The Tempest and The Road not Taken Essay Example

The Tempest and The Road not Taken Paper Journeys affect each individual in different ways; some are impacted monumentally while others go through events with little or no change. Through character development found in Shakespeares The Tempest as well as the inner conflict depicted through poetic techniques in Robert Frosts The Road not Taken, my understanding of the impact that journeys have has been shaped so that I now appreciate that through emotional and physical events, a deeper insight on life is developed. The Tempest focuses mainly on the emotional transformation of the protagonist Prospero, though other characters experience a change within themselves and how they perceive humanity. The fact that Prospero undergoes such a significant transformation whilst his brother, Antonio, seems untouched by the events and says nothing that hints at the smallest morsel of repentance shows that, though they are both submitted to similar circumstances, the journey has impacted them both in different ways. Although all the actions are aimed at showing the shipwrecked characters their faults, Antonio and Sebastians plot to kill their kind demonstrates that they are incapable of change and gives weight to Prosperos story, causing viewers to empathize with him. Comparisons and contrasts between personalities such as Gonzalo with his idealism and Antonio with his cynicism aid in the development of the characters and the ideas they present. We will write a custom essay sample on The Tempest and The Road not Taken specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Tempest and The Road not Taken specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Tempest and The Road not Taken specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The play is opened with a dramatic storm, symbolizing the political upheaval and imbalance caused by Prosperos brother, Antonio, and the King, Alonso, usurping his rightful position as Duke of Milan. The central plot to the play is Prosperos plan to seek revenge, his bitterness evident when he says to Ariel, with their high wrongs I am struck to thquick. Shakespeares use of magic illusion through the spirit Ariel allows the story to travel beyond the realm of the factual and makes use of imaginative journeys, giving the island a mysterious unknown quality which drives the plot. This, along with imagery through numerous adjectives watery arch assists in the creation of an imaginative atmosphere. The changes within Prospero are gradual but easily seen by his affections towards the relationship between his daughter Miranda and Alonsos only son, Ferdinand. His pity eventually leads to the total forgiveness (I do forgive thee/ unnatural as thou art) of the injustices delivered to him and his daughter 12 years prior. His honorable characteristics are highlighted with virtuous speech such as, Yet with my nobler reason gainst my fury/ do I take part. The rarer action is virtue than in vengeance. Prosperos emotional conflicts and personal journey concludes when he is restored his title and makes plans to return to Milan. Before he does this he forfeits his powers in a soliloquy, this rough magic/I now abjure and frees his followers Ariel and Caliban. He desires to once again live his old life and has realized power is not what is important. This shows a true alteration in him as a person. A different journey is depicted in the poem The Road not Taken. It shows inner conflict as well as the unpredictability of journeys when the narrator unexpectedly reaches a fork in the road. He is sorry I could not travel both as he cannot tell which leads on to a better journey (the other, just as fair), he is forced to make a decision on which path to follow-or, which seems to be more important, which path will not be followed. The fact that he cannot tell how the paths differ symbolizes the fundamental nature of fate and how the choice is given but what will ultimately happen due to our decision depends on providence. The narrator recalls long I stood/and looked down one as far as I could showing his reluctance, though in order to continue on with life, the traveler took the one that looked to be the one less traveled, though he soon finds out that that neither of the roads is less traveled by, the passing there/had worn them really about the same. The title of the poem being The Road Not Taken shows the value that the narrator puts, not in the choice he did make and live but the one that he lost, the one that he can forever wonder about but will never know. The entire poem is an analogy of life and the sudden twists and complications found within it. Frost uses a variety of techniques in order to effectively create this metaphorical and expressive journey. It is a strictly structured poem, following an ABAAB rhyming pattern using simple language, focusing more on the underlying message in the poem as well as word association and connotations of words, for example, the grassy path is associated with ease and comfort. Symbolism is found throughout the 4 stanzas, the yellow wood and the physical autumn changes symbolise the inner change occurring. The last stanza shows the narrator predicting he will be telling this with a sigh/somewhere ages and ages hence. It is neither positive nor negative as the poet himself is yet to find out and only knows that it was a life changing decision that has made all the difference. There is however a hint of remorse, not perhaps for the opinion of a wrong decision but that the decisions themselves have marked the passing of his life-something he will never be able to get back or relive again. Both these texts include journeys of all different forms, all of which have had varying impacts on the personas and readers. Prospero, who began with a bitterness of heart and desire for revenge saw that happiness lay in the forgiveness of his fellows and it was this change within him that allowed for the desirable ending that occurred. The traveler in The Road Not Taken was wizened by the experiences and decisions in life, represented in his physical journey through an autumn wood. Each character was changed in a different, unique way but each gained personal growth. This demonstrates that journeys have different impacts on different people, but it is only through these encounters and lessons that they can develop and expand their knowledge or understanding of the world.

Geographic Information Systems essays

Geographic Information Systems essays The rapid development of technology has led to advancements that have had a direct impact on the improvement of our military. Weapons have become more effective and the use of satellite imagery has helped reduce the amount of lives lost during conventional warfare. Although not often contemplated, geography and its subcomponents are a critical element of any successful military campaign. U.S. military personnel must plan for environmental factors as well as enemy tactics to ensure a successful campaign. In light of the recent events that have placed our country on the inevitable brink of war, the United States military must continue to implement systems and standards that maximize effectiveness while minimizing casualties. Should the United States military use Geographic Information Systems? The military uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to help understand terrain and its effect on battlefield support ("In Search of Military GIS" 1). By becoming more cognizant of terrain conditions, the United States military has become the most lethal and efficient military in the world. Understanding terrain has been important to military operations for roughly 1000 years ("The Role of Geographic Information Systems on the Electronic Battlefield" 1). Many great battles have been won and lost due to geography. Elements such as terrain, weather and soil can have a major impact on the outcome of a battle. Napoleon's attempt to enter Russia just before the Russian winter is probably the most glaring example of what can happen if geography is not weighed in military plans. The world is constantly changing but a map cannot. Once it is created it starts to become out of date ("GIS for Defense" 2). Areas that were once heavily forested can be destroyed by fire. Floods can destroy roads that serve as major thoroughfares. Should these disasters or any other natural or man-made occurrences take place, the map created suddenly become...

Julia Alvarez, How the Garcia Girls Lost their Accent Response Essay

Julia Alvarez, How the Garcia Girls Lost their Accent Response - Essay Example The girls are born to a very influential Spanish family which lives in the Dominican Republic. Due to the strong opposition of the girls’ father to the political dictatorship of Rafael Leonidas Trujillo, which prevailed in their homeland, the family manages to immigrate to America. The story revolves around their feelings as immigrants, the problems faced by them, the dilemmas they go through as immigrants where they had to let go of the memories of their past and try to adjust in a new life and culture which did not particularly match theirs. In many of the book reviews that I have read, it has been written that the novel is inspired from Julia Alvarez’s personal life, which can be a possible reason for her very realistic outlook on the problems faced by immigrants. I myself felt that there were many aspects of the book that I could relate to as an individual. As with the previous book â€Å"Their Eyes Were Watching God,† love plays a very important role in this book as well. The central character is Yolanda narrates a considerable part of the story. In one chapter of the book she narrates her experiences as a college student. Her major was English which was challenging for her because in her class of English majors many were native speakers of the language and many of the phrases which they spoke were difficult for her to understand.