Epic of Gilgamesh vs. Odyssey Thesis Proposal

The odyssey Homer translated by Robert Fitzgerald and Epic of Gilgamesh Translated by NK Sandars The overriding issue in the two epics is the interaction between heroism and immorality. In the two epics, the protagonists are portrayed to be hard working, courageous and brave. Contrarily to their moral character traits, they are portrayed to be immoral. In the translation of Homer’s Odyssey, the protagonist has been explicitly built by Robert as a real achiever in heroism context (Hexer Fitzgerald, p.113).   However, Odysseus is immoral and has no respect for himself and women in his community. Sandars translates Gilgamesh’s behavior as conflicting between heroism and evil. The two epics there is an emergence of wickedness and contempt among the heroes. Heroism and immorality are the common phenomena in the two epical scenarios. In the translation of the odyssey, Odysseus behavior is translated to be opportunistic. The aspect of pragmatism is evident among heroes and the bold. The applause that results amidst the members of the community when one achieves bravely can compel an individual to indulgence in malpractices like immorality. When Odysseus came home, he encounters a tremendous support. Odyesseus perceives the support believing that all women and girls are after him. The translation of The Epic of Gilgamesh, the protagonist is challenged by social factors like temptations that lead him into perversion. The community demands ethics from every member apart from the physical might. Gilgamesh is strong and capable of pursuing challenging tasks like winning wars and protecting the community. However, like any other person else, he experiences conflicts in the social set up attributed by immoral behaviors of promiscuity (Sandras, p. 347). The translations of the epics are applicable to the society today since they elaborate on the controversial issues in the community that entails both courteous and ill behaviors. Therefore, the appropriate thesis for this research is that, heroic acts are associated with temptations and opportunism that leads to immorality in the society. Work Cited Hexer R J Fitzgerald R. A guide to the Odyssey: a commentary on the English translation.   Ã‚  Ã‚   Michigan: Vintage Books, 2008 Sandras NK. The epic of Gilgamesh. New York: Penguin Books, 1972 Maurine K. The Epic of Gilgamesh. California: Stanford University Press. 1996 Jackson D. The epic of Gilgamesh. New York:   Bolchazy-Carducci. 1997 Harris J. The Epic of Gilgamesh. New York: John Harris. 2006 Marranca R. The Odyssey. Bangkok: Bangkok Books. 2007 Smoop J. The Odyssey: Shmoop Literature Texas: Shmoop University IncI. 2008

A Study On Preparing Titanium Metal Matrix Composites With...

I. INTRODUCTION Many engineering applications in the field of aerospace engineering, automobiles, electronic equipment etc. require very light material with good mechanical properties. Titanium based metal matrix composites with carbon nanotube reinforcement can be a solution for such applications. It can satisfy the requirement of light weight with very good strength. This study focuses on preparing titanium metal matrix composites with CNT reinforcements for various compositions for its mechanical properties. Ti alloys have been widely used as structural materials in aeronautical industries due to their attractive comprehensive properties, such as low density, high strength, ductility, toughness and resistance to fatigue. Observations on the MA behaviour of CNT–Ti powder mixtures in this study showed that addition of CNTs alters the grinding behaviour of Ti powders, which typically agglomerates in ball milling, and that the MA process itself is also affected by the type of CNTs incorporated. While all types of the CNTs, namely SWCNTs, DWCNTs, and MWCNTs, functioned as grinding aid preventing agglomeration of Ti particles, only the MWCNTs seem to have uniformly embedded into the Ti particles whereas SWCNTs and DWCNTs were supposedly not dispersed fully within the matrix. These variations in MA behavior, dependent on the types of CNTs, are ascribed to the morphological characteristics of each CNT type such as overall shape, number of carbon walls, and diameter, and specific

Functionalist view on the family free essay sample

In this essay the functionalist’s perspective will be examined on their viewpoint of the family. Also Marxists, feminists and new rights perspective will be taken into consideration. The overall functionalist theory on the family is that it performs positive functions for individuals and society. One of the most influential functionalists was Talcott parson whose understanding of the family was that it provides the primary socialisation of children, which means to teach the culture of society to the child. Another of his perspectives on the family was that it stabilises the adult personalities of the population of the society, which means that family life provides adults with emotional security that they need. However Marxists such as Althusser and Poulantzas counter attack this theory stating that families are reproducing capitalists and socialising pro-capitalist ideology to the children saying that hierarchy and inequality are inevitable. One Marxist called Freidrich Engels had a perspective on families that they were created when people started to value property, therefore men made sure they had sons to pass property down the family line. We will write a custom essay sample on Functionalist view on the family or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This links to Althusser and Poulantzas theory that families have an ideology of capitalism and one of the ways to fulfil capitalism is through inheritance of property as Engels has mentioned. Engels also mentioned that this ideology of inheritance of property has turned women into mere instruments for the production of children. However a functionalist such as Murdock would reject Engels perspective because he believed that the functions of the family was to maintain sexual stability in society, provide society with new members, strengthen the bond between spouses and provide a division of labour and finally parents having the responsibilities to teach children social norms and way of life. Marxist feminists argue that the main cause of women’s oppression in the family is not men but capitalism and that the family reproduces patriarchy. A Marxist feminist called Margaret Benston believed that the family provides the basic commodities for capitalism such as labour power in which women reproduce the next workforce with little cost to the capitalism class. The women are a ‘reserve army’ of cheap labour. Fran Ansley has also stated that women are the ‘takers of shit’ which links to that women absorb anger. However feminists in general have been criticised about their perspectives because they do not account for the economic and  social changes such as more women having a job in the economy compared to in the 1950’s. They are also criticised for not observing the positive side of the family some women may want to raise children and run/control a home. New right perspective on the family is that they believe the government is weakening the family’s self-reliance by giving out welfare benefits. New right link this to raising crime rates in young people because the growth of lone parent families increase in popularity due to increased benefits therefore young children will grow up without a male/female role model which therefore leads to rising crime rates in young males and females. However feminists say that new right want to bring back a traditional nuclear family which they believe keeps women confined to a domestic role. In summary the analysis of the perspective of the family has many theories which can be argued however all the structural perspectives have the functions to which they believe a family fulfils.

Information Technology And Expansion Of The European International Sys

Information Technology And Expansion Of The European International System: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND EXPANSION OF THE EUROPEAN INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM: AN OVERVIEW OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR SECURITY AND SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PATRICK MARR EXPANSION OF THE EUROPEAN INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM DR. MCGEEHAN APRIL 25, 2000 We are at risk. America depends on computers. They control power delivery, communications, aviation, and financial services. They are used to store vital information, from medical records to business plans, to criminal records. Although we trust them, they are vulnerable -- to the effects of poor design and insufficient quality control, to accident, and perhaps most alarmingly, to deliberate attack. The modern thief can steal more with a computer than with a gun. Tomorrow's terrorist may be able to do more damage with a keyboard than with a bomb Computers at Risk, National Research Council, 1991. We need to understand the exact nature of the challenges posed by Information and Communication Technologies to existing societies and economies. We need to know what we mean by the information society and the creative economy. Above all, we need to imagine how ICTs may develop not just in rich urban societies but in all societies, in all countries, and in all sectors of these societies and countries. While the countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) are becoming more aware of the haves and have-nots within their own societies, there is a similar but much larger division between haves and have-nots on a global scale. Can ICTs help to close the gap? Howkins, John. Development and the Information Age, United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development, 1997. I. Introduction The origins Information Technology can be traced back to the first forms of spoken and written language. However, within the context of the 20th century, IT refers to the development and use of machines, whether they are computers, cameras, or indeed any electronic device, which produces, transmits, receives, deciphers, or in any other way, manipulates data. That data can be sound, text, numerical, or visual. Since the 1960s, the world has seen the rapid development of IT via the invention and miniaturization of the transistor, the computer, fiber-optic wire, and development of numerous programming languages that instruct these machines to perform their tasks. There has already been, and no doubt will be extensive discussion of the technical innovations and specific technologies that have emerged in the past few decades. However, far more important than the specific technologies is the manner in which governments, businesses, individuals and groups implement IT to achieve their respe ctive goals. For this exercise, IT will be loosely defined as the amalgamation of technological resources that allows for the flow of information across time and space. This paper will analyze the role of IT in the expansion of the European international system. Specifically, the analysis will look at the effect of IT on international security and socio-economic development. Within the realm of international security, several concerns over the role of IT arise. First, what new risks are associated with the development of IT in terms of national security as well as international stability? Second, and conversely, can IT serve as a detriment to conflict? (Both of these questions also raise concerns over territorial sovereignty.) Third, what advantage, if any, does a nation with superior IT have in conflict/war? In terms of socio-economic development, the development of IT raises new concerns for the Western world as well as Less Developed Countries: What are the benefits and consequences of the development of IT for the developed countries and those for LDCs? Furthermore, what role has the development of IT played in expanding the European international system to LDCs, and what are its consequences? II. IT and Security Issues In a very real sense, the Information Superhighway has become the economic brace of many developed nations. While leading the world into the Information Age, developed nations have become uniquely dependent on that highwaythe computers and the global network that connect them together. This dependency has become a clear and compelling threat to their economic well being, their citizens public safety, and their national security for a number of reasons. The world's communication networks, referred to by many as cyberspace, know no physical boundaries. Increasing connectivity to and through cyberspace increases any