Masters of Deception - Literature Essay Samples

The element of disguise is often associated with deception and suspense. This literary device is seemingly ubiquitous throughout Eastern and Western folklore, and is seen in Homer’s Odyssey and the Turkish epic The Book of Dede Korkut. Despite the fact that disguise manifests itself in varying capacities, each homecoming evokes a question of identity. Ancient Greek and Turkish culture viewed identity as a representation of the role that one plays in society. Both Odysseus and Bamsi Beyrek are characters of good standing in society. They are portrayed as brave heroes from upper-class backgrounds. In order for the heroes to successfully â€Å"return† home, they must adopt a disguise to test the loyalty of those around them. Thus, their homecomings are not only physical, but also metaphorical, because they represent the restoration of their original identities. The second half of The Odyssey focuses on the trials that Odysseus faces after he returns home to Ithaca. Paradoxically, Odysseus must conceal his true self while trying to reclaim both his home and his identity. At Athena’s urging, Odysseus disguises himself as a wandering beggar in order to test the loyalty of the suitors (17.396-398). Antinous, one of the suitors, mocks Odysseus by calling him â€Å"a brazen, shameless beggar† (496). Although the suitors continue to taunt Odysseus as he strings his bow, they become frightened when they see his skill: So they mocked, but Odysseus, mastermind in action, once he’d handled the great bow and scanned every inch†¦ so with his virtuoso ease Odysseus strung his mighty bow†¦ Horror swept through the suitors, faces blanching white, and Zeus cracked the sky with a bolt, his blazing sign†¦ He snatched a winged arrow lying bare on the board—the rest still bristled deep inside the quiver, soon to be tas ted by all the feasters there. (21.451-452, 456, 459-465)This scene captures the key moment in which Odysseus reveals himself. Homer portrays Odysseus in two ways. First, Odysseus is the patriarch of his family. In the external world, Odysseus is the king of Ithaca. Odysseus is a father, husband, and king; these perspectives of Odysseus highlight the core of his identity. Essentially, Odysseus’ identity is a reflection of the roles that he plays in society. For Odysseus, the ability to disguise his identity empowers him and permits him to accomplish his task. As Odysseus reveals himself and defeats the suitors, he reclaims his original identity. In fact, Odysseus seems even more grand and majestic as he reveals himself: â€Å"Now stripping back his rags Odysseus master of craft and battle vaulted onto the great threshold†¦ and poured his flashing shafts before him†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (22.1-3). Eventually, Odysseus slaughters all the suitors to reunite with his family and his kingdom. Odysseus’ homecoming is significant because it proves that identity is the essence of character and personality. Identity was especially important during the time of the ancient Greeks because people identified themselves based on their ancestors and their homelands. The Odyssey refers to this concept when Odysseus introduces himself to Alcinous: â€Å"I am Odysseus, son of Laertes, known to the world for every kind of craft†¦ Sunny Ithaca is my home† (9.21-23). Thus, the link between a hero and his homeland is crucial because the hero will always return home. Likewise, Bamsi Beyrek from â€Å"The Story of Bamsi Beyrek† in The Book of Dede Korkut also experiences a similar homecoming. Bamsi Beyrek was held captive for several years and discovers that his betrothed was about to marry someone else. He laments: Oh, my forty comrades, do you know what has happened? Yaltajuk, son of Yalanji, spread the word that I was dead, and my father’s happy tent with the gold chimney filled with mourning. His daughters and daughters-in-law, wearing white like geese, took off that white and put on black. Banu Chichek, whom I loved at the opening of my eyes, with all my heart, is to be wed to Yaltajuk, son of Yalanji. (3.55-56)This quote implies that he was worried about his father’s reaction to the news of his death. In the narrative, Bamsi Beyrek is depicted as son and as a fiancà © of Banu Chichek. His role as a son is a major part of his identity; he clearly has already established a good relationship with his father. Furthermore, h is engagement to Banu Chichek, to whom he was betrothed to even before his birth, suggests that he is destined to be with her from the very beginning. Like Odysseus, Bamsi Beyrek also disguises himself as someone of a lower social standing (57). As a minstrel, he is mocked and ridiculed by Yaltajuk (61). In response, Bamsi Beyrek strikes the wedding ring with his arrow and shatters it (62). Not only does this scene demonstrate his prowess with the bow and arrow, but it also proves that one’s identity does not change. Each character has a different identity because of the different roles that each character plays. Hence, the only person who can claim Bamsi Beyrek’s identity is Bamsi Beyrek himself. In other words, Bamsi Beyrek’s identity is what makes him unique. In final analysis, there are several striking similarities in the homecoming scenes of The Odyssey and The Book of Dede Korkut. Both narratives send an important message about the concept of identity: Identity cannot be faked. The identities of both Odysseus and Bamsi Beyrek are being contested by others. In order for Odysseus and Bamsi Beyrek to truly return home and regain their rightful identity, they have to disguise themselves as someone of a lower social rank, only to emerge even stronger than before. As such, the element of disguise is essential to the plots of both narratives because it gives the heroes social mobility. This invisibility allows them to gain knowledge and test the loyalty of others. Although the ancient Greeks and Turks defined identity as how you were viewed by others, modern society perceives identity as how we view ourselves. Despite these differences, identity still continues to play a critical role in human nature and the way in which we view the world.

The Effect on Smoking Cigarette Banned in Public Essays

Cigarette smoking â€Å"There Is Nothing either Good or Bad, Hard or Easy, It’s How We Choose to Think That Makes It So.† ~ William Shakespeare~ Cigarettes are drugs that have a high risk of dangerous drugs that cause the disease to the body of smokers and people who live nearby. Currently, there are many more smokers are aware of the adverse effects of smoking. But the number of smokers is still increasing. Especially worrisome and continue to cause adverse effects in both polite society and the environment. Smoking is much more to keep the population down to health problems and premature death. Of death, with smoking rates higher than other causes of death combined, including AIDS drugs, alcohol, accident and murder and suicide. Its†¦show more content†¦Smoking, the more it can be easily purchased in the market are inexpensive, easy to spread the sale of cigarettes to young people. There are laws out. Prohibit sale of cigarettes to persons under the age of 18 years, but the defense is not good enough. I shop for my hand in the matter. I bought it for them and when they are smoking. Drug users are more and more peop le may lead to other drugs such as alcohol and smoking before they start. Heroin, marijuana, amphetamines, ecstasy, and may have come from if we look at the overall youth as a major force in the future to develop the nation if the substance is negative consequences. The capacity of developing countries, less than the social, economic, environmental risks, according to the second cause is the cause of this problem with other people as well. Young people often need friends. And friends are important variables that can lead us into the good and not good. Teens tend to think of it with a group of friends. We are like friends if your sport is played by a friend. If your friends smoke, drink alcohol, we want as friends to the group. I have no friends if we have good friends. Who will lead us in a good way, if you get worse? Who will lead us to the poor? So its important to choose my friends. When my friends do is not good. Should alert friends and should not do. I think that the future we will also find many other friends and the third is by a parent or someone in the house, the behavior of aShow MoreRelatedBans on Smoking in Public Areas1476 Words   |  6 Pagespeople that die because of smoking each year! Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the U.S. Each year more than 480,000 people die because of smoking. This is just one of the many reasons why I believe that cigarette smoking should be banned in public areas. I will argue this point in three ways. First, I will argue that the health effects of smoking are so harmful that cigarettes should not be allowed in public areas. Next, I will argue that the negative effects go beyond just healthRead MoreShould Cigarette Smoking Be Banned?1365 Words   |  6 PagesShould Cigarette Smoking be banned? The United States Surgeon General’s report stated that cigarette smoking is the major single cause of cancer death in the United States. This statement is so true today. Smoking a cigarette is an acquired behavior and that makes it the most preventable cause of death in our society. Cigarettes contain nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide, as well as formaldehyde, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, arsenic, and DDT. The main ingredient in cigarettes is tobacco. The nicotineRead MorePersuasive Essay Smoking885 Words   |  4 Pagessuch as smoking. People smoke for numerous reasons. These reasons include: socializing, coping with emotions, parental influences, advertising, and for the thrill of risk taking behaviors. In consequence, many people are unaware of the negative aspects to smoking. Smoking not only affects the individual but has negative impacts on others that are around the smoker and the environment as well. In result of these harmful aspects of smoking, smoking should be ba nned in public places. Smoking shouldRead MoreShould Cigarette Smoking Be Banned?1376 Words   |  6 PagesSurgeon General’s report stated that cigarette smoking is the major single cause of cancer death in the United States. This statement is so true today. Smoking a cigarette is an acquired behavior and that makes it the most preventable cause of death in our society. Cigarettes contain nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide, as well as formaldehyde, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, arsenic, and DDT. The main ingredient in cigarettes is tobacco. The nicotine in cigarettes is very addictive and when smoke containingRead MoreEssay about Smoking Should be Banned in All Public Places1133 Words   |  5 PagesSmoking Should be Banned in All Public Places Every year thousands of people die because of having cancer or other tobacco related illnesses due to smoking. Smoking is seen everywhere from our own television screens to even the world wide web; the internet. Tobacco is the substance that is in these cigarettes. These tobacco products are promoted through tobacco ads that are found almost everywhere you turn. They are in magazines, television screens, on the internetRead MoreEssay about Cigarettes Should be Banned939 Words   |  4 PagesSmoking cigarettes is common among most adults in the United States, yet it is one of the most dangerous things you can do to yourself. Many people feel that smoking should be made illegal. The reason they may feel this way is because it is very harmful to your health and can lead to death. I strongly agree that cigarettes should be banned from being sold and produced because to me they’re considered a dangerous drug. The first reason that supports my claim of smoking cigarettes should be Read MoreThe Negative Effects Of Smoking In Public Places1157 Words   |  5 Pages Smoking should be banned in public places The government of the United States, should ban smoking in all public places because of the adverse effects of passive smoking on smokers, non-smokers and the environment. In the recent years, the population of people who smoke in the US has significantly increased. People still choose to smoke even when they have adequate knowledge of how unhealthy smoking can be. Smoking is a personal choice for any individual. Moreover, it is a highly addictive habitRead MoreShould Cigarette Smoking Be Banned?1137 Words   |  5 PagesBiology 101 Should Cigarette Smoking Be Banned? Should there be a ban on cigarette smoking in the United States? Since cigarettes were introduced to Americans, questions have been raised concerning the legality of smoking and if it should be allowed everyone, in public places, or not at all. Recently, with the increase knowledge in cost and healthcare, the controversy with cigarette smoking has significantly risen. Across the country, states have banned smoking in public areas and inside buildingsRead MoreShould Cigarette Smoking Be Banned? Essay1278 Words   |  6 PagesSmoking is an expensive habit. People who smoke cigarettes can spend as much as $2,500 a year on them. Smokers’ claim that it helps relax them and it releases stress but the negative aspects of smoking outweigh the positive. Smoking is a health hazard for smokers and non-smokers. Smokers should have the right to choose what to do with their own health but they should respect non-smokers. Many people believe that there are good and bad outcomes from smoking . I believe that smoking is bad and thatRead MoreEssay On Cigarettes Should Be Banned707 Words   |  3 PagesIf you had the chance to save your own life, or even the lives of everyone around you, would you take it? Choosing to light another cigarette is choosing to commit another murder and taking another stab at your lungs. Smoking is the cause of one in five deaths each year in the United States alone. Since cigarettes can be considered a mass murder, they should be banned. They are dangerous to smokers and everybody around them, and that makes them vulnerable to secondhand smoke. Smokers are more prone

History Of Musical History, And Music Theory Of South Africa

Sara Dietrich Mr. Moore AMU3M January 6, 2015 South Africa This paper is going to talk about the history, musical history, and music theory of South Africa. The country is populated with 52.98 million people and the main religion is Christian. The country of South Africa is located on the southern most tip of the continent of Africa and covers 4% of the total landmass. It is bordered by Mozambique, Namibia, and Botswana. It is a very biodiverse country because of the Atlantic ocean flanking one side, and the mountain range on the other side. History The country of South Africa has a very complicated and unfortunate history, that lead to a widespread relief when the struggle was over. The Dutch colonized South Africa in 1652, which lead to controversy when diamonds were discovered shortly after. Holland was getting a larger portion of the diamonds being distributed and the people of South Africa were displeased. When Britain found out, they wanted to join in as well. This led to a long feud, and eventually sparked the Boer War in 1899, which last until 1902. Britain won and ultimately gained control over South Africa until 1910, when the Africans didn’t agree with Britain s attempt to anglicize their culture. In 1918, one of the countries greatest leaders, Nelson Mandela was born. He would later go on to become one of the most influential people of South Africa. In 1925, Afrikaans was declared the official language of South Africa, and this infuriated theShow MoreRelatedAfric The Richest Continent Essay1249 Words à ‚  |  5 Pages Africa is the richest continent in the world. She stores diamonds, metals, gold, and silver deep in her belly and an abundance of exotic fruits and vegetables sprout from her soil. No other continent on Earth is as abundant as Africa regarding natural resources. (Williams) Human beings with unique traditions and various beliefs inhabited Africa’s lands. In the 18th century, European colonists sailed to Africa, exploiting resources, and unjustly shipping millions of West Africans across the AtlanticRead MoreThe Black Atlantic : Modernity And Double Consciousness1190 Words   |  5 PagesAfricans across various locations such as Africa, the Caribbean, and Europe. Gilroy also highlighted many intellectual contributors to the discussion, which included Fredrick Douglas, Donald Byrd, W.E.B. DuBois and Richard Wright. His approach to the diaspora study differed from the typical, but did incorporate personal stories from those who experienced it themselves. While fo cusing on the various components of the work including nationalism, race, music, double consciousness and the understandingRead MoreBrazil And Caribbean Culture Essay1694 Words   |  7 Pagespeople have, overall, enthusiastically adopted the notion that racial and cultural mixture defines this regions national identity (Samba 1). This region consists of a very historic background which has shaped the beliefs and customs of celebration, music and dance. Sugar cane was brought to the new world by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage in 1493 (Umbilical 99). The introductionRead MoreThe Impact Of Hip Hop Music On America1491 Words   |  6 Pages As furthest back that we can recall, there was Africa. It is from Africa that all of today’s Black American music whether it be Jazz, Rhythm and Blues Soul or Electro music etc., is either indirectly or directly descended from all African culture and tradition. Today, Hip-hop music in America is generally considered to have been pioneered out of New York s South Bronx in the early 1970’s by a Jamaican-born DJ Herc. By the time mid-1970s, New York s hip-hopRead MoreThe, Mexican Feminist Theorist Gloria Anzladua s An Analytical Framework For Considering The Relationship Between Minority Faces,3216 Words   |  13 Pagesof â€Å"the border† to contextualize conversations of music and culture pertaining to American slavery. An zaldua’s work differentiates between the â€Å"border† as a geographical space and the â€Å"Border† that is the intellectual and culture production that happens in the aforementioned geographical space (Anzaldua, 9). As such, I seek to historically and racially broaden Anzaldua’s lens in order to define the plantation as the â€Å"border† and the culture and music as the â€Å"Border† when analyzing American slaveryRead MoreCharacteristics of Nigerian English1941 Words   |  8 PagesThe second dispersal took place during the 18th and 19th centuries. It is connected to the colonization of Asia and Africa and resulted in the development of L2 varieties of English called â€Å"New Englishes†. The history of English in Colonial Africa is interesting since it has two different patterns depending on whether we refer to West or East Africa. English incursion into West Africa was caused by trading, slavery and missionary activities.[2] Nigerian English- the variety I have chosen- belongs toRead MoreMusic Is A Form Of Humanly Organized Sounds1819 Words   |  8 PagesIn the world history the lives of the people have an important window in the form of music. Music is known as â€Å"humanly organized sound† or â€Å"organization of sound†. In the historical records many different types of music are present. Music is in the form of song lyrics, music recordings, spontaneous tunes, written music, the music performances in social life and staged music performances. In the historical perspective, music is present as an elementary thing of human experience and a divine phenomenonRead MoreWomen Of Hip Hop Culture Essay1723 Words   |  7 Pageswhose voices have been relegated to the margins of public discourse.† Their voices are in constant dialogue with the public and men rappers about sexual promiscuity, emotional commitment, infidelity, the drug trade, racial politics and black cultural history. If we pay close attention to female rappers, we will notice that they address questions of sexual power, economic opportunities and the pain of racism and sexism. Women rappers has been promoted as sexually progressive, antisexist voices becauseRead MoreWhat Makes Us Human?1905 Words   |  8 PagesHumans have made tremendous strides in learning about our early ancestors, but many questions remain about how and why we are what we are today, and there are as many theories. Chris Stringer, author of Lone Survivors, attempts to answer some of those questions. The question of â€Å"what makes us human† is a complicated one, with many different answers. Human beings evolved into what we are today not only through evolutions in genetics, brain size and body size, but also through our behaviors. So muchRead MoreJazz Music : The Jazz Age1985 Words   |  8 PagesIn the 1920s, jazz music started to gain popularity in America. Taking place during the Harlem Renaissance, jazz music helpe d define this time and the 1920s as the â€Å"jazz age†. The new upbeat and exuberant style of music attracted many young people looking for change. Jazz broke the customary rules of classical music and allowed musicians to improvise. Famous artists like Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and Louis Armstrong took the country by storm with their talent. Soon speakeasies around cities

Teddy Roosevelt Essay Example For Students

Teddy Roosevelt Essay Theodore Roosevelt, born October 27, 1858, was the United States twenty sixth President. Roosevelt was born into a wealthy and socially dominant family. Though he was a quick thinker and very bright, he was not very physically fit; Roosevelt had severe asthma attacks as a youth. (Andrews) Roosevelt attended Harvard College starting with a science major, but his eventual majors were law and politics. After graduating Harvard in 1880, Roosevelt married his first wife, had his first child, and lost his wife two weeks after the birth of their daughter on Valentines day 1884. He had also begun his career in politics, joining the Republican Party when they were treated like a private organization, having few credentials that were needed to become a member. (Roosevelt)Roosevelt did many beneficial things for his country, both as the President and as a soldier. One of the key features in his life was his involvement with the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War, from April of 1898 to September of 1898. Prior to his involvement in the Spanish-American War, Roosevelt was the Secretary of the Navy. He resigned from that position to begin organizing the First Volunteer Calvary Regiment. 23,000 men from all parts of the United States of America; cowboys, Indians, NY policeman, Athletes from ivy league colleges and more, were eager to volunteer for the regiment. (Andrew) All of these patriots felt it was there duty to defend their country after the USS Maine had been bombed in Havana, with the blame on Spain. (Harbaugh) The majority of the men in the regiment, which was originally composed of 1000 men (Hill), were from the southwestern ranch country. These men were skilled wild horsemen, thus the regiment was given the name Rough Riders. (Roosevelt)Roosevelt was offered the position of commander of the regiment but had to decline because he did not have the time to train the soldiers. He suggested that he work under Colonel Leonard Wood as a lieutenant colonel. (Hill) Wood had received t he Medal of Honor for his military action in the capture of Apache chief Geronimo. (Harbaugh)The first battle to ever take place during the Spanish-American War was the battle of Las Guasimas, which was a small village in Cuba. Sixteen Rough Riders died in the battle, June 24th, 1889. (Harbaugh) Because the Rough Riders were strictly volunteer, their rations and supplies were not always delivered on time. Roosevelt had stated, If I wanted anything to eat it was wise to carry it with me. He also suggested, I would earnestly advise the men of every volunteer organization always to proceed upon the belief that their supplies will not turn up. (Roosevelt)In June of 1898 at the battle of San Juan Hill, Roosevelt was given notification that there might be orders to fall back. After seeing his men fight, he told General Joseph Wheeler that he did not know if he could follow those orders. Roosevelt and his men were often told that the battles would take place at night and it so happened tha t one Saturday morning there were shots fired and by morning there was artillery being fired at the regiment. (Roosevelt)After the battle at San Juan Hill, the men were exhausted and hungry. They had managed to gain control of some of the Spanishs supplies and provisions. (Jeffers)Despite the Rough Riders accomplishments during the Spanish American War, Washington was given the option to withdraw their troops from Cuba, but the proposal was vetoed. Allowing the men to fulfill their patriotic duty, but also caused a huge increase in sickness and fatigue. (Roosevelt) Even though Roosevelt and his men were always eager to fight, three fourths of the men had either died, became sick with malaria or came down with a bad case of diarrhea, also called dysentery. Roosevelt was invited to a Generals Council, where the generals met to discuss their strategies and their mens conditions. Roosevelt suggested that his men be taken home or to some part of the northern United States. However the Wa r Department did not understand the predicament that they were in. General Wheeler had invited him to the Council because Roosevelt was a volunteer and would no sooner return to civilization. Thus