Thursday, December 26, 2019
Different Types Of Domestic Violence - 1595 Words
The objective of this paper is to identify different types of domestic violence that exist within the American society as well as within other cultures. Domestic violence is defined as abuse that is caused by aggressive behaviors, generally towards a spouse or partner in an intimate relationship. There are different forms of domestic violence that occur to people on a daily basis, and this violence exist mostly amongst women, but does not exclude the fact that there are men that fall victim to domestic violence as well. Throughout this paper I will discuss four different types of domestic violence. I will also go on to talk about the individuals who are more susceptible to be affected by these types of abuse and how these different typesâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦Most people are unable to identify the controlling behaviors by their partner/spouse, but what they many may not realize is that domestic violence can come in many different forms. Within the American society many different types of domestic abuse that exist, but I will be discussing four of them. Physical, sexual, emotional and spiritual abuse. In the U.S 85% of women are physically abused compared to 15% of men. Physical abuse means inflicting pain on someone by use of physical force with the intention to harm them. Women between the ages of 18 and 34 may experience domestic violence at some point in their life. There are 38,028,000 women throughout the U.S that have been physically abused in their lifetime by an intimate partner, and 4,774,000 women that experience abuse daily (Vagianos, 2015). In the world there is a stereotype that only women are victims of domestic abuse, but men can also fall victim to this abuse. According to Psychcentral.com men are thought to be the only ones who abuse their spouse/partner due to the fact that they are stronger but, 33% of men have been abuse in their lifetime. Even though women are said to be weaker than men it is s till possible for them to abuse men physically, by biting slapping or even destroying their personal belongings women also tend to emotionally abuse their partner more often
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
The Development Of A Pdp - 917 Words
A PDP is a tool that clearly indicates identified challenges (learning or development needs) in order of priority. Each competency in the PDP assessment informs specific outcomes with the help of this tool (Francis et al., 2014). I can easily monitor my progress towards my progress towards my set goals using the high competencies of my personal and professional skills to improve my areas of opportunities. My PDP shown in table 1, highlights my competencies that needs to be achieved by July 2016. This is with most importance as improving these skill areas will reinforce the main objectives which is to achieve the target goal outlined. There are many variety of methods to access the outcomes of a PDP. Rughani (2001) describes a range of techniques both subjective (e.g. reflective and self-evaluation) and objective (e.g. analysis of PACT). These can give different perspective on performance and can help at broaden the range of methods we employ. Reflection According to Lew and Schmidt (2011) the role of reflection in education has created an upsurge of interest amongst educators and researchers since Deweyââ¬â¢s 1991 ground-breaking work, which emphasized the positive roles that reflection might play in fostering studentsââ¬â¢ self-reflection, critical thinking, and in the demonstrable development of professional values or skills. The definitions of self-reflection, though heterogeneous, are united in their advocacy to improve student learning. This refers to the processes that aShow MoreRelatedPdp - Professional Development Plan3375 Words à |à 14 PagesProfessional Development Plan Unit: Understanding and Managing People Unit Code: 5D4Z0020 Unit Tutors: Tom Scanlon and Amanda Davis Student Name: Hilaria Dos Santos Rolo Student ID: 11501593 Date: 14th March 2012 Contents Page Page 1 ââ¬â Title Page 2 ââ¬â Contents Page 2 ââ¬â List of tables and figures Page 3 ââ¬â Introduction Page 4 to 6 ââ¬â Section 1: Professional Plan Development Page 7 to 9 ââ¬â Section 2: Progress Review Page 10 ââ¬â Appendix 1 Page 11 to 13 ââ¬â Appendix 2 Page 14 to 17 ââ¬âRead MorePersonal and Professional Development Planning PDP614 Words à |à 3 PagesPersonal and Professional Development Planning PDP Welcome to my Personal and Professional Development Planning website. This site contains different types of PDP documents, forms, evaluation tools and links for useful websites. Ive developed this web site as a resource for backing students up on the University Certificate in the Professional Development and the free elective Key Skills Development through Part-Time Voluntary Work better and ease for your learning. I hope that you will find a chanceRead MoreProfessional Development Plan1604 Words à |à 6 PagesProfessional Development Plan The world is going through an era of rapid professional change and development. This has led to increased uncertainty for all professionals in the world of work. To ensure sustained growth in success and longevity of ones professional career, it is important to develop a strategic plan that focuses on training and developing a professional. Such a plan aims to put one in a position of advantage for employment in the long term in this rapidly changing professional worldRead MoreMarketing Strategy Of Supervalu Inc.939 Words à |à 4 Pagesretailer. The Professional Development Program (PDP) was created in response to the need for SUPERVALU to bring in entry-level professionals and their core business units after prior efforts in recruiting, training, and retention of college graduates had failed. The program objective was to attract and recruit highly talented, entry-level candidates provide them with broad, rotation based exposure to the Corporation through on-the-job experiences and training and development activities. This includedRead MoreSupervalue, Inc Professional Development Program Essay1200 Words à |à 5 PagesSUPERVALU, Inc. Analysis of Professional Development Program There were only a few strengths in SUPERVALUââ¬â¢s Professional Development Program (PDP). The mere fact that they recognized they needed a program to develop leaders was one positive. As Paul Cimmerer indicated in the article, ââ¬Å"SUPERVALU was not doing a good enough job of bringing new people on board or grooming them for growth and effectiveness.â⬠That was the genesis behind the PDP program - to attract and prepare high-potential collegeRead MorePersonal Development and Learning Essay example897 Words à |à 4 PagesThe Personal Development Reflective Essay Assignment The reflective essay will become the primary component of the senior portfolio a few years from now, but the process begins here in PDP 150 as students learn to apply their new reflective skills in developing of an effective portfolio. The reflective essay provides the opportunity to describe and document oneââ¬â¢s growth as a person during this time in a studentââ¬â¢s life, and the key to understanding the task is to emphasize the term ââ¬Å"reflectiveRead MoreSelf Assesment Report1026 Words à |à 5 Pagesreport explains the meaning of Personal Development planning and its importance in the life of a person. I explored my learning styles using activities done in tutorials. I came to know that I am a reflective learner. Contents List 1.Introduction 2.Self Assessment Analysis 3.Learning Styles 4.Personal Development Planning (PDP) 5. Conclusion and recommendationsRead MoreGubernatorial Elections In Osun State Analysis1138 Words à |à 5 PagesIn just a few months, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be making a choice on who will be its flag bearer for the 2018 Gubernatorial elections in Osun state. The choice is definitely between the old breed and the new breed, the old faces or a new face, the old brand or a rebranded PDP. The choice is whether the party is seeking just power or is it seeking to fix the despairing state of the states economy by plugging the right peg in the right hole. Thereby, restoring hope, prosperity, andRead MorePrinciples of Personal Development in Adult Social Care and Settings1049 Words à |à 5 Pagesalready know what to do next. That was a development by feedback How a personal development plan can contribute to own learning and development Definition of personal development plan Personal development planning (PDP) is the process of creating an action plan based on awareness, values, reflection, goal-setting and planning for personal development within the context of a career, education, relationship or for self-improvement. Who can be involved in the PDP process Typically, each employeesà lineRead MorePrinciples of Personal Development in Adult Social Care Settings1217 Words à |à 5 PagesHealth and Social Care Assignment UNIT 2 - PRINCIPLES OF PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT IN ADULT SOCIAL CARE SETTINGS ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW In this assignment, you will look at the importance of reflective practice in adult social care. You will explore how reflective practice can improve your development and practice and contribute to the quality of service provision You will also look at the process of planning development, and the importance of feedback and reflect on how your values, belief systems may
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
Legal Aspects of Oil & Gas Management
Question: Demonstrate a good understanding of the substantive rules of international law applicable to the oil and gas industry.Evaluate the key principles of contract formation in international commercial transactions and key international law principles and trends in the oil and gas sector.ssess the effectiveness of international law in addressing the environmental impact of oil exploration and exploitation.Demonstrate a critical understanding of the importance of oil and gas law as a distinct subject, studied in a practical and commercial context. Answer: Stabilization clauses have become an important part of the international law. These clauses can be found in long-term investments or in concession contracts entered into between States and international investors (Singh 2015). A stabilization clause seeks to give protection to the contractual parties by preventing arbitrary future measures of the parties. The laws and regulations applicable to contractual parties may change over the life of a contract. Some changes may adversely affect the economics of a project. The investors, therefore, incorporate stabilization clauses to mitigate such risk. Stabilization clauses thus aim to keep the project insulated from adverse changes to fiscal and legal environment (Dalhuisen and Guzman 2013). Over the years, the international tribunals have recognized stabilization clauses in contracts and they have upheld the validity and effect of stabilization clauses. Thus, the main purpose of incorporating a stabilization contract is to secure the posit ion of the parties with respect to the agreement into which they enter. Stabilization clauses have mostly been incorporated in oil and gas contracts. International investors are prone to invest a lot of money in oil and gas sector as they foresee a huge profit out of the contracts entered into by them with the host countries. A small change in the law of the host State may cause huge loss to the investors. Stabilization clauses play a vital role in protecting the interests of such investors (Kuznetsov 2015). This essay is concerned with the issues relating to the stabilization clauses and highlights the nature of such clauses in the light of relevant case laws. There are different forms of stabilization clauses, which are incorporated in agreements. Most notable forms of stabilization clauses are freezing clause and economic equilibrium clause. A freezing clause requires the fixation of law, which is applicable to the parties at the time when the contract was entered into between the parties. It means that the State agrees that any change which is brought to the legislation after the date of making of the contract will not apply to the contract. Further, if a new legislation is brought and it is inconsistent with the provisions of the contract, then the portion of such new legislation as far as it is not consistent with the contract, will not be applicable to the parties with respect to such contract. An economic equilibrium clause does not intend to stabilize the legal or fiscal framework but it is designed to stabilize the investors economic return. Thus, a new legislation, if enacted by the host State after the date of making of the cont ract, would apply to the contract but the host State has to pay compensation to the investor for complying with the new law (Mansour and Nakhle 2016). Economic equilibrium clause thus keeps the economic equilibrium of the contract maintained. The compensation may be paid in the form of reduction in tax payments, monetary compensation or extension of concession. Under the economic equilibrium clause, the parties act in good faith and ensure that the economic equilibrium is restored in the initial form, as it was, before the new law came into effect (Ray 2013). The issues relating to stabilization clauses have been addressed in a number of cases over the years. In the case of Texaco Overseas Petroleum Company vs. Libya (1977), Deeds of Concession were entered into between Texaco Overseas Petroleum Company (TOPCO) and the Government of Libya. The parties in the Concession incorporated a stabilization clause. According to the stabilization clause, the Government of Libya was required to take all steps which were necessary to ensure that the rights conferred to TOPCO were not adversely affected. For bringing any changes to the right of the Company, the mutual consent of both the parties to the Concession was necessary. The stabilization clause also laid down that the Petroleum Rules and Regulations, which were in force at the time of agreement, would be applicable to the parties throughout the life of the agreement (Ho 2014). The effect and validity of the stabilization clause was questioned before the arbitrator (Childress 2013). The arbitrator held that the government of Kuwait has full sovereignty and legislative competence to enact any law relating to the petroleum. It can make rules and regulations and can regulate those companies with which it had not entered into any prior commitment. In the present case, the Government of Kuwait has entered into a commitment with TOPCO through a stabilization clause and it is therefore bound by the terms of such clause. The Government can enact any legislation but the stabilization clause would not be affected by any such new legislations. The stabilization clause was thus validated and given full effect in this case (Hamamoto 2015). In the case of AMINOIL vs. Kuwait (1982), the act of nationalization of an American Company, AMINOIL by the Government of Kuwait was challenged. In this case, the State of Kuwait had granted a concession to an American company, American Independent Oil Company for exploiting and exploring natural gas and petroleum in the Saudi Arabia-Kuwait Neutral Zone. A concession agreement was entered into between the parties in 1948. The terms of the agreement was modified subsequently by a Supplemental Agreement of 1961. In 1973, a draft agreement was further prepared by the parties which sought to amend the previous terms and conditions. In 1974, Abu Dhabi Formula was adopted by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. Under the said Formula, taxes were raised on the oil produced by AMINOIL. Objection was raised by AMINOIL regarding the enforcement of this Formula. In 1977, the Government of Kuwait through a decree, terminated the concession agreement with AMIMOIL and nationalize d the assets of AMINOIL (Ayad 2013). The said act of the Government of Kuwait was challenged by AMINOIL before the Tribunal. AMINOIL contended that the stabilization clause prevented the Government of Kuwait to nationalize then assets of AMINOIL. The Company referred to the actual language of the stabilization clause, which stated that none of the parties could make any addition or deletion or alteration to the concession agreement unilaterally. Thus, according to the Company, the act of nationalization of the Government of Kuwait was not allowed in the light of the stabilization clause (Badah 2015). The Tribunal held that the act of nationalization of the Kuwaiti Government was not unlawful in the light of the stabilization clause. The case of nationalization was not clearly mentioned in the stabilization clause. Therefore, the Tribunal was of the opinion that the stabilization clause did not expressly prohibit an act of nationalization and consequently the Tribunal upheld the decree passed by the Kuwaiti Government in 1977 (Foucard and Grandfond 2015). The issue of nationalization of an oil distribution Company was again raised in the case of AGIP vs. Congo (1979). In this case, AGIP and Congo became half owners of a Congolese oil distribution Company, pursuant to an agreement entered into between them in 1974. A stabilization clause was incorporated in the agreement, which stated that no decrees or ordinances would be passed by the Republic of Congo which would change the joint stock nature of the company or would alter the Articles of Association of the Company. In 1975, the said company was nationalized by the Republic of Congo and AGIP was not compensated for its shareholding. The act of nationalization was challenged on the ground that it breached the stabilization clause (Gehne and Brillo 2014). It was held that the act of nationalization was not in conformity with the stabilization clause, which clearly demonstrates the unlawful character of the act of nationalization. The Republic of Congo was required to compensate AGIP for the damage which was caused to AGIP by the act of nationalization. The decision clearly validated the effect of stabilization clause on parties entering into such contracts (Mato 2012). The validity of a stabilization clause was once again questioned in the case of Letco vs. Liberia (1986). In this case, the State of Liberia had entered into a Concession Agreement with Letco. Under the terms of the contract, the Liberian law was applicable to the parties. Under the stabilization clause, to bring a change in the Concessionaires right, a mutual decision of the parties was necessary. Thus, as per the terms laid down in the stabilization clause, the Government of Kuwait was not allowed to bring any changes in the law, which would affect the rights of the Concessionaire. The Tribunal was of the opinion that a legislative measure which seeks to terminate the concession agreement or which seeks to bring changes in the righs of the Concessionaire would definitely be invalid in the light of the stabilization clause. But an act of nationalization by the Government of Liberia would not be set aside on the ground that it is not in conformity with the stabilization clause. Thus, the Tribunal in this case has taken a similar view which was taken in the case of AMINOIL vs. Kuwait (Saleem 2013). The Iran-US Claims Tribunal discussed several points in the case of Amoco vs. Iran (1987). The primary questions, which were dealt with by the Tribunal, were firstly, whether clauses incorporated in the parties agreement were indeed stabilization clauses or not; and secondly, Whether the Government was bound by such clauses or not. In this case, an agreement known as Khemco agreement was entered into between the National Petrochemical Company (being under the direct control of the Government of Iran) and Amoco, which was the investor. The claimant argued that Article 30 and Article 21 of the Khemco agreement were stabilization clauses. Article 30 of the agreement specifically provided that any law, prevalent in Iran, at the time of the agreement, to the extent it is inconsistent with the provisions of the Khemco agreement would be considered to have no effect on the parties. The Tribunal laid emphasis on the point that the essence of a stabilization clause is to regulate the future measures of the parties. Article 30 did not mention about any future measures and therefore it did not satisfy the criteria in order to be considered as a stabilization clause (Schefer 2013). Article 21 laid down that the provisions of the agreement could only be amended, annulled, or modified only with the mutual consent of both the parties. A unilateral measure taken by a single party would not be able to bring any changes in the said provisions. The Tribunal interpreted the term measure and was of the opinion that in the context of a stabilization clause, the term measure only means legislative or regulatory measure. However, none of the parties to the agreement actually had the power to take any legislative or regulatory measure. Therefore, such clause could not be considered a stabilization clause. Addressing the second question, the Tribunal opined that the agreement has been entered into between Amoco and National Petrochemical Companies. Since the government of Iran was not a party to the agreement, therefore the clauses would not be binding on the Government. Further, the Tribunal in this case held a similar view to that of the Aminol case that a stabilization clause cannot invalidate an act of nationalization unless it is expressly mentioned in the clause (Escarcena 2013). Thus, in the light of the above cases, stabilization clauses have been given importance and have been considered as valid and effective clauses in regulating the acts of the host States and the international investors. However, the Tribunals have taken a lenient view in issues relating to stabilization clauses in the cases of nationalization of oil and gas companies by the host States. In such cases, the tribunals have been reluctant to enforce the stabilization clauses in absence of clear prohibitory language in the stabilization clauses. Stabilization clauses seek to protect the international investors against adverse changes in legislations or regulations under which their long term contracts with States operate. Economic equilibrium clauses have been favoured by the investors as these clauses have a higher possibility of being enforced than other forms of stabilization clauses. A clearer compensation mechanism is given under the economic equilibrium clauses. However, compensation is not easy to calculate and investors have limited recourse to the domestic courts of the Host States. Therefore, the investors are advised to look into the governing law of the relevant contract, the socio economic environment in which the contract operates and the compensation mechanism in negotiating stabilization clauses with the host State. Reference list: Ayad, M.B., 2013. A proposal to guide future draft article provisions for a model harmonised international commercial arbitration law code (HICALC) in the Middle East and North Africa or a uniform Arab arbitration law. Badah, S., 2015. Rules Relevant to The Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards in Kuwait.Asian International Arbitration Journal,11(2), pp.117-152. Childress III, D.E., 2013. Does international investment law need administrative law?.Harvard International Law Journal,54, p.115. Dalhuisen, J.H.H. and Guzman, A.T., 2013. The Applicable Law in Foreign Investment Disputes.Available at SSRN 2209503. Escarcena, S.L., 2013. Expropriations and Other Measures Affecting Property Rights in the Case Law of the Iran-United States Claims Tribunal.Wis. Int'l LJ,31, p.177. Foucard, A. and Grandfond, L., 2015. Arbitration of International Tax Disputes: A Move Towards Democratization?. InContemporary Issues in International Arbitration and Mediation: The Fordham Papers 2014(pp. 417-436). Brill. Gehne, K. and Brillo, R., 2014.Stabilization Clauses in Interna-tional Investment Law: Beyond Balancing and Fair and Equitable Treatment(No. 2013/46, pp. 3-5). Working Paper. Hamamoto, S., 2015. Compensation Standards and Permanent Sovereignty over Natural Resources. InPermanent Sovereignty over Natural Resources(pp. 141-154). Springer International Publishing. Ho, J., 2014. Unraveling the Lex Causae in Investment Claims.The Journal of World Investment Trade,15(3-4), pp.757-778. Kuznetsov, A.V., 2015. The Limits of Contractual Stabilization Clauses for Protecting International Oil and Gas Investments Examined Through the Prism of the Sakhalin-2 PSA: Mandatory Law, the Umbrella Clause, and the Fair and Equitable Treatment Standard.Willamette Journal of International Law and Dispute Resolution,22(223). Mansour, M. and Nakhle, C., 2016.Fiscal Stabilization in Oil and Gas Contracts: Evidence and Implications. Mato, H.T., 2012. Role of Stability and Renegotiation in Transnational Petroleum Agreements, The.J. Pol. L.,5, p.33. Ray, J.R., 2013. Illusory Control of State Controlled Resources Through Stabilisation Clauses: Renegotiation Clauses May Save the Contract. Saleem, A.M., 2013. To What Extent Do States Have the Right to Use its Sovereign Immunity Defence Against ICSID Awards?.Available at SSRN 2311818. Schefer, K.N., 2013.International investment law: text, cases and materials. Edward Elgar Publishing. Singh, J., 2015. Stabilization Clauses in Investment Contracts in Developing Countries.Available at SSRN 2658185.
Monday, December 2, 2019
Sonnet 130 Essay Example
Sonnet 130 Paper William Shakespeares Sonnets is a collection of 154 sonnets published in the early 17th century towards the end of the Renaissance period. It was addressed to two distinct audiences in mind. The first 126 sonnets are written to a young man while Sonnets 127 to 154 are addressed to a dark lady. Emotional conflicts are covered in depth as a main theme in these sonnets and this essay will examine Sonnet 130, a parody of courtly love in light of the context in which it was based. The sonnet form evolved during the high Italian Middle Ages, most famously in the vernacular lyrics of Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) and Francesco Petrarca (1304-1374). The form of a book sized collection of sonnets was a familiar lyric genre at the end of the Renaissance (late 16th century). French and Italian poets favored the Italian sonnet form two groups of four lines, or quatrains (always rhymed a-b-b-a a-b-b-a), followed by two groups of three lines, or tercets (variously rhymed c-c-d e-e-d or c-c-d e-d-e). This condensed five rhyme palette (a-e) creates a sonorous music in the vowel rich Romance languages. However, in English, the scheme can sound contrived and monotonous, particularly in a series of sonnets on the same theme. We will write a custom essay sample on Sonnet 130 specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Sonnet 130 specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Sonnet 130 specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Thus, Shakespeare followed the more idiomatic rhyme scheme which interlaces a rhyming pair of couplets to make a quatrain. Overall, it is presented as three differently rhymed quatrains and a concluding couplet. This is can be seen in Figure 1: Sonnet 130 My mistress eyes are nothing like the sun; Coral is far more red than her lips red; If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun; If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head I have seen roses, damasked, red and white, But no such roses see I in her cheeks, And in some perfumes is there more delight Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks I love to hear her speak, yet will I know That music hath a far more pleasing sound; I grant I never saw a goddess go My mistress when she walks treads on the ground. And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare As any she belied with false compare. Figure1 : Sonnet 130, Shake-speares Sonnets, A.D1607 The Shakespearean sonnet affords two additional rhyme endings (a-g, 7 in all) so that each rhyme is heard only once. This enlarges the range of rhyme sounds and words the poet can use and allows the poet to combine the sonnet lines in rhetorically more complex ways. Sonnet 130 is the only Shakespearean sonnet which models a form of poetry called the blazon, popular in the 16th century used to describe heraldry. It presents a detailed summary of all of the main features and colors of an illustration. A typical blazon of a person would start with the hair and work downward, focusing on eyes, ears, lips, neck, bosom and so on. Shakespeares Sonnet 130 is interesting because it works by inverting the traditions of the blazon form and the conventions of Petrarchan love poetry which idealized the description of the female body. All the twelve lines do not praise or idealize the beauty of the physical features of his lover, but on the contrary, criticize her physical features by revealing the shortcomings in them by contrasting her physical features with their respective idealised poetic versions. The emphasis on criticism is strengthened with the use of iambic pentameter. For example, my MIS/tress EYES/ are NO/thing LIKE/ the SUN/ highlights the key words that Shakespeare would like to stress when read with this beat and word stress. This provides the reader with an auditory tempo that draws out the essence of the embedded message, which seeks to convey that miss eyes no like sun in a concise form. A close reading of the sonnet reveals Shakespeares skill in crafting a precise sonnet within structural confines of an octet, a sestet and a pair of rhyming couplets. The first eight lines, the octet, are written in a way that a cursory glance at the words would give the reader a misreading of the intended meaning. The choice of words employed by Shakespeare are that which are common in the lexical field of words used for Partrachan love poetry that glorify a lovers external appearances to a level of almost goddess-like beauty. Words like eyes, sun, red, lips, roses, cheeks and delight are chosen by Shakespeare to describe the dark lady. This witty choice of words may be misread by the reader who is flippant in the reading of the text, without noting how such words are used for contrast rather than description. It shows the possibility that at first glance, a woman may be perceived as possessing such beautiful traits. Similarly, love is deceptive at first but is revealed over time to be humanely imperfect, unlike its initial goddess-like image. This theme is carried on in the sonnet, embedded in the play of words to emphasize how human love is fla wed but still very much beautiful. A key element in Sonnet 130 that appeals to me as a reader is the historical information gleaned from a close reading. In the tropical waters in Asia, coral vary in colour and texture. However, the coral referenced in line two, Coral is far more red, than her lips red place this poem in a specific geographical region of the Red Sea and Mediterranean, providing the reader a cultural context in which it is read and enhancing the element of verisimilitude. In a modern context, this species of Red Coral is common. However it was rare in Shakespeares time and prized as a precious stone, being used as a decorative item in homes. Shakespeare effectively uses sarcasm and contrast to parody how a Partrarchan sonnet was usually written. Line threes If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun (grayish-brown) is a countermand to extravagant claims by other poets of white, snowy skin when they describe womens bosoms. The imagery of breasts being dark-coloured is a deliberate portrayal to provoke the readers into contrasting their mental image of how an idealized lover should look like since breasts were often compared to pearl or ivory in Elizabethan poetry depicting fair-skinned western women. In line four, an example of misreading can be extracted. If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head should be read in the context of a renaissance setting. Then, metal wires had not been invented and the wires cited refer to the ribbons, jewelry and embroidery woven into womens hair as adornment. Wire does not refer to an industrial object but a sign of beauty. Hence, the purpose of this last line in the first quartrain is to symbolize the distinction of black as a colour and as a symbol of darkness. This is supported in sonnet 127, where black and beauty is paired in several lines to hint to the reader that this lady he is writing to may be a dark-skinned woman or that their relationship is dark and complicated. It was part of the courtly tradition of love to declare that the goddess whom one adored had virtually no human qualities. But no such roses see I in her cheeks gives an illustration of a beauty literally portrayed according to the extravagant conceits of the time. And in some perfumes is there more delight provides an insight into the traditional world of sonnets where the beloveds breath smelled sweeter than all perfumes. All her qualities were divine. This can be seen in Cymbeline, one of Shakespeares later plays (A.D 1609-10), where Iachimo describes Imogen, whom he hopes to seduce. How dearly they dot! Tis her breathing that perfumes the chamber thus. In line eight, than in the breath that from my mistress reeks, reeks stems from the original meaning of to emit smoke. This is common in the Scottish expression long may your lang (chimney) reek. Shakespeares choice of words is precise in juxtaposing breath and reeks, eliciting a sharp response from the reader to shun this person for her seemingly bad breath. This expression is effective in depicting a contrasting imagery between the idealized mistress and this woman whom Shakespeare paints as a antithesis to the Partrarchan ideals of beauty. However, the mood of the poem shifts, and the poet expresses a revelation or epiphany at the beginning of the third quatrain. This marks the volta (turn), in which Shakespeare salvages the readers perception of this lady by putting it into context of his commitment to love her despite her seemingly abundant physical flaws. I love to hear her speak, yet well I know That music hath a far more pleasing sound The introduction of this declaration underscores Shakespeares commitment in listening to his lovers voice despite the knowledge that music might sound better. Such a juxtaposition of sounds provide the reader an understanding that in reality, the notion of a lovers voice being melodious and soothing is all in the perception of the hearer. It does not affect the commitment expressed in a relationship grounded in honesty and qualities that transcend superficial lust and physical attraction. The next line, I grant I never saw a goddess go is positioned as a response to the common description of lovers being non-mortal such that even their walk is different from mortals. This can be cross-referenced to Shakespeares poem on Venus and Adonis, during Aeneas encounter with Venus in Virgils Aeneid vera incessu patuit dea (by her gait she was revealed as a true goddess). Here, Shakespeare presents to the reader a woman who defies romanticized, literary conventions of beauty as he boldly declares that My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground My beloved is human, a goddess with earthly feet Here, he asserts that divine comparisons are not relevant, for his beloved is beautiful without being a goddess. This concept of ascribing earthly features to ones lover was a radical move by Shakespeare that served to construct a humane quality instead of superficially elevating her to the unrealistic level of goddess or what we know today as supermodels. Shakespeare invests the ending couplet with special significance. It characterizes the musings of the three quatrains in a sardonic, detached or aphoristic voice, standing in some way aloof from the more turbulent and heartfelt outpouring of the quatrains. And yet by heaven, I think my love as rare, As any she belied with false compare. The couplet provides an evaluation of how he judges the standard of his love. Rare is used by Shakespeare to ascribe superb and precious quality. It is used in later plays by Shakespeare, as in the famous description of Cleopatra floating on her barge, which is put in the mouth of Domitius, Agrippa exclaims, To glow the delicate cheeks which they did cool, And what they undid did. AGRIPPA O, rare for Antony! The phrase belied with false compare reinforces the point that he has taken measures to extol her honestly and not accede to the use of superficial descriptions. Despite not being a goddess his beloved may be as rare to him as if she were Cleopatra. This sums up the feelings of the poet toward his lover of great admiration and the high esteem in which he holds her. A pun on the word compeer is also expressed in false compare. Compeer hints that she is comparable to him, equal in status and regard. This equality in their relationship reveals how Shakespeare esteems her to be his equal, someone whom he can confide in and relate to. In conclusion, study of the syntax, choice of words and allusions to contemporary events in Shakespeares sonnets suggests that the sonnets addressed to the sensual woman (the dark lady sonnets) echo passages in Loves Labours Lost, written in 1594 and revised in 1597. Overall, the emotional conflicts the sonnets describe seem to date from throughout the 1590s, when Shakespeare was in his 30s. Because all the poems were likely revised right up to the time of the quartos publication in the summer of 1609, the completed cycle stands as the evolving testimony, perfected in Shakespeares maturity in defining beauty.
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