Themes of the Odyssey

Themes of the Odyssey Free Online Research Papers In The Odyssey hospitality is noted as one of the main themes seen throughout the entire story and is one of the most significant key concepts; without hospitality nothing can be achieved or civilized. In books 6-8 of The Odyssey the theme of hospitality is apparent through the actions of the Phaecians. Odysseus is washed upon the island of Scheria, and is found by the daughter of Alcinous, king of the Phaecians and is treated with utmost respect and hospitality, seated in the guests’ place of honor. Homer also explores the theme of hospitality, where Odysseus, disguised as a beggar, approaches his old and faithful servant, the swineherd, Eumaeus, and his son, Telemachus. Odysseus gets up from the chair to give Telemachus room to sit but is stopped and instead is welcomed to sit for himself. â€Å"Friend, sit down; we’ll find another chair in our own hut†¦ (692).† Even though Telemachus has just arrived home after a long journey from Sparta and Pylos he still kindly welcomes the stranger to sit while he waits for Eumaeus to make him a new pile of evergreens and fleeces tomany more other examples of hospitality in the book Homer makes us realize and understand how important it is to show hospitality in Greek culture. Hospitality is an important diplomatic and social custom. Homer emphasizes in The Odyssey the significance of hospitality to the point where it is almost a religion. By making these cultural constructs an important part of many of the aspects of the life of the Greeks culture, we humans can learn and put some of their values and morals into our own. The lessons that are exhibited from the Greeks are key not only back in the times of the ancient Greeks, but to this day. Hospitality promotes brotherhood and holds special significance for bringing people closer, with love and kindness. It is the ability to meet the basic needs of aid to external care to person or strangers beyond one’s immediate circle of friends. Most people say the more you love the more it multiplies and you receive back many more times the kindness you give. Hospitality binds people together in bonds of love, increases the value of friendship and makes the atmosphere glow with human warmth. With hospitality we can focus on the positive and believe the universe is basically a friendly place. The Odyssey nearly serves as a Greek guide to hospitality which is such a dominant concept in Greece, and is very useful and needed in to days world. In Homer’s The Odyssey main characters receive warmth hospitality throughout their journeys from others, usually without even to give their names. Another personal virtue that is a major theme in the epic is loyalty. Loyalty is needed to achieve and learn the importance of goals and values. The most striking example of loyalty in the epic is, of course, Penelope, who waits faithfully for 20 years for her husband’s return. Penelope is so faithful and loyal to the point that even after Odysseus wins the match by stringing the bow, Penelope tests him. â€Å"If he really is Odysseus, truly home, beyond all doubt we two shall know each other better than you or anyone. There are two secret signs we know, we two (706).† Another example is Telemachus, who stands by his father against the suitors. Odysseus’ old nurse, Eurycleia, remains loyal to Penelope and her absent master, serving with respect. In the second stanza of Homers The Odyssey it is written: â€Å"He saw the town lands and learned the minds of many distant men, and weathered many bitter nights and days I his deep heart at sea, while he fought only to save his life, to bring his shipmates home. But not by will or valor could he save them, for their own recklessness destroyed them all- children and fools they killed and feasted on the cattle of Lord Helios, the Sun†¦ (651).† In this sentence it is very ironic that Odysseus fights to save his life to save his ship mates even though that he can do nothing to save them. But even though Odysseus knows that no matter what he does he can not save his men, he still tries. Another I tried to say ‘Untie me!’ to the crew, jerking my brows; but object. Here Odysseus shows his loyalty once again to his fellow friends and demonstrates his faithfulness. Without the presence of loyalty a strong relativity can never be built. Such as the relationship between Penelope and Odysseus which brought them together at the end. Loyalty is a virtue that is a must in almost everything human beings take part in life. Loyalty to family, community, and the gods is an important quality in the lives of ancient Greek citizens. These qualities are clearly demonstrated in The Odyssey through Penelope, Telemachus, and Odysseus. Loyalty is a moral standard, and is needed in modern society. Research Papers on Themes of the OdysseyHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows EssayComparison: Letter from Birmingham and CritoCanaanite Influence on the Early Israelite ReligionThe Masque of the Red Death Room meaningsAssess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 EuropeWhere Wild and West MeetMind TravelPersonal Experience with Teen PregnancyAnalysis of Ebay Expanding into AsiaAnalysis Of A Cosmetics Advertisement

Explore the different types of media domestication using Roger Essay

Explore the different types of media domestication using Roger Silverstone's media domestication theory - Essay Example It allows for analysis in its economic, social, and sociological concerns. The approach to media domestication is a consideration of the practical as well as the symbolic dimensions for the adoption while using the necessary technologies. It shows how the elements of meanings of different things coupled with their respective materiality, have equal importance in the understanding of how technologies form part of daily life. It remains a consideration of the social theory through highlighting the various negotiations, control and power challenges, rule breaking, and making accompanying any introduction for technologies for different social settings (Silverstone, 2005). Such a domestication approach endures roots within the social studies of media use even though this is well informed through gender studies of household technology, everyday life sociology, innovation and consumption studies, which are widely considered the study components of the mass adoption in mobile phones, internet, and computers. As part of the technological approach towards an understanding of how media technologies come to be, domestication theory highlights the importance of innovation users with the works done through individuals and communities through making technology do practical work outside the standard intentions within the community. This work strand links to the responsibility end and lead users (Bilandzic, Patriarche & Traudt, 2012). In innovation processes, the domestication studies create a general institution through the use qualitative methods while the ethnography and long interviews explore the importance emerging technologies meanings and changing routine s that are usually not accessible to quantitative techniques. The domestication approach applies different concepts in distinguishing different prospects for the process. For instance, the appropriations process includes bringing technologies into households and local social contexts. However, the lead domestication

Forensic Science 5.1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Forensic Science 5.1 - Essay Example Carbon strip involves the use of an activated carbon strip to absorb the vapors from debris and then mixed with a solvent for analysis. Solvent wash is used when the debris cannot be easily vaporized due to high boiling point. Subsequently after sample preparation gas chromatography is used to separate the chemicals for identification and assessment (Gaensslen, 2008). 2. There are two main objectives of investigating a fire scene: (1) to identify the cause of fire and (2) its origin. Since fires burn upwards, the burn patterns are important in trying to understand the direction or fire and how it possibly started. Then points of origin are looked for to analyze the origins of fire. 3. Whenever an explosive detonates, it causes much more damage than the usual fire. Explosions are characterized by a special kind of combustion that occurs more quickly and is capable of giving off large amounts of heat quite quickly. Hence, the intensity of an explosion is great. Igniters, primers, or detonators are used along with main charge that causes a lot of damage when they explode. 4. Chromatography is common separation and analysis technique common to both in investigating an explosive or fire debris. Infrared spectrography is more common for analyzing explosives in addition to gas chromatography. However, the nature of an explosion differs greatly from a normal fire. 5. Examination of an unexploded device is different because unlike having debris or other physical evidence, unexploded devices have to rendered safe, examined for all the components, and identified in terms of their chemical make-up. However, exploded devices involve microscopic investigation and gas chromatography. 11. Trace evidences are small-sized physical evidences that are used to make connections between criminal and/or victim. Transfer materials on the other hand are those that are found on objects as a result of being transferred because of contact (Gaensslen, 2008). 14. A control sample

Cricket World Cup Essay Example for Free

Cricket World Cup Essay Professional cricket player. Largely considered crickets greatest batsman, Sachin Tendulkar was born April 24, 1973 in Bombay, India, to a middle-class family, the youngest of four children. His father was a professor while his mother worked for a life insurance company. Named after his familys favorite music director, Sachin Dev Burman, Tendulkar wasnt a particularly gifted student, but hed always shown himself to be a standout athlete. He was 11 years old when he was given his first cricket bat and his talent in the sport was immediately apparent. At the age of 14 he scored 329 out of a world record stand of 664 in a school match. As his accomplishments grew, he became a sort of cult figure among Bombay schoolboys. After high school Tendulkar enrolled at Kirti College, where his father also taught. The fact that he decided to go to the school where his father worked was of no surprise. Tendulkars family is very close and years after hed achieved stardom and cricket fame, he continued to live next door to his parents. Professional Play Tendulkar made his debut in international competition at 16 with a match against Pakistan in Karachi. He wasted little time matching the expectations surrounding his arrival on the professional field. At the age of 18 he scored a pair of centuries in Australia, then in 1994 racked up a score of 179 in a match against the West Indies. FSachin Tendulkar was born April in Bombay India. Given his first cricket gat at the age Tendulkar was just when he became india youngest Test Cricketer. In he became the firtst Cricketer to score centuries runs in a single innig in Test play. In Tendulkar reched another major milestone, becoming the first player to recortd runs in one-day international play. Early Years Professional cricket player . Largely considerd cricket greatest BGatsman, SachimTendulkar was Born April in Bombay, India to a middle class family, the youngest of four children. His fat her was a professor while his mother worked for a life insurance company, named after his family’s bavourite music Director, Sachin Dev Burman, Tendulkar wasn’t a particularly gifted student, but he’d but he’d always shown himself to be a standout athlete. He was years himself to be a old when he was spot was immediately apparent. At the age of he scored out of a world record stand of in a school match. As his accomplishments gewe, he became a sort of cult figure among Baombay schoolboys. After high school Tendulkar enrolled at Kirit College , whre his father also taugh. The fact that he decided to got to the school where his fat her worked ws of no surprise. Tendulkar’s family is very close and years after he’d achieved stardom and cricket fame, he continued to live next door to his parents. Aprofessional Play Tendulkar made his de but in international competition at with a match against Pakistan in Karachi. He was wasted little time matching the expectations surrounding his arrival on the professional field. At the his arrival on the p rofessional field. At the age of he scored a pair of centuries in Australia, then in racked up a score of in a match aginst the West Indies. ? Tendulkar was just 23 when he was named captain of his countrys team for the 1996 World Cup. While the tournament proved to be a disappointment for his club, Tendulkar did nothing to diminish his own standing as one of the worlds dominant players. He finished out the World Cup as the events top scorer. In India, Tendulkars star shined even brighter. In a country reeling from troubled economic times, the young cricketer was seen as a symbol of hope by his countrymen that better times lay ahead. On national newsweekly went so far as to devote an entire issue to the young cricketer, dubbing him The Last Hero for his home country. His style of play—aggressive and inventive—resonated with the sports fans, as did Tendulkars unassuming off the field living. Even with his increasing wealth, Tendulkar showed humility and refused to flaunt his money. Tendulkars dominance of his sport has continued, even as hes moved well into his thirties. He scored his record-breaking 35th century in Test play in December 2005 in a match against Sri Lanka. In June 2007 he set another mark when he became the first player to record 15,000 runs in one-day international play. In January 2010 he again moved into the record books when became the first batsman to score 13,000 runs in Test play. Just one month later he registered another first, a double century in a match against South Africa. That same year he was named the 2010 International Cricket Council Cricketer of the Year. In April 2011 Tendulkar chalked up another milestone when he led India to a World Cup victory, his first in his long career. During the tournament, the batsman again showed why hes one of the sports greatest athletes by becoming the first batsman to score 2,000 runs and six centuries in World How to Cite this Page: Sachin Tendulkar Tendulkar was just when he was named captain of his coutry’s team for the world cup. While the tournament proved to be a di for his club, Tendukar did nothing to diminish his own standing as one of the world’s dominant his own standing as one of the world’s dominant players. He finished out the World Cup as the event’s to p scorer. In India , Tendulkar’s star shined even brighter. In a coutry reeling from troubled economic times , the young cricketer was seen as a symbol of hope by his countrymen that bet ter times lay ahead . On national newsweekly went better times lay ahead. On national newsweekly went so far as to devote and entire issue to the young cricketer dubbing him The Last Hero for his home country His style of play aggressive and inventive resonated with the sport’s fans, as did Tendulkar’s unassuming off the field living Even with his increasing Wealth, Tendulkar showed humility and refused to flaunt his money . Tendulkar’s dominance of his sport has continued, even as he’s moved well into his thirties. He scored his record breaking the century in Test play in December in a match against Sri Lanka. In June he stet another mark when he became the first player to record runs in one day international play  in January he again moved finto the record bookds when became, again moved into the record books when became the first batesman to score runs in Test play. Just one month later he registered another first, a double century in a match against South Aftica. That same year he was named the International Cricket Council Cricketer of the Year. In April Tendulkar Chalked up another Milestone when he led india to a World Cup victory , his first in his long career. Duting the tournament, the batsman again showed why he’s one of the sport’s greatest athletes by becoming the first batsman to sxore runs and six enturies in World Cup play.

Genre Of Clowning (Theatre, Drama, Arts) :: essays research papers

The Genre Of Clowning The genre of clowning actually originates from Greece, where satires had begun originating slowly as time went by. The art of satire was challenged throughout the years to form the various forms of clowning we have today. A clown must have certain abilities or skills to master its comedy upon the audience. It is a profession that requires delicate detail, precise movements, and of course a reaction. The costume for every type of comedy is extremely different. Commedia Dell’Arte for example required masks for each of the characters, the masks obviated the use of face expression and communication, therefore making the characters more puppet like; relying more upon the use of voice and gesture. Masks were not only used in Commedia Dell’Arte but also in other forms of Greek and Roman dramas. Other forms of comedy usually consist of costumes focusing on the clown’s main faults and/or pertaining the clown’s own personality. Not only is costume used to make an impression on the audience when first sighting the clown; but also the make-up must be done right to enhance whether the clown is happy, sad, evil, or falls into another category of personality. The make-up also provides great detail, and in a way is a more modern format of the masks used in Greece and Rome during the 15th Century. When one thinks of clowning, the instant image in mind is the thought of clowns in a circus; performing acrobatic acts and leaving the crowd in awe. This is usually most typical for more ‘physical’ clowns, such as The Three Stooges. Though they do not look like the everyday circus clowns, they perform back flips, somersaults, and portray it all as clumsiness. A clown does not always need to impress an audience by acrobatics, but just by wit; though some audiences are more captivated by the appearance of a physical act. A physical act adds more stamina and energy to a scene, and can leave an audience laughing for hours. To make an audience laugh a voice is needed to speak and attract attention. Such attention can be provoked by the forms of an accent, exaggeration of the voice, or even silent mime. Though with a mime, more physical action is needed to involve the audience. Modern day clowns tend to stray more so towards no noise and a variety of sounds, exhorted from time to time.

Level 3 Childcare – Unit 3

Unit 3 – Supporting Children. E1.. The five pieces of legislation I have chosen are:- * The United Nations on the Rights of the Child * Human Rights Act 1998 * Children Act 1989 * Data Protection Act 1998 * Framework for Assessment of Children in Need and their Families 2000   E2.. The United Nations on the rights of the child will influence working practices in the setting by ensuring that all  children have a safe, happy childhood despite of their sex, religion, social origin, and where and who they were born..The Human Right act 1998 will influence working practices in the setting because it has an impact on rights in everyday life such as what you do, your beliefs but it also includes the matters of life and death. There are also most rights which ensure that you don’t damage other people's rights too. The Children act 1989 will influence working practices in the setting because it includes the welfare of the child,  the parental responsibility which are dutie s, rights, powers and the responsibilities of parents in respect to their child and the welfare of a ‘child in need'.The Data Protection act 1998 will influence working practices in the setting because it maintains confidential policy  which will not harm the child unless it is a ‘need to know' basis which can harm the child in any way The Framework for assessment of children in need and their families 2000 will influence working practices in the setting because they analyze, understand and record about what is happening to children and young people in their families and information about the community they live in. E3..The United Nations on the Rights of the Child – The policies and procedures of this act will help to safeguard the children by treating them differently to treat them equally which makes them feel like they are in an safe environment in they are comfortable and happy in. The Human Right Act 1998 – The policies and procedures of this act wi ll help safeguard the children by taking their parents ‘Human Rights' into account so their parents can ensure their parents have a safe environment  where they can learn and enjoy.The Children Act 1989 – The policies and procedures of this act will help safeguard the children as the act  is about the welfare of the child which is very important, it is also based on parental responsibility which shows how the child is being looked after by their parents and what happens if they fail to do so as it can harm the child and it also tells us how a ‘child in need' whose health development is likely to be impaired, provided a service or if the child is disabled.The Data Protection Act 1998 – The policies and procedures of this act will help safeguard the children by ensuring that all the children in the setting are looked after properly by their parents/carers  and not harmed in any way possible, if so serious action will be taken by the social workers and o ther professionals. The Framework for assessment of children in need and their families 2000 – The policies and procedures of this act will help safeguard the children by keeping a record of the children and other members of their family and they also keep information about their local area/community.E4.. The United Nations on the Rights of the Child – The policies and procedures for this act promote fair, just and inclusive strategies which support the children by taking their sex, religion, social origin, and where and who they were born into account but treating them differently but equally so the child isn't discriminated and isn’t feeling left out but instead they feel welcome, supported and comfortable in the setting.The Human Right Act 1998 – The policies and procedures for this act promote fair, just and inclusive strategies which support the children by taking the parents everyday rights into consideration so they do not harm the child in any way . The Children Act 1989 – The policies and procedures for this act promote fair, just and inclusive strategies which support the children by looking at all aspects of what  can harm the child or if they have any health development to safeguard.The Data Protection Act 1998 – The policies and procedures for this act promote fair, just and inclusive strategies which support the children because they may put their trust in you after disclosing some information which may harm. If the information does harm the child then you cannot promise the child you can’t tell anyone because action will have to be taken but instead you promise the child to try to make it etter and also you must keep the child informed  of every step so they don’t feel scared. The Framework for assessment of children in need and their families 2000 – The policies and procedures for this act promote fair, just and inclusive strategies which support the children because the professi onals  keep all information about the child stored and recorded whilst keeping an eye on them which keeps them up-to-date about the child's everyday life and what is happening in their community.

Biography of Queen Elizabeth I, Virgin Queen of England

Elizabeth I (Born Princess Elizabeth; September 7, 1533–March 24, 1603) was Queen of England and Ireland from 1558 to 1603, the last of the Tudor monarchs. She never married and consciously styled herself as the Virgin Queen, wedded to the nation. Her reign was marked by immense growth for England, especially in world power and cultural influence. Fast Facts: Queen Elizabeth I Known For:  Queen of England from 1558–1603, known for defeating the Spanish Armada and encouraging cultural growthAlso Known As:  Princess Elizabeth, the Virgin QueenBorn:  September 7, 1533 in Greenwich, EnglandParents: King Henry VIII and Anne BoleynDied:  March 24, 1603 in Richmond, EnglandEducation: Educated by William Grindal and Roger Ascham, among othersPublished Works:  Letters, speeches, and poems (collected in modern times in the volume, Elizabeth I: Collected WorksNotable Quote: I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king and of a king of England too.† Early Life On September 7, 1533,  Anne Boleyn, then Queen of England, gave birth to the Princess Elizabeth. She was baptized three days later and was named after her paternal grandmother,  Elizabeth of York. The princesss arrival was a bitter disappointment, as her parents had been certain that she would be a boy, the son  Henry VIII  so desperately wanted and had married Anne to have. Elizabeth rarely saw her mother and before she was 3, Anne Boleyn was executed on trumped-up charges of adultery and treason. The marriage was declared invalid and Elizabeth was then declared illegitimate, as her half-sister,  Mary, had been, and reduced to the title of Lady instead of Princess. Despite this, Elizabeth was educated under some of the most highly regarded educators of the time, including William Grindal and Roger Ascham. By the time she had reached her teens, Elizabeth knew Latin, Greek, French, and Italian. She was also a talented musician, able to play the spinet and lute. She even composed a little. Restored to the Line of Succession After Henry fathered a son, an act of Parliament in 1543 restored  Mary  and Elizabeth to the line of succession, though it did not restore their legitimacy. When Henry died in 1547, Edward, his only son, succeeded to the throne. Elizabeth went to live with Henry’s widow,  Catherine Parr. When Parr became pregnant in 1548, she sent Elizabeth away to set up her own household, following incidents of her husband, Thomas Seymour, apparently attempting to groom or seduce Elizabeth. After Parr’s death in 1548, Seymour began scheming to achieve more power and secretly plotted to marry Elizabeth. After he was executed for treason, Elizabeth experienced her first brush with scandal and had to endure rigorous investigation. After the scandal passed, Elizabeth spent the rest of her brother’s reign living quietly and respectably,   A Focal Point for Discontent Edward VI attempted to disinherit both his sisters, favoring his cousin  Lady Jane Grey for the throne. However, he did so without the backing of Parliament and his will was patently illegal, as well as unpopular. After his death in 1533, Mary succeeded to the throne and Elizabeth joined her triumphant procession.  Unfortunately, Elizabeth soon lost favor with her Catholic sister, likely due to English Protestants seeing her as an alternative to Mary. Because Mary wed her Catholic cousin,  Philip II of Spain, Thomas Wyatt (the son of one of Anne Boleyns friends) led a rebellion, which Mary blamed on Elizabeth. She sent Elizabeth to the Tower of London, where criminals including Elizabeths mother had awaited execution. With no evidence found against her, and Queen Mary’s husband viewing her as an asset for a political marriage, Elizabeth avoided execution and was released. Mary suffered a false pregnancy in 1555, leaving Elizabeth all but certain to inherit. Elizabeth I Becomes Queen Mary died on November 17, 1558, and Elizabeth inherited the throne, the third and final of Henry VIII’s children to do so. Her procession into London and coronation were masterpieces of political statement and planning, and her accession was treated warmly by many in England who hoped for greater religious toleration. Elizabeth quickly assembled a Privy Council and promoted a number of key advisors: One, William Cecil (later Lord Burghley), was appointed principal secretary. Their partnership would prove to be fruitful and he remained in her service for 40 years. The Marriage Question One question that dogged Elizabeth, particularly in the early part of her reign, was the question of succession. Numerous times, the parliament presented her with official requests that she marry. Most of the English population hoped that marriage would solve the problem of a woman ruling. Women were not believed to be capable of leading forces into battle. Their mental powers were considered to be inferior to men.  Men often gave Elizabeth unsolicited advice, particularly in regards to the will of God, which only men were believed to be able to interpret. Elizabeth I’s Image Despite the frustration, Elizabeth governed with her head. She knew how to use courtship as a useful political tool, and she wielded it masterfully. Throughout her life, Elizabeth had a variety of suitors. The closest she came to marriage was likely with longtime friend Robert Dudley, but that hope ended when his first wife died mysteriously and Elizabeth had to distance herself from scandal. In the end, she refused to marry and also refused to name a political successor. Elizabeth cultivated the image of herself as the Virgin Queen wedded to her kingdom, and her speeches made great use of romantic languages, such as love, in defining her role. The campaign was entirely successful, maintaining Elizabeth as one of England’s best-loved monarchs. Religion Elizabeth’s reign marked a change from Mary’s Catholicism and a return to the policies of Henry VIII, whereby the English monarch was head of an English church. The Act of Supremacy in 1559 began a process of gradual reform, effectively creating the Church of England. As part of her path of reform in the church, Elizabeth famously declared that she would tolerate all but the  most radical sects.  She demanded only outward obedience, unwilling to force consciences. This wasn’t enough for more extreme Protestants, and Elizabeth faced criticism from them. Mary, Queen of Scots and Catholic Intrigue Elizabeth’s decision to adopt Protestantism earned her condemnation from the pope, who gave permission for her subjects to disobey and even kill her. This inflamed numerous plots against Elizabeth’s life, a situation exacerbated by Mary, Queen of Scots. Mary Stuart, Elizabeth’s Catholic cousin, was the granddaughter of Henry’s sister and was seen by many to be a Catholic heir to the throne. In 1568, Mary fled Scotland after her marriage to Lord Darnley ended in murder and a suspicious remarriage,  and she begged for Elizabeths help to be restored to power. Elizabeth didn’t want to return Mary to full power in Scotland, but she didn’t want the Scots to execute her, either. She kept Mary in confinement for 19 years, but her presence in England proved to be detrimental to the precarious religious balance within the country, as Catholics used her as a rallying point. Mary was the focus of plots to kill Elizabeth during the 1580s. Although Elizabeth resisted calls to accuse and execute Mary at first, ultimately, she was persuaded by evidence that Mary had been party to the plots, not just an unwilling figurehead. Still, Elizabeth fought against signing the execution warrant until the bitter end, going so far as to encourage private assassination. After the execution, Elizabeth claimed that the warrant was dispatched against her wishes; whether that was true or not is unknown. War and the Spanish Armada England’s Protestant religion put it at odds with neighboring Catholic Spain and, to a lesser extent, France. Spain was involved in military plots against England and Elizabeth came under pressure from home to become involved with defending other Protestants on the continent, which on occasion she did. The execution of Mary Stuart convinced Philip in Spain that it was time to conquer England and restore Catholicism within the country. Stuart’s execution also meant that he would not have to put an ally of France on the throne. In 1588, he launched the infamous  Armada. Elizabeth went to Tilbury Camp to encourage her troops, declaring: â€Å"I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and a king of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare invade the borders of my realm†¦Ã¢â‚¬ Ã‚   In the end, England defeated the Armada and Elizabeth was victorious. This would prove to be the climax of her reign: Only a year later, the same Armada all but destroyed the English Navy. Ruler of the Golden Age The years of Elizabeth’s rule are often referred to simply using her name—The Elizabethan Age. Such was her profound effect on the nation. The period is also called the Golden Age, for these years saw England rise to the status of world power thanks to voyages of exploration and economic expansion. Toward the end of her reign, England experienced a blossoming literary culture.  Edward Spenser  and  William Shakespeare  were both supported by the queen and likely drew inspiration from their regal leader. Architecture, music, and painting also experienced a boom in popularity and innovation. The presence of her strong and balanced rule facilitated this. Elizabeth herself wrote and translated works. Problems and Decline The last 15 years of her reign were the hardest on Elizabeth, as  her most trusted advisers died and younger courtiers struggled for power. Most infamously, a former favorite, the Earl of Essex, led a poorly-plotted rebellion against the queen in 1601. It failed miserably and he was executed. Toward the very end of Elizabeth’s long reign, national problems began to grow. Consistently poor harvests and high inflation damaged both the economic situation and belief in the queen, as did anger at the alleged greed of court favorites. Death Elizabeth held her final Parliament in 1601. In 1602 and 1603, she lost several dear friends, including her cousin Lady Knollys (granddaughter of Elizabeths aunt  Mary Boleyn). Elizabeth experienced ever more depression, something she had experienced her entire life. She declined notably in health and died on March 24, 1603. She was buried in Westminster Abbey in the same tomb as her sister Mary. She had never named an heir, but her cousin James VI, the Protestant son of Mary Stuart, succeeded to the throne and was likely her preferred successor. Legacy Elizabeth has been remembered more for her successes than her failures and as a monarch that loved her people and was much loved in return. Elizabeth was always revered and seen as almost divine. Her unmarried status often led to comparisons of Elizabeth with the Roman goddess  Diana, the Virgin Mary, and even a  Vestal Virgin. Elizabeth went out of her way to cultivate a wider public. In the early years of her reign, she often went out to the country on annual visits to aristocratic houses, showing herself to most of the public along the road in the country and townsfolk of southern England. In poetry, she has been celebrated as an English embodiment of feminine strength associated with such mythic heroines as Judith,  Esther, Diana, Astraea, Gloriana, and Minerva. In her personal writings, she showed  wit and intelligence. Throughout her reign, she proved to be a capable politician and  she reigned for almost half a century. She consistently maintained her control on government, remaining cordial with parliament and ministers, but never allowing them to control her. Much of Elizabeth’s reign was a careful balancing act between both factions of her own court as well as with other nations. Keenly aware of the increased burdens due to her gender, Elizabeth managed to construct a complex persona that awed and charmed her subjects. She portrayed herself very much as her father’s daughter, fierce if need be. Elizabeth was lavish in her presentation, part of her brilliantly orchestrated campaign to mold her image and retain power. She impresses people even today and her name has become synonymous with strong women. Sources Collinson, Patrick. Elizabeth I.  Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press, 2004.  Dewald, Jonathan, and Wallace MacCaffrey. Elizabeth I (England).  Europe 1450 to 1789: Encyclopedia of the Early Modern World. Charles Scribners Sons, 2004.  Kinney, Arthur F., David W. Swain, and Carol Levin. Elizabeth I.  Tudor England: an encyclopedia. Garland, 2001.  Gilbert, Sandra M., and Susan Gubar. Queen Elizabeth I.  The Norton Anthology of Literature by Women: The Traditions in English. 3. ed. Norton, 2007.