The Dream of Oenghus :: essays research papers

The Dream of Oenghus The Celtic myth, "The Dream of Oenghus," relates the tale of Oenghus the Celtic god of love and his long search for true love. Oenghus is the son of Boann and Daghdhae. Boann the white cow goddess, and Daghdhae the father of all gods, the "good god." In a dream Oenghus sees "the loveliest figure in Ireland†¦" His memory of this vision makes him ill with loneliness and he begins to waste away. With the help of his mother, and another of his fathers' sons, Bodhbh, he begins his search for the girl he dreamt of. When, after years, he successfully completes his search the lovers' travels to Bruigh Mac, his home. Chronologically and geographically distant, Apuleius second century record of the original Greek myth of Cupid and Psyche also relates a story of amorous pursuit. In Apuleius account Psyche is the most beautiful of all mortals. "The fame of her surpassing beauty spread over the earth†¦Ã…’and men? would even say that Venus herself could not equal this mortal." Out of jealousy, Venus commands Cupid to make Psyche fall in love with "the vilest and most despicable creature in the whole world." However, dispatched on his errand Cupid is astonished by her beauty and "as if he had shot one of his arrows into his own heart" falls completely in love with her. Cupid dumbfounded by the love he suddenly feels carries Psyche off. Although Psyche is never able to gaze on Cupid she is confident of the love her unseen paramour expresses in the dark each night. Eventually, prompted by her unbelieving and somewhat envious sisters she lights a lamp and discovers that her lover is Cupid. Unfortunately, Cupid hurt by both the oil sputtering from the lamp and her faithlessness fees. Psyche deeply grieved by her lack of faith and subsequent loss of love pledges to search for Cupid forever. "I can spend the rest of my life searching for him. If he has no more love left for me, at least I can show him how much I love him." Eventually after many trials and tribulations, largely at the inspiration of the still jealous Venus, she is reunited with Cupid and comes to live the live of the immortals. These myths share a common fundamental theme. In both instances, the myths document a love between a mortal and a god. Moreover, both of the courtship's involve long periods of separation, difficult and desperate journeys in pursuit of the beloved, and deep ongoing uncertainty as to the ultimate outcome of the fat of the lovers. Clearly, it is not unreasonable to contend

Language changes during the play Essay

Sheila takes the inspector’s lessons to heart, and appears changed by the incident. In Act Two, Sheila sums up the whole family’s reactions to the Inspectors questions. She reminds them of the greed, jealousy and selfishness they have all shown. â€Å"It means we have no excuse now for putting on airs.† This is just the start of the speech and she admits responsibility but is very frustrated that the others don’t. She has clearly changed.  The audience will have noticed a dramatic change in her personality. She has been affected a lot by the death. She has changed from a jolly and self-centred person to a conscious and very guilty person. If any of the characters were going to change, or learn from the mistakes it would be Sheila. She shows a great deal of interest in Eva Smith/Daisy Renton’s death right from the start and throughout. She also feels a lot of guilt and is the only character that is sorry. Her maturity during the interview is much higher than any other character as she is the only one to accept responsibility. Sheila is also the only one who emphasizes her mistake by saying she was very jealous.  Sheila’s language changes during the play. She starts off speaking like a child, using words like â€Å"mummy.† She also typically squabbles with her brother. Her language begins to mature and become much more serious during the questioning and after. She begins to take control with the Inspector, trying to help them understand their part in the girls death. Priestley wants the audience, again to understand that honesty is very important. But also that everybody is responsible for each other. Society depends on responsibility for others and Sheila’s character should highlight this.  Eric is a spoilt, moody and irresponsible man. â€Å"(Sulkily) I’m all right.† Eric is sulking when he utters this line and it gives the impression that he is very young. This is because a lot of children sulk when they are unhappy and Eric is being very childish in doing this. This shows immaturity. â€Å"I don’t give a damn now whether I stay here or not.† This suggests his immaturity and selfishness. He isn’t in the best of moods after what happens and gets very moody and out of control. Eric lacks self-discipline. His immaturity during this encounter shows much more than the rest and so does his lack of self-discipline. He is old enough to know better.  Ã¢â‚¬Å"(Almost threatening her) You don’t understand anything. You never did. You never even tried – you.† This is the worst of Eric’s anger he does end up calming down. Eric is very distressed by the situation and cannot handle it. He is also very guilty and he does understand the mistake he has made. This is a rare bit of maturity from Eric. Though he is not a pleasant character, we may feel that he has learnt a lesson, that he is sincerely ashamed of his behaviour and he is capable of changing for the better. â€Å"(Unhappily) My God – I’m not likely to forget.† Eric is aware of the mistake he has made and feels a lot of shame and guilt. Like Sheila, Eric has learned his lesson and they both will learn their lesson. However, their parents don’t feels the way they do and don’t think anybody has done anything wrong, and this is what really frustrates Eric. Eric is the youngest child in the family and this is fairly noticeable because he speaks with great immaturity. He is rude and very hard to get on with. He uses demanding but very childish words, as if to draw attention. But his attitude and language change when the inspector questions him, and unlike most of the others, feels a lot of guilt, shame and wants to learn from his mistakes. Even when they find out the Inspector might have been a fake he still remained remorseful and full of pity. Priestley may have used Eric to represent the idea that nobody is perfect. Learning from mistakes will make you a much better person. Eric has done a lot of things wrong during his life, being rude and impolite to family members and also thieving and deceiving others. He has without doubt the worst history but he is mature enough to learn from this. Priestley may have also used Eric to represent the emotions that, if the audience were in a similar situation, might act like. He gets frustrated that his parents wont accept his guilt and does tend to lash out. Priestley uses the Inspector to convey his own ideas about morality to the audience. Rather than representing a real person, his character represents the abstract idea of human conscience, which ensures consideration and responsibility for others. He calls himself Inspector Goole. The word Goole has connotations of being ghostly, spiritual and non-human. Priestley could have wanted the inspector to be a kind of ghost and play on the characters conscience. We get the sense that he is some kind of supernatural force. Being called Goole gives the audience some idea he may not be real but he manages to control the situation and dominate the situation. He gets into the characters conscience and makes them reveal all. He does this by asking demanding short questions. â€Å"Well?† This question is very short but has so much power to it. He speaks as though he was a boss talking to an employer, or as if he was a teacher speaking to a student. He gets so much out of the characters by asking one-liners like this. This also shows confidence, Inspector Goole now believes he has taken control, which he Cleary has done, and starts to use these demanding questions. He is not afraid to contradict and be rude to his social superiors. â€Å"(Cutting in) Never mind about that.† The quote shows the inspector interrupting the flow of the conversation. The family would obviously not approve of ‘butting in’ as they are supposed to be such a polite and well-bred family. By inspector Goole showing no fear in doing this it shows his dominance. He sets himself up as the boss in the whole situation right from the start and this is something Mr and Mrs Birling find hard to deal with.  Priestley wants the audience to ask themselves how responsible are we for others in society? He uses five different characters with five very different reactions to the situation. Mr Birling feels he has nothing to do with the death and the girl is at fault. Mrs Birling doesn’t want anything to do with it and she doesn’t have the time. Sheila on the other hand reacts totally differently from Mr and Mrs Birling, she is very sorry for what she has done. She seems very interested in the whole situation. She shows a lot of emotion and promises she will learn from her mistakes.  Gerald makes it quite clear that he is sorry for what he had done but shows little emotion. He does remain very honest throughout. Though when he finds out the inspector was a fake he starts to show less and less guilt and much more relief. Eric is certainly the most emotional of all the characters. He is very sorry and upset by the whole situation. We can tell by his reaction that he is the youngest in the family, as he becomes very moody and frustrated, at some point he almost breaks down. Its like the whole thing is too much for him to handle. Like Sheila he definitely learns his lessen and is willing to change. Now, the audience can look at each character and think, which one am I most like? Would I feel guilty? Would I be emotional and very sorry? Would I remain very honest? These are all questions Priestley wants the audience to ask themselves. Overall, the main question is, how responsible are we for others in society?  In my opinion Priestley succeeded in getting this moral question across. He certainly encouraged me to ask myself these questions.

Failure Is the First Step to Success

â€Å"Failure is the first step towards success† is one of the most heard quotes and is again and again told to us in every step of life, but how often do we realize its importance or live by its mantra? Honestly, we don’t! We just expect the fruit to come to us without working over its plant. Getting up requires falling. If a nine month old gave up trying to walk after his first fall, he would never be able to walk again, simply because he gave up. We can relate this to anything we do or anything we try to. To succeed in something, we need to keep this in our mind that we are going to fall. A very famous quote regarding this explains very clearly that â€Å"ITS NOT THE FALLING PART THAT’S HARD, IT’S THE GETTING UP† . The only way we can learn to rise is when we have been through certain circumstances. When we know what we did wrong in the first place, when we have tried every known method that’s exactly when it will dawn on us – the right way to get up. Success depends on you. If you have fallen time after time, its time to build a different strategy for getting up, you will succeed! Many people have a serious misconception when it comes to â€Å"failure† because they put negative labels on people they deem to have failed. It's important to understand that any time we fail at something, whether it's large or small; we are one step closer to success. Nothing ends in failure, if you don't let it, and your attitude is what will lead you into turning failure into success. As an easy mind up, a man fall but then get up then again, fall and then again get up, and every time the man try again, he learns and earns more experience and gains guides on how to handle his getting up the next time. You shouldn’t be dishearten or anything with the fall you get the first time, but instead learn from it on how to handle the situation again in a much easier way! Forget about the consequences of failure. Failure is only a temporary change in direction to set you straight for your next success. So just go ahead and don’t let these meaningful falls get on your nerves! Go ahead and get up!

How to Unblock Your Tear Ducts

How to Unblock Your Tear Ducts If you are suffering from eye strain, dry eyes, or allergies, knowing how to unblock a tear duct at home may offer relief. Even if your tear ducts are not blocked, keeping your eyes properly lubricated helps stave off many minor eye ailments.   Nasolacrimal ducts, the medical term for tear ducts, are part of the bodys system for draining tears from the eyes. When tear ducts become blocked, it causes a backup of fluid in the lacrimal sac, which is highly prone to infection.   Symptoms   There are a few indications that you may be suffering from a blocked tear duct. If you have excessive tearing or there is a mucus or pus discharge from the eye, if the white part of your eye is red and swollen, or if your vision is blurred, a blocked tear duct may be the culprit. Recurring infections such as conjunctivitis  are also signs of tear duct problems.   While most blocked tear ducts do not require much more than the following simple home treatment, if you have these symptoms for a week or longer or if they continue to occur, consult your  medical professional. In some cases, a blocked tear duct is a symptom of a larger, more serious problem.   Who Is at Risk? Certain factors increase your risk of developing a blocked tear duct.  If you have chronic eye inflammation, especially from conjunctivitis or other infections, it is likely to affect your tear ducts. Older women tend to be at greater risk, as are those who have had eye or sinus surgeries. Some glaucoma medications can lead to blocked tear ducts as well.   How They Get Blocked Blocked tear ducts can result from a number of conditions. Some babies are born with tear duct abnormalities, most of which resolve themselves as they get older.   An injury to the eye or nose can disrupt the tear ducts function, and even something as small as dust stuck in the tear duct can cause problems. In rare cases, blocked tear ducts are caused by a tumor. Tear duct blockage also can be a side effect of chemotherapy treatments for cancer.   Unblocking Tear Ducts   To unblock your tear ducts at home, youll need some warm water and a clean washcloth or tea towel.   Pinch and rub your nose underneath the bridge.Place a warm, wet cloth over your eyes for 10 minutes.Repeat every 4 to 6 hours, if needed. If this treatment does not work and you are still having problems, it is a good idea to consult a medical professional. There are other ways to treat more serious cases of blocked tear ducts. Sometimes antibiotic drops or ointment may be sufficient, but if the problem persists, it may be necessary to irrigate the lacrimal sac, which can be done as an outpatient procedure in a doctors office. In cases where the blockage is severe and does not respond to other treatments, a surgery called dacryocystorhinostomy may be required to create a new tear drain between your nose and your eyes.

Costa Rica Essays - Costa Rica, Republics, Economy Of Costa Rica

Costa Rica Essays - Costa Rica, Republics, Economy Of Costa Rica Costa Rica Costa Rica is officially known as the Republic of Costa Rica. It is 19,575 square miles in size and has a population of approximately 3,342,000 people. It is bordered by Panama and Nicaragua. The capital of Costa Rica is San Jose. Its coastal areas are hot and humid and heavily forested. It has a large chain of volcanoes rising over 12,000 feet. The official language of Costa Rica is Spanish. It is a democratic nation and has no military. Costa Rica has only 3 national newspapers. History Christopher Columbus discovered Costa Rica in 1502. In 1563 Spain began its conquest of the Costa Rican area. In 1821 Costa Rica gained independence and was successfully part of the Mexican empire. Coffee growing started in the early 1800's and banana cultivation began in 1874. Costa Rica's democratic government began in 1889. Its president from 1986 to 1990 worked for peace in Central America. Economically, Costa Rica has a history of payment problems. Government Costa Rica has a democratic government. Its current constitution was adopted in 1949. In Costa Rica, the president serves as the chief executive and head of state. The president is elected to a four year term. The legislative assembly has fifty-seven deputies that are elected for a four year term. The supreme court has seventeen justices appointed by the legislature. Costa Rica's army was abolished in 1948. However, they do have a national guard that can fight in a time of war. Costa Rica's seven provinces each have a governer appointed by the president. All citizens 18 years of age or older are required to vote in the national election. The country's two main political parties are the National Liberation Party and the Social Christian Unity Party. Population and Ancestry In 1994, Costa Rica's population was about three and one quarter of a millon people. It is estimated to be growing at a rate of about two and one quarter percent. At this rate, Costa Rica's population will double in 30 years. Costa Ricans take great pride in their country's heritage of government and social equality. They do not take for granted their personal dignity and strong family ties. Almost all of Costa Ricans speak Spanish but some blacks speak with a Jamaican dialect. About 90% of the people belong to the Roman Catholic Church. Housing About 50% of the Costa Ricans live on farms or in rural towns. A lot of farmers live in Adobe cottages with thick, white stucco walls and red or pink-tiled roofs. Most of Costa Rica's city people live in row houses. Many Costa Ricans like to decorate their homes with plants and flowers. Wealthy familys live in large ranch-style homes surrounded by huge gardens. Food Parts of the diet of many Costa Ricans can include beans, coffee, corn, eggs, rice, and tropical fruits like bananas, guaves, mangoes, oranges, and pineapples. Many Costa Rican families also serve beef, fish, poultry, and many kinds of soups. Tamales and tortillas are also foods that are often prepared. Education About 90 to 93% of Costa Rica's people can read or write. This is a higher percentage than any other country in Central America. Law requires all children to complete elementary school and then they may choose whether or not to continue on with their education. Costa Rica has several universities which include the National University in Heredia and the University of Costa Rica by San Jose. Sports and Recreation Most Costa Ricans enjoy spending their leisure time outdoors. Soccer is the national sport and playing fields can be found everywhere. Basketball, tennis, and swimming are also popular. On some religious holidays, bullfights, fireworks, and masked parades can attract thousands of Costa Ricans and foreign tourists. The only 18-hole golf course in Costa Rica is at the Cariari Country Club, just west of San Jose. However, there are many 9-hole courses. The country's national gymnasium is in Sabana Park. Many tennis courts are also in Sabana Park. Rodeos and bullfights are held at Santa Cruz. In a bullfight, the bull chases men around. During Christmas festivities, there are also Mexican style bullfights in which the person tries to kill the bull. Economy The most valuable natural resource in Costa Rica is the fertile volcanic soil. Trees such as oaks, pines, and tropical hardwood cover about 1/3 of the land. About 1/4 of Costa Rica's workers are in farming or ranching. Bananas, beef cattle, coffee, corn, rice, and sugar cane are the country's leading agricultural products. Some farmers also grow oranges, beans, potatoes, and other fruits and vegetables. Costa Rica's leading manufactured products include cement, clothing, cosmetics, furniture,

Finance accounting assignment on earning management

Finance accounting on earning management - Assignment Example The second part of the paper would answer questions relating to impairment of assets. It will involve a critique of the circumstances under which impairment is declared. It will also explain when companies must perform impairment reviews and examine a practical case of impairment my Peugeot-Citroen and Vodafone. A. Managers' Incentive for Earning Management. â€Å"Earning management occurs when managers use judgement in financial reporting and in structuring transactions to alter financial reports to either mislead some stakeholders about the underlying economic performance of the company or to influence contractual outcomes that depend on reporting accounting numbers† (Rowen and Yaari, 2009: 26). This implies that earning management is centred around the fact that a firm's directors and managers might want to present information in a way and manner that is not true nor accurate. Earning management is sometimes called disclosure management and creative accounting. It includes the use of approaches and systems to disclose accounting information in a way and manner that meets a defined end or objective (Alistair, 2008). Managers often have targets that are predetermined for them by the board of directors. This implies that they would have to work hard and do whatever is legally acceptable and possible to meet those objectives and standards. In the process of attaining the given standards and objectives of financial statements, most managers end up putting together financial statements in a creative manner. In other words, they do everything possible and practicable to balance the accounts so that it reflects the ends or the final figure that is expected of the management of an organization. In most situations, earning management is done to smoothen profits and ensure that the earning of the company in a given period is forged in a way and manner that it is in line with targets. This presents a different reality of the earnings of the period and this defeats the purpose of financial statements and financial reporting of capturing the economic realities in an objective and complete manner. These managers therefore manage their earning and disclosures in a way that favours them and enables them to appear to be meeting the end that they have in mind. In a research conducted by Cheng and Warfield (2005) they identified that the main objective for earning management amongst manager includes three interlinked ideas and concepts. They include: 1. Earning management incentives 2. Future manager trading. 3. Enhancement of organisational position. The first idea is that earning management incentive allows managers to attain the favour of people who set targets for them. This is because in most cases, managers are judged and assessed on the basis of the attainment of results and targets. In reality, manager's worth is identified by how well he meets the financial and economic targets that are set by the people at the top of corporate governance. There is therefore the desire or expectation to use creative techniques to ensure that they attain financial targets. This leads to pressure to use various loopholes and techniques in accounting concepts to present a favourable position. The second idea is that managers often get incentives that are tied to their performance.

Irish tort law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Irish tort law - Essay Example Define nervous shock Before we go to the analysis proper there is a need to define what is ‘nervous shock’? Cane, P. (1993) defines the term saying: â€Å"This term is often now objected to as having no obvious meaning, and terms such as ‘mental injury’ or ‘psychiatric damage’ are often put in its place. But such terms do not capture the full range of situations covered by the older term, and so we have decided to retain it. Nervous shock is injury caused by the impact on the mind, through the senses, of external events.† He explained the term as follows: This term is often now objected to as having no obvious meaning, and terms such as ‘mental injury’ or ‘psychiatric damage’ are often put in its place. But such terms do not capture the full range of situations covered by the older term, and so we have decided to retain it. Nervous shock is injury caused by the impact on the mind, through the senses, of external events. Injury caused by the impact on the mind of external events, which is recognized by law, is of three types physical injury — a pregnant woman may suffer a miscarriage or a person may suffer a heart attack or a stroke; psychological injury such as hysteria, neurosis, depression or any other recognized psychiatric illness; and psychosomatic effects of psychiatric illnesses, such as paralysis. What is the legal rule in the compensatability of the regarding nervous shock? Cane (1993) answered the above question by saying: It must be stressed at the outset that no difficulty arises about awarding damages to a person who suffers nervous shock or even mental distress short of nervous shock, where this follows from the infliction of physical injuries on the sufferer.