...Grim even bore the cross necklace of Becket. On December 29, 1170, Grim witnessed the horrific murder of his good friend where he was delivering mass in his own cathedral. This was the day that Thomas Becket was martyred for his faith. Grim remained loyal to Becket, writing down the details of the brutality he had seen that day; He called it Martyrdom. Martyrdom is now known as a historically accurate text depicting the murder of St. Thomas Becket. Using Grim’s text as reference, the prestigious playwright, T.S. Eliot, wrote Murder in the Cathedral, with Becket as the central character. Historical accuracies assisted Eliot in creating a character with valor and strength and telling the story of his road to martyrdom. Firstly, Eliot depicts Becket as a bold man who has no fear. This is clearly exemplified right away by Thomas’ return to England from France. He knows his death is coming and he does not run and hide from it. In his last moments, Becket stands strong for his beliefs, revealing himself to the Knights who have come to bring him to his death. Even as all the monks beside him tremble with fright, Becket remains composed. In his obvious repetition of the word “fear,” Grim depicts Becket’s attitude. He writes: ‘The righteous will be like a bold lion and free from fear,’ he descended from the steps to which he had been taken by the monks who were fearful of the knights and said in an adequately audible voice, ‘Here I am, not a traitor of the king but a priest;...
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...http://www.novelguide.com/MurderintheCathedral/themeanalysis.html Murder in the Cathedral: Theme Analysis Theme Analysis In its assessment of Eliot's importance to modern English literature, A Literary History of England (New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1967; ed. Albert C. Baugh) argues that a shift from despair to hope-a change from "the 'inert resignation' of those who breathe the small, dry air of modern spiritual emptiness" to something more positive and potentially transcendent-can first be detected in Eliot's "Ash-Wednesday" (1930), "of which the theme is the search for peace found in humble and quiet submission to God's Will" (p. 1587). This theme, clearly an expression of the Anglo-Catholicism Eliot embraced during his life, appears again throughout Murder in the Cathedral. It informs and breathes through the entire text of the play, as the commentary above has demonstrated. In Murder in the Cathedral, the "inert resignation" of modern life manifests itself in the Chorus' refusal to embrace transcendence: the women of Canterbury are content to go on "living and partly living." As they state, even imploringly to Becket, on several occasions, they "do not wish anything to happen." They do not want the wheel of God's pattern to begin turning. As do all moderns in Eliot's estimation, they "fear the injustice of men less than the justice of God." They are not ready to live, as Becket was, "out of time." Yet, through Becket as he portrays him, Eliot forcefully argues...
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...“Scandals and the Royal Family” Once upon a time everyone loved them, everyone wanted to be one, and everyone longed for even the smallest glance or wave from them. Many things throughout history have shaken our faith in the Royal Family. Many questions asked but very few answered, and even then the answered ones always seemed a bit sketchy. Are they really better? Are they flawed just like us? Is it possible? Have they really fallen as low as the peasants, as us? Throughout history they were untouchable but now small tidbits of information shed scandalous flickers of light on half-truths or are they full truths? We’ll leave that for you to decide. Did the Royal Family murder Princess Di? Was Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale, really Jack the Ripper? With an unscheduled jaunt through an ancient sacrificial Pagan site, Diana and Dodi were taken away from their predetermined haven of Al Fayed’s apartment. Moments before entering the tunnel, not only did every security camera mysteriously died, preventing anyone from ever really knowing what happened on that fateful night, but each and every single police radio quit, blocking any quick responders from saving the princess’s life. Eyewitnesses even reported hearing gunfire and snipers within the tunnel. In 1997, detectives grilled the ex-royal butler, Paul Burrell, for three hours. Seven years later, he came forward to tell about an MI5 link to a letter in which the Princess chillingly predicted her own...
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...The Dark Knight- English ESSAY The Dark Knight, released in 2008 and written, directed and produced by Christopher Nolan is set within a year after the events of Batman Begins. Batman, Lieutenant James Gordon, and new district attorney Harvey Dent successfully begin to round up the criminals that plague Gotham City until a mysterious criminal mastermind known as the Joker appears in Gotham, creating a new wave of chaos. Through the use of various visual codes and conventions the central ideas of Chaos vs Order, Heroes vs Villains and Light vs Dark are reinforced during the final scenes of the film. Viewers of The Dark Knight are challenged to respond to the central themes and ideas and explore the in depth characterization within the film. The idea of order within Gotham collapses when Harvey Dent, once seen a symbol of order as Gotham’s elected DA declines rapidly and becomes a representation of chaos or anarchy. This is revealed through Harvey Dent’s dialogue at the ending scene in the film, saying “the only morality in a cruel world is chance”. This dialogue is paired with the symbolic action of flipping a scorched 2 headed coin, signifying Harvey’s change from a symbol of order or Gotham’s “white knight” to his decline into chaos. The Joker is known throughout the film as a agent of chaos as he said during this dialogue with Harvey Dent in the hospital “Introduce a little anarchy, upset the established order and everything becomes chaos. I am an agent of chaos. Oh, and...
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...In the past, the KKK employed the use of terrorism against those people that opposed them and their activities. They also sought to physical assault and even murder on anyone who stood in their way. That way they could silence those that opposed their establishment. All these three movements have all along called for the rights of the white American people who feel that the other races in the United States are invading their land and want to dominate over them. This can be either through laws that are formed to favor the blacks like the crime law. The third Klan which runs up to this modern world was formed after 1950 (Marsh, 2008). It was in the form of the small unconnected local groups that employed the use of the KKK name. These groups have always focused their opposition to the civil rights movement always sought to violence as a way of suppressing the activists. They always used murder against those that they perceive to be against their...
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...one that is vulnerable to heinous crimes, such as the murder of Eric and Shelly. Murder is a big part of the film and is something that the director, Alex Proyas, wants to portray throughout the movie. I believe that Proyas wanted to show murder is a big issue in our society and that no one is safe, even people who are loving and harmless as Eric and Shelly were. When Eric says “Victims aren’t we all” right before he stabs Tin-Tin, explains how no one is safe from murder, whether you the good guy or the bad guy, it is almost a given. This film was filled with many symbols but the one that stood out the most was the crow. I believe that the crow symbolizes life’s mysteries; such as something which we cannot simply explain happens, we may just say that it was part of God’s plan or it was simply a twist of faith. Whatever the case may be, the crow was the reason Eric was resurrected and given a chance to get back those who ended his and Shelly’s lives. Not only does the crow show destiny but it also portrays life. For example when Eric was resurrected, he was virtually indestructible and nothing could harm him. But when the crow was wounded by the bullet, Eric became vulnerable to pain and injury. Not only has this film have a lot of meaning behind it, but it has also brings out an abundance of emotions. The part where Eric grabbed Tin-Tin’s head and used his powers to see what happened the night of his and Shelly’s murder. I felt the pain and anguish that Eric felt when he saw...
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...The english language is one of the hardest languages to learn because of its multiple roots of different languages.Before the english that we speak today was spoken,older versions of it had been spoken by the people before us.Since 450,the english language had begun its transition,including the culture of the time periods starting with the Anglo-Saxon. Years before the era of the Anglo Saxon had begun,the royal families of the Danish (the Danes)and the Scandinavians(the Geats),had inhabited the Southern part of Sweden when they had decided to invade the island of Great Britain and settled.This migration had brought several Germanic languages together that formed Old English. Hundreds of years ago,the novel Beowulf was written by an unknown...
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...When the Byzantines called for help this was the perfect opportunity; the war against the Islamic empire gave provided a reason. Marcus Bull the author of Thinking Medieval, wrote an article called the Pilgrimage Origins of the First Crusade. In this article he states that the Crusades were considered to start after Pope Urban II delivered his speech at the Council of Claremont. He goes on to state that the Pope was calling on those who were faithful lords and knights to relieve the oppression of eastern christians and to liberate holy places by means of an armed pilgrimage. Just as...
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...English Study Guide E period Beowulf * The Wrath of Grendel Grendel, a murderous, powerful monster lurks outside Hrothgar’s a Danish King’s, extravagant party. God drove out the demons, but they split into many forms of evil spirits, fiends, goblins, monsters, and giants. Grendel is a demonic monster. At night, when the party ended, Grendel ate 30 guests and left blood everywhere. In the morning, the people of Herot and Hrothgar mourned the deaths of Grendel’s victims. However, Grendel came again and ate all of Hrothgar’s soldiers, leaving Herot bare. Hrothgar was incredibly saddened by this. However, God protected him and no help came from the pagan sacrifices. The only protection came from God. * The Coming of Beowulf In the land of the Geats, ruled by Higlac, Beowulf was the greatest and strongest of all the men. He decided to go to see Hrothgar, because he has heard of the horrors Grendel brought. The Geats egged on his adventure, so Beowulf took a crew of the mightiest men he could find and set forth on his journey. They arrived at the Danish shore and were questioned by the guard, who thought they might be raiders or pirates. Beowulf explained they were Geats; his father was Edgetho, a famous soldier and explained why they were there. The guard lets them pass. They enter Herot and are called to see the King. Beowulf is greeted by Hrothgar and explains why he is there. He says he will fight and kill Grendel without fear, and if he looses to...
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...sources recount the death of Thomas Becket, William of Newburgh’s account is much more thorough than Gervase of Canterbury’s account. Unlike Gervase, instead of just focusing on the murder itself, William explains the events leading up to and surrounding Becket’s death, which adds more credence to his description. Gervase of Canterbury concentrates solely on Becket’s murder and conveys Becket as a brave martyr. He portrays Becket as fearless as exemplified through his inclusion of Becket’s conversation with his murderers before his death. According to Gervase, Becket stated, “I am no traitor; nor will I depart, wretched man!” Moreover, Gervase explains that Becket defended his followers and his church by saying, “I forbid you, under the threat of an anathema, from touching one of my followers. As for me, I willingly embrace death provided only that the church obtain liberty and peace at the price of my blood.” By highlighting Becket’s bravery and devotion to the Church, Gervase is able to paint Becket in a favorable light. Readers are inclined to sympathize with Becket and view him as a victim of the king’s brutality. Even though Gervase does not directly mention King Henry II, by including the murder’s statement—“Knights of the king, let us go; he is dead!”— he implies the king’s involvement in the murder. Finally, the last part of Gervase’s account is a eulogy to Becket and describes him as a saint. This final praise leaves readers with the sense that Becket was a great man. Despite...
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...for a state a tiny strip of land which was a few hundred miles long. But with the greatest prize Jerusalem. now this holy war is passed as legd. there were those who saw it by their own eyes. great chronicles from two different worlds Christian and Muslim wrote of great deeds, great battles and great warriors. about men who laid down their lives. ¶ 3 Not Synced this was the collision of two great faiths, the clash between the crescent and the cross. 4 Not Synced this was the crusades. 5 Not Synced Of all the cities in the world, Jerusalem has the most troubled past and the most troubling future. 6 Not Synced For the Jews, it is the site of the great temple of Hewet and Solemn. For Muslims, the place where Mohammed ascended to heaven. For Christians,a place where their messiah was crucified. 7 Not Synced After his death, the world of Jesus Christ took root and Jerusalem slowly shed almost 4 centuries of Roman occupation to embrace Christian rule. 8 Not Synced But in the seventh century, the holy city was forcible seized by a new faith, Islam. 9 Not Synced Now 400 years later, the Christians wanted the Jerusalem back. Across Europe some 60000 warriors were gathering, reading themselves for battle. 10 Not Synced One of the leaders was veteran war lord Duke Lord Godfrey. He...
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...there was a lot going during this time. There are many ways to describe it. This era was best labeled by the Dark Ages, Age of Feudalism, the Age of Faith, or the Golden Age. Historian Frantz *****- Brentano used previously publishes texts to describe Europe in the Dark Ages the excerpt says that the Hungarains swarm over the Western provinces, sucked town and village and laid the waste on the fields. The conditions on Europe were horrible. This is because of all the terror the trade ceased and peasants abandoned the fields to avoid the violence of the anarchy. (Doc. 1). In an excerpt from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles it says that in 842, during the dark ages, there was a great slaughter in London, Quentavic and in Rochester. Because of this, men loaded their boats with their goods and returned to their own country. (Doc # 3). During the Age of Feudalism, Vassals and Lords had feudal obligations to each other. Vassals owed loyalty, military service and ransom, if needed, to their lords. Lords who owned their land, or fiefs, and protection to their Vassals. ( Doc # 4). In an excerpt from the Homage Oath taken by John Toul it informs that Toul was making it knows that he was the liege if the count and countess of Champagne. Since he was the liege, he would aid the count of Champagne in his own person and he would send his knights to count and countess, who he owes service to for the fief that he holds of theirs. (Doc # 2). Although the Golden Age really made improvement...
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...Sloth is the avoidance of physical or spiritual work. The doctor "did not read the bible very much". The Squire , Yeoman, Oxford Cleric, Sergeant at the law, and Pardoner are all sinners of sloth. Pride is excessive belief in one's own abilities, that interferes with the individual's recognition of the grace of God. "The estimable merchant so had set his wits to work, no one knew he was in debt" is a example of the deadly sin of pride. Lust is an inordinate craving for the pleasures of the body. In the tale Wife of Bath "there was a knight who was a lust liver", but "spite all she said, by every force he took her maidenhead". Envy is much like jealously, it is the desire for others' traits, status, and or abilities. The nun "spoke daintily french, french in Paris style she did not know. Although "her manners were well taught withal; no morsel from her lips did she let fall". Gluttony is an inordinate desire to consume more than one wishes to desire, as the Summoner's tale demonstrates. The Summoner "[drinks] strong red wine till all was hazy then he would shout and jabber as if [he is] crazy. As a result of the sin of gluttony the alcohol played a role of violence known as a...
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...In human history, terrorism is widely recognized as the world biggest threat to global peace. It is the cruellest of crimes against humanity. Only in 2013, 9700 terrorist attacks in 93 countries have taken place, where 18000 died and 33000 were injured. 2014 and 2015 showed an exponential growth of terrorism in the Western world. (Ezinearticles.com). Terrorism is not a traditional war between countries but between religions, ideologies, and faith. It is a minority group that tries to grow and gain power to achieve independence, spread religion, and change an existing system. Canada is not immune from terrorism. Terrorists engage in terrorism activities on Canadian soil, or support terrorism beyond Canada’s borders, hostile to Canada’s order,...
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...to be human? Some of the world’s greatest men have contemplated over this question and there are a vast number of theories on what makes a human. A scientist might take a more literal opinion of the question, thinking that we are human because we are higher on the evolutionary chain; we are physically, emotionally and mentally complex. While others might take a more philosophical position on the matter, like René Descartes who originally spoke the famous phrase: “I think, therefore I am”. A philosopher would value the fact that humans can intelligently communicate their thoughts, and these thoughts can change the very existence of man as a whole through invention and innovation. Religious groups would base their opinion of humans on their faith; we are human simply because we are not God. At times science, philosophy and religion can confuse a person opinion on what it actually means to be human. Maybe the concept of being human is much simpler then some may think. Being human could simply mean that we as a collective race are imperfect. The idea of human imperfection is not easily explained by science, philosophy or religion. They can all sometimes be too complex to understand. Science exemplifies the human race as a species, philosophy praises human race as thinkers and religion looks at the human race as sinners and how we all must be perfect to please God. Even society tells us we must be perfect in the eyes of the world. We as a human race all possess the trait of imperfection...
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