Abusive Relationship Essay

Physical, emotional, verbal, and sexual abuse are some of the different types of abuse that can be found within a relationship. The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of adolescent dating aggression, and to define, compare and contrast different points of view. The author of the novel Faultline, Janet Tashjian, describes a series of events in the life of Becky, the main character of the story, where she is getting involved into an abusive relationship with Kip, presenting all the warning signs that every adolescent should know. This story represents the millions of adolescents that are in this same situation. I will be presenting real cases from different sources to demonstrate that adolescent dating aggression is a serious problem for many teenagers. Yet like other forms of aggression, warning signs are often present that a young couple may be at risk. By understanding these precursors we can help adolescents avoid problematic situations and instead develop healthy dating relationships that will set in place a solid foundation for satisfying relationships throughout life. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four teenagers report being verbally, emotionally, physically or sexually abused in a dating relationship. The issue of dating violence is so critical that it was included in the 2005 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, along with the crimes of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking. Statistics indicate that males who are exposed to domestic violence as children are twice as likely to be abusive in their own relationships. Many teens use cell phones and computers as tools of control and abuse in dating relationships. There have been millions of reports of abuse in a relationship; one of these cases was reported by Nicky who was 12 when she fell in love with Richard who was 13. What Nicky has to show for their years together are a chipped tooth, a nose bent several degrees by his fist, three children â€Å"all of whom were born before their due dates because of beatings†, she says, a nd emotional scars that are hard to fathom in someone so young. She shares her story to Los Angeles Times: My earliest memory of abuse? I was 13. When he went into high school, I was still in junior high and he didn’t trust me. One time I was wearing this see-through blouse. I had a slip on underneath it, because my parents taught me how to dress. [But] he got mad, and he pushed me on the ground and started calling me a bitch and everything. I thought, `Well he’s just mad, I shouldn’t have worn that.’ I couldn’t go home. What was I gonna tell my mom? So I went to school and I put on my P.E. clothes and that is what I wore all day. In the last two decades, domestic violence has emerged from the black hole of taboo subjects to become highly visible. And what has long been happening between spouses or adult lovers is now recognized as a problem for teen-agers as well. Surveys show that about 28% of high school- and college-age students are in abusive relationships, roughly the same proportion as adults. But while adults have shelters and well-publicized hot lines, adolescents typically have only each other, if that. They often cannot or will not turn to adults for help and may not even talk to their peers. Young girls and women often do not know how to get out of abusive situations. More schools are providing programs to teach teens the warning signs of abusive relationships and provide them with the tools they need to leave violent and controlling partners. Some people think that dating violence is increasing because many girls are afraid to stand up to an aggressive and controlling boy. Others blame the violent and sexual content in the media as a contributing factor in dating violence. According to a New York Times article, â€Å"The high incidence of adolescent abuse distresses Barrie Levy, a Santa Monica therapist and a founder of the Southern California Coalition for Battered Women†. Levy, who edited the book Dating Violence: Young Women in Danger became aware of the problem in 1982 during a domestic violence education project in Los Angeles-area secondary schools. â€Å"Our focus was on the development of an education program that would target adolescents, thinking that the way to start dealing with domestic violence was presumably before it started,† Levy says. Violence in adolescent dating relationships is a large-scale problem, and may result in long-term trauma and psychological aftermath for victims. I provided some data, statistics, facts and opinion about this issue. An abusive relationship can be prevented if parents, teachers and counselors talk to the adolescents about the warning signs and how get away from that abusive relationship. The novel Faultline is a great example that can be used to teach teenagers about this serious topic.

Importance of education and knowledge

Education or knowledge could help people make better choices, but not all will make those choices. People won't because they care about the money in their pocket. Some Just don't care because they won't have to live through it. They expect younger generations to do something about it so they don't have to. people do try to change the world, and do try very hard to do so, but if you want to make a change you have to change yourself.For somebody to change it would or will be really hard because you may have to come out of your comfort zone, which would be awkward of course. If I chose to change I myself will have to come out of that zone, the way I eat, the way I do things, what I do on my spare time and my attitude towards things. If I were to change something in the world I would try to make one day out of one month for each month of no driving.which would involve spending a lot of time researching and a lot of interviews and will have to some how get into a conference out doing some thing for the worldOne day each month would help slowdown global warming not by much, but it is a step closer to a better world. If Everyone did a little something to help the world they could change it a lot. Also if some people really paid attention maybe the they might try a little to change the world, like those commercials for dog shelters they wish they could take them all but they can't because they don't have enough money, or already have a dog or just not allowed to have a pets. For some people they may have to go extremely far if they want to complete their goal. some people don't change very much and still change in the world like â€Å"Gandhi†Gandhi was an English lawyer that went to India, but didn't like a law, so he set out to change this law of Indian rights. He changed by living like one of the Indians, he had a hard time changing this law, he was arrested quite a few times. But other people were killed over standing up with gandhi, but eventually beat the g overnment had the law changed but not long after his change a war broke out because some people didn't like the idea and so set out a riot against him. While the riot was going on gandhi said some word and they stopped and after a few days some guy killed him. It does take a lot of effort to change some thing really big, it may even involve jail or  death but not likelyTo change something drastically you may have to be willing to take the consequences. it only takes one human being you seen something is have to try and see we're you may end up

Why Cpr and First Aid Are Important - 746 Words

I believe all people should master the skills of CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation) and first aid training. You can learn CPR and first aid training by taking a training course that teaches vital skills people can use, so they can handle and cope with emergencies, such as a chocking child, burns or scalds, or someone who has stopped breathing. Learning CPR and first aid is the simplest and most important skills anyone can learn. You can learn CPR and first aid in as little as 4.5 hours. Taking this time to learn these skills that could help save a life is more than worth it. CPR and first aid techniques are life saving skills everyone should know and master because you never know when a situation will occur when CPR and first†¦show more content†¦Also 80% of all cardiac arrest happen at home? Knowing this statistic you would think more people would be willing to learn CPR and first aid training so they can be prepared if someone they knew went into cardiac arrest. Being trained in CPR can make a difference when it comes to life and death for a family member or loved one, but believe it or not very few people are CPR and first aid certified. If more people would just take the time and learn CPRShow MoreRelatedCpr ( American Thoracic Society )975 Words   |  4 PagesWhat is CPR? CPR stands for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. It is a medical technique used to treat shortness of breath (American Thorac ic Society). There are two types of CPR (American Thoracic Society). The first of these two types is called Basic life Support (BLS) which is the form of CPR that we see in most movies (American Thoracic Society). In BLS we use a combination of chest compressions and artificial breathing (mouth to mouth) to stabilize a patient (American Thoracic Society). The secondRead MoreFirst Aid Study Notes1390 Words   |  6 PagesFirst Aid Notes Q. Why is first aid important? A. It is better to know first aid and not need it than to need it and not know it. Q. What is first aid? A. First aid is the immediate care give to an injured or suddenly ill person. Q. What is Duty of Care? A. While providing first aid you have a duty of care which requires you to assess and treat the casualty within the confines of your training and expertise i.e. you must only do what you are trained to do. Q. What is CPR A. CPR stands for CARDIOPULMONARYRead MoreLocal Government Fiscal Sustainability As A Common Pool Resource Problem1398 Words   |  6 PagesCommon-Pool Resource Problem According to our text, people perceive government as a tool to maximize their own self-interest in the political economy model (Rosen Gayer, 2014, p. 108). This commonly takes the form of public service programs, which is why fiscal sustainability is an essential factor in government operations, especially on the local level. It has turned out to be an immense challenge on every level due to fluctuating operating deficits, tax revenues, and demographics. These issues areRead More What it takes to become a coach Essay examples1100 Words   |  5 PagesRegardless of the experience or teaching certificates a person may have, State Education Law, Article (6), Section 300lb, requires, â€Å"That a person employed as a coach of an interschool athletic team must old valid first aid skills and knowledge certification (12 hours of initial training), and adult CPR certification (4 hour training). â€Å"Within the coaching profession there are three potential secondary school coaches: (1)a certified physical education teacher, (2) a teacher certified in an area other thatRead MoreRoles And Responsibilities Of An Emergency First Aider1911 Words   |  8 PagesQ1 Describe the roles and responsibilities of an emergency first aider First aider responsibility is to help someone who is injured and keep him safe until professional help arrived. What the first aider does? 1) Evaluate the situation quickly and calmly- such as if it’s safe to help or what has had happened 2) Protecting himself and injured- such as calling 999 if he can’t manage make area safe (e.g. spillage of flammable liquid and car in the fire close to spillage) 3) Prevent cross-infection byRead MoreWhy I Was A Band Aid1365 Words   |  6 Pagesmy mom put a band aid or something on it to stop the bleeding. When I went to the doctors and would talk to the doctor I would ask a bunch of question about the body and, why the body reacts to cuts and illnesses like it does. As I got older, about middle school age, I became interested in the body, I would go around the neighborhood acting as the doctor if my friends would get hurt I would take them to my little office; it was just my back porch. But, I would put a band aid or whatever I thoughtRead MoreEmergency Response And Disaster Recovery Plan Essay1737 Words   |  7 PagesEmergency response procedures are a very important role in the business continuity and disaster recovery plans. It is important when creating an emergency response and disaster recovery activity is simple because when an emergency strikes people are less likely to remember a lot of rules, details, and procedures. The more c omplicated the emergency response plans for your business the less likely the plans will be effective in a real emergency. It is very important that a company has roles establishedRead MoreWhat is Sports Medicine? 1332 Words   |  6 Pagesout with the costs of sports medicine. The sports medicine field is a very broad field; this means that athletes can find help for their injuries no matter what kind of injury they have. Why is Sport Medicine Important? Sports medicine is important to schools, trainers, coaches and most of all it should be important to anyone who is an athlete. That includes any athlete no matter their skill level; it could be a beginner or a professional. Sports injuries can happen to anyone, but getting injuredRead MoreShould Students Take A Parenting Class? High School?1615 Words   |  7 Pagesthese classes in high school has its merits, but ultimately, these classes are too important to discontinue. For several reasons, students should be required to take a parenting class in high school. Many people could sit there and tell them reasons that children should not be learning about parenting classes, or why having these classes could potentially help in the long run. First aid, for example, is an important factor, not everyone knows how to care for an infant choking on a Cheerio. StaticsRead MoreWhy Do You Should Be Used In The Event Of An Accident Or Disaster1300 Words   |  6 Pagesapplicable, and how to enter the building Any details regarding the accident or illness Call Security at 954-769-2130 DO NOT try to move the injured person. Simply try to make them comfortable. IF CPR IS REQUIRED AND YOU ARE NOT TRAINED OR CANNOT PERFORM CPR, REFER TO THE NUMBERS ON THE FIRST AID KIT. First Aid Kits are located in the break rooms/kitchen on each floor. A heart defibrillator is kept in the 1st Floor Body Shop. Bomb Threat: The person receiving the call should attempt to get as much information

The Lottery Essay - 617 Words

Over the years many critics have wrote articles on Shirley Jacksons numerous works. Many critics had much to say about Jacksons most famous short story, quot;The Lotteryquot;. Her insights and observations about man and society are disturbing; and in the case of quot;The Lottery,quot; they are shocking. quot;The themes themselves are not new, evil cloaked in seeming good, prejudice and hypocrisy, loneliness and frustration, psychological studies of minds that have slipped the bonds of realityquot; (Friedman). Literary critic, Elizabeth Janeway wrote that, quot; The Lottery makes its effect without having to state a moral about humanitys need to deflect the knowledge of its own death on a victim. That uneasy consciousness is†¦show more content†¦Bobby Martin ducked under his mothers grasping hand and ran, laughing, back to the pile of stones. His father spoke up sharply, and Bobby came quickly and took his place between his father and his eldest brotherquot;(Lottery). nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Jackson gives very plain, solid-sounding names to her characters Adams, Warner, Dunbar, Martin, Hutchinson, etc. quot;The name Mr. Summers is particularly suitable for sunny, jovial Joe Summers it emphasizes the surface tone of the piece and underscores the ultimate irony. Mr. Graves the postmaster and the assistant to Mr. Summers in the administration of the lottery has a name that might well signify the tragic undercurrent, which does not become meaningful until the end of the storyquot; (Friedman). Oehlschlaeger explains his meaning behind the name Hutchinson. quot;The name of Jacksons victim links her to Anne Hutchinson, whose Antinomian beliefs, found to be heretical by the Puritan hierarchy, resulted in her banishment from Massachusetts in 1638. While Tessie Hutchinson is no spiritual rebel, to be sure, Jacksons allusion to Anne Hutchinson reinforces her suggestions of a rebellion lurking within the women of her imaginary villagequot;(261) Helen E. Neb eker explains that why traditions of men in quot;The Lotteryquot; must be examined more closely nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;quot;Until enough men areShow MoreRelatedThe Lottery1112 Words   |  5 PagesPAPER INTERDICIPLINARY LITERATURE â€Å"THE LOTTERY† [pic] Compiled by : Nida Agniya Septiara (F1F010038) Laeli Fadilah (F1F010052) Lisa Ayu Christiana Putri (F1F010022) Yunita Marangin Lumbantoruan (F1F010084) JENDERAL SOEDIRMAN UNIVERSITY SOCIAL AND POLITICAL SCIENCE FACULTY HUMANITIES DEPARTMENT ENGLISH LITERATURE 2013 INTRODUCTION Read More The Lottery Essay811 Words   |  4 Pagesword lottery, you probably think of winning a large sum of money before being stoned to death. quot; The Lotteryquot; by Shirley Jackson brings this horrible idea to life. While the overall mood of the story depicts a typical day in a small rural town, through great use of imagery and irony, one is set up for an unusual ending. Shirley Jackson uses the element of surprise. The way of the story ends is unlike anyone could predict. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The main object of The Lottery is theRead MoreSummary of The Lottery872 Words   |  4 PagesThe short story that this paper will look at is The Lottery by Shirley Jackson. It was first published in The New Yorker on 26 June 1948. It is one of the most famous short stories in the history of United States literature history. This paper is a summary of the story from my point of view. The Lottery is a work of fiction that demonstrates rebellion and conformity while insinuating that a lottery is part of a ritualistic ceremony. The author was born in 1919. She struggled with depression throughoutRead MoreThe Lottery Essay938 Words   |  4 Pagesthe lottery, but not its exact purpose. Do the townspeople know? Is this omission significant? Intentional? No, the townspeople do not know the lottery’s exact purpose. This omission is not significant because it seems there is no point in the lottery and why these people are operating such horrid acts. It is more intentional; the townspeople are playing it safe thinking they are keeping a tradition, yet no one seems brave enough to ask why? 3. Why is much of the history of the lottery andRead MoreAnalysis Of The Lottery 1036 Words   |  5 PagesSince reading The Lottery by Shirely Jackson, I’ve been thinking more about culture, traditions, and perspective. Not just that, but how it can sometimes take adopting an unbiased, non judgmental, or outside perspective in order to see things for what they really are. The way that the narrator in this story adopts such a position allows for a clearer view of the events of the story. In The Lottery, the narrator speaks to us in a non participant and objective manner. We hear and see events unfoldRead MoreLottery Is Good or Not1635 Words   |  7 PagesIs lottery a good idea? These days, a lot of people play lottery and spend a certain amount of money on it while few of them earn back what they spend. Someone says lottery is a kind of tax collected by the government on peoples’ luck and desire to be rich. In another aspect, lottery is also gambling, and it could make people to be a millionaire in a night if the person is lucky enough, however, it has a negative effect that it causes inequality, crimes and so on. So lottery is not a positive ideaRead MoreThe Day Of The Lottery1397 Words   |  6 Pagesin a small town are gathering on a warm, beautiful summer day in the square for the lottery. The children, who have just finished school, are playing while waiting on their parents to meet them in the square and are gathering up rocks into a pile off to the side. Everyone enters the square and the parents call their children over to stand with the family. Mr. Summers and Mr. Graves, the men who conduct the lottery, arrive in the square with the black box. The box is falling apart and Mr. SummersRead More The Lottery Essay946 Words   |  4 Pages The Message Sent in â€Å"The Lottery† nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The shock value of Shirley Jackson’s â€Å"The Lottery† is not only widely known, but also widely felt. Her writing style effectively allows the reader to pass a judgment on themselves and the society in which they live. In â€Å"The Lottery† Jackson is making a comparison to human nature. It is prominent in all human civilizations to take a chance as a source of entertainment and as this chance is taken, something is both won and lost. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;AsRead MoreThe Lottery. The Lottery Has Three Adaptations And Those1428 Words   |  6 PagesThe Lottery The Lottery has three adaptations and those would include the Novel, Film, and Graphic Novel. Out of all three each have a somewhat similar setting and character build but also have a little tweak to each one. Now of course when first reading it I thought the setting was more in the old days but soon I found out it was done in a modern time. Each character has a specific role and they do share a story but out of all the adaptations the graphic novel describes them the best. Of courseRead MoreSymbolism in the Lottery1391 Words   |  6 PagesShirley Jackson#8217;s, #8220;The Lottery#8221;, clearly expresses her feelings concerning traditional rituals through her story. It opens the eyes of readers to properly classify and question some of today#8217;s traditions as cruel, and allows room to foretell the outcome of these unusual traditions. #8220;The Lottery#8221; is a short story that records the annual sacrifice ceremony of a fictional small town. It is a detailed narrative of th e selection of the person to be sacrificed, a

Inclusion Of The Intellectually Disabled Community Essay

People have a desire to be seen and heard. When one thinks of their wants and ambitions, they think of what they feel is best for them. The intellectually disabled community have gone without being seen and their voices not heard for decades too long. The intellectually disabled community desire to be seen in social events, inclusion in education and in the workforce. This is an injustice to them that needs to be recognized and addressed. The intellectually disabled community have succeeded far greater when included in programs and social events that are designed for their success. The inclusion of the intellectually disabled community is important because without it their rights to live successful lives is taken away. Education is one of free benefits of living in the United States. Within the schools one can find many different types of students that all deserve the best education they can receive. Nonetheless, people with intellectually disability are often forgotten and thought as unteachable. As written by Deweaver et.al. in the article Persons with Mental Retardation: A Forgotten Minority in Education, â€Å"U. S. society values high intelligence, independence, and mental acumen, but can shun those people who represent the opposite of those values†. This has been represented with the idea that the intellectually disabled need to be separated from their peers and kept in special education classrooms. According to the journal, High School Students with IntellectualShow MoreRelatedInclusion in Our Public Schools Essay640 Words   |  3 PagesRetard, mentally handicapped, mentally disabled, special, mentally challenged, these are just a few of the names we have all heard in reference to i ndividuals who have disabilities. Despite the ongoing war against what to call these people, an even bigger war wages upon the notion of letting these children into normal classes or not. The war over total inclusion has been on the front line for well over forty years, and no end is in sight. The definition of inclusion is stated by Robert Fieldman andRead MoreAnnual Productivity Enhancement : Challenges And Resolutions Training Package1555 Words   |  7 PagesPackage †¢ Introduction †¢ Lifestyle Solutions is a not for profit organisation that assists with people with disabilities †¢ Commenced in 2001 Lifestyle Solutions aims to provide disability support, education, accommodation and social inclusions for the intellectually disabled. †¢ So, What is Dual Diagnosis? Broadly used dual diagnosis can said to be a person who experiences, simultaneously, two or more medical disorders. Moreover it is generally thought of as a person who has a form of addiction (predominantlyRead MoreThe Special Education System On Those With Disabilities1427 Words   |  6 Pagesstarted with distinguishing the purpose of inclusion, and if so, is it key in understanding the impact of the special education system on those with disabilities? In order to properly grasp the concept of inclusion, one would have to examine a series of documented research done on inclusion, and how it incorporates to a multitude of opportunities opening up to students with special needs. In this paper, there will be a briefing of the treatment of the disabled, from about the 1700s to the 2000s, andRead MoreUnderstanding the Context of Learning Disabilities Essay992 Words   |  4 Pages | Answer | 1.1 1.2 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 | Identify legislation and policies that are designed to promote the human rights, inclusion, equal life chances and citizenship of individuals with learning disabilities. Explain how this legislation and policies influence the day to day experience of individuals with learning disabilities their families. Read MoreIntellectual Disabilities Essay683 Words   |  3 Pagesself-contained classroom. Although today, students with intellectual disabilities are being served more through the inclusion setting with their peers. The amount of students being identified as intellectually disabled dropped during the 1970’s and 1980’s according to the U.S. Department of Education. However, this decrease was due to other categories being implemented for students such as learning disabled and autism. Because this is true, there has now been an increase in students being identified. AccordingRead MoreIntroduction. In Their 1995 Book Tinkering Toward Utopia:1740 Words   |  7 Pagessocio-cultural standards for personal independence and social responsibility. Without ongoing support, the adaptive deficits limit functioning in one or more activities of daily life†¦across multiple environments, such as home, school, work, and community. C. Onset of intellectual and adaptive deficits during the developmental period. (p.33) In the context of education, the criteria for some intellectual disabilities, such as autism, vary from state to state. Federal guidelines do not require statesRead MoreUnderstand The Context Of Supporting Individuals With Learning Disabilities1394 Words   |  6 Pagesthat support the human rights and inclusion of individuals with learning disabilities. Identify legislation and policies that are designed to promote the human rights, inclusion, equality and citizenship of individuals with learning disabilities. I can identify the polices and legislation designed to promote inclusion, human rights of individuals with learning disabilities and of their citizenship and equal life chances i.e. National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990; Disability DiscriminationRead MoreSpecial Olympics Essay764 Words   |  4 Pagesdisabilities from 26 different states and Canada competed in Track and Field, Swimming and Floor Hockey. This foundation was made because Eunice saw the unjustifying and mistreatment intellectual disabled people were getting. Later in the 1970’s and 1980’s, the amount of respect and admiration for disabled people and the movement of the foundation began grow globally. The Special Olympics brought so much attention that in the 1980’s, it was the year the International Olympic committee signed with SargetRead MoreUnit 201 Essay954 Words   |  4 Pageslearning disabilities (LD 201) OUTCOME 1 Understand the legislation and policies that support the human rights and inclusion of individuals with learning disabilities. 1.1. Identify four legislation and policies that are designed to promote the human rights, inclusion, equal life chances and citizenship of individuals with learning disabilities National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990; Disability Discrimination Act 2005; Equality Act 2010; Disability Equality Duty 2006. Procedures andRead MoreSch 33 Equality and Inclusion in Health Essay1552 Words   |  7 PagesSHC 33 Promote Equality and Inclusion in Health, Social Care or Children’s and Young People’s Settings 1. Explain what is meant by: Diversity Equality Inclusion Mean by Diversity the differences between individuals and groups in society arising from gender, ethnic origins, social, cultural or religious background, family structure, disabilities, sexuality and appearance. Our society is made up of people with a wide range of characteristics. Where people vary in a multitude of ways, including

Observation paper free essay sample

Observation Paper Working within our human behavior and social environment class this year, I expected to learn a lot about the behavior of many adults and a lot about the social environment around us. I was surprised to know that we would learn about the process that adolescents take to begin to understand the world. Learning and observing the process involves taking a look the different stages in the development milestone. On December 6, 201 3 from 12:30 to 2:30, I visited the child development center to observe a childs developmental milestone behavior. The child I observed was a four-year-old, Caucasian female with short blonde hair and glasses. Observation of the childs motor skills showed that she was very active and physical and did lots of running and skipping. She displayed many leadership skills such as showing the other kids where to put their coats and also ensuring that they all washed their hands after putting their coats away. As far as what might motivate her to act the way she does I think that the technical and high tech society of today has contributed considerably. Educational Level Charlae’s educational level has progressed to a bachelor’s degree in marketing. So I am very proud of the fact that she has achieved such a degree of expertise in this particular field. However the selfishness and self-centeredness is still quite disturbing. Charlae’s educational journey started with her attending Bagley Elementary then on to Cass Technical High School, and finally Howard University. She has excelled quite nicely. Economic Status Charlae’s economic status is very suitable to the high tech lifestyle she now lives. She has her own place, automobile, and a very high paying job as a marketing representative. I still love her though in spite of the behaviors she has been expressing toward me. References Urban Environments and Human Behavior. (2004). In Encyclopedia of Applied Psychology. Retrieved from http://www. credoreference. com/entry/estappliedpsyc/urban_environments_and_human_behavior

Richard II By Shakespeare Essays - Shakespearean Histories

Richard II By Shakespeare How didst thou sway the theatre! Make us feel The players' wounds were true, and their swords, steel! Nay, stranger yet, how often did I know When the spectators ran to save the blow? Frozen with grief we could not stir away Until the epilogue told us ?twas a play. From the point of view of an actor, playing the part of Bolingbroke or Richard is a daunting task. There are a number of ways in which an actor prepares to assume a character's role, but many of these methods are wanting in certain areas. Despite the fact that both characters are rich in the literary sense, for the purposes of this essay the difficulties facing an actor preparing to play a part can be best served by addressing the needs specific to the role of Richard. The major issue, which is more pronounced in Richard is the necessity of trying to portray certain things directly to the audience while allowing other factors to filter through subtly as the performance continues. This factor is one that should be applauded, when one takes into account the manner in which audiences are treated in the modern theatre. Thankfully Richard II assumes there is an intelligent audience almost participating in the play, but this can lead to even more problems for the actor. Because of it's intellectually stimulating content, the actor must be aware of the fact that the character is being observed even more closely. A believable character must be portrayed or the dramatic impact of the play as a whole will be lost. The technical aspects of a part in a play are normally common throughout every performance. The learning of lines may be easily attained but the style in which they are delivered depends on a number of factors. Firstly, and foremost, the character will have the main influence on the manner in which the lines are spoken. However, this can vary greatly when one considers the huge variations that can result in any play at the behest of the director. Without delving into a debate on whether or not a play should be performed in the style of the time in which it was written, one must acknowledge that a director can very noticeably, or subtly make adjustments to characters and plots which an actor must reflect in their performance. Furthermore, the audience to which the actor is performing must be taken into consideration. Despite the fact that we are not the classless society that we wish to be in the 21st century, there are less class barriers in place than those of 1597. The aristocratic, highly - Christian society of Shakespeare's day differs hugely from our own, and this must be taken into account along with the fact that the modern audience is presumably better educated than their late 16th century counterparts. Finally, the type of stage being used may or may not be an issue for an actor in preparing to portray a character. The Elizabethan stage, such as The Globe would have been in Shakespeare's mind as he wrote, but the huge variety if performance stages today often means certain aspects of a performance must curtailed or expunged upon. Indeed the versatility of many pre - cinema scripts has been demonstrated on the silver screen, none more successfully than the Stratford Bard in recent years. Shakespeare's plays are also recognised for the number of plot undertones that can be discerned upon closer examination. Although not a 1990's phenomena, there has been in the recent past an upsurge in the debate over homosexual devices in Shakespearean plays. While some of these claims do have substance to them, with literature as intense and intricate as Shakespeare's, one can read anything that one desires into it to attain one's goal. Sometimes it is necessary simply to take a play as it stands, rather than questioning every element and deconstructing it into such a level of obscurity as to lose the intentions of the author in the first place. Analysis of a text is a necessary part of an actor's preparation assuming a role, but over-analysis may result in dubious conclusions, which may not work well on the stage, regardless of the manner in which they were met. In Shakespeare's Play in Performance, John Russell Brown contends that the formalist style of acting in the Elizabethan stage "was dying out in Shakespeare's age, and that a new naturalism was the kindling spirit in his theatre". While this does seem like a somewhat sweeping statement,