What do you think Mullet Fingers is going to do with the cottonmouth snakes Roy caught him with?

When Roy discovers the bag of cottonmouth snakes that Mullet Fingers is keeping in chapter five, readers are as confused as Roy is. This is the first time Roy meets Mullet Fingers, but Roy doesn't get to see him. The strange boy disguises his voice and plops a hood over Roy's head, then ties him to a tree. When he frees him, he requires Roy to count to fifty before turning around, and by that...

When Roy discovers the bag of cottonmouth snakes that Mullet Fingers is keeping in chapter five, readers are as confused as Roy is. This is the first time Roy meets Mullet Fingers, but Roy doesn't get to see him. The strange boy disguises his voice and plops a hood over Roy's head, then ties him to a tree. When he frees him, he requires Roy to count to fifty before turning around, and by that time the mysterious boy has disappeared. 

Mullet Fingers's actions are perplexing. On one hand, he seems nefarious. He won't let Roy see him, he captures Roy for a few minutes, and he keeps poisonous snakes. On the other hand, he could have allowed Roy to be bitten, but he protects him from the snakes. He also painted the snakes' tails with glitter paint, and he doesn't actually harm Roy. 

At this point, readers are probably speculating that the boy intends to harm someone with the snakes, but they don't know who. If readers have connected the running boy with the mischief at the construction site, readers may speculate that the snakes will be released on the property to scare away and possibly harm the workers. 

As it turns out, however, Mullet Fingers takes care to use the snakes only to scare off the guard dogs. He has anticipated that the company will eventually bring in dogs to prevent his tampering with the site. He has painted the snakes' tails to make them more noticeable to people (and perhaps so he can easily catch them again), and before releasing them on the property, he tapes their mouths shut so they cannot harm people or dogs. They will make the dogs freak out, though, and the dog owner will not risk losing an expensive animal to snakebite. 

The way Mullet Fingers uses the snakes demonstrates that he's ingenious, a skillful reptile wrangler, and not really a "bad kid."

When the body temperature drops, this has the effect of reducing the potential across the axonal membrane slightly. At a body temperature of 30°C,...

(a) If instead of a human neuron we had just a random lipid bilayer and some sodium ions, we would expect that the difference in electrical potential from having more ions outside than inside would lead to a positive charge outside and a negative charge inside, thus causing sodium ions to migrate inward until the potential difference was canceled out. Thus, from pure physics, we would assume that the outside concentration and the inside concentration...

(a) If instead of a human neuron we had just a random lipid bilayer and some sodium ions, we would expect that the difference in electrical potential from having more ions outside than inside would lead to a positive charge outside and a negative charge inside, thus causing sodium ions to migrate inward until the potential difference was canceled out. Thus, from pure physics, we would assume that the outside concentration and the inside concentration are the same, at 10^18 ions per cubic centimeter.

(b) Since the experimentally measured concentration of ions is about 16 times larger than what the physical equilibrium would predict, something has to be breaking that equilibrium. Some mechanism has to be resisting the effect of the electrical charge difference and forcing sodium ions to go outside even when electrostatic force is trying to pull them inward.

What is doing this in the neuron? Ion pumps. They're pretty much what they sound like: Very tiny pumps made of proteins that pass through the cell membrane of the neuron and actively catalyze reactions that pull ions from inside the cell to outside the cell or vice-versa. In this case, the sodium ion pumps must be pushing the sodium ions outside in order to maintain the high outside concentration.

(c) In a state of disease, something could go wrong with the ion pumps. Various things could happen to damage the neuron or even kill it outright, which would stop the ion pumps from functioning and thereby allow the ions to return to equilibrium.

(d) There are all sorts of nasty diseases one can get from failed ion channels, ranging from epilepsy to kidney failure. The nervous system is absolutely vital for the functioning of the rest of the body, and ion pumps are absolutely vital for the functioning of the nervous system. I've linked some medical resources that offer more details on what can happen if your sodium channels go bad.

What is the name of Hamlet's father?

Though in the printed script Hamlet's father is listed only as "Ghost", we know his actual name from things that are said in the play. Hamlet's father's name is, in fact, alsoHamlet. We know this from a few mentions early on. In Act I, Scene 1, Horatio discusses the history of conflict between Denmark and Norway. In that story, he references "Our last king" and goes on to name him "our valiant Hamlet". At...

Though in the printed script Hamlet's father is listed only as "Ghost", we know his actual name from things that are said in the play. Hamlet's father's name is, in fact, also Hamlet. We know this from a few mentions early on. In Act I, Scene 1, Horatio discusses the history of conflict between Denmark and Norway. In that story, he references "Our last king" and goes on to name him "our valiant Hamlet". At the end of the scene, Horatio makes mention of going to see "young Hamlet" (emphasis added), letting us know that the Hamlet so-named in the play is the son of the old King he was talking about before (and whose ghost they just saw). 

The very next scene begins with Claudius also referencing the name of the departed King, saying "Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother's death the memory be green". Again, he's talking about his brother "Old" Hamlet, now dead, and not his nephew "young" Hamlet, who is the title character of the play. Another way to think of it is that the living Hamlet we see in the play is really "Hamlet, Jr". 

In a parallel to Hamlet and Hamlet (and to make things even more confusing for modern readers), the Norwegian King and prince mentioned in the play are both named Fortinbras. Old Hamlet killed Old Fortinbras years before the play begins. But with the start of the play, Old Hamlet is dead and Young Fortinbras (or Fortinbras, Jr.) sets out with an army to claim some disputed land, which is witnessed and commented on by Young Hamlet. 

`a_n = (6n)/(3n^2 - 1)` Write the first five terms of the sequence. (assume that n begins with 1.)

These terms are fractions, their numerators and denominators are easy to compute. The first five terms are

3, 12/11, 18/26, 24/47 and 30/74.

These terms are fractions, their numerators and denominators are easy to compute. The first five terms are

3, 12/11, 18/26, 24/47 and 30/74.

What is Brutus's major internal conflict in Julius Caesar? What is an internal conflict?

Brutus’s internal conflict is the decision to kill Julius Caesar.

An internal conflict is a conflict a character has with his or her self.  It is a decision, a worry, or a fear.  Internal conflicts are very important because they demonstrate a character’s state of mind and his moral characteristics.

Brutus has to first decide whether or not he wants to join the conspiracy.  He is well aware that the movement needs him to lend legitimacy to it.  Brutus is a true believer.  He wants to do what is best for Rome. However, Julius Caesar is literally like a father to him.  He is a friend and a mentor.  Even though they are on opposite sides of the political fence, deciding to kill him is a major crisis of conscience.

Although Cassius’s conversation with Brutus is the first time when Brutus struggles with this idea, the internal conflict is verbalized by Shakespeare in a powerful soliloquy.  Before the other conspirators arrive, Brutus has to talk himself into believing that killing Caesar is really the only way.

Brutus is explaining to the audience why Caesar has to die, or at least why the conspirators think that he does.  For his character, he is also convincing himself.

It must be by his death: and for my part,
I know no personal cause to spurn at him,
But for the general. He would be crown'd:
How that might change his nature, there's the question.
It is the bright day that brings forth the adder … (Act 2, Scene 1)

The argument that Brutus is making is that Caesar has not done anything yet that deserves death, but that if he gains more power he will become dangerous.  The conspirators are worried that Caesar will be crowned king of Rome, and anathema to all Romans.  They will not tolerate any king.  They fear though that Caesar has too much power already.  He can easily take more.  Caesar will be king, if they do not stop him. 

Brutus compares him to a baby snake still in the shell.  If the snake is never born, it is not dangerous.  That is Caesar now.  However, as soon as the snake comes out of its shell it is a menace to all.  That would be Caesar if he gained more power and became king.

And, since the quarrel
Will bear no colour for the thing he is,
Fashion it thus; that what he is, augmented,
Would run to these and these extremities:
And therefore think him as a serpent's egg
Which, hatch'd, would, as his kind, grow mischievous,
And kill him in the shell. (Act 2, Scene 1)

Brutus argues that Caesar is too ambitious to be left alive.  He will not be content with just being dictator of Rome.  It was a temporary title, and Caesar kept extending it.  The senate was afraid that this would turn into more power.

The decision to kill Caesar would not have been an easy one for Brutus.  Brutus was not a murderer; he was an idealist.  Brutus is insistent that only Caesar be killed, telling the others that they are not murderers.  Decisions like that are the ones that should have been internal conflicts for Brutus, but they really were not. Brutus put a lot of thought into killing Caesar, but the decision not to kill Antony was not a struggle for him.  Caesar alone would die, that was how Brutus wanted it.

Throughout the play, Brutus's confidence in his decisions is his downfall.  He makes all the determinations himself, without consulting anyone.  This results in major errors of judgement.  Brutus lets Antony live, and underestimates him again when he lets him speak at Caesar's funeral.  He makes grievous errors throughout the military campaign, and they eventually lose.  Brutus does not ask others' advice, or does not take it when it is offered.

Why didn't Emily accept that her father was dead for three days?

Miss Emily's refusal to accept the fact of her father's death is a miniature version of her failure to accept the changing world of the South. Her family's wealth and prestige was lost in the Civil War, as was the culture of the antebellum South. As the years go on and things change more and more, Emily stays, aggressively, the same. 

An additional interpretation to Emily's reaction could be that she was in a state...

Miss Emily's refusal to accept the fact of her father's death is a miniature version of her failure to accept the changing world of the South. Her family's wealth and prestige was lost in the Civil War, as was the culture of the antebellum South. As the years go on and things change more and more, Emily stays, aggressively, the same. 

An additional interpretation to Emily's reaction could be that she was in a state of shock after her father died. Certainly many people would struggle with the passing of their parents but Emily in particular has good reason to have problems after her father died. He was a controlling man, who worked to keep her isolated from the rest of the town. After all, when the narrator discusses the town's reaction to her father's death and her response to it, they say,

"We did not say she was crazy then. We believed she had to do that. We remembered all the young men her father had driven away, and we knew that with nothing left, she would have to cling to that which had robbed her, as people will."

Her father, who the townspeople picture in a tableau standing behind Miss Emily with a horsewhip in hand, has had so much control over her life, and kept her from so much happiness by denying her a husband and family and place in the life of the town. The narrator is describing a sort of Stockholm Syndrome, where Emily clings to an abusive father because she doesn't know what else to do. 

What is a direct characterization for Mr. White in "The Monkey's Paw"?

Mr. White is a risk taker and excitable.

Most of the characterization is indirect.  Indirect characterization means that characters are described through their words and actions.  Direct characterization is when the narrator reveals traits about the character directly to the reader by describing the character specifically.

Here is an example of direct characterization of Mr. White.

Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his...

Mr. White is a risk taker and excitable.

Most of the characterization is indirect.  Indirect characterization means that characters are described through their words and actions.  Direct characterization is when the narrator reveals traits about the character directly to the reader by describing the character specifically.

Here is an example of direct characterization of Mr. White.

Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

This statement is direct characterization because we are told that Mr. White has radical ideas about chess.  We do have to make some inferences from this to get more of an understanding of Mr. White.  For instance, we can infer that he likes to win, or that he takes risks.

Most of Mr. White’s traits are shown to the reader through indirect characterization, which is describing through words and actions of the character.  For example, we learn that Mr. White has a rather boisterous personality by his reaction to the storm.

"That's the worst of living so far out," bawled Mr. White, with sudden and unlooked-for violence; "of all the beastly, slushy, out-of-the-way places to live in, this is the worst. Pathway's a bog, and the road's a torrent. I don't know what people are thinking about. …"

Mr. White is very passionate about this storm and the fact that he lives so far away from other people.  He does not like the fact that the pathway has been let to get so bad.  From this statement we can learn that Mr. White is a very excitable person, and that he speaks his mind.  The narrator tells us specifically that the statement was made with unnecessary violence.  This is how we know that Mr. White has a vivid personality.  It confirms the statement made about him before.

Who is more evil, Lady Macbeth or Macbeth? How can you justify the answer?

At the beginning of the play, Lady Macbeth is more evil than Macbeth.  In fact, she fears that he is "too full o' th' milk of human kindness" to kill Duncan and take the shortcut to the throne (1.5.17).  She is almost right.  After they've made their plans to murder the king, Macbeth is so guilt-ridden and conscience-plagued that he hallucinates a dagger (their weapon of choice for the murder), has dinner with Duncan, and...

At the beginning of the play, Lady Macbeth is more evil than Macbeth.  In fact, she fears that he is "too full o' th' milk of human kindness" to kill Duncan and take the shortcut to the throne (1.5.17).  She is almost right.  After they've made their plans to murder the king, Macbeth is so guilt-ridden and conscience-plagued that he hallucinates a dagger (their weapon of choice for the murder), has dinner with Duncan, and then tells her, "We will proceed no further in this business" (1.7.34).  She, on the other hand, is praying for murderous spirits to "unsex" her and fill her with "direst cruelty" (1.5.28, 1.5.50).  She is ready and willing to murder Duncan and frame his guards without hesitation.

However, by the end of the play, Lady Macbeth is the one who is guilt-ridden, as we see in her sleepwalking scene (5.1).  She cries and tries to clean her hands of the blood that she, in her feverish dreams, can still see and smell there.  Further, the fact that she later commits suicide tells us how traumatized she's been by what she and Macbeth did, as well as what he has done since then.  In many ways, she's created a monster.  Without her knowledge or input, Macbeth has ordered the murders of Banquo and his son Fleance (though Fleance escapes) as well as Macduff's wife and children.  He has ruined Scotland with his greed and paranoia.  Therefore, Macbeth becomes the more truly evil in the end.

What are some ideas for a thesis statement for an essay about Of Mice and Men regarding the themes of companionship, the impossibility of the...

First off, I would say you have cast your net a bit too wide. Narrow down your essay to one of your three topics. While I won't write a thesis statement for you, I can suggest some ideas that encompass the three ideas you already have. 

The importance of companionship, or friendship, is indeed a major theme in Steinbeck's book. George and Lennie have a very close relationship and the major characters in the story...

First off, I would say you have cast your net a bit too wide. Narrow down your essay to one of your three topics. While I won't write a thesis statement for you, I can suggest some ideas that encompass the three ideas you already have. 

The importance of companionship, or friendship, is indeed a major theme in Steinbeck's book. George and Lennie have a very close relationship and the major characters in the story are often envious of the bond between the two men. Crooks is not able to seek companionship on a regular basis because he is black and thus segregated from the white workers. Nevertheless, he is obviously happy when Lennie comes into his room to "sit awhile" and talk. Crooks pours out his heart to Lennie about how important a companion is. He says in chapter four,

"I seen it over an’ over—a guy talkin' to another guy and it don’t make no difference if he don’t hear or understand. The thing is, they’re talkin’, or they’re settin’ still not talkin’. It don’t make no difference, no difference.”

Curley's wife also aggressively seeks companionship. She is not happy with her husband and Steinbeck suggests he neglects her and even mistreats her. Unfortunately, she cannot find anyone to talk to her on the ranch. The men treat her with derision and call her unflattering names. When she does find companionship with Lennie, it proves fatal. Candy is initially content with his old dog, but when the dog is taken away he is distraught and gravitates to the dream of George and Lennie. For a time, until the tragic ending, he is set to contribute his money to the project and is excited about leaving the ranch and going to the "little piece of land."

Companionship in the book is tied to the idea of the American Dream. On George's idyllic farm, everyone will be happy. George can take in his own crop and have pigeons in the windmill. Lennie can "tend rabbits" and Candy could "cook and tend the chickens and hoe the garden some." Even Crooks includes himself for a short time and says,

“ . . . . If you . . . . guys would want a hand to work for nothing—just his keep, why I’d come an’ lend a hand. I ain’t so crippled I can’t work like a son-of-a-bitch if I want to.”

Freedom goes hand in hand with the dreams, and each man would be a free agent, able to set his own work hours and make his own decisions. The dream of the farm is ultimately like paradise. The dream, however, proves delusional as Lennie again "does a bad thing" and, as the title suggests, "the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray."

The idea of the dream is definitely attractive to these men, who could be considered misfits in regular society. Lennie is mentally challenged, Candy is old and missing a hand and Crooks is black with a crooked back. Curley's wife describes them derisively,

“—Sat’iday night. Ever’body out doin’ som’pin’. Ever’body! An’ what am I doin’? Standin’ here talkin’ to a bunch of bindle stiffs—a nigger an’ a dum-dum and a lousy ol’ sheep—an’ likin’ it because they ain’t nobody else.”

Another important theme in the book is the pain of loneliness, which is closely related to the theme of companionship. Crooks and Curley's wife could be considered the loneliest of the characters in the book and they express that loneliness, Crooks in chapter four, and Curley's wife in chapter fours and five.

How do the characters Msimangu, John Kumalo, and Arthur Jarvis represent different segments of South African society?

Cry the Beloved Country, written in 1948, is about the changes in South Africa after Black South African tribes were largely broken up and many people moved to the cities. The characters represent different segments of this changing society. John Kumalo has left his rural community to live in Johannesburg, and while he was once a Christian and a carpenter (very similar to Christ), he has now become a businessman and a politician. Msimangu...

Cry the Beloved Country, written in 1948, is about the changes in South Africa after Black South African tribes were largely broken up and many people moved to the cities. The characters represent different segments of this changing society. John Kumalo has left his rural community to live in Johannesburg, and while he was once a Christian and a carpenter (very similar to Christ), he has now become a businessman and a politician. Msimangu says of John Kumalo, "He says that what God has not done for South Africa, he must do" (page 15). While John Kumalo says he has left the church to actively help his people, he truly only wants to make a name for himself. He does not like the church because he feels beholden to too many rules. He represents the kind of politician who claims to want to help Black South Africans but who is really only interested in helping himself. For example, he hires a lawyer to make the case that his son was not near Absalom when Arthur Jarvis is killed, and he does everything to protect himself and his family and make himself seem important. He is not committed to reform or to making life in South Africa truly better.

Arthur Jarvis is a cultured, educated white man who, unlike John Kumalo, truly loves South Africa. When he dies, the priest describes his death as "a terrible loss for South Africa" (page 39). Arthur Jarvis was President of the African Boys' Club and cared deeply about the lives of Black South Africans and about racial justice. His quest for justice comes in part from his extensive reading about South African history and in part from his Christian faith. He is representative of the white South African who wants to find a way to repair the racial rifts in his society and to move towards justice and equality.

The Reverend Theophilus Msimangu is filled with Christian charity. He tells Stephen Kumalo, "I am a Christian. It is not in my heart to hate the white man" (page 15). He is a Christian and believes in the Christian faith, but he also believes the white man has broken the tribal way of life in South Africa but has not repaired what he has broken. He has dedicated himself to repairing South Africa through the union of white and black people, and his motivating force is love. He represents the type of Black South African who is dedicated to social reform and to helping the country through the cooperation of all segments of the society and all races. He is similar to Arthur Jarvis in his dedication to reform.

What is the purpose of NAFTA?

Established in 1994, the purpose of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is to eliminate trade and investment barriers between its member countries, specifically the United States, Canada, and Mexico. By reducing and eventually eliminating tariffs, the signatories hoped the NAFTA would better the American, Canadian, and Mexican economies.

Evidence seems to indicate that all three member countries have experienced benefits from the NAFTA. In addition to having the ability to export more items...

Established in 1994, the purpose of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is to eliminate trade and investment barriers between its member countries, specifically the United States, Canada, and Mexico. By reducing and eventually eliminating tariffs, the signatories hoped the NAFTA would better the American, Canadian, and Mexican economies.

Evidence seems to indicate that all three member countries have experienced benefits from the NAFTA. In addition to having the ability to export more items to the other two countries, each nation has experienced an increase in direct foreign investment from citizens of its fellow NAFTA signatories.

However, the NAFTA has been criticized for several reasons. First, the NAFTA has resulted in a number of job losses in the United States as some U.S. companies have relocated factories to Mexico (however, the increase in free trade has enabled more small businesses to operate, recouping some net jobs). The NAFTA also hurt Mexican corn farmers. Because the U.S. government subsidizes corn production, U.S. farmers could export it to Mexico at prices far cheaper than the local Mexican farmers could afford to compete with.

In what ways does Stowe present the incompatibility of slavery with the Christian ethics of love and tolerance?

Intriguing question! In the book Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe, Stowe utilizes several different techniques to illustrate the incompatibility of slavery with the Christian ethics of love and tolerance. For example, she utilizes the characters in the story and a direct address to her audience to illustrate this incompatibility.

Beginning with the characters in the story, Stowe utilizes multiple characters to demonstrate that slavery and Christianity’s ethics of love and tolerance are not compatible. For example, this is clearly seen in chapter nine. In this chapter, Senator Bird and Mrs. Bird discuss the issue of runaway slaves. Senator Bird illustrates that according to the law, people should not help runaway slaves. However, Mrs. Bird reveals that a Christian could not agree to such a law because the Bible illustrates that:

“I must feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and comfort the desolate; and that Bible I mean to follow."

Thus, she would not listen to the law because of her convictions from the Bible.

Furthermore, Stowe also uses a personal and direct address to her audience (at the end of the book) to illustrate that slavery and Christian ethics of love and tolerance are not compatible. For example, Stowe illustrates her shock that Christians could agree with the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. As Stowe herself states:

"But, since the legislative act of 1850, when she [Stowe] heard, with perfect surprise and consternation, Christian and humane people actually recommending the remanding escaped fugitives into slavery, as a duty binding on good citizens,—when she heard, on all hands, from kind, compassionate and estimable people, in the free states of the North, deliberations and discussions as to what Christian duty could be on this head,—she could only think, These men and Christians cannot know what slavery is; if they did, such a question could never be open for discussion."

Lastly, she encourages Christians to help the slaves (at the end of her book). For example, she illustrates that Christians should open their doors to slaves, pray for them, and even help educate them.

Consequently, Stowe utilized her characters and her direct address to her audience to illustrate that Christian ethics and slavery are not compatible. Not only this, but she also encouraged her audience to act on this observation and help the slaves receive the help they deserved.

How might learning to empathize require people to challenge expectations of themselves and others?

Great question! In the book The Freedom Writers Diary, many of the students learn to empathize with others.

Through the students’ readings and educational experiences, many of the students learn to empathize with different individuals. Although the students may not exactly relate to some of the characters or heroic individuals (such as Anne Frank), many find aspects of the stories to relate to and empathize with in their own lives.

As a result of...

Great question! In the book The Freedom Writers Diary, many of the students learn to empathize with others.

Through the students’ readings and educational experiences, many of the students learn to empathize with different individuals. Although the students may not exactly relate to some of the characters or heroic individuals (such as Anne Frank), many find aspects of the stories to relate to and empathize with in their own lives.

As a result of their new empathy, many of the individuals are challenged to change their expectations of others and themselves. For example, "problem students" who have not expected much from themselves have realized that they are “heroes” and should make a difference in the world. As Miep reveals to the students:

“You are the heroes. You are heroes every day.”

Furthermore, they have also learned to empathize with others. Instead of aligning themselves with their own ethnic background or gang, students began to care and unite with individuals from very different backgrounds.

Thus, in the story, many of the students learn to empathize with characters and individuals from books. Consequently, they eventually start empathizing with others in their own classroom and begin to challenge expectations of themselves and others.

A rock dropped from a window in a tall building hits the ground in 3 seconds. How far did the rock fall in feet?

The equation of motion 

s= ut + 1/2 at^2

can be used to solve this question. In this equation, s is the distance traveled, u is the initial velocity, t is the time taken and a is the acceleration.

Since, the rock is dropped, the initial velocity of the rock is 0 m/s. That is,

u = 0 m/s

The acceleration of the rock would be equal to the acceleration due to gravity, g. The...

The equation of motion 

s= ut + 1/2 at^2

can be used to solve this question. In this equation, s is the distance traveled, u is the initial velocity, t is the time taken and a is the acceleration.

Since, the rock is dropped, the initial velocity of the rock is 0 m/s. That is,

u = 0 m/s

The acceleration of the rock would be equal to the acceleration due to gravity, g. The value of g (approximately) 9.81 m/s^2 or 32.2 ft/s^2. 

And, time taken for the rock to hit the ground, t = 3 s.

Substituting the values of u, t and a in the equation, we get:

s = 0 x 3 + 1/2 x 32.2 x 3^2 = 144.9 ft.

Thus, the rock dropped from the window will travel a distance of about 144.9 ft before hitting the ground.

Hope this helps. 

How can I discuss reputation and honor by exploring the texts The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli and Julius Caesar by Shakespeare?

In The Prince, Machiavelli argues that a leader's reputation and honor are all important. Perception is reality. A prince doesn't have to be virtuous, but must appear virtuous to the people he is leading. The most effective prince, won't, in reality, possess the qualities that the common people admire and expect, such as mercy, kindness, loyalty and religious faith. On the contrary, he will need to be able to violate those virtues in order to...

In The Prince, Machiavelli argues that a leader's reputation and honor are all important. Perception is reality. A prince doesn't have to be virtuous, but must appear virtuous to the people he is leading. The most effective prince, won't, in reality, possess the qualities that the common people admire and expect, such as mercy, kindness, loyalty and religious faith. On the contrary, he will need to be able to violate those virtues in order to survive: the best prince is, in fact, a pragmatist, who must have the cunning of a lion in avoiding traps. However, his reputation with the common people must remain strong, so that it will more difficult for his enemies to plot successfully against him.

This pragmatism or realism flies in the face of Shakespeare's more conventional notions of good kingship, in which a leader, ideally, possesses the virtues he claims.  In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Antony, therefore, is not portrayed as the most admirable character, but he is the most Machiavellian figure in the play. He is the master of rhetoric, of appearing virtuous while not actually being virtuous. Although he characterizes himself as a "plain, blunt man," he is anything but that: he will do whatever he needs to do to get ahead, such as using his skills as a speaker to sway the crowd against Brutus or, on a personal level, using Lepidus as a "creature" or tool. 

In exploring both texts, it is important to look at what ultimately happens to Antony--he loses--and how this might be a way Shakespeare is commenting on the Machiavellian prince figure. 

What was Bud's trick to falling asleep?

In Chapter 8, Bud and Bugs spend the night at a Hooverville in hopes of catching the morning train to Chicago. When Bud lies down, he does a little trick that helps him fall asleep. Bud takes his blanket out of his suitcase and pulls it all the way over his head. Then Bud takes a deep breath with his head buried underneath his blanket. He breathes deeply and smells three more times until the...

In Chapter 8, Bud and Bugs spend the night at a Hooverville in hopes of catching the morning train to Chicago. When Bud lies down, he does a little trick that helps him fall asleep. Bud takes his blanket out of his suitcase and pulls it all the way over his head. Then Bud takes a deep breath with his head buried underneath his blanket. He breathes deeply and smells three more times until the smells of his surrounding environment are gone, and all he can smell is his blanket. Bud mentions that the smell of his blanket reminds him of how his mother used to read to him before bedtime. As he closes his eyes, he imagines that his mother is reading him bedtime stories until he starts to dream, and gradually falls asleep.

In the beginning of chapter one of The Liar's Club, why does Mary Karr begin with that incident?

Mary Karr's poignant and disturbing memoir The Liars' Clubstarts with an incident that occurred when she was seven. On that night, Karr's mother set a fire to burn the children's possessions in the backyard when Karr's father was at work, and Karr's family doctor investigates her to see if she's been physically harmed. The incident is important in the circular narrative Karr writes about her troubled childhood because it marks the beginning of her...

Mary Karr's poignant and disturbing memoir The Liars' Club starts with an incident that occurred when she was seven. On that night, Karr's mother set a fire to burn the children's possessions in the backyard when Karr's father was at work, and Karr's family doctor investigates her to see if she's been physically harmed. The incident is important in the circular narrative Karr writes about her troubled childhood because it marks the beginning of her constant vigilance to watch for events in her house that she calls "Not Right" (page 9).

Karr writes poetically of that night:

"On the night the sheriff came to our house and Mother was adjudged more or less permanently Nervous, I didn't yet understand the word. I had only a vague tight panic in the pit of my stomach, the one you get when your parents are nowhere in sight and probably don't even know who has a hold of you or where you'll wind up spending the night" (page 7).

Karr's mother is hospitalized for being psychiatrically unsound, and her father is not around. Karr is left on her own with her sister, and it's clear that no one is really taking care of her. 

Karr knows from that point on that her life is going to be chaotic and that her neighbors know that her family cannot take care of her. She writes, "I did know from that night forward that things in my house were Not Right" (page 9). She translates this sense of her house not being right into her sense that she isn't right. "The fact that my house was Not Right metastasized into the notion that I myself was somehow Night Right, or that my survival in that world depended on my constant vigilance against various forms of Non-Rightness" (page 10). Her use of the word "metastasized" is poetically apt, as her town has a chemical plant and oil refinery that cause many people to have cancer. For Karr, the cancer is the dysfunction in her family, and the incident that begins the book establishes her family's broken dynamic that she will explore in the rest of the book. 

Which property of sulfuric acid makes it suitable to use as a catalyst for the preparation of esters?

Esterification is the reaction of an alcohol with an acid to produce an ester and water. When the acid used in the reaction is carboxylic acid, the reaction is sometimes called a Fischer-Speier esterification.

An ester has a functional group similar to carboxylic acid, except that the H in the –COOH group is replaced by a hydrocarbon.

Normally esterification is slow and reversible, making the production of significant amounts of ester difficult.

The addition of...

Esterification is the reaction of an alcohol with an acid to produce an ester and water. When the acid used in the reaction is carboxylic acid, the reaction is sometimes called a Fischer-Speier esterification.

An ester has a functional group similar to carboxylic acid, except that the H in the –COOH group is replaced by a hydrocarbon.

Normally esterification is slow and reversible, making the production of significant amounts of ester difficult.

The addition of sulfuric acid (`~H_2SO_4` ) as a catalyst, increases the rate of the reaction. Sulfuric acid is a catalyst because it is regenerated and not used up in the reaction.

Sulfuric acid is a good catalyst for this reaction because it is a strong proton donor. It is also a good dehydrating agent which is helpful in sequestering some of the water produced in the reaction.

In "The Most Dangerous Game", what is the verbal irony in the title?

Richard Connel's short story "The Most Dangerous Game" is about a deadly hunt on a remote island between two men. Sanger Rainsford, a big game hunter from America, is the protagonist and General Zaroff, a Cossack military officer, the antagonist. Rainsford meets Zaroff when he accidentally falls off his yacht while passing Zaroff's island.

The title uses verbal irony to describe what happens in the story. Verbal irony is when a writer says one thing,...

Richard Connel's short story "The Most Dangerous Game" is about a deadly hunt on a remote island between two men. Sanger Rainsford, a big game hunter from America, is the protagonist and General Zaroff, a Cossack military officer, the antagonist. Rainsford meets Zaroff when he accidentally falls off his yacht while passing Zaroff's island.

The title uses verbal irony to describe what happens in the story. Verbal irony is when a writer says one thing, but really means something different. Initially, the reader may think Connel's title refers to a real game that for some reason has become perilous.

In fact, the title has a double meaning. On one hand, it does portray a game (defined as something played) which has turned deadly. Zaroff reveals to Rainsford that, because he's grown bored with hunting animals, he now hunts men on his remote island and suggests Rainsford join him. When Rainsford refuses, the General sets his guest loose on the island and proceeds to hunt him down. Zaroff describes the "game":

"You'll find this game worth playing," the general said enthusiastically. "Your brain against mine. Your woodcraft against mine. Your strength and stamina against mine. Outdoor chess! And the stake is not without value, eh?" 

On the other hand, game can also be defined as an animal that is being hunted. In this case, Rainsford becomes the game. He is ultimately dangerous because he not only kills Zaroff's servant, his best dog, but in the end, the general himself when they duel in Zaroff's bedroom in the finale of the story.

In Lord of the Flies, how is Jack involved with Piggy's death?

Jack is indirectly involved with Piggy's death.  I would like to make it clear that Jack does not kill Piggy.  Roger kills Piggy in chapter eleven when he pushes a huge boulder down, and it smashes and kills Piggy.  

The rock struck Piggy a glancing blow from chin to knee; the conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist. Piggy, saying nothing, with no time for even a grunt, traveled through...

Jack is indirectly involved with Piggy's death.  I would like to make it clear that Jack does not kill Piggy.  Roger kills Piggy in chapter eleven when he pushes a huge boulder down, and it smashes and kills Piggy.  

The rock struck Piggy a glancing blow from chin to knee; the conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist. Piggy, saying nothing, with no time for even a grunt, traveled through the air sideways from the rock, turning over as he went. The rock bounded twice and was lost in the forest. Piggy fell forty feet and landed on his back across the square red rock in the sea. His head opened and stuff came out and turned red. Piggy’s arms and legs twitched a bit, like a pig’s after it has been killed. Then the sea breathed again in a long, slow sigh, the water boiled white and pink over the rock; and when it went, sucking back again, the body of Piggy was gone.

Jack is indirectly involved with Piggy's death, because it is Jack who causes the boys on the island to start believing in a might makes right mentality.  Ralph attempts to lead through a sort of democracy, while Jack favors a dictatorship.  Strength and violence are what Jack's camp supports, which is why Roger is able to get away with the constant tormenting of the little kids and the general sadism that he exhibits throughout the story.  Without Jack, I believe that Roger's personality would have been held in check by Ralph and the rest of the boys.   

A sample of methane gas was collected over water at 35ºC. The sample was found to have a total pressure of 756 mm Hg. Determine the partial...

When a gas is collected over water it contains water vapor because some of the water at the surface of the liquid will vaporize. The pressure exerted by the water vapor is its vapor pressure, which is given in the problem. We can use Dalton's Law of Partial Pressures to calculate the pressure of the methane (CH4), knowing the pressure exerted by the water vapor. Dalton's Law states that the total pressure of a mixture of...

When a gas is collected over water it contains water vapor because some of the water at the surface of the liquid will vaporize. The pressure exerted by the water vapor is its vapor pressure, which is given in the problem. We can use Dalton's Law of Partial Pressures to calculate the pressure of the methane (CH4), knowing the pressure exerted by the water vapor. Dalton's Law states that the total pressure of a mixture of gases is equal to the sum of the partial pressures of the gases that make up the mixture:

`P_(Total) = P_A + P_B + P_C +....`

In this case,

`P_(Total)` = `P_(CH_4) + P_(H_2O)` = 756 mm Hg, so

 `P_(CH_4) `  = 756 mmHg - 41 mm Hg = 715 mm Hg`<b></b>`

Note that the vapor pressure of water depends only on the temperature at which the gas is collected. 

Who were the people and groups involved in Hitler's control over Germany?

First and foremost, the Nazi Party was involved in elevating Adolf Hitler to a prominent place within their party. The National Socialist German Worker's Party (Nazi) was a relatively obscure group in the early 1920's that rallied against the Treaty of Versailles and communism. Adolf Hitler's oratory and organization skills quickly gained him favor with the other party members. As the Nazis became the dominant party in Germany, Hitler was appointed chancellor by president Paul...

First and foremost, the Nazi Party was involved in elevating Adolf Hitler to a prominent place within their party. The National Socialist German Worker's Party (Nazi) was a relatively obscure group in the early 1920's that rallied against the Treaty of Versailles and communism. Adolf Hitler's oratory and organization skills quickly gained him favor with the other party members. As the Nazis became the dominant party in Germany, Hitler was appointed chancellor by president Paul von Hindenburg in early 1933. As chancellor, Hitler was aided by a number of groups in his quest for total authority in Germany.

A number of paramilitary secret police organizations allowed Hitler to destroy political opposition in Germany. The Sturmabteilung (SA) was the group primarily responsible for the rise of Hitler and the Nazis in Germany. The group harassed political groups and disrupted their operations throughout the 1920's. Heinrich Himmler and the Schutzstaffel (SS) provided security and surveillance for the Nazi Party and were the faction most responsible for the atrocities committed against the Jewish population. Another organization was the Gestapo, the official secret police force in Nazi Germany. This group was formed by Hermann Goring in 1933 and also targeted political dissent. These organizations were responsible for Hitler's totalitarian command of the German Reich before and during World War II.

What is the central conflict in Bharati Mukherjee's short story "The Management of Grief"?

In literature, there are usually five basic forms of conflict: man versus man; man versus nature; man versus society; man versus self; and man versus technology.

The central conflict in The Management of Grief would be man versus society; the protagonist, Shaila Bhave, finds herself pitted against two opposing societal ideals in grief management, Hindu and secular western. The resolution of the conflict is surprising, but uplifting.

First, we will discuss Shaila's Indian culture. India boasts many different ethnic groups, each with distinct customs regarding death and mourning. Among these ethnic groups, further religious and caste considerations bear critical influence in the area of grief management. Shaila, for example, is Hindu, and conceivably descends from Brahmin ancestry. We are told that Shaila's grandmother was a 'spoiled daughter of a rich zamindar...' Zamindars or Bhumihar Brahmins were wealthy, land-owning aristocrats. In her grandmother's time, widowed Brahmin women were considered unlucky. They were expected to shave their heads as an act of shame after their husband's demise. Essentially, it was an act of penance for bringing such ill luck to her household.

In the story, Shaila's grandmother was purported to have 'shaved her head with rusty razor blades when she was widowed at sixteen.' Today, many widows (even those from the higher castes), are expected to restrict their diets to plain foods, eschewing sexually stimulating foods such as garlic, onions, pickles, and fish. Many widows, especially those from the Brahmin castes, are expected to devote the rest of their lives to worship and prayer, most notably at ashrams. Shaila confesses that no one thinks 'of arranging a husband for an unlucky widow.'

Shaila herself visits one such ashram 'in a tiny Himalayan village' and makes 'offerings of flowers and sweetmeats to the god of a tribe of animists.' While she worships, her husband descends to her as a supernatural incarnation of himself. He speaks to her as her former teacher: "You must finish alone what we started together." When a 'sweaty hand gropes' for her blouse, she does not scream. Interestingly, Hindu mythology is filled with stories of otherworldly sexual activity between deceased husbands and their widowed wives.

In life, a Hindu woman is defined as an extension of her husband and sons. This outward manifestation of value is conferred upon a woman based on an ancient, patriarchal construct that has been revered for centuries. In life as in death, a woman graciously abides by her husband's edicts; should he die, her svadharma (personal duty) is defined by her husband in any incarnation he may choose ('How to tell Judith Templeton that my family surrounds me, and that like creatures in epics, they've changed shapes?'). Essentially, the husband-wife relationship is that of a master-pupil (guru-shishya) relationship.

In the story, we are told that 'substantial, educated, successful men of forty' are expected to marry and to 'look after a wife,' while the widows are expected to remain chaste. While a man derives relevance from his status as a provider, a woman's value is defined by her relation to her husband. Differing expectations aren't unusual for Hindu women such as Shaila.

Now, from the western, secular standpoint, Judith Templeton's grief philosophy represents the quintessentially clinical outlook favored by many experts. To Judith, 'there are stages to pass through: rejection, depression, acceptance, reconstruction.' Remarriage is part of reconstruction, but even Judith is a little surprised at 'how quickly some of the men have taken on new families.' Because she has such little experience and knowledge of traditional Indian ways of grieving, Judith enlists Shaila's help in reaching out to other families. She thinks that Shaila's outward calm demonstrates her strength; she doesn't realize that, even within her own community, Shaila's unusually restrained outward demeanor differentiates her from her peers. Shaila is descended from a Zamindar and manifests only what she is expected to: dignified calmness in the midst of tragedy. However much her true self desires cathartic, emotional release, she refuses to give way to hysterics.

So, how is the 'protagonist versus society' conflict resolved? Does Shaila resort to the life of penance expected of a Brahmin widow, or does she choose the western, clinical approach? At the end of the story, we are told that Shaila hears the voices of her husband and sons one last time; their voices tell her to 'go, be brave' and that her time has come. So, essentially, Shaila chooses to adhere to her Hindu beliefs, but with a caveat. Instead of relying on incarnations of her husband and sons to guide her future, she decides to choose her own guru-shishya relationship and to pursue her svadharma (personal duty) on her terms. Whatever the future holds, she will decide how she receives wisdom and how she fulfills her purpose on earth.

What is the painful secret that Sal and Phoebe share in Walk Two Moons?

Both Sal and Phoebe have experienced the pain of having their mothers leave home. Sal’s mother, who loved her family but had to get away, left home to go to Idaho. Her reason was that she needed to leave after a particularly painful tragedy that all the family experienced. She has gone to see a cousin, someone who knew her when she was a child, before she was a wife and mother. She has not...

Both Sal and Phoebe have experienced the pain of having their mothers leave home. Sal’s mother, who loved her family but had to get away, left home to go to Idaho. Her reason was that she needed to leave after a particularly painful tragedy that all the family experienced. She has gone to see a cousin, someone who knew her when she was a child, before she was a wife and mother. She has not ceased to love Sal and her husband, but feels she has to discover, or perhaps rediscover, who she is, since her world has been completely upset.

Phoebe’s mother left without giving a reason. She left vague messages in notes to Phoebe, Phoebe’s sister Prudence, and Mr. Winterbottom. She also fixed several meals and put them in the freezer. Despite the obvious fact that Mrs. Winterbottom planned to leave of her own free will, Phoebe thinks that her mother has been kidnapped. She investigates the “mystery,” finding several clues that support her conclusion.

Both Sal and Phoebe have difficult times coping with the loss of their mothers. Sal begins to make sense of her situation as she helps Phoebe get through her own problem. Both girls learn to see that they themselves were not the reasons for their mothers’ departures, in spite of their own self-absorption. They begin to see their mothers as people in their own rights, as human beings, not just their parents. By this understanding, both girls learn to let go of the previous images they had of their mothers, and in doing so gain a measure of freedom and independence.

In Of Mice and Men, why does Lennie constantly get into trouble?

Lennie gets into trouble because he is childlike and doesn’t really have any impulse control. 

Lennie is a developmentally delayed man who happens to be incredibly strong.  He has the mental age of a child.  As a result, he often gets into trouble.  This is why he travels around with George, who looks out for him, takes care of him, and laments how much trouble he is. 

"God, you're a lot of trouble," said...

Lennie gets into trouble because he is childlike and doesn’t really have any impulse control. 

Lennie is a developmentally delayed man who happens to be incredibly strong.  He has the mental age of a child.  As a result, he often gets into trouble.  This is why he travels around with George, who looks out for him, takes care of him, and laments how much trouble he is. 

"God, you're a lot of trouble," said George. "I could get along so easy and so nice if I didn't have you on my tail. I could live so easy and maybe have a girl." (Ch. 1) 

Lennie’s main problems are that he doesn’t know his own strength and that he likes to touch soft things.  This is why they got run out of Weed, a small town in Northern California where Lennie wanted to “feel” a lady’s dress.  She thought he wanted something else.  She was scared.  He was scared because she was scared, and held on to her dress.  The next thing you know, George and Lennie were on the run. 

This incident foreshadows the trouble Lennie gets into later with Curley and his wife. In the case of Curley, Lennie was just minding his own business, smiling about the ranch he and George would have one day.  The other reason Lennie always got into trouble was that he was not aware of the world around him and could not pick up social cues. He had no idea that smiling would be seen as a threat by Curley.  Curley picked a fight, and George allowed Lennie to fight back.  Lennie got scared. He did not let go of Curley’s hand, smashing it badly. 

Smashing Curley’s hand was nothing compared to what Lennie did to his wife.  He was minding his own business in the barn, stroking his puppy (who did not survive the encounter) when she came in.  She was lonely and wanted someone to talk to.  She didn’t realize that he was dangerous because she found his childlike nature disarming.  He never meant to be dangerous.  However, she offered him her hair to stroke.  When he did not let go, she panicked.

"You let go!"

Lennie was in a panic. His face was contorted. She screamed then, and Lennie's other hand closed over her mouth and nose. "Please don't," he begged. "Oh! Please don't do that. George'll be mad." (Ch. 5) 

Lennie did not mean to kill her.  He got scared, just like with the lady’s dress and with Curley’s hand.  Lennie knew enough to go hide where George told him to. After he realized that Curley and the other men would come to kill Lennie, George shot Lennie to spare him from drawn-out suffering.  He was protecting him, because he was his responsibility.

In Raymond's Run, they talk about a character called Gretchen. What are some characteristics of Gretchen? Leave quotations and citations from...

Gretchen P. Lewis is the new girl in town in Toni Cade Bambara’s short story “Raymond’s Run.” By her sheer presence she alienates Hazel Elizabeth Deborah Parker, who is known as Squeaky, from a number of her friends. These so called friends, are known as Gretchen’s'sidekicks." Squeaky’s cantankerous attitude toward the others does contribute to the rift.

So I’m strolling down Broadway breathing out and breathing in on counts of seven, which is my lucky...

Gretchen P. Lewis is the new girl in town in Toni Cade Bambara’s short story “Raymond’s Run.” By her sheer presence she alienates Hazel Elizabeth Deborah Parker, who is known as Squeaky, from a number of her friends. These so called friends, are known as Gretchen’s'sidekicks." Squeaky’s cantankerous attitude toward the others does contribute to the rift.

So I’m strolling down Broadway breathing out and breathing in on counts of seven, which is my lucky number, and here comes Gretchen and her sidekicks: Mary Louise, who used to be a friend of mine when she first moved to Harlem from Baltimore and got beat up by everybody till I took up for her on account of her mother and my mother used to sing in the same choir when they were young girls, but people ain’t grateful, so now she hangs out with the new girl Gretchen and talks about me like a dog; and Rosie, who is as fat as I am skinny and has a big mouth where Raymond is concerned and is too stupid to know that there is not a big deal of difference between herself and Raymond and that she can’t afford to throw stones.

When Squeaky encounters the group of girls, they all participate in a bantering session except for Gretchen. She stands quietly eyeing Squeaky, but she never says a word knowing that she will have her chance to let her running ability do the talking. At this point, Gretchen is happy to be leader of the girl group.

Then Gretchen puts her hands on her hips and is about to say something with her freckle-face self but doesn’t. Then she walks around me looking me up and down but keeps walking up Broadway, and her sidekicks follow her.

On the day of the race, Squeaky takes care of Raymond by getting him situated in the swings prior to the race. She scans the grounds for Gretchen, who is nowhere to be seen until the start of the race. Gretchen arrives at the starting line before Squeaky where she shows off her form. The girls run a tightly contested race, but Hazel Elizabeth Deborah Parker is declared the winner. Gretchen comes in a close second.

“In second place—Miss Gretchen P. Lewis.” And I look over at Gretchen wondering what the “P” stands for. And I smile. Cause she’s good, no doubt about it. Maybe she’d like to help me coach Raymond; she obviously is serious about running, as any fool can see. And she nods to congratulate me and then she smiles. And I smile.

Gretchen is magnanimous in her loss. She knows that she is a good runner, and so does Squeaky. Although, Squeaky finds it hard to relate to other girls, she realizes that she and Gretchen have established a mutual respect for each other. They share a genuine smile, which Squeaky does not think is possible for girls. But, this smile is born out of mutual respect and that makes all the difference.

What were five of Charlemagne's accomplishments?

Charlemagne, or Charles the Great, was the King of the Franks and is called the "father of Europe" by many historians. Here I will discuss some of his accomplishments.

First, I'd like to talk about his greatest impact on European history by founding the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne united much of Western Europe under one Empire through conquest. Charlemagne came to rule territory in the modern-day countries of Italy, Germany, and Spain, among others. Prior to...

Charlemagne, or Charles the Great, was the King of the Franks and is called the "father of Europe" by many historians. Here I will discuss some of his accomplishments.

First, I'd like to talk about his greatest impact on European history by founding the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne united much of Western Europe under one Empire through conquest. Charlemagne came to rule territory in the modern-day countries of Italy, Germany, and Spain, among others. Prior to his conquest, rule in these areas was primarily held by local kings who warred with each other often. 

Directly related to his expanded Carolingian Empire was the re-unification of the secular and religious powers in society. Though Charlemagne had already acquired much of Western Europe, he was not coronated by the Pope until the year 800. This partnership between the Catholic church and the Emperor Charlemagne created the Holy Roman Empire, where the secular and religious powers served to back each other up in their authority.

Third, Charlemagne is known to have had a high regard for education, and initiated a number of education reforms which inspired the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne was quite studious and encouraged his students and court-members to also study rhetoric, logic, arithmetic, and astronomy. Unfortunately, he was not very good with reading or writing, but many of the scholars he supported created and preserved beautiful Latin manuscripts.

Fourth, one of the results of the Carolingian Renaissance which still impacts us today was the creation of the Caroline Miniscule script. The purpose of this style of writing and printing was to implement a common script to be used throughout the Empire. Before the use of the Caroline script, texts (primarily religious) varied greatly in language and script dependent upon where they were produced. With the implementation of the Caroline miniscule, the very same text could be read by anyone throughout the Empire.

With the fifth and last accomplishment I will detail, I do not intend to lend any anti-Islamic sentiment to my answer. Charlemagne was responsible for the Frankish conquest of some territory which is in modern-day Spain. Prior to his efforts, Moorish Spain had been part of the Muslim Umayyad Empire for many centuries. Charlemagne and his Frankish forces successfully recaptured Hispania as territory of the Frankish-Carolingian Empire. Again, I do not mean to imply any Islamophobic sentiment, only that Charlemagne succeeded in capturing a territory which had resisted re-integration to (what we now know as) Europe for some time.

In the book Quicksand by Nella Larsen, discuss at least three cultural markers in the story which reveal Quicksand was written in the 1920s. How...

One cultural and literary marker that has disappeared since Quicksand is that of the tragic mulatto. Torn between two worlds, black and white, the tragic mulatto was a common literary figure in African-American literature from the 1890s to the 1920s.

The mulatto, often characterized as a beautiful young woman, usually attempted to "pass for white" and was discovered, frequently by her white lover, and experienced a shame so great that she would kill herself. She did not belong in the black community either. Her skin color made her an object of mistrust and envy. In Larsen's novels, including this one, the tragic mulatto does not commit suicide. Instead, she experiences social alienation, and never finds personal fulfillment due to her status as an outsider.

Helga Crane's story is based on Larsen's own life. Larsen, too, was born to a white mother and a black father. Her mother later remarried a Danish man. In the novel, Helga goes to Copenhagen to meet her new family. She becomes the object of their fascination -- not because she is a new relative, but because she is black. Thus, the second marker in the novel concerns that of the exoticization of black people.

In the 1920s, all things black were "in vogue." This was true from Harlem to Paris. Upper-class white New Yorkers who wanted to seem hip hung out in Harlem. This new fascination was connected to two things: the popularization of jazz and blues, and the presence of African motifs in Cubist paintings. Black identity was frequently exaggerated in the white imagination. These exaggerations were present in advertisements and in entertainment. Josephine Baker became a success in Paris, but largely because she catered to fetishist tastes, which wanted to see her in grass skirts or imitating an hysterical monkey.

A third cultural marker in the novel is the disconnection between well-educated, middle-class blacks in the North, and the poor, rural black migrants coming from the South. The 1920s were part of the period in which there was a massive migration of blacks, often former slaves, from the South to major cities in the North (e.g., New York) and the Midwest (e.g., Chicago, St. Louis). 

Later in the novel, Helga marries a Southern Baptist minister who expects her to conform to his way of life. She is ill-equipped to do so. She is too urbane, too educated, and may feel a sense of superiority due to her lighter skin. She is miserable and, ultimately, descends into physical and mental illness.

Honestly, not all of the themes addressed in Quicksand are limited to the 1920s. Some remain true today. Black identity is still a site of both public fascination and loathing. Class distinctions within black communities remain true as well. The black poor and the black middle-class, generally, have little contact with each other. Lastly, though the "tragic mulatto" is an outdated trope, colorism still exists. Light-skinned black people are sometimes treated more favorably than darker ones. They may also be viewed as "exotics."

Because these issues remain relevant, Larsen's literature remains relevant.

What are existing and continuing threats to the security of e-commerce? What are examples of ways to thwart these threats?

As e-commerce continues to proliferate and become an essential part of the economy, we are seeing a rise in electronic crimes.

The first major area of concern is identity theft. A key to any business transaction is being able to verify the identity of both parties to an electronic transaction. As various forms of malware including keyloggers are increasingly being used to steal password and other identity data, businesses are responding with more secure forms...

As e-commerce continues to proliferate and become an essential part of the economy, we are seeing a rise in electronic crimes.

The first major area of concern is identity theft. A key to any business transaction is being able to verify the identity of both parties to an electronic transaction. As various forms of malware including keyloggers are increasingly being used to steal password and other identity data, businesses are responding with more secure forms of identity verification. Perhaps the most secure is using a combination of biometric identification with some form of password protection.

A second security issue is phishing, a process by which scammers send out emails or create fake websites that appear to be associated with your business but which actually are not. For these, the best solution is consumer education and employee training. Some anti-virus software can also evaluate the safety of websites and warn users if a website appears to have a bad certificate or some other red flag.

In Bud, not Buddy, what does the quote, "sometime in that smells-like-heaven place, another mighty maple started digging down its roots and...

In Chapter 14, Bud had just finished eating the first sit-down meal at the Sweet Pea when he begins to think of another small idea. Bud says, "sometime in that smells-like-heaven place another mighty maple started digging down its roots and grabbing holt" (Curtis 172). Earlier in the novel, Bud uses the metaphor of a little seed sprouting into a giant maple tree to describe how one small idea can grow to consume...

In Chapter 14, Bud had just finished eating the first sit-down meal at the Sweet Pea when he begins to think of another small idea. Bud says, "sometime in that smells-like-heaven place another mighty maple started digging down its roots and grabbing holt" (Curtis 172). Earlier in the novel, Bud uses the metaphor of a little seed sprouting into a giant maple tree to describe how one small idea can grow to consume his entire mind. He initially uses the "seed analogy" to describe how the idea that Herman E. Calloway was his father grew into an obsession to meet him. The idea that Bud is referring to in Chapter 14 is the thought that he has finally found his home and the people that he should spend the rest of his life with. Bud has been searching for a family and wishing for a stable home ever since his mother died. While he is eating with the band, he realizes that this is where he wants to spend the rest of his life. Bud feels so overwhelmed with emotion and happiness that he breaks down and begins to cry uncontrollably.

Comment on The Emperor Jones as an Expressionistic play.

Expressionism is a literary and artistic movement that resisted the principles of Impressionism and Realism by rejecting representations of an external reality and focusing instead on the inner emotional experience of humanity. Drawing on the work of Sigmund Freud, Expressionism explored the intensity and complexity of the human subconscious.

In The Emperor Jones, the protagonist experiences intense feelings of fear and guilt combined with vivid hallucinations. He hears the beating drums of the natives he...

Expressionism is a literary and artistic movement that resisted the principles of Impressionism and Realism by rejecting representations of an external reality and focusing instead on the inner emotional experience of humanity. Drawing on the work of Sigmund Freud, Expressionism explored the intensity and complexity of the human subconscious.

In The Emperor Jones, the protagonist experiences intense feelings of fear and guilt combined with vivid hallucinations. He hears the beating drums of the natives he has oppressed, and the tempo of the drums increases in time with his accelerating heartbeat as he fears for his life. He also encounters visions of people he has swindled and killed. However, his inner emotional turmoil is also an expression of his racial inheritance. As an African-American who has declared himself emperor of a West Indian island, he is a member of an oppressed class who has, in turn, reenacted that oppression on others. He imagines being held aboard a slave ship and auctioned off as his ancestors once were.

Eugene O'Neil's Expressionistic technique allows for a multilayered, more nuanced approach to issues of race.

What does the judicial branch do?

As the previous educator mentioned, the US government is divided into three branches—a principle of governance derived from the Enlightenment-era legal scholar named Montesquieu, who promoted this system in his book The Spirit of Laws. 

Parliamentary systems have a similar division of power, but the US government's three-part system is unique for its "checks and balances." The judicial branch examines the legality of actions taken by the executive and legislative branches of government.

...

As the previous educator mentioned, the US government is divided into three branches—a principle of governance derived from the Enlightenment-era legal scholar named Montesquieu, who promoted this system in his book The Spirit of Laws. 

Parliamentary systems have a similar division of power, but the US government's three-part system is unique for its "checks and balances." The judicial branch examines the legality of actions taken by the executive and legislative branches of government.

The Supreme Court case of Marbury v. Madison established judicial review, or constitutional review. Chief Justice John Marshall, fourth chief justice of the Supreme Court, asserted that the Court did indeed have the power to invalidate acts of Congress. This decision was key, for the Court's assumed right of judicial review had not been outlined by the Constitution. Thus judicial review, or the right of the Court to determine the constitutionality of laws, was validated only by the Supreme Court's ruling regarding its own power and provided no effective challenge to its assumption of power. 

How many trusts were broken up by Teddy Roosevelt?

President Theodore Roosevelt was known as a President that broke up trusts. While he was President, 44 lawsuits were filed against big businesses. His successor, President Taft, filed 90 lawsuits against big businesses. Both presidents wanted to break up the trusts.

The most famous trust that was broken up by President Roosevelt was the one involving the Northern Securities Company. This company was created as a result of a big stock battle between J.P. Morgan,...

President Theodore Roosevelt was known as a President that broke up trusts. While he was President, 44 lawsuits were filed against big businesses. His successor, President Taft, filed 90 lawsuits against big businesses. Both presidents wanted to break up the trusts.

The most famous trust that was broken up by President Roosevelt was the one involving the Northern Securities Company. This company was created as a result of a big stock battle between J.P. Morgan, James Hill, and E.H. Harriman. This stock battle nearly sent the economy into a downward spiral. President Roosevelt believed that when businesses acted in their own self-interest and, as a result, put the interests of the country second, he would go after those businesses. J.P. Morgan wanted to settle this lawsuit without going to court. J.P. Morgan uttered the famous line about Roosevelt’s guys should meet with Morgan’s guys to settle this. However, this case went to court, and the Supreme Court ruled the Northern Securities Company had to be dissolved. President Roosevelt did go after big businesses while he was President.

In Romeo and Juliet, what might have caused the quarrel between the Montagues and the Capulets? How long do you think it has been going on?...

The play offers few answers with regard to how the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets started.  In the Baz Luhrmann movie version, the two lords are portrayed as competing business titans.  The fact that both men are lords and high-ranking in the community could lend credence to this theory. A land dispute is also possible, and would be consistent with actions of that era, although one does not get the sense that the...

The play offers few answers with regard to how the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets started.  In the Baz Luhrmann movie version, the two lords are portrayed as competing business titans.  The fact that both men are lords and high-ranking in the community could lend credence to this theory. A land dispute is also possible, and would be consistent with actions of that era, although one does not get the sense that the two are neighbors.

We are given more information regarding how long the feud has lasted.  While no specific dates are mentioned, Shakespeare's description of the "ancient grudge" (line 3) in the prologue suggests that this is not a new phenomenon, but that the feud has spanned several generations.  This suggests that perhaps the feud was not between Montague and Capulet at all, but rather their ancestors.

The prologue also definitely tells us that the deaths of Romeo and Juliet will bring the feud to a close.  In the line, "Doth with their death bury their parents' strife," (line 8) we learn that the grief that the two families endure will cause them to ultimately end the fighting.

Who meets a girl and falls in love with her in the novel That Was Then, This Is Now?

In the novel That Was Then, This Is Now,Bryon meets and falls in love Cathy Carlson.Cathy is M&M's sister who recently moved back in town and works at a snack bar in the local hospital. Bryon is immediately attracted to her beautiful smile and down to earth personality. After taking her to a school dance, Bryon realizes that Cathy is an innocent girl who is not jealous or controversial like the other girls...

In the novel That Was Then, This Is Now, Bryon meets and falls in love Cathy Carlson. Cathy is M&M's sister who recently moved back in town and works at a snack bar in the local hospital. Bryon is immediately attracted to her beautiful smile and down to earth personality. After taking her to a school dance, Bryon realizes that Cathy is an innocent girl who is not jealous or controversial like the other girls he has dated in the past. As the novel progresses, Bryon falls in love with Cathy and starts to spend more time with her than he does with his best friend, Mark. One day, M&M runs off with some of his hippie friends and does not return home. Cathy is upset and distraught about not being able to find her brother. When Cathy and Bryon find M&M, he is high on acid and Cathy breaks down before calling her father. Later on, Bryon calls the authorities on Mark for selling drugs, loses interest in Cathy, and becomes distant. Cathy and Bryon stop talking, and Cathy ends up dating Ponyboy Curtis at the end of the novel.

Why does Gillian decide to give Miss Hayden the money but not tell the lawyers?

This is a very interesting question! As we read the story, it is evident that Gillian is in love with Miss Miriam Hayden. Miriam is the former ward of Gillian's deceased uncle.

When Gillian is willed a thousand dollars by his uncle, he appears at a loss as to how to dispose of the money. However, when he discovers that Miriam has only been left a seal ring and ten dollars, he decides to bequeath...

This is a very interesting question! As we read the story, it is evident that Gillian is in love with Miss Miriam Hayden. Miriam is the former ward of Gillian's deceased uncle.

When Gillian is willed a thousand dollars by his uncle, he appears at a loss as to how to dispose of the money. However, when he discovers that Miriam has only been left a seal ring and ten dollars, he decides to bequeath the thousand dollars to her as a gift. After he hands the money over to the surprised Miriam, Gillian proceeds to provide a written record of his expenditure to the lawyers for their perusal. However, when he realizes that, upon prudent expenditure of the thousand dollars, he will be further bequeathed fifty thousand dollars, Gillian proceeds to tear up the written record of his expenditure.

Although he appears nonchalant and careless, Gillian privately harbors more substantive feelings: he is in love with Miriam. This is why he decides to give her the thousand dollars and also why he neglects to inform the lawyers about his actions. If Gillian had confessed his unselfish action to the lawyers, they would likely have released the fifty thousand dollars into his care. Instead, Gillian's act of love ensures that his beloved is amply provided for in the event of his uncle's death.

Why did American citizens not want the United States to get involved in World War I?

There were a variety of reasons many Americans did not want the country to get involved in World War I. For one thing, the conflict was absolutely devastating, and Americans were able to get a sense of this from media coverage. By the time the United States entered the war, virtually all of the belligerent nations had suffered devastating losses, and few Americans wanted to send troops to Europe. Another reason was that the United...

There were a variety of reasons many Americans did not want the country to get involved in World War I. For one thing, the conflict was absolutely devastating, and Americans were able to get a sense of this from media coverage. By the time the United States entered the war, virtually all of the belligerent nations had suffered devastating losses, and few Americans wanted to send troops to Europe. Another reason was that the United States had, since the days of George Washington, steadfastly avoided entanglement in European conflicts--it had become a sort of article of faith that they should continue to do so. It is also important to remember that there were many German-Americans in the United States, and most of them hoped for a German victory. So too did many Irish-Americans, as their ancestral homeland was involved in a fight for independence against British rule at the same time as WWI. Many left-leaning progressives viewed the war as being fought on behalf of capital, and to further the causes of militarism and imperialism, and objected to US involvement on those grounds. Others saw it as another version of the age-old power struggle between corrupt European dynasties, one which the United States had no business getting involved in. So there were many reasons why Americans did not want to get involved in the First World War.

What is the history of Columbina in Commedia dell'Arte?

Experts maintain that the stock character of Columbina in Commedia dell'Arte was very much influenced by an earlier character model, the Soubrette or La Servetta of 17th century French comedy. The Soubrette was usually a female servant or housemaid who displayed flirtatious, mischievous, and coquettish tendencies. She was also intelligent, witty, and resourceful.

Her roots in Latin comedy have been well documented; in Plautus' comedies, this capricious servant character was always portrayed as a shrewd...

Experts maintain that the stock character of Columbina in Commedia dell'Arte was very much influenced by an earlier character model, the Soubrette or La Servetta of 17th century French comedy. The Soubrette was usually a female servant or housemaid who displayed flirtatious, mischievous, and coquettish tendencies. She was also intelligent, witty, and resourceful.

Her roots in Latin comedy have been well documented; in Plautus' comedies, this capricious servant character was always portrayed as a shrewd seductress who specialized in manipulating male emotions to her advantage. Very often, the La Servetta was companion to the Innamorata; unlike the heroine, however, the La Servetta was free to scheme and to exploit weaknesses in others on behalf of her mistress. Yet other historians argue that the stock character of Columbina has actually been around in Italian Commedia dell'Arte since 1530.

In the 17th century, the Columbina character appeared in French theater as Arlecchina or Pierrette. As the feminine version of Arlecchino, she was often seen wearing dresses with bold patches of color. Indeed, Arlecchina or Pierrette often wore numerous disguises in order to further their machinations and schemes. In French theater in the 17th century, Colombina was always portrayed as an educated woman who could read and write. Her effectiveness stemmed from her ability to reason and to ruminate long upon her theories before putting them into use.

Fools and Jesters in Literature, Art, and History.

In the 18th century, Columbina was dressed in one of two styles, either elaborate in imitation of the dress of the Innamorata or drab in the style of a servant girl. In the 19th century, Columbinas often wore white gowns. Additionally, this stock character did not wear masks; if she covered any part of her face at all, it was usually the eyes. Some Columbinas also wore heavy eye make-up to highlight the character's independence and bold personality. Interestingly, earlier Columbinas often presented more buxom and curvaceous figures than 17th and 18th century Columbinas. A show of cleavage was not unheard of in a 16th century or early 17th century La Servetta. Many Columbinas also carried tambourines and usually wore aprons.

In Lyddie, how do family ties – or the lack of them – influence the characters' opinions about the efforts to improve working conditions,...

The girls whose families depend on them are less likely to sign the petition.

The petition for the ten-hour workday is dangerous for the factory workers.  Anyone who signs it is dismissed from her job and then blacklisted from the factory system so that she can never get another one. However, as working conditions worsen, the girls who do not have family members relying on them sign the petition and quit.

Lyddie in particular is...

The girls whose families depend on them are less likely to sign the petition.

The petition for the ten-hour workday is dangerous for the factory workers.  Anyone who signs it is dismissed from her job and then blacklisted from the factory system so that she can never get another one. However, as working conditions worsen, the girls who do not have family members relying on them sign the petition and quit.

Lyddie in particular is afraid to sign the petition.  She focuses on her family and her efforts to make money so that she can bring the family back together.  Lyddie needs the factory job, and can’t jeopardize her family even at the expense of the workers.

When the other girls ask Lyddie to go to a meeting for the ten-hour petition, she refuses.

"No!" Lyddie was startled herself that she had spoken so sharply. Both girls looked at her. "I mean, please, don't sign. I can't. I got to have the money. I got to pay the debts before‐" (Ch. 12)

The other girls have varying levels of commitment to others.  Betsy, for example, is putting her brother through college.  As long as he is in college, she can’t quit either.

"The golden lad finishes Harvard this spring. His fees are paid up, and I've got nearly the money I need now. My Latin is done. So as soon as I complete my botany course, I'll be ready to leave this insane asylum." (Ch. 13)

Lyddie’s only desire is to get her family back together, but Betsy’s feelings for her brother are not as affectionate as Lyddie’s.  Lyddie realizes that as the factory speeds up, more and more girls leave. The ones that leave are the ones who do not have families depending on the money they bring in.

Diana leaves when she finds out that she is having a baby.  She had been at the factory for about fifteen years and served as a mother-figure and teacher to the girls.  In a way, Diana left her "family" at the factory to have a family of her own.

Why does Truman oppose the Taft-Hartley act ? Why does Taft support it ?

President Truman and Robert Taft were on opposites of the Taft-Harley Act. Robert Taft opposed many of President Roosevelt’s actions to end the Great Depression. He felt some of the actions gave the government too much power over businesses. He was also concerned that laws like the Wagner Act, a pro-labor law, gave the workers too much power. There were many strikes after World War II, which concerned many people.

President Truman opposed the passage...

President Truman and Robert Taft were on opposites of the Taft-Harley Act. Robert Taft opposed many of President Roosevelt’s actions to end the Great Depression. He felt some of the actions gave the government too much power over businesses. He was also concerned that laws like the Wagner Act, a pro-labor law, gave the workers too much power. There were many strikes after World War II, which concerned many people.

President Truman opposed the passage of this law, and he vetoed it. However, Congress overrode his veto. President Truman opposed this law because it hurt workers. Truman received a lot of support from workers, and he didn’t want any law to restrict their activities. The Taft-Hartley Act made closed shops illegal. This meant the businesses were forbidden from hiring only union members. The law also outlawed union shops. This is a situation where a worker has to join the union when hired. States were allowed to pass right to work laws. The law also made it illegal for unions to use their money for political activities. This law was an anti-union law. President Truman represented the workers and the working class. He was not going to sign a bill that hurt the groups that supported him a great deal.

What is the significance and importance of the quote, "Gazing up into the darkness I saw myself as a creature driven and derided by vanity; and my...

This final line of the short story lets us know that the narrator understands that, no matter how important his desires are to him, the world will not change for him or make way for his goals. The "vanity" refers to the narrator's belief that things will somehow work out for him, that his dream of loving Mangan's sister can come true: first, that his uncle will come home in time and remember to give...

This final line of the short story lets us know that the narrator understands that, no matter how important his desires are to him, the world will not change for him or make way for his goals. The "vanity" refers to the narrator's belief that things will somehow work out for him, that his dream of loving Mangan's sister can come true: first, that his uncle will come home in time and remember to give him money to go to Araby, then, that the trains will be running on time, that the bazaar will be full of extravagant and desired trinkets and that he will be able to choose and afford one that will help him to win the affections of his love. When he realizes that these expectations were vain (both in the sense that they came to nothing and were also self-important), he is provoked to intense sorrow and anger. His uncle forgot him, came home late, and then delayed him by eating dinner and asking questions; the train was held up and only after "an intolerable delay" did it "cre[ep] onward"; then, when the narrator gets to Araby, it costs a lot of his money just to get in and the majority of the stalls are closed. The one that is open has only tea cups and vases, nothing extraordinary or exotic at all, and the girl working there has no real interest in helping him.  He hears the clanking of coins and witnesses her flirtation with the young men as all of the lights go out in the hall. His hope is lost, and he realizes that his small desires are unimportant, that he is unimportant. And he cries.

A $1,000 corporate bond with 20 years to maturity pays a coupon of 7% (semi-annual) and the market required rate of return is a) 6.6% b) 13%. What...

Using the zero-arbitrage assumption, we price the bond at the net present value of the cashflows it provides.

It provides the following cashflows:

$35 (1/2 * 7% * $1000) twice a year for the next 20 years

$1000 in 20 years

The net present value then depends upon our discount rate, which is assumed to be the same as the market interest rate, given as 6.6% in part A and 13% in part B.

NPV = 1000/(1+r)^20 + 35/(1+r)^(1/2) + 35/(1+r) + 35/(1+r)^3/2 + ...

NPV = 1000/(1+r)^20 + sum_{i = 1}^{40} 35/(1+r)^(i/2)

(Note: This formula assumes that the coupons start being paid 6 months from now and there is a coupon payment at the end of the 20 year period along with the principal. There may be some adjustments you need to make to this if the coupon payments start right away, and/or if the last one isn't paid.)

We can actually compute this geometric sum as a general formula, even if we don't know r yet:

NPV = 1000/(1+r)^40 + 35 (1 - (1+r)^(-40))/r

The r we want to us is actually half the given rate of return, because we are paying coupons twice a year. There are 40 paying periods in 20 years.
Put in r = 0.066/2 for part A and we get:

NPV = 1000/(1.033^40) + 35 (1 - 1.033^(-40))/0.033
NPV = 272.89 + 35 * (1 - 0.27289)/0.033
NPV = 272.89 + 771.18
NPV = 1044.07

Now let's put in r = 0.13/2 for part B:

NPV = 1000/(1.065^40) + 35 (1 - 1.065^(-40))/0.065
NPV = 80.54 + 35 (1 - 0.08054)/0.065
NPV = 80.54 + 495.09
NPV = 575.63

Let's do a sanity check here: For higher discount rates, we expect the bond to be worth less in today's money. And that is indeed what we find. For yield rate above discount rate, we expect to find a net present value larger than the face value—also what we found.

What is a good idea for a thesis on the following writing prompt? Examine the relationship of Romeo, Benvolio, and Mercutio. What traits and...

In Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Romeo, Benvolio and Mercutio have a close relationship, although they are very different in personality and temperament. Romeo is a passionate lover and often acts impetuously. He rarely takes time to reflect on his feelings. Rather, he indulges in what he desires. Benvolio is level headed and a peacemaker. He usually gives good advice and is a loyal friend. Mercutio is a cynic and a fighter. He is sometimes quick...

In Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Romeo, Benvolio and Mercutio have a close relationship, although they are very different in personality and temperament. Romeo is a passionate lover and often acts impetuously. He rarely takes time to reflect on his feelings. Rather, he indulges in what he desires. Benvolio is level headed and a peacemaker. He usually gives good advice and is a loyal friend. Mercutio is a cynic and a fighter. He is sometimes quick tempered and belligerent.

Romeo is a lover who wears his heart on his sleeve. When he is first introduced, he is moody and depressed about his unreciprocated love for Rosaline. He bears his soul to Benvolio about his feelings in Act I, Scene 1:

Griefs of mine own lie heavy in my breast,
Which thou wilt propagate to have it pressed
With more of thine. This love that thou hast shown
Doth add more grief to too much of mine own.

Romeo's depression, however, doesn't last long. When he first sees Juliet he forgets all about Rosaline. His temperament is mercurial as he instantly falls for the daughter of Capulet. One glance and he is in love. He says in Act I, Scene 5,

O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!
It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night
As a rich jewel in an Ethiop’s ear—
Beauty too rich for use, for Earth too dear.

Of course, his impetuous nature gets him in trouble. He rushes into marriage and then can't control himself after Tybalt kills Mercutio. He condemns himself to suicide on the word of a servant and doesn't consult with those who are wiser.

Benvolio is a good friend and, although he is loyal to the Montagues, he has sense enough to avoid fighting. In Act I, Scene 1, he tries to break up the fight between the servants. Later in that scene he is a good friend to Romeo when he advises his cousin to move on from his failed love for Rosaline. And, in Act III, Scene 1, he is again the peacemaker as he urges Mercutio to get off the street:

I pray thee, good Mercutio, let’s retire.
The day is hot, the Capels are abroad,
And if we meet we shall not ’scape a brawl,
For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring.

As his name suggests, Benvolio is good (the Latin root "ben" means good). He is loyal, honest and sensible. Unfortunately, his words often fall on deaf ears.

Mercutio is volatile. Soon after he is introduced, he launches into his Queen Mab speech. The speech reveals a preoccupation with both sex and violence. Throughout the play, Mercutio makes bawdy jokes, especially in the scene with the nurse. He also displays a violent nature in Act III, Scene 1 when he fights Tybalt. The audience may be believe that Mercutio is only standing up for Romeo but Mercutio is also anxious to match swords with Tyblat. He suggests such in Act II, Scene 4 as he goes on about dueling:

More than prince of cats. O, he’s the courageous
captain of compliments. He fights as you sing
prick-song, keeps time, distance, and proportion.
He rests his minim rests, one, two, and the third in
your bosom—the very butcher of a silk button, a
duelist, a duelist, a gentleman of the very first house
of the first and second cause. Ah, the immortal
passado, the punto reverso, the hay!

Mercutio also has a great wit. What other character would make jokes about their own death? To the very end, he is displaying his humor and cynicism as he puns on the word "grave" and at the same time condemns the feud:

No, ’tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as
a church door, but ’tis enough. ’Twill serve. Ask for
me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man. I
am peppered, I warrant, for this world. A plague o’
both your houses!