What You Need to Know About the Epic Poem Beowulf

What You Need to Know About the Epic Poem 'Beowulf' Beowulf is the oldest surviving epic poem in the English language and the earliest piece of vernacular European literature. Perhaps the most common question readers have is what language Beowulf was written in originally. The first manuscript was written in the language of the Saxons, Old English, also known as Anglo-Saxon. Since then, the epic poem has been estimated to have been translated into 65 languages. However, many translators have struggled to maintain the flow and alliteration present within the complex text. Origins of Beowulf Little is known about this famous epic poems origins, unfortunately. Many believe that Beowulf may have been composed as an elegy for a king who died in the seventh century, but little evidence indicates who that king may have been. The burial rites described in the epic show a great similarity to the evidence found at Sutton Hoo, but too much remains unknown to form a direct correlation between the poem and the burial site. The poem may have been composed as early as around 700 C.E.  and evolved through many retellings before it was finally written down. Regardless, whoever  the original author may have been is lost to history. Beowulf  contains many  pagan  and folkloric elements, but there are undeniable Christian themes as well. This dichotomy has led some to interpret the epic as the work of more than one author. Others have seen it as symbolic of the transition from paganism to Christianity in  early medieval Britain. The extreme delicacy of the manuscript, the perceived two separate hands that inscribed the text, and the complete lack of clues to the identity of the author make a realistic determination difficult at best. Originally untitled, in the 19th century the poem was eventually  referred to by the name of its Scandinavian hero, whose adventures are its primary focus. While some historical elements run through the poem, the hero and the story are both fictional. History of theManuscript The sole manuscript of Beowulf  dates to around the year 1000. Handwriting style reveals that it was inscribed by two different people. Whether either scribe embellished or altered the original story is unknown. The earliest known owner of the manuscript was 16th-century scholar Lawrence Nowell. In the 17th century, it became part of Robert Bruce Cottons collection and is therefore known as Cotton Vitellius A.XV.  The manuscript is now in the British Library, although in 1731 the manuscript suffered irreparable damage in a fire. The first transcription of the poem was made by Icelandic scholar Grà ­mur Jà ³nsson Thorkelin in 1818. Since the manuscript has decayed further, Thorkelins version is highly prized, yet its accuracy has been questioned. In 1845, the pages of the manuscript were mounted in paper frames to save them from further damage. This protected the pages, but it also covered some of the letters around the edges. In 1993, the British Library initiated the Electronic Beowulf Project. Through the use of special infrared and ultraviolet lighting techniques, the covered letters were revealed as electronic images of the manuscript were made. TheStory Beowulf is a fictional prince of the Geats of southern Sweden who comes to Denmark to help King Hrothgar rid his fabulous hall, Heorot, of a terrible monster known as Grendel. The hero mortally wounds the creature, who flees the hall to die in its lair. The next night, Grendels mother comes to Heorot to avenge her offspring and kills one of Hrothgars men. Beowulf tracks her down and kills her, then returns to Heorot, where he receives great honors and gifts before returning home. After ruling the Geats for half a century in peace, Beowulf must face a dragon who threatens his land. Unlike his earlier battles, this confrontation is terrible and deadly. He is deserted by all his retainers except his kinsman Wiglaf, and though he defeats the dragon he is mortally wounded. His funeral and a lament end the poem. The Impact of Beowulf Much has been written about this epic poem, and it will surely continue to inspire scholarly investigation and debate, both literary and historical. For decades students have undertaken the difficult task of learning Old English in order to read it in its original language. The poem has also inspired fresh creative works, from Tolkiens Lord of the Rings to Michael Crichtons Eaters of the Dead, and it will probably continue to do so for centuries to come. Translations of Beowulf Originally written in Old English, the first translation of the poem was into Latin by Thorkelin, in connection with his transcription of 1818. Two years later Nicolai Grundtvig made the first translation into a modern language, Danish. The first translation into modern English was made by J. M. Kemble in 1837. In total, it is estimated that the epic poem has been translated into 65 languages.   Since then there have been many modern English translations. The version done by Francis B. Gummere in 1919 is out of copyright and freely available at several websites. Many more recent translations, in both prose and verse form, are available today.

Limiting Reactant Theoretical Yield (Worked Problem)

Limiting Reactant Theoretical Yield (Worked Problem) The limiting reactant of a reaction is the reactant that would run out first if all the reactants were to be reacted together. Once the limiting reactant is completely consumed, the reaction would cease to progress. The theoretic yield of a reaction is the amount of products produced when the limiting reactant runs out. This worked example chemistry problem shows how to determine the limiting reactant and calculate the theoretical yield of a chemical reaction. Limiting Reactant and Theoretical Yield Problem You are given the following reaction: 2 H2(g) O2(g) → 2 H2O(l) Calculate: a. the stoichiometric ratio of moles H2 to moles O2b. the actual moles H2 to moles O2 when 1.50 mol H2 is mixed with 1.00 mol O2c. the limiting reactant (H2 or O2) for the mixture in part (b)d. the theoretical yield, in moles, of H2O for the mixture in part (b) Solution a. The stoichiometric ratio is given by using the coefficients of the balanced equation. The coefficients are the numbers listed before each formula. This equation is already balanced, so refer to the tutorial on balancing equations if you need further help: 2 mol H2 / mol O2 b. The actual ratio refers to the number of moles actually provided for the reaction. This may or may not be the same as the stoichiometric ratio. In this case, it is different: 1.50 mol H2 / 1.00 mol O2 1.50 mol H2 / mol O2 c. Note that the actual ratio of smaller than the required or stoichiometric ratio, which means there is insufficient H2 to react with all of the O2 that has been provided. The insufficient component (H2) is the limiting reactant. Another way to put it is to say that O2 is in excess. When the reaction has proceeded to completion, all of the H2 will have been consumed, leaving some O2 and the product, H2O. d. Theoretical yield is based on the calculation using the amount of limiting reactant, 1.50 mol H2. Given that 2 mol H2 forms 2 mol H2O, we get: theoretical yield H2O 1.50 mol H2 x 2 mol H2O / 2 mol H2 theoretical yield H2O 1.50 mol H2O Note that the only requirement for performing this calculation is knowing the amount of the limiting reactant and the ratio of the amount of limiting reactant to the amount of product. Answers a. 2 mol H2 / mol O2b. 1.50 mol H2 / mol O2c. H2d. 1.50 mol H2O Tips for Working This Type of Problem The most important point to remember is that you are dealing with the molar ratio between the reactants and products. If you are given a value in grams, you need to convert it to moles. If youre asked to supply a number in grams, you convert back from the moles used in the calculation.The limiting reactant isnt automatically the one with the smallest number of moles. For example, say you have 1.0 moles of hydrogen and 0.9 moles of oxygen in the reaction to make water. If you didnt look at the stoichiometric ratio between the reactants, you might choose oxygen as the limiting reactant, yet hydrogen and oxygen react in a 2:1 ratio, so youd actually expend the hydrogen much sooner than youd use up the oxygen.When youre asked to give quantities, watch the number of significant figures. They always matter in chemistry!

A Study of the Factors that Influcence Customer Decision-making in Essay

A Study of the Factors that Influcence Customer Decision-making in Choosing Local Thai Hotel - Essay Example The work, of which this is a record, has been carried out by myself unless otherwise stated and where the work is mine, it reflects personal views and values. All quotations have been distinguished by quotation marks and all sources of information have been acknowledged by means of references including those of the internet. Lodging has long been a necessity practice and maintained by people around the world whenever they visit new places. The basic idea of lodging is to provide comfort through the means of providing space for people would recuperate after long hours of journey. Basic provision includes single space bed, a bathroom and small furniture such as chairs and tables. However, as time passes and competition growing between owners who operate lodging houses or hotels in these days, there have been rapid changes that could now be seen in present day hotels. According to American Hotel & Lodging Association (2002), in order to provide better services and to increase the profits of these hotels, modern facilities have been included. These include climate control materials such as air conditioning and heater. Fancy materials have also been included such as television, internet connectivity, and expensive necessities such as soaps, shampoos and perfumes. In bigger hotels that aim for international r ecognition and greater number of customers, they have provided additional facilities such as seminar rooms, restaurant, swimming pools and gyms. All of these are to win the favor of the customer in choosing their hotel over the others. According to Anthony, Anthony and Ghosh (2004), in the modern hotel industry, such functions or additional facilities have played an important role for customers or tourists in choosing their hotels. Knowing the attributes that determine accommodation choice, features which consumers perceive as important or vital, and characteristics that influences higher rates of retention allows hotel

Management of service quality issue Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Management of service quality issue - Essay Example The valet parking service is generally provided by establishments such as hotels, restaurants, big business houses, malls and theatres. In the current research, various advantages and issues of valet parking with respect to the Address hotel has been discussed. The Address hotel is one of the well known and favourite destinations in Dubai. The hotel expects to increase its overall service quality and enhance customer satisfaction through better management of valet parking services. In order to identify the major problems in valet parking service quality, fishbone analysis and Pareto analysis tool have been used. Analysis of these two theories has revealed that there are six major problems which results in customer dissatisfaction and overall damage of the hotel’s brand image. After identification of these exact problems, various possible recommendations were suggested. Valet parking is convenient as well as affordable to the customers. In majority of cases, valet parking is ve ry cheap and affordable. Valet parking helps in improving the overall experience of the customer. The customers are able to start their experience with a pleasurable parking service facility. Introduction Valet parking is a common parking service provided by some stores, businesses and restaurants. The tradition was initiated in North America and then had spread to other parts of the globe such as Europe, Australia and Middle-east (Clarke and Chen, 2012). While self-parking customers need to find a parking place by themselves, in Valet parking the vehicles of customers are parked by an individual known as Valet. This kind of service either requires some charges to be paid by the car owner or it can be free of charge by the business or establishment. The major advantage of valet parking is that it is convenient. Customers need not walk distant places especially when they are carrying heavy things with them. A lot of handicapped customers rely on valet parking services as they cannot walk to the destination from a distant parking space. Valet parking is also convenient during bad weather conditions. In most of the high profile hotels and restaurants, valets are knowledgeable and professionals who are able to drive and place every model in their perfect places. It is also a method of saving space compared to normal street parking. The various venues where valet parking is currently used are single events, bar or restaurant locations, crowded settings, hotel locations, casinos, malls and airports (Kotler and Keller, 2006). Most individuals who provide valet parking services usually fall in the age group of 18-28. However, attendants as old as 60 can also be found working in this valet service. Turnover is quiet high for these services. Valet parking also includes certain types of equipments for example, valet podiums where vehicles are handed over to the valet, key boxes used for protecting and storing the keys and valet tickets to keep a check on the different ve hicles. In some urban areas and exceptional places, valet parking services are also provided for bikes. The purpose of the current project is to investigate and research the management of valet parking service. The project will throw light on how the service is being provided in five star hotels and how it is affecting the overall performance of these hotels. The organization taken for the project is Address hotel in Dubai. The Address hotel in Dubai is one of the well known hotel destinations. It is near by the sea shore and is situated in Dubai

Psychology and Scientific Method Essay Example for Free

Psychology and Scientific Method Essay There are many arguments that debunk the idea that psychology could ever be a ‘pure science’. In any event, psychology has been touted by many a philosopher as a pseudo-science. This is primarily because science itself has a fixed method by which they conduct scientific experiments. We discuss precisely what it is that makes a theory scientific, how theories can be related to evidence and the principal issues involved in evaluating a theory. We also look at what it is that a science of psychology should study. What aspects of psychology can be defined as scientific and what aspects are thoroughly based on conjecture? Can we really call psychology a scientific medium? The observable is what science studies. Freud was initially concerned with studying the unseen, while observing behaviors (Hays, 1964: 27). He believed that the insanity that is presented to the outside world was due to a complex internal mental mechanism (Hays, 1964: 27). However, Freud also fell short of one thing, hard evidence that these mental processes existed. Scientific method determines that there are 4 or 5 steps the researcher has to take in order to make the experiment valid in the eyes of the scientific community. Physics lecturer Jose Wudka states that these steps include: 1. Observation; 2. Hypothesis; 3. Prediction; 4. Test the prediction with experiment (Wudka, 1998). The last step may be that the prediction needs to be retested and the hypothesis revisited. If we take Freud as an example, his experiments were based almost entirely on observation with no empirical data to either prove or disprove his hypotheses. Theory remains just a theory until is proved as fact. Theories are therefore related to evidence in a crucial way. Firstly, there has to be evidence of something that can be studied: for instance in criminal justice we have a bullet cap left behind at a crime. This bullet may be lying in a certain way and with the added presence of gunshot residue (cordite) can help investigators to formulate a hypothesis about what happened with the particular crime. With the case of Freud for instance, we can observe behaviors of children or even adults, but we cannot say where it comes from without getting inside the head. This makes the evidence inadmissible and the theory remains just that – a theory. Secondly, evidence that is presented, has to be tested. This means that the evidence must relate to the theory it is trying to legitimate. In this case, the evidence either proves the theory or it forces the experimenter to return to the theory and rework it. A theory can be evaluated by means of this same testing procedure, key issues being predominantly about validity, verifiability and reliability. Take for instance the normal experimental procedure for empirical research that includes the presentation of a valid sample group that is anonymous and whose records are either thus or confidential. An example of theory testing in psychology that does follow the scientific method is that of medical and electrical testing. One particular research example in psychology is that of Electro Shock Therapy. In this case the treatment studied is reversed in that the EST was used to treat asthmatics, successfully. This case studied asthmatics brought in for EST after intense supervision prior to hospitalization. The patients were monitored before, during and after the treatment to see whether there is a relationship between hysteria and asthma (Cohen and Holbrook, 1947: 213). In this case the patients themselves provide the data necessary for testing the hypothesis. The hypothesis was that there was a relationship between hysteria and asthma. The results showed not only a relationship, but I significant reaction to Electro Shock Treatment (Cohen and Holbrook, 1947: 214). In other research, EST is studied for its effect on schizophrenia rather than the usual bipolar disorder. This research revealed that EST may be useful in the treatment of this psychotic illness. This especially when combined with medication (ScienceDaily, 2005). These research projects were conducted under strict supervision and with documentation the entire process. On the other side of the coin, there are arguments that also dispel scientific method. William McComas of the Rossier School of Education cites 15 myths about scientific method that he considers to be principal issues. In the scope of this paper we cannot discuss all of McComas’ issues but a few will be discussed. The first of these is that hypotheses become theories and then become laws. This is not always the case since sometimes the evidence does not uphold the hypothesis. He also says that theory is not always absolute. Theory can only be absolute if there are no exceptions and in psychology particularly, there are almost always exceptions. Science and scientific method are also not always absolute proof, nor does it always answer all the questions (McComas, 1998: 2-9). In tune with the fact that the evidence does not always support the hypothesis, science does also not always represent reality but functions as a model around which scientific developments can be made (McComas, 1998: 9-18). Furthermore and specifically in psychology terms, these theories are flouted by the presence of some elements in a patient that do not fit the ‘textbook’ description of a certain ailment. For instance, it could be said that most cases of borderline personality disorder come from upper to middle class sectors and develop this type of disorder as a textbook concern, not all BPD patients are upper to middle class. This is merely an example of the type of issue that faces the social sciences where individuals cannot be controlled in the way that plant slides or blood tests can be. The science of psychology is about people and the nuances thereof. It is aware that humans are temperamental and also subject to the actions of other people. This means that psychology can be studied as an observation, by viewing the behaviors of people and documenting them. Psychology cannot be studied in the same way as other sciences can be, despite the fact that in empirical sciences there are also issues of compliance. If we consider that communicable diseases such as HIV/Aids can be physically examined, that blood cells and antibodies can be made visible and studied in their physical form, psychology is not the same. Inroads have been made to attempt to clarify tests done decades earlier, such as Pavlov’s conditioning studies, but unless a method becomes available to view thought processes, these theories remain unproved. The visible is the first step to studying science, but psychology hits a wall after that. We know certain aspects of psychology, such as schizophrenia is as much a neurological disorder as a psychiatric one, but there are other psychological issues we do not know. This means that psychology has to be studied in a multidisciplinary way, rather than as purely scientific. In qualitative research as in quantitative, issues of evaluation are the same. In some psychiatric cases, a patient may also have medical problems, such as diabetes, epilepsy or malnutrition and these can be physically seen. There are indeed ways in which psychology fails the test of scientific method, and therefore falls into the category of ‘pseudo science’. However, there are issues in pure sciences that also fall short of the elitist idea of science. Films such Stanley Kubrick’s â€Å"A Clockwork Orange† explore the idea of experimentation with the human brain, but to undergo such testing even with the consent of volunteers, would be considered inhumane. It seems to be ethical to test chemicals on animals or to test explosives in remote areas, but not ethical to perform potentially dangerous tests on human brains. This leaves psychological testing with the likes of psychometric testing and theories, yet again. As discussed, scientific method is reliant on having the evidence to back it up, whereas psychological is based on assumption to a large extent. Psychological profiling is an example of this in that given the evidence presented, a criminal can be profiled by the marks he leaves behind. Seldom is this knowledge enough to prove someone is guilty of not.

Irony as an Instrument Essay -- Ironic Irony Essays

Irony as an Instrument Its 7:09 am and Olivia is woken up by a wetness between her legs. She looks down and finds that the wetness is actually her water that broke. She anxiously wakes up her husband John, and the two of them quickly gather their things. After nine long months of waiting, John and Olivia are finally on their way to the hospital to welcome their first child into the world. The two have already chosen Jacob Alexander as the baby's name and have the nursery ready for him at home. Once at the hospital, Olivia and John meet with their doctor, Dr. Rodriguez, who assures the anxious couple that everything will be fine and their new son will be in their arms in just a matter of hours. It is now 8:22 am and the pain from Olivia's contractions is beginning to grow stronger. Several hours later, Olivia is in crucial pain but is only dilated 4 1/2 centimeters and is beginning to bleed. Knowing that something is wrong, Dr. Rodriguez realizes that the baby's heart rate is declining and that Olivia's blo od pressure has significantly dropped as well. Worried about the health of both the baby and Olivia, Dr. Rodriquez decides that emergency surgery would be the only way to have a successful delivery. Before preparing for surgery, he once again reassures the family that everything will be just fine and shows John to the waiting room. After hours of surgery with several complications, Dr. Rodriguez has successfully delivered baby Jacob but unfortunately could not save Olivia. Soon after Jacob was born, Olivia began hemorrhaging and there was no way for Dr. Rodriguez to stop the bleeding. She simply lost too much blood and he was unable to save her. With his pounding heart caught in his throat and a feeling failure, Dr. Rodri... ...on why readers respond to irony is because it catches them off guard. By incorporating the element of irony, the author has an opportunity to provoke desired emotions within the reader then change them within an instant. In both stories, the thoughts and expectations of the reader were altered and the truth was revealed. No matter who the author, one truth about irony remains: there will always be an inconsistency between what you predict and what will actually transpire. Now isn't that ironic? Works Cited Bierce, Ambrose. "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge." Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. 8th Edition. Eds. Dana Gioia, X.J. Kennedy. New York: Longman, 2002, 513-520. Gioia, Dana, X. J. Kennedy. "Glossary of Literary Terms." Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. 8th Edition. New York: Longman, 2002, G1-G32.

Human Instincts

Psychology Unit 1 Paper Human Instincts There are many arguments about whether human beings have instincts and not just responsive reflexes. I believe human beings all have natural born instincts. The definition of instincts tell us that they are unlearned and involuntary, which we all experience as humans. When animals are born they have certain instincts, just like humans. Instincts are in unlearned â€Å"fixed action patterns† or reactions to certain kinds of stimulis. Whether a particular behavior pattern is learned it is not always easy to determine because some behaviors can be changed by personal experiences.Any behavior is instinctive if it is performed without any prior knowledge, also known as a innate biological factor. You were born with instincts that are there to help you survive. Instincts are behavioral patters that do not seem to be learned , they occur in almost finished form the first time they are triggered. There is a complex relationship between instinct, habit and reason Theories involving these concepts typically have many implications, from the causes of human action to the nature of social order. The terms instinct and habit both have unfortunate intellectual baggage.Nevertheless, for convenience I retain the word instinct as a tag for biologically inherited dispositions. Habit refers to learned dispositions. Instincts are inherited through genes, and habits through culture and institutions Instincts are argued by some to be reflexes. â€Å"A instinct should distinguished from a reflex which is a simple response of an organism to specific stimulus, such as the contraction of the pupil in response to a bright light or the spasmodic movement of the lower leg when the knee is tapped.Instincts, in contrast, are inborn complex patterns of behavior that must exist in every member of the species and that cannot be overcome by force of will. However, the absence of volitional capacity must not be confused with an inability to modify fi xed action patterns. For example, people may be able to modify a stimulated fixed action pattern by consciously recognizing the point of its activation and simply stop doing it, whereas animals without a sufficiently strong volitional capacity may not be able to disengage from their fixed action patterns, once activated. † (http://www. trans4mind. om/) Some people deny their instincts. Although we can repress our natural drives, these drives express themselves sooner or later. However, instinct serves a purpose on a basic level, instinct helps to assure our biological survival for surviving and maintain life. † It is a permanent part of the repertoire of tools which allows us to respond to the many types of stimuli and challenges which we encounter all of which spur us to become even more conscious and responsive. †(www. trans4mind. com/) Some common cited example of instincts in humans are the materal instinct and the survivial instinct.These examples do not agree to the scientific definition of instinct. Many females don’t desire children.. Males tend to contradict their own survival through suicide. The role of instincts in determining the behavior of animals varies from species to species. The more complex the neural system of an animal, the greater is the role of the cerebral cortex, and social learning, and instincts play a lesser role. Babies have a variety of instincts because they do many of the same patterns , such as sucking their thumb which wasn’t taught. Human beings have three types of instincts; survival, procreation, and worship. Instincts, such as the instinct of survival, manifest itself as an ensemble of organic and vital needs and drives. These needs and drives are not instincts but aspects that emanate from the instincts. †The need to defend oneself from harms way is a example of survival. Other examples include having fear, courage, and hope. â€Å"Sexual desires can be satisfied through sexual inte rcourse — sexual intercourse can ultimately lead to the birth of a new child, continuing the existence of humanity by means of procreation. The love for one’s spouse is another aspect of the instinct of procreation.The tendency of a parent to love and even risk his or her life in order to protect the child is an example of caring for someone who came about as a result of the act of procreation; accordingly, this love is reciprocated by the child to the parent as well to one’s relatives, such as in the kindness to family. †( dsc. discovery. com/)The most difficult part about understanding  human  instinct is that  human  brains are complex and may sometimes override instinct or over express it. People seem less tied to instinctual behavior than other animals. I Believe that humans definitely have instincts.I also believe that human do have certain reflexes and habits as well. Certain times of your life you can be put in a position where you are aske d to defend your life, and our instincts will kick in. We would be over protective and scared, but those are just instincts to stay alive. There has always been that one time where you had a feeling you shouldn’t be around that certain group of kids at that point of time just because you knew something bad would happen, and you get that instinct of fear, so you choose to leave that situation and get out.Human instincts are unlearned, involuntary, a punch of complex fixed action patterns, they are activated by stimuli, and is presented in every member of the species. Works Cited: http://www. trans4mind. com/jamesharveystout/instinct. htm#Instinct causes, by definition, an unconscious act. http://dsc. discovery. com/adventure/6-types-of-natural-instincts. html http://brothermahdi. tripod. com/threeinstincts. html