermore, they robbed them and other Americans of the trust they had for the companies that they work for and invest in. Securities fraud robs investors of their trust for corporations, as well as their money, in many cases. "Securities fraud is an act committed by an entity intended to manipulate the market through deliberate concealment, or distortion of information. The SEC..."

Tags:sec, enron, misrepresentations

Abstract
This paper discusses the Weimer Republic, of post-WWI Germany. It specifically looks at the reasons why it was doomed to social and political failure, particularly the effect of the economic climate of the period which it encompassed. The paper discusses the downfall of the Weimer Republic, at the hands of economic and social devastation.

From the Paper
"Germany was seeking change, sweeping change that would lend rapid resolution to the desperation and the symptoms of such desperation that resulted from the great depression and then the post-war reparations and economic instability of a nation. It is for these reasons and others that the Weimer republic, of post-WWI Germany was in many ways doomed to social and political failure, most profoundly because of the economic climate of the period which it encompassed. Seeking rapid change led the people to look for resolutions in places where the message gave them the most hope as to the manner in which their lives would be transformed. The nation sought an end to crippling inflation and jarring social unrest that resulted from it."

Tags:reparations, instability, Hitler

Abstract
This paper explains that Hamlet is a complex character with many nuances and subtleties. So complex is his emotional makeup that he is pulled by conflicting thoughts and emotions to the point of mental instability. It shows how Hamlet displays his grief openly, inviting suspicion on himself, which is an unwise move for someone plotting against the king. The writer concludes that Hamlet's negative perspective leads him on a downward spiral to despair and ruin.

From the Paper
"Hamlet is plagued by self-doubt. His inconsistent behavior is a manifestation of his lack of trust in himself. Not trusting his own senses, Hamlet wonders if he really saw the ghost of his father, which causes him to wonder if the story of the murder is actually true. In order to get verification or evidence against the king, Hamlet contrives to have the actors play out a similar scene in front of the king in order to observe his reaction. Still not quite trusting himself, Hamlet calls upon his friend Horatio to also watch the king and serve as a judge of his reaction to the play. While one cannot really blame Hamlet for questioning his own sanity after seeing a ghost, this scheme is necessary in order to validate Hamlet's lust for revenge. Hamlet seeks confirmation in the king's reaction that he is not insane, that he has a rational hold on things. Without it, Hamlet would always doubt his actions, whether or not he was in the right. After killing Polonius, Hamlet sees the ghost of his father again, this time in the company of his mother. Hamlet is taken aback when he realizes that his mother cannot see the apparition. This feeds his doubts and causes him to question his sanity even further. The timing of the ghost's arrival is telling, however. Shortly after Hamlet spared the life of the usurper, then subsequently killed an innocent man, the ghost appears before him as if to serve as a reminder of his own guilt. The ghost accuses him of waning purpose, which is what Hamlet, most fears in himself- that he will not have the strength to avenge his father."

Tags:father, king, kill

From the Paper
"Many of the important ideas that would be transmitted and repeated throughout Chinese history began early in that history, as early as the Chou dynasty and before. Some of these conceptions are reflected in the literature of the era and would reappear in later literature. These ideas can be seen in early historical writings such as "The Downfall of Prince Shen-sheng," and a variety of cultural and social elements of the time can be discerned in this story.
An important theme in Chinese literature is the responsibilities that devolve to the ruler, and this theme is clearly important in the story under discussion. It was a theme that developed early in Chinese history:
For unexplainable reasons the Chinese, as early as the first millennium before Christ, during the Zhou (Chou)(...)"

Tags:CHINA

Abstract
This paper examines the causes (Ambition, Lady Macbeth, Witches) of Macbeth's downfall from a loyal soldier to a brutal murderer and also the events that led to his tragic death at the end of the play. Manipulation, the supernatural, and ambition are discussed.

From the Paper
"The play "Macbeth" gives the audience many opportunities to consider the reasons for the main character's actions. At first, Macbeth is a brave and noble warrior. His thirst for power causes him to murder his friend, his king, and an innocent family. By the end of the play he is full of despair and has lost all interest in life. His ambition, his dominating wife, and the manipulative witches all contribute to his downfall.
At the beginning of the play Macbeth is a brave war hero. When Malcolm is named Prince of Cumberland, Macbeth becomes jealous. He admits his "black and deep desires". He also says to - let the eye wink at the hand?, or, to let the eye be blind to the hand's deed. This is when Macbeth first realizes that he may have to play an active part in making the witches? prophecy come true. He is even willing to do something drastic in order to become king. Before killing Duncan, Macbeth says that he has no ?spur to prick the sides of [his] intent, but only vaulting ambition.? He is tired of simply being a warrior. He wants to have more power. Instead of letting fate take its course he is going to kill Duncan to get what he wants."

Tags:downfall, shakespeare, tragedy, tragic

Abstract
This paper examines how although "King Lear" by William Shakespeare, "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald and "Fifth Business" by Robertson Davies, are all very different works from different times and places, the main characters all possess a similar downfall or fatal flaw: They cannot distinguish true love from false love. It attempts to show how as a result, King Lear loses his kingdom and his life and how Nick Carraway, the narrator of "The Great Gatsby", gets involved with a dangerous, immoral crowd and undergoes a personal struggle with his own morals and lifestyle. It also looks at how Dunstan Ramsay, the narrator of "Fifth Business, tells the tale of his life, throughout which he suffers because of his inability to let go of a woman from his past.

From the Paper
"In the Great Gatsby, Nick Carraway goes through his own hardships and makes his own mistakes. Most of these, like those of Lear, stem from his inability to distinguish between true and false love. He has an infatuation for Daisy Buchanan (one shared by many characters in the novel), and begins an affair with Jordan Baker, a cynical golfer. The problem, of course, is that he mistakes the infatuation or lust he has in the presence of these two women for real emotion, for real love. Because of this, he believes that they care for him, in some way at least, and that they are good people. As he finds out later, however, this is not the case."

Tags:cordelia, dunstan, nick, carraway, ramsay

Abstract
Othello is a noble man who is deceived, as well as outwitted, by Iago, who immorally uses his wit in order to do so. This paper shows by which methods Iago was able to succeed in bringing about the downfall of Othello.

From the Paper
"English literature has seen many great writers throughout its? time. However, one as great as William Shakespeare has not been seen. Amongst the many great plays of Shakespeare's time, Othello has captured the hearts of many. In this play, the main character, Othello, is outwitted by the villan, Iago, who is very jealous and deceiving. He represents a vague image of a puppet master. Iago's role-playing with the different characters gives him the power to control his victims' fates. He is filled with so much jealousy and hatred through which he destroys everyone. Othello, on the other hand, is a tragic hero with both greatness and weakness. An honest, loyal, true and honorable man, Othello is destroyed during the course of this Shakespearean drama."

Tags:tragic, hero

Abstract
Discusses the Constitutional abuses perpetrated by Nixon and those under him and examines the Watergate events and impact. Contends that, although Nixon was responsible for his own downfall, he blamed everyone but himself.

From the Paper
"This study will examine the events leading up to the resignation of President Richard M. Nixon as a result of the Watergate scandal, although other peripheral issues also played a part in the fall of Nixon from power. The heart of the issue is certainly..."

Abstract
This piece is asurvey of Napoleon's military career, written in non-technical terms for an undergraduate audience. The piece first describes Napoleon's early successes as the leader of several artillery regiments, followed by an impressive squelching of an insurgency which threatened the French Directory. The narrative then discusses Napoleon's ability to, with a small, efficient, and tightly controlled army, isolate and conquer France's enemies by building strategic alliances and removing dissent. Napoleon's growing ambition to control Europe when he became Emperor, his inability to enforce his own economic policies, his failure to control large armies, and his growing arrogance are described as causing the eventual downfall of this brilliant but flawed military strategist.

Abstract
This paper discusses Shakespeare's use of Macbeth to illustrate the universal theme that a lack of strength of character will lead to one's downfall. Macbeth's actions and the motivations behind them are demonstrated with examples from the story and text.

From the Paper
"Many a great man has fallen prey to greed, ambition and power. Macbeth is no exception. His ambition to control the power of the thrown confuses his judgment. He succumbs first to the prophecies of the three witches and then later, murderously, to his wife's bidding.
Shakespeare uses Macbeth to show the terrible effects that ambition and guilt can have on a man who lacks strength of character. Although the play was written in 1600 England, its theme is universal and cares not about time. It is Macbeth's lack of character strength that is his demise.
The reader is introduced to Macbeth by way of description. A "bleeding sergeant" meets the good King Duncan and his son, Malcolm. The sergeant tells a tale of the recent battle in which "brave Macbeth" fought bravely (I.ii.19). At first introduction, Macbeth seems to be the perfect soldier, "carving out his passage" (I.ii.22). Between meeting the witches and his wife's immoral determination, we are left wondering if Macbeth ever really stood a chance against fate. Perhaps had he not started his crime wave, he might not have ended so horribly and would not have become the "tyrannt" everyone calls him by the end of the play."

Tags:ambition, greed, power, Duncan, murder, battle, tyrant