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..."
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."
Abstract This paper is concerning liability of management in the downfall of Enron Corporation. Many different things went wrong in the downfall of the Enron Corporation beginning with the top executive as well as the accounting companies. Why? How could this have happened?
Abstract This paper explains that the downfall of the Soviet Union was, in part, due to the labor policies such as the promise of work, the compulsory labor policies and the promise of equal pay to many people regardless of their work. The author points out these labor policies created an apathetic attitude about productivity and success that led to an inability to stir the nation into growth, which was the cause of the ultimate downfall of the Soviet Union. The paper contends that, as the nation rebuilds, it is important that it allows a policy of free market competitiveness.
From the Paper "The Red Army of Workers simulated what Americans know as "Unions". The difference was that the Red Army of Workers was actually controlled by the government and given freedoms that the government felt were allowable. This again wiped out any hope for motivation or drive and those who belonged simply went through the paces. The government allowed the workers to be given the right to participate in the government structure and to practice religion but later years removed such rights. The laboring masses were then nothing but workhorses who went each day, performed their duties, and did not have anything to wish for or hope for."
Abstract This paper outlines why the downfall of Oedipus in Sophocles' play "Oedipus Rex" is so tragic. It discusses whether or not he was accountable for his own downfall and what Sophocles was trying to say to the people of Athens.
From the Paper "There is an old saying that says pride goes before a fall which means that when someone thinks and behaves in an over confident manner sooner or later something will happen usually brought upon themselves insome way to humiliate them. The more grand the ..."
Abstract This paper discusses the history and development of the warfare of the Hoplites, the primary core of the Greek Infantry. It begins by discussing some general background about the Hoplites and their armaments and then describes their combat and tactics in warfare. The paper concludes by discussing their development and rise to power and then describes the factors contributing to their downfall.
Table of Contents:
The Hoplite and Armaments
Combat and Tactics
History : Development and Downfall Conclusion
From the Paper "At the height of the Hoplite Wars in the Eight Century B.C. several changes and development have evolved within the ranks and class of the hoplites. Greek Warfare was principally held on land battle with the development of the phalanx formation. It is a formation used by the hoplites to defend the ranks while in the line of attack. Initiating a rectangular formation, hoplites would lock their shield or Aspis while moving forward with the thrust sphere extended towards the enemy. The effectiveness of this formation was proven in Marathon with the victory of the Athenians over the Persians. In this period, the Persian War brought forth some changes with the usual armament of the hoplites. Having been instructed to pursue the archers of Persia in battle, innovations were made on the basic components of the panoplies of the hoplites. It adapted other lighter materials to make the armor and helmets. Their shields were reduced to a smaller size but are still capable of protecting the phalanx formation of the hoplites. The Persian War also brought forth augmentation of other military personnel in the army. Specifically, the Athenians commissioned peltasts, a type of light infantry in ancient Greek Warfare. They often function as skirmishers for the army, a small troop lined in for short lightning battles. Athenians also started to implore the services of additional cavalry in response to the tactics of the Persian Army."
Abstract This paper examines how many critics, over the years, have discussed the issue of blame as far as Willy's ideas, suffering, and suicide are concerned. Many feel, as the question in the title claims, that Willy's character traits and dubious morals are the key reasons behind his downfall, yet others believe that social pressures and the influence of role models are the key triggers responsible for Willy's downfall. The paper attempts to argue all the responses to this statement.
From the Paper "In dramatic contrast to this view of Willy, there are those who view him much less critically, focusing on his more admirable qualities and the causes outside of Willy's control as responsible for his downfall. Biff describes Willy as having the "wrong dreams", Willy may be flawed but he is also admirable because of his persistence and great love for his family. Jerry L. Crawford "Death of a Salesman: A landmark Date in Theatre" is very much in agreement with this line of argument. He believes that "few people can remain unmoved by Willy's fight for his family, carrying on a struggle for sales long after he has lost his skills and welcome, holding desperately to an impossible dream for his son". "
Abstract This paper deals with the protagonist Hamlet, and his inability to complete his task of revenge. Although Hamlet does kill Claudius, who is his uncle and the man who killed his father, the plan for revenge is not properly fulfilled due to elements that cause Hamlet's downfall and his unfortunate demise. The essay discusses how the factors of procrastination, melancholic behavior, and constant indecision stop Hamlet from properly fulfilling the task assigned by the ghost of Old Hamlet.
From the Paper "Hamlet observes how Fortinbras is willing to go blindly to Poland, to fight for a piece of land, which is worthless, all in the name of honor. When he looks at himself, he sees that he is not a man of action. The prince has had months of time to fulfill his act of revenge, which he has all the reason for, but he has not gotten any closer to his goal than the first day. Fortinbras, on the other hand, appears as a foil to Hamlet, highlighting his own quick-acting ability, and contrasting Hamlet's continuing procrastination. The extensive delay of Hamlet's revenge is what creates a tragedy and contributes to his downfall at the end of the play. As well as the stretching of time, Hamlet is also not up to the task assigned to him by the ghost because he is melancholic and too overwhelmed by other surrounding situations."
A paper which discusses to what extent Lancelot and his love for Guinevere contributed to the downfall of the Round Table, as seen in different versions of the story throughout history.
Abstract The love story of Lancelot and Guinevere is one of the most tragic love stories in Western literature because their love brings about not only their own ruin but that of the kingdom itself and of all the dreams that Arthur and his knights brought to the founding of the Round Table. This paper examines the role that Lancelot plays in bringing about the downfall of the Round Table. Beyond the specific fates that befall Lancelot, Guinevere, and the other denizens of Camelot, this paper explores to some extent the idea of sexual pollution and the reasons why adultery -- surely a far lesser sin than murder or rape or pillage -- looms so large in this narrative.
From the Paper "We are most familiar with the story of Lancelot and how his inability to control his sexuality becomes a metaphor for the inability of humans to control their animal natures and so a metaphor for all of the ways in which humans are divorced from divinity through Sir Thomas Malory's Morte Darthur. This telling of the Grail story remains a significant work over 500 years after its publication not only for the clarity of its prose but also because it helped to codify and circulate the Arthurian legend (which is something of a cosmological origin story for the British), as well as for the important role the work had in creating a vernacular tradition of written English literature."
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 judgement. 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."
Abstract Research paper focusing on the Syrian leader Antiochus III who was the Seleucid king of the Hellenistic Syrian Empire from 223 to 187 BC. This paper examines his conflict with Rome, which brought his downfall and the demise of the Hellenistic Syrian empire.
From the Paper "Antiochus III was the son of Seleucus II and younger brother of Seleucus III, whom he succeeded. He was known as a soldier who possessed great ability. ("Antiochus III: Jerusalem Through Coins") When Antiochus III took the throne, the Seleucid Empire was in decline. Although Antiochus did not succeed in totally restoring the greatness of the Seleucid dynasty, he did much to revive its glory during his reign."
Tags: antiochus, empire, great, hellenistic, history, iii, roman, rome, syria, syrian, world
Abstract This paper examines how entering into the narcotics business helped cause the downfall of the Italian Mafia, La Cosa Nostra. It explains how the drug or narcotics industry led the Mafia to a lower prestige, and began its downward spiral. The paper shows how it is no longer the respectable, honorable organization it once was, and is now viewed as little better than your normal street gangs.
From the Paper "As a society we face many problems, two of which are drugs and organized crime. Drugs, which were once considered just to be for hoodlums and never a mainstream problem, are associated with organized crime, especially La Cosa Nostra, the Italian Mafia. La Cosa Nostra was once a much-revered organization that was comprised of select Italian people who sometimes defied the laws to obtain things for themselves, and other people. La Cosa Nostra, also known as the Mob, the (Secret) Society, Organized Crime, the Confederation, the Outfit, and the Underworld, is comprised of different families with a don, or boss, running each family and a consigliere, advisor, aiding him, and a couple of capos, or captains, who help run the operations with 10 foot soldiers under him. La Cosa Nostra makes its money by getting involved in legitimate operations such as casinos, labor unions, strip clubs, and restaurants as well as illegal rackets like prostitution, loan-sharking, and narcotics. Narcotics have been popular since the late 1960's and early 1970's among the mobsters. The drug racket has only one good thing about it; it makes a lot of money quickly. Narcotics have caused many bad things to happen to the Mafia, and have caused the downward spiral of La Cosa Nostra."
Abstract This paper examines the theme of boasting in the poem Beowulf. It describes the purposes the boasting served for the warrior, such as encouragement before battle, to impress and intimidate other warriors, and to achieve respect and fame for his heroic deeds. However, it is argued that this same trait led to his eventual downfall.
From the Paper "Boasting is a key dramatic element in the epic poem Beowulf. Boasting, for warriors like those in this poem, performs a number of purposes: it helps fighters prepare themselves for battle, figuratively arming them with self-confidence. A warrior who boasts sets up an ideal from of himself ? one that he must then attempt to live up to in battle. Bragging about past victories can also intimidate and impress other warriors. Beowulf's boasting served all those purposes. His boasting also helped to achieve him fame for his abilities as a warrior. Beowulf my have been using boasting as a tool to help him achieve success. However, in the end, his fame and over- confidence that the boasting helped him to achieve led to hid demise."
