Benefits of artificial intelligence to the society Research Paper

Benefits of artificial intelligence to the society - Research Paper Example Artificial intelligence can be defined as the intelligence that machines have. Artificial intelligence is also a scientific discipline in which, scientists try to develop machines with intelligence that is based on human intelligence (Boden, 2006). The intelligence that is provided to artificial beings such as computerized machineries is based on human development. This concept gain reputation on the basis of an ideal world in which, people’s jobs can be eased out with the help of machineries. With artificial intelligence, it is perceived that machines can perform better than humans and within much less time. According to John McCarthy, artificial intelligence is â€Å"the science and engineering of making intelligent machines, especially intelligent computer programs†. The history of computers is divided into generations and the concept of artificial intelligence comes under the heading of fifth generation. The fifth generation computers have artificial intelligence an d they are able to imitate common human functions like vision, natural language, comprehension, speech synthesis, usage of more specialized knowledge like human experts and many others. In other words, it can be said that computers with artificial intelligence are like artificial humans or robotics that are able to perform functions that human beings can perform. With artificial intelligence, many benefits can be achieved and these benefits are unlike simple computer systems as computerized machineries with artificial intelligence are much more efficient than simple computers. ... agents in form of artificial intelligent machines, which can do the works of humans such as in industrial setups where heavy works are required, machineries are installed to perform the work of many humans (Russell and Norvig, 2003). An artificially intelligent machine can perform the work of many humans with its intelligence and working expertise. However, human hand is required to make the machine continue working in the same manner. Because of machines involvement in business environment, where human effort is less required, the jobs of human beings are also not needed as the machine is able to perform the tasks of many people (Dreyfus and Dreyfus, 1986). The administration feels that there is no need to pay a large number of people when a single machine can do what many people are doing. It can deprive people of their employment and compensation, which can be counted as a disadvantage associated with the artificial intelligence technology. The artificial intelligent machines can be used in healthcare sector for the provision of medical facilities to people in a manageable time. Again the machines keep the capacity of depriving people of their jobs in medical sector as they can handle the tasks of many doctors at one time. Less hospital staff will be required for handling patients as the efficient machines will be there to make available medical services to patients (Boden, 2006). According to John McCarthy (2007), there are many applications of artificial intelligence that can also be counted as benefits attached with the field of artificial intelligence such as speech recognition, understanding natural language, computer vision, expert systems and heuristic classification. The artificial intelligent systems can recognize speech, can understand natural language and

I Had a Job I Liked Once by Guy Vanderhaeghe Essay Example for Free

I Had a Job I Liked Once by Guy Vanderhaeghe Essay Guy Vanderhaegh takes us back a few decades in the retelling of a court case in small town, Saskatchewan in the play, â€Å"I Had a Job I liked. Once. † Using elements of style, staging and developing characters throughout the play Vanderhaegh portrays to the audience the theme of the biases and prejudices that come with living in a small town. The story is set in small town Saskatchewan in a police station office, on the night of August of 1957. Corporal Heasman has brought in Les Grant on the account of accused rape Tracy Tolbertson, and the play follows the questioning of Sergeant Finestad to Les, who retells his involvement with Tracy, the daughter of Mr. Tolbertson, the local crown attorney. The story has many sub conflicts; the tension between Finestad and Tolbertson being a main one. Tolbertson wants his daughter’s accused rapist behind bars, but Finestad wants to get the whole story instead of just listening to Tolbertson. Then there is the conflict of Finestad with himself; for years he has followed the law and stuck to the book, but in this case he is having a hard time sticking to the black and white because he feels that there is more to the story. All these sub conflicts underlie to the main conflict of the prejudices and biases that come from living in a small town, and the difficulties that come with dealing with that. These conflicts all lead up to the climax where Finestand goes against Tolbertson and against the prejudices of the town and lets Les Grant go, without charging him. Vanderhaegh does a very good job of developing the characters in this play. We are first introduced to Sergeant Finestad who has a very strong character-he likes being charged and doesn’t do well with being told what to do. Finestad undergoes a very big character change through the course of this play. At the beginning, Finestad is very strict to the law, strict to the rules. As he says to Heasman before Les is brought in to be questioned, â€Å"Nothing about police work is personal. We follow the law, Tom. We’re the keepers of the rules. If we don’t keep them, what right do we have to enforce them? † This comes after he writes on the chalk board in big bold letters â€Å"NOT PERSONAL†. Through questioning Les Grant and learning his story, we see him change at the end where he lets Les go, not charging him and saying, â€Å"something broke down tonight, Tom. Either the book, or me. † He realized that he couldn’t charge Les just based on what it says in the book. The other character who undergoes change in the story is Les. Les comes from a very rough family, and has had some challenges throughout his life, but he has stayed a good, hardworking kid. He now works at the town swimming pool in the pump room, which is where he is changed. At the pool Les is bullied very badly- every day when he gets to work there is something new written about him or his mother on the bathroom walls, which he has to clean up. He puts up with this for so long until he finally can’t do it anymore and snaps, which is when he allegedly raped Tracy. Les is then judged because of his family background, and almost found guilty just based on the prejudices against him. There are other characters that help to contribute to the conflict as well. Corporal Heasman who works with Finestad is constantly against him, wanting Les to be charged to make Mr. Tolbertson happy. Mr. Tolbertson, as Finestad describes him, â€Å"likes to win, so the rules get ignored or ben. The law’s a game. † He doesn’t bother with protocol, but is just used to getting what he wants, in this case being Les being charged. He is a hard nut who always gets his way and orders everyone around, especially his wife and Tracy. Because of this, Tracy rebels and brings out her anger making other people feel bad, such as Les Grant. All these characters come together into forming the main conflict. Guy Vanderhaeghe broaches a theme that can be very relatable to people growing up in small towns. After Finestad releases Les Grant, he explains to Heasman the reason. He recalls a poem from his grade three teacher that has the lines â€Å"Tyger! Tyger! Burning bright/In the forests of the night. † He always asks himself, â€Å"Who made the tiger? Who made the tiger? † He then goes on to say, â€Å"Who made Les Grant? They did. And who made that girl? More of the same. Poor, sorry, fucked up tigers. And you and me-we’re supposed to play tiger tamer. After they’ve used their teeth. I might have been up to the game-once, but all of a sudden it seems too complicated for rules-for me. † This is where the main theme of small town prejudices is revealed, and how there’s more to people that what meets the eye. Society judges people based on their first impressions of what they see and what they’ve heard about them. The question â€Å"Who made the tiger? † refers to the events and families in people’s past that shape who that young person becomes. Tracy’s dad was very strict and hard on her, which makes her rebel, leading her to writing the cruel things about Les on the wall. Les has had to deal with his rough family life growing up which automatically causes people to judge him. Heasman describes them as a â€Å"Bad bunch, the Grants. † Les has also been bullied for such a long time that it causes him to act out. He is good kid, but all these outside influences came into making him make a bad decision. As he explained to Finestad, â€Å"Taking it from them for as long as I remember, that gave me the right. † He believed that he had the right to do that to Tracy because he has had so many things happen to him in the past. This play deals with the prejudices society has against people and how that shapes them into who they are. Guy Vanderhaegh’s use of styling really emphasizes many things in the play, whether it be through the use of different language, symbolism or repetition. Finestad’s injured back is one symbol of his relationship with Les. When Finestad hurts his back, he asks for Les to help him and says, â€Å"Don’t let them see me like this. Please don’t give me away. † He is humiliated and Les helps him, keeping his promise. At the end of the story, the tables are turned and Les is now the one who needs help. Les is asking Finestad to not lay a charge. He says, â€Å"Don’t’ give me away to them. That’s what you asked when your back went out. That’s what you asked me. † His back symbolizes the debt he owed to Les. The Tiger in Finestad’s poem also symbolizes Les Grant and Tracy Tolbertson, who had many things contributing into making who they are and resulting in the actions they did. Vanderhaegh also uses Tolbertson’s appearances as a way to contribute to the rising action of the play, leading right up to the climax. At first Tolbertson is just mentioned when Heasman and Finestad are talking about them, then he calls and Finestad ignores him, and finally he shows up trying to threaten Finestad. In all three â€Å"appearances†, Finestad put Mr. Tolbertson down leading right up to the climax where he completely opposes Mr. Tolbertson and does not charge Les. The repetition of acknowledging the statute book also emphasizes Finestad’s character change. He went from following it’s  every word to forgetting about it and going against it at the end. The staging also helps in contributing to creating the mood of the play. The whole play takes place in the one office at the police station with no scene change. This set is very basic, which makes you focus on the characters and their actions instead of their surroundings. The lighting used helps to create the atmosphere for the memories Les has, such as it creating a â€Å"lattice-work effect to suggest a grill† at the pool, or the dimming of the lights suggesting a soft summer night on the day Les picks up Tracy. Instead of scene changes, characters enter and exit the scene giving the impression of a new location. Even in memories, Tracy actually enters the office as Les is describing the memory so as to give the audience a better understanding of what happened. The use of different sounds, such as splashing at a swimming pool or music in a car helps create the atmosphere as well. At the end of scenes, the characters do not leave, rather the lights blackout. The scene is different, but they are still in the same place. This gives you a sense of mood change to the scene. Finestad never leaves the office until the very end of the play, where he turns the office light off, walks out and the curtain comes down, giving you the sense of finality. Many things have to come together in a play to get the main message across. With Guy Vanderhaegh’s effective use of styling, staging and character building he efficiently gets across to the audience the idea that with small towns come prejudices and biases, and that before making judgments you need to understand a person’s background and circumstances to get the whole story. â€Å"I Had a Job I Liked. Once. † is an interesting play with a good message to take home.

Platelet Rich Plasma-platelet Concentrate (PRP-PC) Analysis

Platelet Rich Plasma-platelet Concentrate (PRP-PC) Analysis Quality assessment of platelet concentrates prepared at Dr. Pinnameneni Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Foundation Dr. Anusha A.M Background Platelet rich plasma-platelet concentrate (PRP-PC) were prepared and their quality variables were evaluated. Material and methods In this study platelet products were prepared using platelet rich plasma method. After preparation the products were transferred to platelet incubator and agitated. Their quality was assessed after 24 hours of preparation using the following parameters: volume of the platelet concentrate, platelet count, RBC contamination, morphology and pH. Results Volume 90% of the RDP was weighing between 50 to 70 ml, 4% below 50 and 6% above 70 ml. The count correlated well in both the methods and 85% of RDP had a count of above 5.5 x 1010, 15% had below 5 x 1010. Ph: 56% of the RDP had of 6.3 to 6.5, 33% had 6.6 to 7.0 and 6% at 6.2 and 5% above 7.0. Appearance: 86% was light straw colored, 3% light pint, 6% pink and 5% red. Conclusion During the storage of platelet concentrates there is progressive loss in capacity of survival and function of platelets. In order to maximize the preservation of platelet viability it is best to allow PRP to repose at room temperature for 1-2 hours and then transfuse as soon as possible. To maximize the therapeutic values of platelet concentrates quality control is essential and helps to identify trouble shooting in procedures. In conclusion more than 95% of the RDPs prepared meet the standard. Keywords:Platelet rich plasma-platelet concentrate, quality parameters, platelet count Introduction Transfusion medicine has over the years evolved to assume a complex medical discipline that aided or modified patient care. Blood donation culture has not been fully imbibed in our society and homologous blood is usually in short supply in the blood banks with its attendant consequences in patient management1. Platelet transfusion therapy has played an important role in the management of patients 2,3]. Today, platelet concentrates are prepared from whole blood either by differential centrifugation buffy coat-derived platelet concentrates (BC) or by platelet rich plasma- platelet concentrates (PRP-PC) and plateletpheresis (4,5). There are several methods for quality control of platelet components including cell counting, pH, volume and morphology.[6.7.8]. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of platelets during the storage of platelet concentrates derived from PRP-PCs and whether patients got adequate therapeutically useful amount of platelets. Materials and Methods The present study was conducted at blood bank, PSIMS RF, Andhra Pradesh, India. The study was carried out on 100 patients. Platelet products were prepared from whole blood using platelet rich plasma method. After preparation these were stored in platelet incubator and agitated. Their quality was assessed after 24 hours of preparation using the following parameters: volume of the platelet concentrate, platelet count, RBC contamination, morphology and pH. For the study, samples were taken from the segment of tubing in the platelet concentrate bag to maintain sterility inside the bag. Volume The volume of the platelet concentrates were measured by deducting the volume of the empty bag from the volume of the platelets concentrate bag in ml. The measurements were recorded. pH p H of the platelet concentrate units were checked by the use of semi-quantitative dipsticks ( Bayers multistix strips) Total Platelet Count Platelet count was done by 2 methods Automated method by using fully automated analyzer Sysmex KX-21 to assess the quality o the platelets. Counting was based on impedance technology. Manual method using counting chamber. RBC contamination Platelet concentrate unit was checked by visual inspection or various colours. Morphology Morphology was analyzed by staining smear by leishman stain. Results 1. Volume 95% of PRP-PC was weighing between 55 to 75 ml and 5% below 55. pH 76% of the PRP-PC had of 6.3 to 6.5, 20% had 6.6 to 7.0 and 4% below 6.3. Total Platelet Count The count correlated well in both the methods and 90% of PRP-PC had a count of above 5.0 x 1010 and 10% below 5 x 1010. 4. RBC contamination 92% was light straw colored, 4% light pint and 4% pink. Morphology 94% of the platelets were discoid, 4% spherical and 1% fragmented. Discussion The potential of transfused platelets to circulate and function is dependent on ex-vivo and in-vivo factors. The percentage of platelets that maintain discoid form is a primary and simple indicator for the quality of the stored platelet concentrates. PCs been gently prepared and then immediately transfused without a storage interval have high retrieval, good survival and conserved function. Quality assessment of platelet concentrates is an important step to evaluateex-vivofunctional viability of platelet concentrates and post transfusion recovery and survival in donee. Various variables are used for routinequality assessment of platelet concentrates such as volume, platelet count, morphology, RBC contamination and pH. Conclusion During storage, platelet concentrates gradually lose the capacity to survive and function. In order to preserve platelet viability, PRP should be allowed to rest at room temperature, for 1-2 hours and transfused as soon as possible thereafter. There is a need to improve the quality of the platelet concentrates being prepared to get maximum therapeutic values. Doing quality control is essential and it is not only valuable in itself but also helps in identify trouble shooting of the procedures. In conclusion more than 95% of the PRP-PC prepared met the standards. References Olaitan PB, Onah I I, Ogbonnaya I S. Preliminary reports of autologous blood transfusion in a plastic surgery unit. Tropical Doctor.2006; 36: 20-21 Snyder EL, Hezzey A, Katz AJ, Bock J (1981) Occurrence of the release reaction during preparation and storage of platelet concentrates. Vox Sang 41:172-177. Heaton WA, Rebulla P, Pappalettera M, Dzik WH (1997) A comparative analysis of different methods for routine blood component preparation. Transfus MedRev 11:116-129. Fijnheer R, Pietersz RN, de Korte D, Gouwerok CW, Dekker WJ, et al. (1990)Platelet activation during preparation of Platelet Concentrate: A comparison of Platelet Rich Plasma and the buffy coat methods. Transfusion 30: 634-638. Jerad S, Prane K (1997) The Platelet Storage lesions. Transfusion Medicine Reviews 2: 130-144. Dijkstra-Tiekstra MJ, Pietersz RN, Huijgens PC (2004) Correlation Between the extent of platelet activation in platelet concentrates and in vitro and in vivo parameters. Vox Sang 87: 257-263. Kamath S, Blann AD, Lip GY (2001) Platelet activation: assessment andquantification. Eur Heart J 22: 1561–1571. Albanyan AM, Murphy MF, Rasmussen JT, Heegaard CW, Harrison P (2009)Measurement of phosphatidylserine exposure during storage of platelet concentrates using the novel probe lactadherin: a comparison study with annexin V. Transfusion 49: 99-107. Rinder HM, Smith BR. In vitro evaluation of stored platelets: Is there hope for predicting post-transfusion platelet survival and function?Transfusion.2003;43:2–6 Holme S. Storage and quality assessment of platelets.Vox Sang.1998;74:207–16.

Platelet Rich Plasma-platelet Concentrate (PRP-PC) Analysis

Platelet Rich Plasma-platelet Concentrate (PRP-PC) Analysis Quality assessment of platelet concentrates prepared at Dr. Pinnameneni Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Foundation Dr. Anusha A.M Background Platelet rich plasma-platelet concentrate (PRP-PC) were prepared and their quality variables were evaluated. Material and methods In this study platelet products were prepared using platelet rich plasma method. After preparation the products were transferred to platelet incubator and agitated. Their quality was assessed after 24 hours of preparation using the following parameters: volume of the platelet concentrate, platelet count, RBC contamination, morphology and pH. Results Volume 90% of the RDP was weighing between 50 to 70 ml, 4% below 50 and 6% above 70 ml. The count correlated well in both the methods and 85% of RDP had a count of above 5.5 x 1010, 15% had below 5 x 1010. Ph: 56% of the RDP had of 6.3 to 6.5, 33% had 6.6 to 7.0 and 6% at 6.2 and 5% above 7.0. Appearance: 86% was light straw colored, 3% light pint, 6% pink and 5% red. Conclusion During the storage of platelet concentrates there is progressive loss in capacity of survival and function of platelets. In order to maximize the preservation of platelet viability it is best to allow PRP to repose at room temperature for 1-2 hours and then transfuse as soon as possible. To maximize the therapeutic values of platelet concentrates quality control is essential and helps to identify trouble shooting in procedures. In conclusion more than 95% of the RDPs prepared meet the standard. Keywords:Platelet rich plasma-platelet concentrate, quality parameters, platelet count Introduction Transfusion medicine has over the years evolved to assume a complex medical discipline that aided or modified patient care. Blood donation culture has not been fully imbibed in our society and homologous blood is usually in short supply in the blood banks with its attendant consequences in patient management1. Platelet transfusion therapy has played an important role in the management of patients 2,3]. Today, platelet concentrates are prepared from whole blood either by differential centrifugation buffy coat-derived platelet concentrates (BC) or by platelet rich plasma- platelet concentrates (PRP-PC) and plateletpheresis (4,5). There are several methods for quality control of platelet components including cell counting, pH, volume and morphology.[6.7.8]. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of platelets during the storage of platelet concentrates derived from PRP-PCs and whether patients got adequate therapeutically useful amount of platelets. Materials and Methods The present study was conducted at blood bank, PSIMS RF, Andhra Pradesh, India. The study was carried out on 100 patients. Platelet products were prepared from whole blood using platelet rich plasma method. After preparation these were stored in platelet incubator and agitated. Their quality was assessed after 24 hours of preparation using the following parameters: volume of the platelet concentrate, platelet count, RBC contamination, morphology and pH. For the study, samples were taken from the segment of tubing in the platelet concentrate bag to maintain sterility inside the bag. Volume The volume of the platelet concentrates were measured by deducting the volume of the empty bag from the volume of the platelets concentrate bag in ml. The measurements were recorded. pH p H of the platelet concentrate units were checked by the use of semi-quantitative dipsticks ( Bayers multistix strips) Total Platelet Count Platelet count was done by 2 methods Automated method by using fully automated analyzer Sysmex KX-21 to assess the quality o the platelets. Counting was based on impedance technology. Manual method using counting chamber. RBC contamination Platelet concentrate unit was checked by visual inspection or various colours. Morphology Morphology was analyzed by staining smear by leishman stain. Results 1. Volume 95% of PRP-PC was weighing between 55 to 75 ml and 5% below 55. pH 76% of the PRP-PC had of 6.3 to 6.5, 20% had 6.6 to 7.0 and 4% below 6.3. Total Platelet Count The count correlated well in both the methods and 90% of PRP-PC had a count of above 5.0 x 1010 and 10% below 5 x 1010. 4. RBC contamination 92% was light straw colored, 4% light pint and 4% pink. Morphology 94% of the platelets were discoid, 4% spherical and 1% fragmented. Discussion The potential of transfused platelets to circulate and function is dependent on ex-vivo and in-vivo factors. The percentage of platelets that maintain discoid form is a primary and simple indicator for the quality of the stored platelet concentrates. PCs been gently prepared and then immediately transfused without a storage interval have high retrieval, good survival and conserved function. Quality assessment of platelet concentrates is an important step to evaluateex-vivofunctional viability of platelet concentrates and post transfusion recovery and survival in donee. Various variables are used for routinequality assessment of platelet concentrates such as volume, platelet count, morphology, RBC contamination and pH. Conclusion During storage, platelet concentrates gradually lose the capacity to survive and function. In order to preserve platelet viability, PRP should be allowed to rest at room temperature, for 1-2 hours and transfused as soon as possible thereafter. There is a need to improve the quality of the platelet concentrates being prepared to get maximum therapeutic values. Doing quality control is essential and it is not only valuable in itself but also helps in identify trouble shooting of the procedures. In conclusion more than 95% of the PRP-PC prepared met the standards. References Olaitan PB, Onah I I, Ogbonnaya I S. Preliminary reports of autologous blood transfusion in a plastic surgery unit. Tropical Doctor.2006; 36: 20-21 Snyder EL, Hezzey A, Katz AJ, Bock J (1981) Occurrence of the release reaction during preparation and storage of platelet concentrates. Vox Sang 41:172-177. Heaton WA, Rebulla P, Pappalettera M, Dzik WH (1997) A comparative analysis of different methods for routine blood component preparation. Transfus MedRev 11:116-129. Fijnheer R, Pietersz RN, de Korte D, Gouwerok CW, Dekker WJ, et al. (1990)Platelet activation during preparation of Platelet Concentrate: A comparison of Platelet Rich Plasma and the buffy coat methods. Transfusion 30: 634-638. Jerad S, Prane K (1997) The Platelet Storage lesions. Transfusion Medicine Reviews 2: 130-144. Dijkstra-Tiekstra MJ, Pietersz RN, Huijgens PC (2004) Correlation Between the extent of platelet activation in platelet concentrates and in vitro and in vivo parameters. Vox Sang 87: 257-263. Kamath S, Blann AD, Lip GY (2001) Platelet activation: assessment andquantification. Eur Heart J 22: 1561–1571. Albanyan AM, Murphy MF, Rasmussen JT, Heegaard CW, Harrison P (2009)Measurement of phosphatidylserine exposure during storage of platelet concentrates using the novel probe lactadherin: a comparison study with annexin V. Transfusion 49: 99-107. Rinder HM, Smith BR. In vitro evaluation of stored platelets: Is there hope for predicting post-transfusion platelet survival and function?Transfusion.2003;43:2–6 Holme S. Storage and quality assessment of platelets.Vox Sang.1998;74:207–16.

Essay --

Zyviare Melvin 12-11-13 5th block In class we have been learning about the death of Nelson Mandela. Apartheid? Have you ever wondered what that means, well if you haven’t I will tell you. It means a policy or system of segregation or discrimination on grounds of race. Nelson Mandela was famous for freeing the black majority in South Africa. He was a freedom fighter never giving into the oppressors. It was really bad in the 1960’s to have apartheid because that meant lots of violence was going on like fighting, it was good to have apartheid because some people just don’t like to be with people that they aren’t comfortable with. Nelson Mandela fought for the freedom of South America he never gave up on doing this because he felt like we should all be equal to each other. He did whatever it took to accomplish this goal if his. To me freedom means being equal to everyone that is around you. It means having all the same rights as someone no matter what their skin color is or what race they are. Nelson had his own definition of what freedom is that you should be very equal to everyone around you, you should have the same opportunities as everyone around you. A costume that my family shares with nelsons is being an African American, and also the meaning of family. So now I ask you what costumes does your family share with Nelson Mandela? The African National Congress is the current ruling party in Parliament of South Africa. Nelson Mandela was apart of this group. In 1993 Nelson Mandela shared the noble peace prize with the president he also had a son who died of aids this was a terrible time for his family. As you all know Nelson Mandela was a great man, who did amazing things when he was living. Like Barak Obama he was the very f... ...y great important person who inspired many people in this generation today. I didn’t know who Nelson Mandela was until Ms. Mingo made us do a project on this and that helped me learn a whole lot about him, and his life and what he did for this country. Nelson was a great person he was not selfish at all because he cared more about others than he did himself, but when he got sick he didn’t want anyone to know because he dint want them to get hurt with this information at such a wonderful time. Nelson really made a difference in my life and I wish that I could have met him so that I could know a lot more about him and what all he did in his life. It was pretty rough back then because there was a lot of racism going on and that was really terrible because that meant no one got alone with each other. That meant that I wouldn’t have most of my friends that I have now.

Macbeth - GUILTY :: essays research papers

This was an oral presentation, in which I prosecuted Macbeth. I received a grade of A-, however was told that it was my actual presentation rather than my essay that stopped me getting a higher grade :) Ladies and Gentlemen, I will be brief. You have heard the testimonies and seen the evidence; it is now time for the fate of Macbeth to be decided. Today you have met scores of witnesses testify, under oath, the defendant’s entirely good and honest character, and have pondered as to how the King of Scotland could commit such atrocities. However, unmistakable evidence opposes such testimonies and proves beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant Macbeth killed his King, Duncan the II of Scotland, his life-long friend Banquo and Lady Macduff and her children. Over the last six months we have seen Macbeth degrade from a fearless and heroic warrior to a murderer, a conscious villain who felt extreme guilt after killing his King out of pure greed and ambition. His servant, as testified, overheard Macbeth express his guilt to his wife on the night of the murder: â€Å"I am afraid to think what I have done; Look on ‘t again I dare not.† Following his crowning at Scone, King Macbeth hired three assassins to murder his long-time friend Banquo, in order to protect his crown. It was after the murder of Banquo that Macbeth then turned into an unmerciful, non-repentant tyrant. This man, once heralded a hero, became the bane of Scotland and his people. The defense has tried to manipulate facts to persuade you that Macbeth is not to blame for these murders and has placed responsibility for these deaths on everyone from Lady Macbeth to the witches, who occasionally conversed with the accused. You have heard testimonies of the three witches, who told us of their encounters with Macbeth. What sort of man would associate with such evil beings, and most of all, believe the nonsense they foresee? The witches did not directly influence Macbeth to assassinate his King, they only speculated as to what the future may hold and these predictions ignited his overwhelming ambition to become King. These associations with the witches bring serious doubts to the goodness of the defendant’s character. Speculations that Lady Macbeth is responsible for Duncan’s murder have been made by the defense. But blood found on this cloak hidden in Macbeth’s quarters proves without doubt that it was Macbeth who actually committed the murder.

Pride and Prejudice †Letters to Alice Essay

The comparative study of Fay Weldon’s non fiction text Letters to Alice and Jane Austen’s comedy of manners narrative Pride and Prejudice reveal connections between the authors in their desire to express their personal values and beliefs through the vehicle of their fictional characters. Exploration of connections such as the value of literature and the lives of women in different societies presented in the texts heighten our understanding of the composer’s contexts and the values they wish to convey through their writing. The shared aspects of the form of both texts such as the use of letters and the fictitious framework of Weldon’s Letters To Alice provides a connection through which the readers can appreciate the values Austen and Weldon seek to express. Austen’s comedy of manners explores her patriarchal, provincial 19th century English world which is satirically commented on by Weldon as she expresses her own independent success, displaying the changing nature of society and the empowerment of women through her character Aunt Fay, a second wave feminist and a successful and independent writer. Moreover the character of Aunt Fay highlights the stark contrast between the modern world in which marriage becomes a focus of love and happiness as opposed to the 19th century necessity for financial security which left women at the mercy of men. ‘I am not romantic†¦I ask only a comfortable home†¦ I am convinced that my chance of happiness is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state’. Charlotte’s direct speech epitomizes the marriage of Charlotte Lucas and Mr.  Collins, a marriage of necessity for pragmatic Charlotte who reflects the general feeling of young women and her desire for a financially secure, appropriate marriage, a trait which is condemned by Austen through Elizabeth’s disapproval and her branding of the marriage as ‘unequal’. Weldon’s narrative however appreciates Charlotte Lucas’ financial situation, despite the fact Aunt Fay and niece Alice are in no way required to marry, reflecting that ‘to marry was a great prize’, the objectification of women and marriage through the oun ‘prize’ displays Weldon’s understanding of the financial weight and importance marriage carried to young women like Charlotte. Weldon also comments on Mrs. Bennett’s understanding of the situation facing her daughters, ‘Mrs. Bennett, the only one with the slightest notion of the sheer desperation of the world’, displaying to the reader that in fact Austen through Elizabeth presents an unconventional and unrealistic picture of a young woman’s liberty with marriage through her insistence of finding love before marriage. In a comparative the study of an older valued text and a contemporary appropriation the connections established between the texts enhance our understanding of values and attitudes in each society as well as the personal beliefs conveyed by the author. Through Weldon’s 20th century appropriation of Austen’s epistolary structure Aunt Fay highlights the values of Literature within 19th century English society and our contemporary world. Fay Weldon connects to Pride and Prejudice through her exploration of Austen’s rural English societies attitudes and her values toward education and literature. In so doing, her commentary on Austen’s gentrified society and the value of literature takes a 20th century perspective. ‘My dear Alice, it was good to get your letter†¦your doing a college course in English Literature†¦ (Specifically) and obliged to read Jane Austen†¦ and you find her boring’. Weldon’s 1st person ironic narration in the form of letters highlights Alice’s 20th century struggle to study the ‘big L’ and reveals the novels connection with Austen’s narrative. Weldon expresses her own opinion on literature through the imagery in the extended metaphor of the ‘City of Invention’, which allows her to highlight her value of the ‘literary cannon’. This provides a vehicle through which Fay Weldon is able to express her own views on the value of good literature which she expresses as a medium through which readers can ‘admire†¦learn†¦marvel and explore’. Moreover, Weldon fights that literature must and does remains integral through the use of the religious language in the rhyming couplet, ‘only persists†¦all in all to thee’ expressing the importance of literature through sacred language. Her insistence on the enlightenment literature can provide through its enduring success and enjoyment contrasts with her view of Alice’s generation’s fixation with film and television, which in her opinion ‘can never enlighten’. Weldon’s opinion of the values of good literature are also reflected through Darcy’s condescending belief in a woman’s ‘improvement of her mind by extensive reading which makes her an accomplished woman and ready for marriage’. Here the direct speech of Darcy displays the value of both literature and reading to regency period, gentrified society as well as the value this society placed on educated people, and women. Elizabeth Bennett’s behavior and enjoyment of reading is contrasted against the superficial and hypocritical attitude of Miss Bingley whose ‘attention was quite as much engaged in watching Mr. Darcy’s progress through his book as in reading her own’, displaying Austen’s enduring respect for education and reading and as well as the value her society placed on the educated. Austen enhances this attitude through the contrast of characters actions in her social commentary by painting those with an appreciation of literature in a positive and appropriate light whilst making out those who do not to be superficial and debase. Austen continues to convey her personal opinion of the institution of marriage through the study of various marriages in her novel Pride and Prejudice which gives an insight into the traits Austen valued in a successful marriage. Her portrayal of Lydia and Wickham’s union as a match ‘only brought together because their passions were stronger than their virtue’, expresses her opinion on the fickle nature of a marriage with no intellectual or deeper connection. This view is mirrored in the unequal marriage of both Mr. nd Mrs. Bennet and Charlotte Lucas to Mr. Collins, whose unions were based neither on intellect or love. Contrasting these unsuccessful marriages is the happy and lasting marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Gardner, and more poignantly the attitude of Elizabeth Bennett who ‘could be neither happy nor respectable unless she esteemed her husband’. Whilst Austen breaks conventions by focusing on love in marriage she maintains the importance of appropriate and eligible unions displaying her value of her 19th century values and manners. Dependency of women on men and family members and the constraints they faced from the stifling conventions and unquestioned values of their society, epitomized by the high modality, definite statements of Austen as the omniscient narrator. ‘It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife’. This authorial intrusion and informative sarcasm mocks the very rituals and accepted values of this society which confined and limited women and presents Austen’s own attitudes toward these conventions. She shows her value of the educated and independent minded woman through Elizabeth Bennet and through herself as a single, successful female writer. Aunt Fay defends this ‘crusading zeal’ of Austen by maintaining that her form of conveying her message through her novels has in fact become more meaningful in her belief that ‘enlighten people and you enlighten society’. She builds on these ideas of Austen’s novels changing the values and ideas of people and therefore societies toward women by presenting the character of Aunt Fay as the successful independent woman without the burden of the necessity of marriage for financial security. Aunt Fay suggests that women who are successful do not need to depend on men as they have done in the past, saying that ‘Success kicks away the stool of masochism, on which female existence so often depends’, this enhances our understanding of the changes in society that have led to the liberation of women and enhances our understanding of the personal values Weldon and Austen hold toward the role of women. Through their novels and their own lives Fay Weldon and Jane Austen successfully express their own personal values and attitudes toward their societies. This desire to display their views and opinions connects the authors and highlights some of the key connections in their writing. Our understanding of these beliefs is heightened by an understanding of their contexts and an appreciation of the changes in society and the world.