Characters in Hamlet Essay Example for Free

Characters in Hamlet Essay William Shakespeare uses various elements, themes and connections between them to present ideas of enduring value in ‘Hamlet. His character development in Hamlet Claudius and use of dramatic techniques present values in ‘Hamlet’ those of which are timeless. These enduring values include guilt, corruption and life death. Shakespeare has used various dramatic techniques to express his idea and enduring value of guilt. In Act 1, as Polonius talks about ‘the devil hiding’, Shakespeare uses a dramatic technique as Claudius acknowledges his conscience in an aside, â€Å"how smart a lash that speech doth give my conscience†. Claudius is the villain of the play, however Shakespeare has a created a complex character with a working conscience and serious feelings of guilt. Claudius sense of guilt emerges through the use of the dramatic technique, soliloquy. Furthermore, it also makes him a more ‘rounded’ character in his development, not merely evil or lacking in human qualities. His guilt is emphasized when he attempts to ‘pray’, and he finds that as a sinner, he cannot, while he still desires the fruits of his crime, these being Gertrude and the crown, â€Å"Forgive me my foul murder? That cannot be since I am still possess’d of those effects for which I did the murder. †Shakespeare has used metaphor and alliteration in, Oh bosom black as death† as Claudius, concedes that he is not really capable of praying. From this point, as a development of his character, his villiany increases as he becomes desperate to eliminate Hamlet and ultimately plotting his death. Gertrude can also be played as experiencing guilt throughout until she concedes her guilt and claims it will not go away, â€Å"I see such black and grained spots/ As will not leave their tinct†. Claudius and Gertrude share the guilt for what goes wrong in the play, as theirs is the corruption that infects Denmark. Corruption is another prominent value in ‘Hamlet’. In Act 1, the dramatic technique, monologue is used as Claudius addresses his court and celebrates his coronation and marriage to Gertrude to reconcile the grieving for Old Hamlet. His speech, â€Å"mirth in funeral and dirge in marriage† is commonly known as ‘spin’ today. There is a notion that Claudius’ motive for killing Old Hamlet is envy, strictly a lust for power and to be king however this cannot be interpreted as Claudius consistently shows true love for Gertrude and displays qualities of a good king. Consequently, it is plausible that the function of the marriage is genuine however also essential for Claudius’ agenda which makes his reign corrupt. Shakespeare demonstrates the idea of corruption, that if the king reigns on false or evil grounds, hence the whole kingdom suffers, as Marcellus says, â€Å"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark†. Furthermore, through Hamlet’s main source of distress of the thought of his mother remarried too soon, and to his uncle, he introduces the theme of corruption with the technique, imagery, â€Å"unweeded gardens†. Hamlet interprets news of Old Hamlet’s ghost as a reflection of the corruption in Denmark, â€Å"My father’s spirit in arms! All is not well†. He believes that foul deeds will rise and that evil will inevitably unravel. The use of Hamlet’s development of a complex multi-faceted persona demonstrates Shakespeare’s idea on life and death, conveyed through the use of the dramatic technique, soliloquy. Hamlet’s situation in the play is relevant today because circumstances force him from being a critical observer of the world to being a participant, an experience that is universal. The flaw in Hamlet’s character lies in the involutions of his character. He is guilty of â€Å"thinking too precisely on th’event†, a man who â€Å"continuously resolves to do, yet does nothing but resolve†. It is assumed Hamlet is honest and open in his soliloquys. At other times he is puts on a ‘faà §ade’, the main purpose is to hide his true state of mind and intentions often portraying himself as ‘mad’. In Hamlet’s first soliloquy he is already contemplating about the desire to disappear or commit suicide, â€Å"O that this too too solid fle sh would melt†. Hamlet rejects the idea of trying to predict the future and reaches a point of acceptance of life, death, and everything more, â€Å"Not a wit, we defy augury†¦ the readiness is all†. This expresses the idea that what is destined is inevitable and what is significant is ‘readiness’. Hamlet acknowledges this when he holds up Yorick’s skull. The dramatic technique of visual imagery of Hamlet looking at Yorick’s skull is one of the most enduring images in all of literary history. It is a human confronting the truth, contemplating death and decomposition that even the greatest of humans are subject to. His speech on ‘readiness’ is all about his own death. It is this, which he must become ready for, something, which is presented as central sad truth of human life. ‘To be, or not to be, that is the question’ is definitive on life and death. It provides a stark contrast to the intense confrontation with Ophelia as it is contemplative, intellectual and uncharacteristic for someone who is supposedly ‘mad’. Shakespeare implies through Hamlet’s character development that the reason people do not commit suicide is because of the fear of the after life which is unknown and could potentially be worse. Hamlet ponders the question as a matter of philosophical debate. Yet though the play is thus rooted in its own time, ‘Hamlet’ seems to have a rapport with all ages and centuries. It speaks eloquently to the twentieth century as it did to the 17th 18th and 19th. Reasons for the play’s enduring appeal is attributed to the values Shakespeare has expressed. How smart a lash that speech doth give my conscience Forgive me for my foul murder? This cannot be for I am still possess’d of the effects for which I did the murder I see such black and grained spots/ as they will not leave their tinct Something is rotten in the state of Denmark Mirth in funeral, dirge in marriage O that this too too solid flesh would melt Not a wit we defy augury My father’s spirit is in arms! All is not well Unweeded garden To be or not be, that is the question

Factors that Influence Police Discretion

Factors that Influence Police Discretion 1) What is discretion? Name and describe the factors that may influence an individual officers discretion in making decisions involving a criminal suspect. (6 pts) Discretion is the exercise of choice by law enforcement officers in the decision to investigate or apprehend the disposition of suspects, the carrying out of official duties, and the application of sanctions. The cops have the power to decide whether to act depending on the judgment they feel they must make. In some situations certain people are not handled as strictly as others (an example would be if someone was to get pulled over for speeding and they get a ticket for something else). Studies of police discretion have found that a number of factors influence the discretionary decisions of the individual officers: 1. The Background of the officers Law enforcement officers bring to the job all their previous life experiences. Family values such as socialization through the family as well as attitudes that influence the decision of the officer. If an officer has learned prejudice against certain ethnic groups for example, this is likely to influence the decision an officer will make. 2. Characteristics of the suspect Demeanor, style of dress and grooming may influence police discretion. Poorly groomed suspects can expect less respectful treatment. Some officers treat men and woman differently. Very rarely will an officer arrest a woman. Another characteristic would be the personal style of the individual or group. Examples would be bikers attire or people with outlandish haircuts are more likely to be arrested than someone with a professional haircut. 3. Department Policy- This is not entirely subject to control by official policy, but can influence it. If a department has targeted certain kinds of offenses or if supervisors adhere to strict enforcement guidelines and closely monitor dispatches and other communications, the discretionary release of suspects will be quite rare. 4. Community Interest- Public attitudes toward certain crimes will increase the likelihood of arrest for suspected offenders. Contemporary attitudes toward crimes involving children- including sex abuse, sale of drugs to minors, domestic violence involving children and child pornography- have all lead to increased and strict enforcement of laws. Once the community has voiced its concern over the problem, the police respond with a series of highly effective arrests. The departments that require a police officer to live in the area that he/she patrols make them more aware of the effects of crime on the community and they respond better than a person who doesnt live in their district. 5. Pressure from Victims- When victims refuse to file a complaint are usually associated with certain crimes such as spousal abuse. When victims refuse to cooperate with the police, there is often little that can be done. On the other hand, some victims are local in insisting in the victimization and can easily be dealt with. Victim-assistance groups have sought to keep pressure on police departments and individual instigators to ensure the arrest and prosecution of suspects. 6. Disagreement with the law- Some laws lack an unpopular consensus. Some of the laws that deal with victimless offenses are gambling, homosexuality, lesbianism, prostitution and drug use. Some laws are not even in certain jurisdictions. Unpopular laws are not likely to bring much attention from law enforcement officers. If an arrest were to occur, it could be because an officer digs deeper into his/her investigation and reveals something more serious about the crime. 2) Name and describe the four historical eras of policing as discussed in the book. (4 pts) The four historical eras (epochs), are distinguishable by the relative dominance of a particular approach to police operations. They are the political era, reform era, the community policing era, and the homeland security era. 1. Political Era The first period, the political era, was characterized by close ties between police and public officials. It began in 1840 and ended around 1930s. Throughout the period, American police agencies tended to serve the interest of powerful politicians first, and providing public-order services almost as an afterthought. 2. Reform Era- The second period, the reform ear, began in the 1930s and lasted until the 1970s. It was characterized by pride in professional crime fighting. Police departments focused more on solving traditional crimes, such as murder, rape, burglary, and focusing on capturing offenders. 3. The Community Policing Era The third period, and the one that characterizes much of policing in America today, is the community policing era. This era started in the 1970s and is still present today. This was an approach to policing that stresses the service role of police officers and envisions a partnership between police agencies and their communities. Agencies focused on the service role of police officers. 4. Policing to Secure the Homeland Era The fourth period, policing to secure the homeland era, is quite new and continues to evolve. This era grew with national concerns with terrorism prevention born of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. In this era agencies focused on causes of crime outside of the immediate community (country). 3) What are the dangers of police work? What can be done to reduce those dangers? (5 pts) Some dangers of police work include: violence in the line of duty, risk of disease and infected evidence, and stress and fatigue among police officers. 1. Violence in the line of duty In 2007, 188 American law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty. These officers were kind-hearted, and laid back, and well liked in the community. 2. Risk of disease and infected evidence -Routine criminal and accident investigations hold the potential for infection through transmission of evidence. 3. Stress and fatigue among police officers Traumatic events, like hurricanes, terrorist attacks, and violent confrontations are instantly stressful. These can affect police officers long term. Diet and exercise can decrease stress and fatigue, along with getting more sleep and taking care of their body. 4) What ethnic and gender differences characterize policing today? What is the social significance of this diversity? (5 pts) Today many departments have dramatically increased their complement of officers from unrepresented groups. There are not as many African American officers or other ethnic officers compared to white (Caucasian) officers in the field. Although ethnic minorities are now employed in policing in significant numbers, women are still significantly underrepresented. The 2001 Status of woman in policing survey conducted that woman fill only 12.7% of all sworn law enforcement positions nationwide The social significance of this diversity is that woman and African Americans and other ethnic groups will actually benefit the policing departments making them better, well-rounded officers, it would help the discrimination of particular ethnic or sexual groups. 5) Be able to explain the ruling of each of the following cases and what area of policing the ruling affected (ex: search and seizure, arrest, interrogation, etc) (10 pts) A) Mapp v. Ohio (1961) b) Aguilar v. TX (1964) c) Escobedo v. IL (1964) d) Miranda v. AZ (1966) e) Harris v. US (1968) f) Weeks v. US (1914) g) US v. Leon (1984) h) US v. Borchardt (1987) i) Kyllo v. US (2001) j) US v. Grubbs (2006) A. Mapp V. Ohio (1961) This case was decided to change the face of American law enforcement forever, made the exclusionary rule applicable to criminal prosecutions at the same level beginning with the now- famous Mapp case; the Warren Court charted a course that would guarantee nationwide recognition of individual rights as it understood them, by agencies at all levels of the criminal justice system. (The area of policing the ruling affected: Search and Seizure) B. Aguilar V. TX (1964) -The case of paid informants. The case of Aguilar v. Texas clarified the use of informants and established a two-pronged test. The US court ruled that informant information could establish probable cause if both of the following criteria are met. 1. The source of the informants information is made clear, and 2. The police officer has a reasonable belief that the informant is reliable. The two-pronged test was intended to prevent the issuance of warrants on the basis of false or fabricated info. (Schmallenger, Frank, 2010). (The area of policing the ruling affected: Search and Seizure) C. Escobedo v. IL (1964) -In the case of Escobedo vs. Illinois, the right to have legal counsel present during police interrogation was recognized. (The area of policing the ruling affected: Interrogation) D. Miranda v AZ (1966) -This case established the well-known Miranda Warnings. In this case involving Enesto Miranda, who was arrested in Phoenix, Arizona, and was accused of having kidnapped and raped a woman. (The area of policing the ruling affected: Interrogation) E. Harris v US (1968) Police officers have the opportunity to begin investigations or to confiscate evidence, without a warrant based on what they find in plain-view and open to public inspection. The plan-view doctrine was succinctly stated in the US Supreme court case of Harris v. US. (The area of policing the ruling affected: Search and Seizure) F. Weeks v US (1914) Freemont Weeks was suspected of using US mail to sell lottery tickets, which is a federal crime. Weeks was arrested and feral agents went into his home to conduct a search. They had no search warrant. They confiscated many items for evidence as well as the suspects personal possessions, including clothes, books, papers, and even candy. (The area of policing the ruling affected: Search and Seizure) G. US v Leon (1984) In the 1984 case of US v Leon, the court recognized what has come to be called the good-faith exception to the exclusionary rule. (The area of policing the ruling affected: Search and Seizure) H. US v Borchardt (1987) The case of Us v. Borchardt, decided by the 5th circuit court of Appeals, held that Ira Eugene Borchardt could be prosecuted for heroin uncovered during medical treatment, even though the defendant had objected to the treatment. Because of this case guidelines for conducting emergency warrantless searches of individuals came into effect, and in order to use evidence against an offender in a warrantless search certain criteria has to be met. (The area of policing the ruling affected: Arrest) I. Kyllo v Us (2001) This case set the standard on how technology can be used to the police based on the results of a warrantless search conducted by officers using a thermal-imaging device to detect if his housing was giving off more heat than the other houses, investigators applied for a search warrant for Kyllos home. (The area of policing the ruling affected: Arrest) J. US v Grubbs (2006) -The constitutionality of Anticipatory warrants was affirmed in 2006, in the US Supreme court Case of US v. Grubbs.

Tulips :: essays research papers

How to Listen I am going to cock my head tonight like a dog in front of McGlinchy's Tavern on Locust; I am going to stand beside the man who works all day combing his thatch of gray hair corkscrewed in every direction. I am going to pay attention to our lives unraveling between the forks of his fine-tooth comb. For once, we won't talk about the end of the world or Vietnam or his exquisite paper shoes. For once, I am going to ignore the profanity and the dancing and the jukebox so I can hear his head crackle beneath the sky's stretch of faint stars. Jet Lag Oriented, suddenly Aurora, I rise without alarm in the random dark, Already full of purpose, without coffee Or tea, to the cat's delight, revving her pleasure. Breakfast is a poem, light, in good measure, A grapefruit split to reveal the spokes and rays Of the sunburst wheels on a golden chariot. I dress, I shake the dew drops from tips of my tresses. It is as if I can hear them, imagined horses, Astir in the stable, fogging the air with their breath, Snug under blankets, awaiting the curry comb And oats, ready to set out over the hill, Over the sleeping city, over the sill Of the sea, islands dribbled like pancake batter, Knowing where I am is always East, Always ahead of the day that's going to matter. Simple Arithmetic I am still imagining the men lined up, the ones I imagine who want me. I'll tell you everything I know: there was a boy, a girl, and a boat. And palm trees, but the mosquitos on the island chased them back to the boat. There was a boy, a girl, and a dog: I still can't get the story straight — magic fruit? straw into gold? — and night's black velvet has arrived. I am glad for my life and the high clear voices of four-year-olds in the Allegan Public Library. I am not the girl in the story — I am the girl whose mouth is mainly shut but who imagines it open. But where are the other boy and girl? Holding hands and walking into the library while a baby falls out of a pile of money with astonishing grace. Tulips :: essays research papers How to Listen I am going to cock my head tonight like a dog in front of McGlinchy's Tavern on Locust; I am going to stand beside the man who works all day combing his thatch of gray hair corkscrewed in every direction. I am going to pay attention to our lives unraveling between the forks of his fine-tooth comb. For once, we won't talk about the end of the world or Vietnam or his exquisite paper shoes. For once, I am going to ignore the profanity and the dancing and the jukebox so I can hear his head crackle beneath the sky's stretch of faint stars. Jet Lag Oriented, suddenly Aurora, I rise without alarm in the random dark, Already full of purpose, without coffee Or tea, to the cat's delight, revving her pleasure. Breakfast is a poem, light, in good measure, A grapefruit split to reveal the spokes and rays Of the sunburst wheels on a golden chariot. I dress, I shake the dew drops from tips of my tresses. It is as if I can hear them, imagined horses, Astir in the stable, fogging the air with their breath, Snug under blankets, awaiting the curry comb And oats, ready to set out over the hill, Over the sleeping city, over the sill Of the sea, islands dribbled like pancake batter, Knowing where I am is always East, Always ahead of the day that's going to matter. Simple Arithmetic I am still imagining the men lined up, the ones I imagine who want me. I'll tell you everything I know: there was a boy, a girl, and a boat. And palm trees, but the mosquitos on the island chased them back to the boat. There was a boy, a girl, and a dog: I still can't get the story straight — magic fruit? straw into gold? — and night's black velvet has arrived. I am glad for my life and the high clear voices of four-year-olds in the Allegan Public Library. I am not the girl in the story — I am the girl whose mouth is mainly shut but who imagines it open. But where are the other boy and girl? Holding hands and walking into the library while a baby falls out of a pile of money with astonishing grace.

Climate and Society of China Essay -- China Nature Environment Culture

Climate and Society of China Monsoons, Flooding & Droughts Believe it or not, there is a direct correlation between weather, climate and society. Since the first civilizations of the world, these three themes have affected one another. Weather has influenced civilizations in terms of the clothing and shelter which are necessary to protect oneself from the elements. On the other extreme, climate and weather have also acted as positive factors in the case of areas such as Cancun, Mexico. Continuous exceptional weather conditions have molded this area into a vacation Eden to which millions flock throughout the year to escape their own respective meteorologically disadvantaged (e.g. cold, snowy, rainy) regions. Through an intense observation of China ’s weather patterns, as well as those specifically found in the capital city of Beijing, similar relationships involving its weather, climate and society were found, although it is not as fortunate as its Mexican peers. Beijing and China both have a storied past dating back hundreds of years with claim to such masterpieces and historical artifacts as the Great Wall of China and Tiananmen Square. In terms of weather, on a more negative note, China has had the misfortune of being plagued annually by destructive monsoons. For centuries, these monsoons have had a devastating effect on China ’s agriculture, society and economy, but at the same time the persistence of the Chinese despite these demoralizing meteorological events shows their impressive unyielding character, strength and vigor. Monsoons are not a phenomenon limited specifically to the Chinese continent, but instead they wreak havoc indiscriminately in Africa and India as well. A monsoon is defined as, any of a type o... ... that nearly as many as seven million Chinese perished during these fourteenth century floods.27 For the record, it is important to realize that this speculative hypothesis is nothing more than a theory, but an interesting one nonetheless. Beijing and China are obviously in a different climatic region as compared to the majority of the United States. Fortunately for the Chinese, technology and advancements have been developed to help limit the effects of the climate on society; irrigation to deal with droughts, dams and dykes to aid in flood diversion and control, and proper medicine to eradicate epidemics and combat other flood-related health tribulations. Between the monsoons, flooding, droughts and famines, Beijing and China seem to have been a formidable place to live, especially in the past with all the challenges involved in Asia ’s unforgiving climate.

Platos The Symposium Essay -- essays research papers

In Greek culture around the time of Plato, the perfect ideal person was considered. Plato’s idea that there was a perfect world of ideas affected this pieces subject and the subject’s action. Many works of his time period were sculptures that were meant to be viewed from all angles, attempting to be a closer match to that of the ideal. This idea that the ideal world was real and what matter not the physical also effect the actions depicted in many works of this time period. Most of the works are depicting an ideal Greek person performing a noble act not just a common act. Many of the works are also just a still image of a figure from a single moment in time. All of the male sculptures appear in the nude because they represent a perfect man with nothing to hide. These are some of the artistic conventions that were influenced by Plato’s ideas. There are many different aspects of Greek art that can be accredited to Plato for creating. Among them was the "Perfect" figure that resented the ideal person that existed in the world of ideas. The definition of what a perfect person was developed by Plato. Plato believed that the physical world did not matter. It was the form in the ideal world and this value of form and thought can be seen throughout many of the works of art. Plato said that in the physical world we did not see the real object we only saw a shadow of it. The art of this time period showed form and subject that were far more perfect than one could actually exist in the real would in an attempt to represent the world of ideas. All of these aspects together confirm that Plato has a major influence on Greek art of the time. Throughout human existence, the subject of love has also been of great fascination to many. Questions such as : "What is love?" and "What is the work of love?" are some of great questions of the universe that has transcended time; yet with no absolute answers. There is perhaps no correct answers to the phenomena of love. It exists in many strata. It is perpetually subject to debate, for we all are experts of love in our own rights. In The Symposium, Plato gave accounts of speeches from different speakers. Yet the focus of this essay is on Aristophanes and Socrates. Their explanations of love and critical comments t... ...od. Most of the works are depicting an ideal Greek person performing a noble act not just a mundane common act. Many of the works are also just a still image of a figure from a single moment in time. All of the male sculptures appear in the nude because they represent a perfect man with nothing to hide. These are some of the artistic conventions that were influenced by Plato’s ideas. There are many different aspects of Greek art that can be accredited to Plato for creating. Among them was the "Perfect" figure that resented the ideal person that existed in the world of ideas. The definition of what a perfect person was developed by Plato. Plato believed that the physical world did not matter it was the form in the ideal world and this value of form and thought can be seen throughout many of the works of art. Plato said that in the physical world we did not see the real object we only saw a shadow of it. The art of this time period showed form and subject that were far more perfect than one could actually exist in the real would in an attempt to represent the world of ideas. All of these aspects together confirm that Plato has a major influence on Greek art of the time.

Battle of Thermopylae

The rise of the Achaemenid Empire in the 6th century BC is shrouded in mist of antiquity. It sprang in the region encompassing present day southern Iran and Iraq. A disparate group of tribes of Indo-European origin serving as vassals to the Medes controlled the region east of Tigris from their capital Ecbatana (near Hamadan). Here, around 650 BC the religion of Zoroastrianism was founded uniting the populace as an enlightened people into a political force.In 559 BC a devout Zoroastrian, Cyrus became the head of an obscure tribe and he set about uniting the other into a fighting force and in five years he had defeated the Medes and conquered all Persia. Lydia in Asia Minor and Babylon soon followed and by the time he died, as Cyrus the Great in 529 BC had founded the Persian Empire. After his death, his son Cambyses conquered Egypt in 525 BC. Indeed, the growth had been so rapid that rebellions sprang up and it fell upon Cambyses’s son Darius (The Great) to quell these uprising s and institute satrapies or self-governing colonies across the empire.It was sheer administrative genius, military planning with a humanistic view that transformed disparate tribes into a formidable world power. By the 5th century Persian power extended from the river Indus to the shores of Mediterranean, North Africa, Thrace, Greece and Macedonia on the European continent. Following the collapse of the Mycenaean civilization large numbers of Greeks moved to Asia Minor and significant among them were three tribal groups, Aeolians, Dorian and Ionians who settled around Lydia and Caria establishing twelve cities which made up Ionia.These were independent states but they all acknowledged a common heritage. They enjoyed this status till they were conquered by the Lydian King Croesus. The Ionians were invited by Cyrus the Great to rebel against Lydian rule which was turned down forcing Cyrus to conquer Ionia in 540 BC and thereafter to be ruled by local satraps. During the rule of Dariu s the Great in 499 BC the cities of Ionia were incited to rebellion against the tyrants representing Persian rule and in 498 BC the Ionians with support from Athens and Eretria destroyed Sardis provoking the Persians into decisively beating them at the battle of Ephesus.The Ionian Rebellion was the first major conflict between the Greeks and the Persian Empire. Asia Minor was subdued but Darius the Great saw the myriad Greek states as a threat to the stability of the Empire and was bent upon conquering the whole of Greece. In 492 BC as a consequence of this rebellion first steps were taken to secure land routes to Greece by re-taking Thrace and forcing Macedonia to become a client state of Persia. In 491 BC Darius sent emissaries to Greek cities seeking their submission.Most complied with the terms but Athens put the ambassadors to death and in Sparta they were thrown down a well. Thus both cities were now effectively at war with Persia. Darius next dispatched a force which besieged and destroyed Noxos and Eretria and then confronted a vastly outnumbered Athenian army at Marathon. The ensuing battle of Marathon was a remarkable victory for Athens resulting in the withdrawal of the force to Asia Minor. A major campaign against Greece was now in preparation when Darius died in 486 BC leaving son Xerxes I in command.A rebellion in Egypt delayed progress on this front and preparations resumed once the rebellion had been quelled. By early 480 BC Xerxes was ready and marched his army across the Hellespont to Europe using pontoon bridges. Spartans and Athenians were also preparing for war and in 481 BC the Congress of Corinth was held at which confederation of the city states was formed and they thought that the invader would have to traverse the narrow pass at Thermopylae on way to southern Greece, which could be blocked by a smaller force.Furthermore, to prevent Persians bypassing Thermopylae by sea a naval flotilla gathered to block strait of Artemisium. It was Au gust by the time the Persians arrived. This is a time of year when the Spartans celebrate the festival of Carneia and the Olympic games. A time of truce, during which war is forbidden but the urgency of the situation persuaded King Leonides I of Sparta to take 300 royal bodyguards and support troops as an advance expedition to block the pass and await the arrival of the main Spartan army.According to historian Herodotus the Spartans had consulted the Oracle of Delphi, (The high priestess of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, Pythia) was credited with powers of prophecy O ye men who dwell in the streets of broad Lacedaemon! Either your glorious town shall be sacked by the children of Perseus, Or, in exchange, must all through the whole Laconian country Mourn for the loss of a king, descendant of great Heracles (Rawlinson translation of Herodotus VII, 242) In keeping with this prophecy Leonides I was convinced he was going to certain death.Once the Persians were sighted the Allies decide d to make a stand at Thermopylae. The Persians offered surrender terms and asked the Greeks to lay down their weapons to which Leonides 1 is said to have responded â€Å"come and get them† (Holland, p269–270). The Persians had mustered an overwhelming force even though historians don’t seem to agree on a precise number. Modern scholars estimates vary from 25,000 (Hans Delbruck) to 100,000 -200,000 (Ulrich Wilcken and Tom Holland). There were 11,000 -12,000 Greeks in a combined force.Five days after arriving Xerxes launched a frontal attack. The Greeks formed a phalanx of overlapping shields and layered spear points across the width of the pass stopping the Persians from breaking through. This proved most effective as the wicker shields and shorter spears of the Persians prevented an effective engagement. On the second day too, the Persians fared no better but later that day the Persians got help from a traitor in locating a mountain path round the pass thereby o ut-flanking and encircling the Greeks.Some suggested withdrawal, but Leonides resolved to stay with the Spartans at the Pass forming a rear-guard to enable other allied contingents to withdraw. At dawn on the third day the Allies came forward to the wider part of the pass to engage the Persians. They fought with spears and short swords and Leonides 1 also perished in this assault. Thereafter the Persian surrounded the Greeks and rained down volley after volley of arrows opening up the pass to the Persians who proceeded to burn and sack cites which had not submitted. Xerxes then retreated back to Asia leaving a Satrap to complete the conquest.Thermopylae was undoubtedly a defeat for the Allies but is arguably the most famous battle of European ancient history. References Bradford, Ernle (2004). Thermopylae: The Battle for the West. Da Capo Press. ISBN 0306813602. Cartledge, Paul (2006). Thermopylae: The Battle That Changed the World. Woodstock, New York: The Overlook Press. ISBN 1585 675660. Green, Peter (1996). The Greco-Persian Wars. University of California Press. ISBN 0520203135. Pressfield, Steven (1998). Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae. Doubleday. ISBN 0385492910.

Safety and Health

|Title |HSC 027 Contribute to health and safety in health and social care | |Level |2 | |Credit value |4 | |Learning outcomes |Assessment criteria | |The learner will: |The learner can: | |1. Understand own responsibilities, and the |1. 1 Identify legislation relating to general health and safety in a health or social | |responsibilities of others, relating to health and |care work setting | |safety in the work setting |1. 2 Describe the main points of the health and safety policies and procedures agreed | | |with the employer | | |1. Outline the main health and safety responsibilities of: | | |self | | |the employer or manager | | |others in the work setting | | |1. 4 Identify tasks relating to health and safety that should not be carried out | | |without special training | | |1. Explain how to access additional support and information relating to health and | | |safety | |2. Understand the use of risk assessments in |2. 1 Explain why it is important to assess health and safety hazards posed by the work | |relation to health and safety |setting or by particular activities | | |2. 2 Explain how and when to report potential health and safety risks that have been | | |identified | | |2. Explain how risk assessment can help address | | |dilemmas between rights and health and safety | | |concerns | |3. Understand procedures for responding to |3. 1 Describe different types of accidents and | |accidents and sudden illness |sudden illness that may occur in own work setting | | |3. 2 Outline the procedures to be followed if an | | |accident or sudden illness should occur | |4.Be able to reduce the spread of infection |Demonstrate the recommended method for hand washing | | |Demonstrate ways to ensure that own health and hygiene do not pose a risk to others at| | |work | |5. Be able to move and handle equipment and other|Identify legislation that relates to moving and handling | |objects safely |Explain principles for moving and handling equip ment and other objects safely | | |Move and handle equipment or other objects safely | |6.Know how to handle hazardous substances and |Identify hazardous substances and materials that may be found in the work setting | |materials |Describe safe practices for: | | |Storing hazardous substances | | |Using hazardous substances | | |Disposing of hazardous substances and | | |materials | |7.Understand how to promote fire safety in the |Describe practices that prevent fires from: | |work setting |starting | | |spreading | | |Outline emergency procedures to be followed in the event of a fire in the work setting| | |Explain the importance of maintaining clear evacuation routes at all times | |8. Be able to implement security measures in the |Use agreed ways of working for checking the identity of anyone requesting access to: | |work setting |Premises | | |Information | | |8. Implement measures to protect own security and the security of others in the | | |work setting | | |8. 3 Explain the importance of ensuring that others are aware of own whereabouts | |9. Know how to manage own stress |Identify common signs and indicators of stress | | |Identify circumstances that tend to trigger own stress | | |Describe ways to manage own stress | Additional information about the unit | |NOS ref |HSC 22 HSC 221 HSC 223 | | |Content recurs throughout HSC NOS knowledge requirements | |Unit purpose and aims |This unit is aimed at those working in a wide range of settings. It provides the learner | | |with the knowledge and skills required to carry out their work safely. | |Assessment requirements or guidance |This unit must be assessed in accordance with Skills for Care and Development QCF | | |Assessment Principles. | | | | |LO 4, 5, and 8 must be assessed in a real work environment | |Additional Information |Others may include: | | |Team members | | |Other colleagues | | |Those who use or commission their own health or social care services | | |Famil ies, carers and advocates | | | | | |Work setting may include one specific location or a range of locations, depending on the | | |context of a particular work role | | | | | |Policies and procedures may include other agreed ways of working as well as formal | | |policies and procedures | | | | |Tasks that the learner should not carry out without special training may include those | | |relating to: | | |Use of equipment | | |First aid | | |Medication | | |Health care procedures | | |Food handling and preparation | | | | | |Stress can have positive as well as negative effects, but in this unit the word is used | | |to refer to negative stress |