The traditional Chinese legal system Essay Example for Free

The traditional Chinese legal system Essay The traditional Chinese legal system has been designed to keep order, rather than to enforce a system of individual rights and equality. (Orts, 2001) The state is protected by reinforcing a social and moral structure that mirrors relationship within family to the relationship of the individual to the state. (Orts, 2001) At the heart of traditional Chinese thought is the idea that everything is dominated by a cosmic universe of which there are three forces: Heaven, Earth and Man. Worship of a Supreme Being is not part of the traditions beliefs, however the political foundation of the state is based on a supernatural order that Heaven’s representative on earth is the Emperor. (Orts, 2001) The Emperor therefore expected his subjects not merely to follow but to worship. The basis for his rule is almighty, but the laws by which he governs have no divine origin except that they are promulgated by the Emperor. (Orts, 2001) A new dynasty could, and usually did, wipe out the previous Code and establish an entirely new one. Since these laws were valid only to the extent that they had come from the Emperor, it would be difficult for a new dynasty to justify using the previous code. (Orts, 2001) Three major schools of thought dominated the Chinese empire: Confucianism, Taoism and Legalism (Fa Jia). (Orts, 2001) Taoism is both a religion and a philosophy, but since its primary influence is on Chinese art and poetry, it has little to say that is applicable to the legal system. The Confucian and Legalist schools of throughout have competed to dominate the imperial system of justice. (Orts, 2001) As the first â€Å"unified† Chinese imperial dynasty, the Qin dynasty relied on a legalist code of laws to ensure unity, obedience and loyalty to the governing body. (Fu, 1996) The later Han Dynasty maintained the Empire using a very different code derived from the teaching of Confucius. Though both dynasties ruled a vast unified Empire for a number of years, the methods, laws and governments they used were markedly different. The question underlying the contrast between legalism and Confucianism is whether either provides a formula for long-lasting, peaceful imperial rule. Although it was very short, the Qin is one of the most important legal system because it is the closest China came to a purely Legalist system. (Fu, 1996) The best original source on law in the Qin dynasty is from the grave of a Qin official discovered in the 1970s. (Fu, 1996)A set of administrative laws inscribed on sheets of bamboo set out common crimes and their punishments. These range from killing children or slaves without permission (as in later dynasties, a parent could seek approval from the magistrate to kill a child who had failed to obey them) to failure to care for one’s horses or not using the standard weights and measures. (Fu, 1996) The Qin were able to centralize their rule in central-eastern China as the most powerful of the Warring States. (Fu, 1996) Under the Qin, a centralized bureaucracy was established and the separate portions of the Great Wall were unified. The Qin dynasty also saw the construction of a road system, the division of the empire into states, and adoption of a series of standards in currency, weights and measures and an official script. (Fu, 1996) Under Qin ruler Qin Xioagong, Shang Yang wrote a series of reforms that would form the basis for the legal system under the Qin. (Fu, 1996) Although there was little time to implement his reforms before the Han took over, Shang’s reforms are considered the basis of the Legalist approach. In 356 BC, Shang ordered the destruction of documents on Confucian thinking, which unfortunately included volumes of material on the pre-Qin Confucian material such as the Book of Songs, and the Book of Documents. (Fu, 1996)He also organized the military into ranks and implemented Li Kui’s book of law. Six years later, Shang reformed the tax system and a standardized system of land allocation. (Fu, 1996)Shortly after the death of the Qin Xiaogong, Shang found himself the victim of one of the harsh punishments he advocated when he was executed by being pulled apart by four chariots. Following the death of Shang Yang, the campaign against Confucian scholars continued and hundreds of Confucian scholars were buried alive. (Fu, 1996) The Qin dynasty is important in comparison to later systems because despite the substantial success it had in establishing an infrastructure and a solid base of power from which to exert authority, the system collapsed upon itself. (Ren, 1997) The harsh punishments caused revolts by people who had incentive to revolt because they would otherwise be executed. (Ren, 1997) The rule of law during the Qin dynasty was influenced by the philosophical tenets of legalism. (Fu, 1996)Legalism is a philosophy that advocates strict adherence to law and obedience to authority. The laws in question tend to focus on punishment for disobedience. (Fu, 1996)The characteristics of legalism were necessary for the government to exercise the degree of control that it did, in order to unify China, and administer this large empire. (Fu, 1996)The legal philosophy of legalism defines law as a tool used by the powers that be to enforce behavior demanded of the leadership in question. As such, legalistic philosophy focuses upon the punitive aspect of law, rather than a positive aspect(Fu, 1996). A 1975 discovery of Qin legal documents gave historians their first detailed look at the specifics of administrative and criminal law in the Qin dynasty. (Fu, 1996) In terms of punishment given for offenses, the Qin legal code offered a gamut of severity that included several forms of execution, five types of mutilation, forced labor, shaving of a beard, and any number of monetary fines. (Fu, 1996) Theft of property had many penalties that were predicated on a number of factors. Such factors included the social rank of the perpetrators, the number of participants, and the value of the property stolen (or targeted for theft). (Fu, 1996)Punishments in the category of theft ranged from monetary fines to terms of bonded service. In the area of violent crimes, the penalties are clear and precise. An act of violence against a spouse or child warrants cutting off of a beard, as does mutilation of another in a fight. (Fu, 1996) The killing of children is punished with tattooing and hard labor. This only applies if the child in question is without physical or mental defects; in other cases, it is not illegal to kill a child. Conspiracy to commit murder is punishable by death, as is the murder of a male heir to a relative. Despite the reputation of Qin justice as cruel and arbitrary, investigation of crimes was done in a fairly meticulous manner. (Fu, 1996) Torture of witnesses, for example, had to be documented, and was only allowed in cases where a witness’ statement, freely given, did not make sense or contradicted known facts of the case. (Fu, 1996)It is also noted in Qin law that flogging is not the preferred way to obtain accurate information. In general, the laws of the Qin dynasty, rather than being arbitrary and cruel, reflect a sophisticated consideration of such matters as intent, mens rea, and degree of severity. (Fu, 1996)While the penalties outlined may seem to be quite extreme, they reflect nothing more than the practices and standards of the time and culture in which they were executed. (Fu, 1996) The Han dynasty is recognized for centralizing the Chinese empire and dissolving the noble-run state system. (Perenboom, 2002) In the place of the feudal system, the Han developed a bureaucracy, ostensibly merit-based, which would last for the next two millennia. Although we know less about the Han legal system than we do the later dynasties, the Han dynasty is worth a discussion because of the foundations it laid for physical and political infrastructure. (Perenboom, 2002) The population of the Chinese Empire under the Han was about 50 million. (Perenboom, 2002) It was during this period that the Silk Road, the trade route to the west, was developed. (Perenboom, 2002) Although the Han adopted Confucianism as the official state doctrine legalist influences remaining in the penal emphasis of the system and the formulaic quality of the laws (the crime of x is punished with y). From a Confucian perspective, modeling proper conduct was the best way to maintain order. (Perenboom, 2002) These rules of behavior are called li, a general code of proper human conduct in human society. (Perenboom, 2002) These rules incorporate institutions and relationships that are necessary for harmonious living. Legalists, however, propounded a written law with specific punishments that would deter bad behavior, which is referred to as fa. (Perenboom, 2002) Where li is designed to prevent conflict, fa is designed to punish it, and thereby deter. The school of philosophy based on the teachings of Confucius (551-479 BC) formed the basis of the traditional political system beginning in the Han Dynasty. (Perenboom, 2002) Confucius was from a minor noble family in what is now Shantung province. Although he never obtained an official position of any significant power, his students passed on his teaching on government and social relationships. (Perenboom, 2002) Confucianism recognizes five key relationships in society, each with its correct virtue. One of the most important was the relationship between father and son, and the primary virtue in that relationship was filial piety. (Perenboom, 2002) Another key relationship was that between ruler and subject, where loyalty was the proper attribution. (Perenboom, 2002) Brothers should exhibit, not surprisingly, brotherliness, and between husband and wife love and obedience was paramount. (Perenboom, 2002) Finally, between friends there should be faithfulness. (Perenboom, 2002) The moral feelings and obligations between people generally, and in the five relationships especially, are called jen. In Confucian thought, there is no separation between duties and mores in and to the family and the state. (Rosett, Cheng, Woo, 2003) Although the emperor has the greatest responsibility because he must care for his subjects as his children but he has little accountability to them. (Rosett, Cheng, Woo, 2003) The people’s relationship with the emperor is within the relationship of filial piety, they depend on him to be fair and act in their best interest, but they have no right to expect him to do so, and no recourse when he did not. The emperor was not accountable to the law; he had absolute authority to change and overrule the law on a case-by-case basis. He could also issue edicts to change the laws, and create ex post facto law. The hierarchy of relationships (li) was primary to the codified law (fa), and where the two conflicted the li should triumph. (Rosett, Cheng, Woo, 2003) Individual rights were subjugated to the paternalistic authority of the state. (Rosett, Cheng, Woo, 2003) Adherents to Confucianism were suspicious of an institutional law but accepted it as a necessary evil. Confucianists argued that a legal system of fa would encourage people to act exclusively in self-interest and lead to corruption. (Hucker, 1975) If everyone acted in their proper roles in accordance with the li and in the interest of their family and the state as the two concentric duties, theoretically there would be no need for a legal system. (Hucker, 1975) Practically, however, Confucian officials knew punishment would still be necessary where people failed to obey the li. However, Confucian scholars continued to argue that the moral training of the ruler was more useful to promote harmony than coercion. (Hucker, 1975) In the end, the Chinese legal system had a healthy amount of both. (Hucker, 1975) The first Han Emperor, Gaozu (256-195 BC), was one of only two Chinese emperors to rise from the peasant class. (Hucker, 1975) During the Qin dynasty, he was a low-level police officer in Jiangsu province who was detained in his duty of transporting prisoners by bad weather. According to the laws of the legalist Qin, this failure, even though he was not at fault, was punishable by death. Having nothing to lose, he led the prisoners in revolt. (Hucker, 1975) This group eventually grew into an army and he ended up in position to overthrow the Qin and establish a dynasty of his own. (Hucker, 1975) Although Confucianism was embraced as the official state doctrine, Gaozu recognized the importance of creating a written legal code. (Dull Chu, 1972) The official in charge of the legal code was Xiao He, who had served with Gaozu during the uprising. The code eventually the legal code took up 906 volumes, and was divided into 60 sections. (Dull Chu, 1972) Under Emperor Wu Di, the official Dong Zhongshu required that the verdicts be supported by a rationale which applied the statutes to the facts of the case. (Dull Chu, 1972) It was during this period that the first laws against the killing of slaves appeared. In addition, nobles and officials were not permitted any deference compared to peasants when it came to prosecution and punishment. (Dull Chu, 1972) Dong also imbued the laws with elements cosmic harmony. He believed that the legal system should try to sort out imbalances in yin and yang and reflect the harmony of the five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. (Dull Chu, 1972) Despite the wide application of laws, severe and grisly punishments were still popular. (Dull Chu, 1972) Typical punishments included killing of the defendant’s relatives, facial tattooing (particularly for theft), castration, amputation of the nose or of one or more of the feet, wearing an iron collar, exile, and a variety of methods of execution, such as death by cutting in two at the waist, boiling and beheading. Among the non-capital punishments, minor offenders were often subject to long terms of servitude on state projects. (Dull Chu, 1972) Exile was also used as a common punishment during the Han dynasty. (Dull Chu, 1972) Despite the similarities between Qin and Han law and punishment, the Confuscian philosophy of the Han dynasty became the one from which the rule of future dynasties would derive, while the legacy of the Qin dynasty was largely lost in the annels of history.

Function Of The Lymphatic System

Function Of The Lymphatic System The key function of the lymphatic system is to bring together and transport tissue fluids from the intercellular spaces that does gas exchange, water transport and also for ion movement into all the tissues of our body and then back to the veins into the blood system. It does an important role by returning plasma proteins to the bloodstream, and then digests the fats that are absorbed and then it transported from the villi into the small intestine then to the bloodstream thru the lacteals and lymph vessels. The new ones of lymphocytes are being factory-made in the lymph nodes antibodies and anti-assist that the body builds up an effective immunity to infectious diseases. The lymph node does an important role to protect mechanism of the body and it filters out micro-organisms such as, bacteria and foreign substances e.g. toxins. As it transports giant molecular compounds e.g. hormones and enzymes from their manufactured sites into to the bloodstream. The lymph nodes are small and they are bean-shaped like kidney It work as filter of the lymphatic fluid and as the lymph passes through the lymph nodes, pathogens present in the lymph activates lymphocytes and macrophages to destroy the microbes. Lymphatic vessels take place through the body beside arteries in the veins or viscera also in the subcutaneous tissue. They absent from the central nervous system to bone marrow, teeth, and avascular tissues. A lymph vessel transports the fluid it is called lymph, the lymph contains white blood cell that transports in and out of the bloodstream as its needed. If the body is attacked by a foreign substance, its often transported from the bloodstream into the lymphatic system for removal. The lymph vessels has not have central pump however, lymph needs to be transported by the peristaltic contractions of the vessels themselves. Lymphatic ducts are a main lymph vessel that gathers lymph draining from the right upper our body and head. The lymphatic duct is quarter-inch in diameter and about two inches long; it discharges into the right subclavian vein, delivering lymph into to the bloodstream. The thymus is an organ in the body controls the immune processes, the thymus procedure is a type of white blood cell that is known as a T-lymphocyte by this it means that they help our cells to recognise and destroy invading viruses, bacteria, abnormal cell growth e.g. cancer, and foreign tissues. Thymus gland helps to protect the heart along with the pericardium, as it produces hormones that stimulate the manufacture of certain infection fighting cells. In the children it helps immunity by producing white blood cell including T-cells. It atrophies as the child gets older therefore, person grows its roles becomes less so that the adults doesnt tend to have one as the bones and spleen take over those jobs. The spleens function is connected to the immune system or with the blood supply. The spleen get rid of the old red blood cells that is call erythrocytes from the blood supply and also removes stores and then produces white blood cell called lymphocytes. The lymphocyte produces antibodies and assists in removing microorganisms and bacteria from the blood supply. Task 2(M5) The lymphatic system maintenance the immune system in removing and destroying waste remains, toxins, dead blood cells, pathogens, and cancer cells. The lymphatic system absorbs fats and vitamins from the digestive system then delivers the nutrients to the cells where it uses it cells, also the lymphatic system get rid of excess fluid and also waste products from the interstitial spaces among the cells. The main maintain is the fluid and balance protein in the body, the lymphatic system performances as a minor circulatory system and plays a key role in continuing homeostasis good healthily. The Lymph is the fluid that is carried by the lymphatic system. It initiates as blood plasma the liquid component of the blood, after when it has been lost from the circulatory system due to hydrostatic pressure. Then the plasma leaks out of the blood vessel and into the surrounding tissues. Then it enters the lymphatic system once when its within the lymphatic system, the lymph has alike work to the original interstitial fluid, and the extracellular fluid that surrounds cells. The large gap between the cells is designed, which allows fluid, interstitial proteins and other e.g. bacteria to flow into the lymph capillary. The lymph has one way system that travels between the cells of the body, from the interstitial spaces to the subclavian veins just next of the neck. As the lymphatic system doesnt have no central pump like heart to pump it, its movement depends with the muscles and joint pumps. As it moves upper body towards the neck the lymph passes slowly through the lymph node that filters, it to remove debris and pathogens the neck lymph flows into the subclavian veins on whichever side of the neck. The fluid vertebral into the venous circulation of the circulatory system from the tissues in order to stop dehydration fights against the infections and recycle plasma protein. The blood carries nutrients, oxygen, and hormones for the cells. The 10% remaining of the fluid that stays in the tissues as its known as lymph. The 90% of this fluid then returns to the venous circulation through the venues and continues as venous blood. The (MALT) mucosa associated lymphoid tissue is immune responses to specific antigens come across alongside all mucosal surfaces, MALT inductive immune tissues where antigen sample occurs. The larger group function is like lymph nodes smaller, spreads MALT are mostly T lymphocytes also it has B cells and plasma cells. The IgA in the intestines and respiratory tract is to protect against pathogens that may access to underlay tissues. lymphatic-system Task 3 (D3) Infection of the Lymphatic System Lymphedema: One of the disorders which occurs due builds-up of lymphatic fluid in the interstitial tissue. The affects is swelling in the arm, legs and in other part of the body. The harshness of this disorder varies an abnormal virus which is painful, disfiguring and cellulite infections deep in skin. If this doesnt get treated, the skin eventually becomes fibrotic thickening of the skin and subcutaneous tissues losing normal structure, functionality and movement. There are two types: Primary Lymphedema: Is genetic condition that occurs due to impaired or missing lymphatic vessels, which can affect from one to several as four limbs at other part of the body this may carry an internal organ which could be exhibited at birth, develops onset of puberty or happens in adulthood without any apparent causes. Secondary Lymphedema: is basically developed regional lymphatic insufficiency which occurs due to infection, any operation or suffocating that disrupts the lymphatic vessels or even loss lymph nodes. http://i3.squidoocdn.com/resize/squidoo_images/-1/lens8897831_1262976791exercise_for_lymphedema.ghttps://www.vascularweb.org/vascularhealth/PublishingImages/NorthPoint%20Images/Lymphedema_01_Base_225.jpg There are a few abnormal count of the patients blood: His Red Blood (Platelet count) is in the normal range, but its very low His white blood cell count is higher than the normal average range, its 15.0 when its meant to be between 4.0 -6.0 His Basophilis and Eosinophils both are very low His Lymphocytes is too high, its over the normal range His Monocytes is in the average but its high The underlying mechanisms that could have produced this abnormal blood count in a patient with Lymphoma, is because Lymphoma is a cancer that attacks the white blood cell by that the patients blood count to have Lymphoma. Patients with lymphoma produce abnormal lymphocytes, which they are white blood cell. Lymphocytes are mostly found in the lymphoid tissues and lymph nodes, which that make the lymphatic system. this is where lymphoma occurs

The Old Man and the Sea :: essays research papers

Hemingway’s use of symbols and the metaphors beyond the symbols is phenomenal. Metaphors are an implied analogy that has an ideal that is being expressed and it also has an image by which that idea is conveyed. Establishing the similarities between the following dissimilarities is what helps to identify the metaphors behind the symbols in Hemingway’s writings. He uses things as symbols to help express the old man’s deep feelings in his journey through life. In The Old Man and the Sea the boy is brought to attention by the old man more than anything else in the story is. The old man, Santiago, thinks of the boy as the little boy that he used to take fishing and carefully watch over. Now that the boy, Manolin, has grown up, the old man still refuses to acknowledge his maturity. While the old man is on his lengthy fishing trip, looking for the greatest catch of all times, he finds himself delirious at times, wanting for the boy. On page 51, Aloud he said, â€Å"I wish I had the boy.† But you haven’t got the boy, he thought. You have only yourself and you had better work back to the last line now, in the dark or not in the dark, and cut it away and hook up the two reserve coils. That is one example of the symbol of the boy in this book. The boy is a symbol of youth, potency and hope to the old man in trial times. Santiago began to talk to the boy aloud at one point and he also wished several times that the boy could have been with him on his length search of the greatest catch of all. The fish withholds a great part in this book. The Old Man and the Sea is a book that’s about a small town where the residents revolve their lives around fishing. The fish is a symbol of beauty and it is a greatly admired creature to these people. An example from the book is on page 49. Santiago has been fishing for 84 days and decides not to return home without a fish on the 85th day. On the 85th day, alone in the boat, he manages to hook an enormous marlin, the biggest fish he's ever seen in all his life. The fish is larger and stronger than Santiago. Santiago's experienced fishing skills and his will to catch and survive push him to pursue the fish for many days and many miles out to sea.

Comparison of Wendys International, Inc. and Starbucks Corporation Bas

Comparison of Wendy's International, Inc. and Starbucks Corporation Based on Finances Wendy's International, Inc., incorporated in 1969, is primarily engaged in the business of operating, developing and franchising a system of quick-service and fast-casual restaurants. As of December 28, 2003, there were 6,481 Wendy's restaurants (Wendy's) in operation in the United States and in 21 other countries and territories. Of these restaurants, 1,465 were operated by the Company and 5,016 by its franchisees. As of December 28, 2003, the Company and its franchisees operated 2,527 Tim Hortons (Hortons) restaurants with 2,343 restaurants in Canada and 184 restaurants in the United States ¡]Smart money, 2004. Starbucks Corporation purchases and roasts whole bean coffees and sells them. As of September 28, 2003 (fiscal year-end 2003), Starbucks operated a total of 4,546 retail stores. Starbucks sells coffee and tea products through other channels, and, through certain of its equity investees. The Company has two operating segments, United States and International, each of which include Company-operated retail stores and Specialty Operations. Starbucks opened 602 new Company-operated stores during fiscal 2003. As of fiscal year-end, Starbucks had 3,779 Company-operated stores in the United States, 373 in the United Kingdom, 316 in Canada, 40 in Australia and 38 in Thailand.  ¡]Smart money, 2004 ¡^ In this financial analysis report, I will compare and contrast these two companies ¡Ã‚ ¦ finance based on their annual report and related websites. There are four parts in this report. It includes Financial Ratios, WACC, Working Capital and Dividend policy. Part  ¢Ã‚ ¹Compare and Contrast of the Financial Ratios Profitability Ratios The Retails-Eating Places industry is a very competitive area for companies to survive. Both Starbucks and Wendy ¡Ã‚ ¦s are excellent companies to earn a lot of profit in this industry. Return on sales (ROS): Harrington (2004) said that  ¡Ã‚ §this ratio indicates that what percentage of each dollar of revenue is available for the owners after all the expenses are paid to other suppliers. This ratio is related to net income and net sales which I found from the income statements of both Starbucks and Wendy ¡Ã‚ ¦s in their annual reports. The return on sales is the key profitability ratio. This ratio tells the analyst what proportion of the revenues ... ...urchasing the company's own shares, acquiring new companies and profitable assets, and reinvesting in financial assets (McClure, 2004) . Bibliography Harrington, D. (2004) Corporate Financial Analysis. 7th ed. Ohio, South-Western. Hoover ¡Ã‚ ¦s Company Records (2004) database [Internet] Available from: < http://ezproxy.mala.bc.ca:2051/pqdweb?RQT=573&TS=1098648711&clientId=7024&LASTSRCHMODE=2> [Accessed 18 Oct 2004] Mergent Online (2004) database [Internet] Available from: < http://ezproxy.mala.bc.ca:2129/compsearch.asp> [Accessed 12 Oct 2004] Reuters website (2004) Investing [Internet] Available from: [Accessed 15 Oct 2004] Ross, S.A., Westerfield, R.W., Jaffe, J.F., & Roberts, G.S (2001) Corporate Finance. 3 th ed.Toronto, McGraw-Hill Ryerson. Seiler. M, (1996) Adverse selection in capital budgeting decision making. Management Research News, 19(8), pp.61-67 Smart Money website (2004) [Internet] Available from: < http://smartmoney.com/> [Accessed 15 Oct 2004] Wendy ¡Ã‚ ¦s International, Inc. website (2004) [Internet] Available from: [Accessed 13 Oct 2004] Yahoo Finance website (2004) [Internet] Available from: [Accessed 12 Oct 2004]

College Admissions Essay: Remembering Mom :: College Admissions Essays

Remembering Mom    The memory of that Christmas Eve years ago still lingers in my mind. Who would have known that a simple candle made of wax and wick would change my way of thinking forever...    Christmas Eve was a special time for Momma and Poppa. Even though there never was enough money to go down to the neighborhood stores to buy presents, Momma and Poppa always made sure I had one present on Christmas morning. In years past I had received a doll made from worn out clothing, with a painted face and hair of yarn. A box made of wood carved by Poppa with my name encircled with a heart. One gift to a young child may not be much, but Momma and Poppa always made sure there was something under our tiny Christmas tree.    But this year Momma was not home for Christmas. The Angels had come for her earlier the summer before. Poppa had grown weary working jobs that paid very little and kept him away for days on end. Leaving me to tend to the house and to keep up with my schooling. Momma always knew what the perfect gift would be that would make my Christmas complete. She was the one who made the doll and suggested the box that I still hold dear today. But now Momma was gone and Poppa was away, leaving me alone on Christmas Eve.    I sat alone reading by the dim light of the last candle that I found in Mommas nightstand. Momma made such beautiful candles, dipping each wick lovingly into the hot wax over and over until the candles took form. Before gently hanging them up to dry she would take a knife and carve a word on each one. Through the years, I had seen the words hope, love, giving, along with a multitude of others. I took the candle down from stand and this one had one word cut delicately in its side...remember.    How odd a word to put on one of her lovely candles. It seemed strange not to see a word of hope, love, charity or even family. Remember. Why would Momma put such a simple word on this last candle? Taking the candle down from the shelf, memories of Momma flooded into my mind. Her soft golden hair, the smell of her favorite perfume, even the memory of her voice seemed to echo in my ear.

China – the aims and effects of the one child policy

A variety of social policies aimed at controlling population change have been established around the world. But in this answer I will be evaluating a very controversial example of a policy that aimed to tackle rapid population growth by reducing fertility rate (also known as anti-natalist) – China's One-Child Policy. During the second half of the twentieth century, the Chinese government became concerned about the population growth; this is mainly due to the philosophy of the government under Chairman Mao, in the mid-twentieth century, which was that ‘a large population gives a strong nation' and so the government encouraged people to have more and more children. This consequently led to an increase in population of 55 million every year and a famine in 1962 which caused nearly 30 million deaths. This massive growth in population forced a policy change in 1974, in order to avoid a Malthusian-type disaster in the future (The theory that population increases more rapidly than the food supply leading to famine and, inevitably, death). It encouraged the country to reduce the birth rate by the slogan ‘wan-xi-shao' which called for later marriages, longer gaps between children and fewer children. However, this policy was not effective enough, and the population continued increasing and did not follow the pattern of the DTM (demographic transition model). This then led the government to introduce the one-child policy in 1979, which set strict limits on the number of children that a couple were allowed to have. In order to further enforce this policy; strong pressure was put on women to use contraceptives (e.g. contraceptive pills) which were more widely available. Special family planners and ‘granny police' were introduced in order to make sure that women were practising contraception and were instructed to report any pregnancies. The government also introduce incentives like; free healthcare and education for one child and then fines for more than one child. Also, more controversially, enforced late abortions and sterilisation became common, which mainly human rights activist heavily criticised and opposed. However, the policy had very negative effects on the country. Firstly, it led to female infanticide; where couples preferred sons, and baby girls were killed so they could have another chance of getting a boy. This occurred more often in rural areas, where there was less control from the government, and also where traditions were most important. This was mainly because male descendents were preferred as they can carry on the family name from generation to generation. This male dominance led to an imbalance in male to female sex ratio, where the number of men far exceeded that of men. This then further lowered fertility rates as there weren't enough women ‘to go round'. As well as an imbalance in the sex ratio, where was also an imbalance in the age ratio, as the policy vastly increased the dependency ratio and the country suffered from an ageing population. This was mainly due to the ‘4-2-1' situation, which meant that ‘1' child had to look after their ‘2' parents and ‘4' grandparents all at the same time and because of the increasing life expectancy. The policy also led to social implications on the child itself, such as the spoilt ‘little emperor' syndrome where the attention of the family fell on one child. It is also suggested that it had a negative effect on the child's social skills, as they grew up with no other siblings, therefore found it harder to integrate into society and led to poor communication skills. However, from 1990 onwards, the policy was slightly relaxed in order to combat some of the problems. For example, only-child couples were allowed to have two children, in order to relieve some of dependency on the children and also because they were concerned about the economic implications of an ageing population. In addition, the policy became harder to enforce for reasons such as the revolution in global communication and socialisation, which opened up the country to much greater social influence from the west. However, in more remote parts of the country, the policy is still encouraged. For example, the authorities in Guangdong (state capital) order 20,000 abortions and sterilisations by the end of 2001. Despite all of the negative implications, the decrease in overall population growth has had some positive effects, such as the positive economic growth. This was mainly due to the major decrease in demand for resources to support the needs of the population, which in turn led to a reduction in the stress placed upon the environment. There was also a drop in unemployment due to labour surplus and more disposable being available due to less money being spent on children. In conclusion, I believe that the one-child policy was a very brutal policy that disregarded the basic human rights of people and that a more gentle approach should have been taken. However, there is no argument that population management was inevitable in order to maintain a high standard of living, and that the one-child policy has avoided a Malthusian-type disaster (e.g. famine and war) and has better stabilised the population of China. This is because 400 million births were prevented and the annual growth rate had fallen to 0.6% as well. It is also clear that the policy is evolving for the better, as by 2006 the Chinese government moved towards a more health-orientated policy and committed itself to implement international agreements, promoting mother and child welfare.

Reading in the English Literary Heritage-response to Shakespeare Essay

Write an essay, which focuses on the character of Lady Macbeth as presented in act five, scene one and the scenes leading up to the murder of King Duncan. In act five, scene one the audience sees one of the many facets of Lady Macbeth’s complex character as she is seen to be sleepwalking, while being carefully observed by her waiting gentlewoman and a doctor of physic. Her gentlewoman introduces this deranged behaviour, when she says, â€Å"Lo you, here she comes. This is her guise and, upon my life, fast asleep.† There are many possibilities to be explored that could be found to be the impetus bringing Lady Macbeth to sleepwalk. The first being that in Shakespeare’s time a person found to be sleepwalking meant that evil spirits and demons possessed them. Lady Macbeth played a forceful role in the scheming, leading up to the murder of Duncan and was heavily involved in the event itself. In act two, scene two; exasperated with Macbeth, Lady Macbeth takes the daggers to smear Duncan’s blood on his servants’ faces. The sight of Duncan’s blood has had a profound effect on her and in act five, scene one this becomes apparent when she says in her sleep, † Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him.† In saying this line she is remembering and reflecting on the moment of when she placed the bloody daggers next to the guards. She is thinking about how much Duncan bled. The image of Duncan’s blood on the daggers and on her hands has stuck in her mind and is plaguing her thoughts, so much so that she is desperate to be cleansed. The crime is lying very heavily on her conscience and her heart and she longs to be cleansed of the blood, which is symbolic of her guilt at the deeds she has committed. While in a frantic, frenzy she says, â€Å"Out damned spot! Out, I say!† Whilst delivering this line, Lady Macbeth excessively rubs her hands in a washing motion. Although this is not a stage direction in the play, it is implied by the gentlewoman’s line, â€Å"It is an accustomed action with her, to seem thus washing her hands.† This action of Lady Macbeth suggests that her conscience and imagination are deceiving her causing her to have an illusive image of her hands covered in blood. She is trying to erase herself of the guilt she now feels at murdering Duncan. Although in Act two, scene two Lady Macbeth, says to Macbeth, â€Å"A little water clears us of this deed.† By this she means that with water the blood will wash off and they can forget that the murder ever happened. However, in act five, scene one she is distressed because she can’t get rid of the vision of blood and the feeling of guilt. She says, â€Å"What, will these hands ne’er be clean?† This rhetorical question is almost a statement from Lady Macbeth in a state of desperation questioning whether she will ever be able to be rid of the guilt at what she has done. All throughout this scene Lady Macbeth is in a state of mental turmoil and most of her deepest, most private thoughts and feelings are revealed. Subtly this illustrates how men and women in Shakespeare’s time had vastly different roles. Lady Macbeth has no one to talk to with a head full of anxieties, regrets and confusion. She is isolated and alone. Her thoughts about the murder and how distant Macbeth has become are driving her mad, which is manifested by her sleepwalking. Whereas Macbeth’s fears are displayed in act three, scene four at a banquet, when Macbeth is unnerved at his mind’s illusion of Banquo’s ghost. These feelings of Macbeth are shown at an extremely public event, a banquet surrounded by all his lords and important men in society. However Lady Macbeth’s fears are revealed in the private setting of her bedroom. She has to be much more conservative than Macbeth as it is her role to be publicly stable. Macbeth is permitted to expose his true sentiments, because he is king and furthermore because he is a man. In the time before the murder, Lady Macbeth loved life and she and Macbeth had the perfect partnership. They saw each other as equals and were both ambitious and secure in their relationship and their position in society, although Lady Macbeth was continuously striving for more. Despite all this, after the murder they have drifted apart. They no longer control things together and the emotional distance between them means Lady Macbeth fears what her tyrant husband will do next because she feels she no longer knows him as she once did. Evidence of this can be found in the fragmented language she uses when sleepwalking, that echoes her own and Macbeth’s words about past murders: Duncan, Lady Macduff and Banquo. Her tortured imagination peregrinates over past conversations she has had with Macbeth. At first she ponders on the murder of Duncan, â€Å"One, two. Why then ’tis time to do’t.† Which is referring to what Macbeth says to her in act two scene two, just before he goes to carry out the murder, â€Å"I go and it is done. The bell invites me.† Then she turns her attentions to the murder of Lady Macduff and her children, she says, â€Å"The thane of Fife had a wife. Where is she now?† Following this she relives what she says to Macbeth at the banquet in reassurance to convince him that he can’t see Banquo. â€Å"Banquo’s buried; he cannot come out on’s grave.† However, Lady Macbeth continuously goes back to the murder of Duncan, which implies that compared to the other murders she was most affected by it. This is because she was heavily involved so it was when her state of mind and all the different aspects of her life changed suddenly and dramatically. Repeatedly Lady Macbeth restates lines that she said to Macbeth in a desperate attempt to re-establish the connection that she and Macbeth once had. As Macbeth no longer seems to exist for her, she has become extremely isolated and in saying lines such as, â€Å"Come, come, give me your hand.† She is yearning for the security of her own marriage. While sleepwalking, Lady Macbeth carries with her a candle. As suggested in her gentlewoman’s line, â€Å"She has light by her continually, ’tis her command.† Lady Macbeth is frightened of darkness and always needs the security of light around her. This may be because Duncan’s murder was committed at night in darkness and she is frightened of his ghost or of being murdered herself in darkness. However it is a strong contrast to the start of the play, Act 1 Scene 5 where she pleads for darkness, so she and Macbeth can murder Duncan. â€Å"Come, thick night, and pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell, that my keen knife see not the wound it make.† It is also a contrast of the personality and state of mind of Lady Macbeth; at the beginning of the play she is a strong, confident, motivated and ambitious woman and the driving force behind Macbeth. However as the play develops she becomes less assertive, and more unsettled. Lady Macbeth thought that once the murder of Duncan was accomplished and completed, it would be finished and she and Macbeth would become successful rulers of Scotland. She reflects on this thought in act five, scene one, by saying, â€Å"Who knows it, when none can call our power to account?† Nevertheless only one part of this dream of the future has come to life and that is that she and Macbeth are rulers of Scotland. Duncan’s murder was far from the end of that series of events for Lady Macbeth; instead it has provoked lots and changed everything. The sleepwalking portrays this and shows that she is unsettled, maybe because of her unfulfilled dreams. The audience is shown another feature of Lady Macbeth’s character in act five, scene one. Her sentiments are expressed with a simplistic use of language, with the use of prose as opposed to verse. For example, â€Å"Here’s the smell of blood still; all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. O, O, O.† This uncovers what Lady Macbeth is truly feeling in her heart and head. Her human emotions are also demonstrated about her regret at the amount of bloodshed, and the audience sees her as not just a manipulator but as scared, vulnerable and confused woman. Her gentlewoman says in sympathy for her, â€Å"I would not have such as heart in my bosom for the dignity of the whole body.† The presence of the doctor and the waiting gentlewoman add to the effectiveness of this scene by the way they react to what Lady Macbeth is doing and saying. When the doctor realises what Lady Macbeth is reliving and saying about the murders he is unsure, horrified and can’t make sense of it. Whereas the waiting gentlewoman already knew about the murders from Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking in the past and she knows she could be in serious trouble if the doctor tells anyone what he has discovered. She says to the doctor, â€Å"Neither to you, nor anyone, having no witness to confirm my speech.† However the doctor and the waiting gentlewoman are both innocent onlookers on the situation and have mixed emotions. Whereas they are both horrified at what they hear, they can’t make sense of it and feel pity for Lady Macbeth and how troubled she is. The doctor says, â€Å"My mind she has mated and amazed my sight.† And, â€Å"The heart is sorely charged.† This all adds to the effectiveness of the scene because it shows a normal person’s reaction to what has happened to Lady Macbeth, which also shows a contrast to the audience between her uneasy and almost insane character and that of a sane, rational person. This enhances Lady Macbeth’s character for the audience. Further more when the doctor says, â€Å"This disease is beyond my practice. More needs she the divine than the physician.† There is a feeling of sadness and sympathy from him. This provokes the same feelings from the audience. In the first half of the play the audience saw Lady Macbeth as a strong, female character, (relative to Shakespeare’s times) and now they see that she has a tyrant of a husband, who has no conscience and she is bearing all the guilt of their actions for both of them. I believe that Shakespeare wanted to affect the audience in this scene and make them have some sympathy for Lady Macbeth. The dramatic function of the presence of the doctor and waiting gentlewoman in this scene is to narrate to the audience the scenes events and explain to them what is happening. The doctor gives detailed descriptions of what is happening, for example, â€Å"Look how she rubs her hands.† It is then the waiting gentlewoman who commentates further and emphasizes the events, and also adding some further information, beyond the scene, such as, â€Å"It is an accustomed action with her, to seem thus washing her hands; I have known her continue in this a quarter of an hour.† This gives the audience additional information about the events, which increases the effect of the scene because it is delving into the reasons of Lady Macbeth’s increasing uneasiness. One could consider that Shakespeare’s dramatic purpose of placing this scene at this point in the play is to show the transformation and variation in Lady Macbeth’s character. Prior to this scene in the play the audience sees Lady Macbeth as a strong, ambitious, female. Throughout act five, scene one Shakespeare reminds the audience of the past events leading up to the murder of Duncan and how Lady Macbeth has come to be so disrupted, unsettled and disturbed. The scene summarizes previous events, while also depicting Lady Macbeth’s state of mind to the audience and showing the transformation of her character. Act five, scene one’s dramatic purpose is to be in a position to be able to be a conclusive scene of the beginning of the plays events, before moving on to the downfall of Macbeth. The opening scene of the play grabs the audience’s attention as three witches appear on stage. The witches would have scared an audience in Shakespeare’s times because they was a strong belief in superstition but nowadays it takes a lot more to scare an audience. In act one, scene one; briefly the witches arrange a meeting with Macbeth on a heath. â€Å"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?† To which the reply is, â€Å"Upon the heath. There to meet with Macbeth.† In act one, scene two Macbeth is instantly introduced as a heroic, strong character by the Captain of a battle, in which Macbeth defeats the rebel enemy Macdonald, personally killing him against the odds. â€Å"For brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name-disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel, which smoked with bloody execution.† Reflecting on this King Duncan sentences a traitor, the Thane of Cawdor and awards this title to Macbeth. â€Å"No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive. Go pronounce his present death and with his former title greet Macbeth. What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won.† The witches are re-introduced to the audience in act one, scene three, this time on the heath in foul weather, which serves to increase the dramatic effect. They are waiting for Macbeth to come. The witches are evil women, who plan to use their power. As they wait for Macbeth they plot to torment a sea captain whose wife has tormented them, by describing terrible things, which makes the start of the scene quite violently disturbing, with a threatening atmosphere. Macbeth’s arrival is signalled by a drum, â€Å"A drum, a drum; Macbeth doth come.† Says the third witch. As Macbeth enters for the first time in the play, with fellow warrior Banquo, his initial words are, â€Å"So foul and fair a day I have not seen.† Immediately this establishes a connection between Macbeth and the witches, as their lines in the opening scene were, â€Å"Fair is foul, and foul is fair.† Also the witches are called the weà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½rd sisters, and in Anglo-Saxon mythology, weà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½rd sisters were the goddesses of destiny who predicted the future. When Macbeth and Banquo enter they are puzzled as to what these beings are with such a revolting appearance, Banquo describes them, â€Å"So withered and so wild in their attire, that look not like th’inhabitants o’th’earth. Each at once her choppy finger laying upon her skinny lips; you should be women and yet your beards forbid me to interpret that you are so.† What happens next is very significant for the rest of the play. The witches’ prophecy about Macbeth and his future and then at his request, Banquo, † All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Glamis. Thane of Cawdor. That shalt be king hereafter.† They predict that Macbeth will have these titles and that Banquo’s descendants will be kings, but he himself will not. â€Å"Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none.† Then refusing to answer Macbeth’s questions the witches vanish in front of Macbeth and Banquo, leaving them shocked, bewildered and discombobulated. The witches come to Macbeth at exactly the right moment and place to shock him. He is fresh from the killings at the battle and his raw ambition is hungry for greater things. The witches introduce these things to him by speaking his innermost thoughts and tempting him with his own aspirations and predilections. Macbeth and Banquo are both left to reflect on what the witches have just said to them and to try to make some sense of it when Ross enters, telling Macbeth of his new title, Thane of Cawdor, â€Å"He bade me, from him, call thee Thane of Cawdor: In which addition, hail most worthy thane, for it is thine.† This shocks Macbeth, as he says, almost accusingly, â€Å"Why do you dress me in borrowed robes?† Then, later in the scene three, Macbeth exposes his initial thoughts in an aside to the audience about the witches’ prophecy and how there moral implications have affected him. Macbeth’s mind is in turmoil, as he battles with his conscience and his desires over how he should behave in response to the witches’ prophecy. He is disturbed and horrified at the thought of killing Duncan, as they have great respect for each other, but he desperately wants to become king, that is his deepest ambition and desire, â€Å"Why do I yield to that suggestion, whose horrid image doth unfix my hair and make my seated heart knock at my ribs against the use of nature?† However he resolves with himself to accept the future and the changes it will bring, â€Å"If chance will have me king, why chance may crown me without my stir.† Whereas Banquo uses the imagery of clothes to elucidate Macbeth’s, â€Å"rapt†. He says, â€Å"New honours come upon him like our strange garments, cleave no to their mould, but with the aid of use.† During act one, scene four, Duncan reveals and announces that his own son, Malcolm is to be heir to the throne. This irritates and appalls Macbeth; if Duncan had not named Malcolm as his heir, the thanes would have elected the next king after Duncan’s death, and as Macbeth is a honoured warrior, there was a possibility he would have been elected. The audience sees another facet to Macbeth’s character when in an aside he says about his annoyance, â€Å"That is a step on which I must fall down, or else o’erleap, for in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires, let not see my black and deep desires, the eye wink at the hand.† These lines really seal Macbeth’s evil intentions and it is maybe what makes him decide, definitely that he will be king, whatever the consequences are for others and him. When the audience first sees Lady Macbeth in act one, scene five, she is reading Macbeth’s letter in which his meeting with the witches is described to her, â€Å"They met me in the day of success, and I have learned by the perfectest report they have more in them than mortal knowledge.† In reading the letter further, Lady Macbeth learns of the witches’ prophecy and that the first, that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor has been fulfilled almost right away. Previously Macbeth has demonstrated his disgust at the thought of the murder of Duncan and the consequence and repercussions it would have. After reading the letter Lady Macbeth reinforces these emotions and thoughts by saying in her first soliloquy, â€Å"Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt be what thou art promised.† Lady Macbeth knows her husband is ambitious and passionate about his dreams of kingship, but she also knows and feels that he is too fair and conscientious about what is wrong and what is right. She says, â€Å"I do fear thy nature it is too full o’th’milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way.† We know Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are great partners, who share everything, and know each other inside- out, and this is confirmed in Macbeth’s letter when he refers to her as, â€Å"My dearest partner of greatness.† However, taking this into account Lady Macbeth realises that to become queen of Scotland and to realise her own and Macbeth’s dreams she will have do or sacrifice anything to get this. She says, â€Å"What thou wouldst highly, that wouldst holily; wouldst not play false, and yet wouldst wrongly win.† Saying this it appears as though Lady Macbeth’s naked ambition is almost stronger than her husbands. She seems to disregard morals in order to get what she wants and has unbelievably strong willpower and determination. Once she has decided Macbeth will be king, then she starts to introduce supernatural forces and the idea of inviting in evil spirits to help her succeed. â€Å"That I may pour my spirits in thine ear and chastise with the valour of my tongue.† It is when Lady Macbeth is told of Duncan’s plans to visit the castle that her ambition and wickedness bloom and become very apparent. She knows that this is her chance to seize the moment and facilitate Macbeth’s future role as king of Scotland. In her second soliloquy she summons up her evil spirits in the form of magic to assist her with her murderous plans for Duncan. She refers to a raven, which is a bird, seen as an evil omen and then she says, â€Å"Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here and fill me from the crown to the toe top full of direst cruelty; make thick my blood, stop up th’access and passage to remorse.† In saying this, it is clear that she no longer just wants to be an ambitious and dominant woman, her desire is to become evil personified, pitiless and with no sense of morals. She says, â€Å"Come to my woman’s breasts and take my milk for gall, you murd’ring ministers.† She is saying that she wants her breasts to be full of poison, rather than â€Å"the milk of human kindness.† Which is what she described Macbeth as having. Lady Macbeth closes her speech with triumph, summoning night, death and hell. She pleads for a disguise for the crime that she and Macbeth will commit. â€Å"Come, thick night, and pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell, that my keen knife see not the wound it makes, nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark.† Lady Macbeth almost seems to have changed from an ambitious, forceful woman into an evil woman, harbouring evil spirits and thoughts. However in reality she is still a mortal woman, whose actions will cause her to suffer great consequence and remorse. As Macbeth enters, Lady Macbeth greeting echoes that of the witches. â€Å"Great Glamis, worthy Cawdor, Greater than both by the all-hail hereafter.† This suggests that she now has formed a connection with the dark side and that evil spirits really are deeply entwined in her thoughts and actions. The instant she starts a conversation with Macbeth, she makes it clear what is going to happen to Duncan that night, â€Å"O never shall sun that morrow see.† She is implying in her words that after that night Duncan will never see sunlight again, because he will be dead. Lady Macbeth instructs Macbeth to, â€Å"Look like th’innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t.† She makes an analogy, in which she compares Macbeth to be a serpent, which is biblically an evil creature. Then she takes control of the situation and Macbeth with a strong sense of purpose and character that is ruthless, â€Å"To alter favour ever is to fear. Leave all the rest to me.† When Duncan arrives at the castle in scene six Lady Macbeth confidently leads him inside and to his death with a sense of triumph. â€Å"Your servants ever have theirs, themselves, and what is theirs in count to make audit at your highness’ pleasure, still to return to your own.† However during this time, leading up to the murder Lady Macbeth continuously has to reinforce her plans, courage and strong will onto Macbeth, who shows reluctance in accepting it. At the start of scene seven, Macbeth is seen to be agonising relentlessly with his conscience over killing Duncan and the consequences it will incur. He wrestles with his conscience, saying, â€Å"If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well it were done quickly.† Then he has a change of heart saying, â€Å"He’s here in double trust: First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, strong both against the deed; then as his host, who should against his murderer shut the door, not bear the k nife myself.† This private reasoning continues until, finally Lady Macbeth appears and puts a stop to it. At first Macbeth refuses to do the murder, saying, â€Å"We will proceed no further in this business.† However his efforts are wasted on her as she turns angrily on him and we see her become a manipulating, strong willed woman again. Immediately she turns things around on Macbeth and simply points out that he implied that the murder was the only thing to do. â€Å"Was the hoe drunk? Hath it slept since? And wakes it now to look so green and pale at what it did so freely? From this time, such I account thy love.† She also says that if he is taking back all the things he said, she will assume that that is true about how strongly he loves her. This would hurt Macbeth and also come as quite a surprise as they have such an intense and loving relationship. Then more effectively she torments Macbeth about his masculinity by calling him a coward. â€Å"Live a coward in thine own esteem.† She knows Macbeth well enough to know that will upset him because he is publicly known as a heroic warrior, however it doesn’t get the reaction she wants as he points out to her that he is merely a man. I dare do all that may become a man; who dares do more is none.† Furthermore Lady Macbeth makes the ultimate taunt to persuade her husband to kill Duncan by saying she would kill their child. â€Å"I have given suck and know how tender ’tis to love the babe that milks me: I would, while it was smiling in my face, have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums and dashed the brains out, had I sworn as you have done this.† In saying this Lady Macbeth is playing her womanliness against Macbeth’s manliness by saying she would make the ultimate sacrifice to keep the promise he has made. She makes the point that she once was a mother, and she could remember the overwhelming love she felt for her child, but she would have given it all up to make Macbeth king. Lady Macbeth is also clever in realising she needs to use violent, disturbing, grotesque imagery for Macbeth as a shock tactic to convince him to murder Duncan, as this night is their perfect opportunity. At this point Macbeth offers no resistance to his wife’s strength and force over him, as he knows he will not overcome her determination and extreme assertiveness, â€Å"Bring forth men-children only, for thy undaunted mettle should compose nothing but males.† He only questions what should happen if they were to fail, which she replies in an extremely optimistic, self assured and almost over confident manner, â€Å"Who dares receive it other, as we shall make our griefs and clamour roar upon his death!† The plan for the murder is organised and in act one, scene seven Macbeth leaves to complete it saying, almost wearily and sadly, â€Å"I go and it is done. The bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan, for it is knell that summons thee to heaven or hell.† In act two, scene two, exhilarated by alcohol and anticipation Lady Macbeth awaits her husband to confirm that the murder is done. â€Å"That which hath made them drunk, hath made me bold; what hath quenched them, hath given me fire.† She has drugged Duncan’s bodyguards, but is afraid that Macbeth may have been too cowardly to carry out the murder. â€Å"I have drugged their possets, that death and nature do contend about them, whether they live, or die.† It is then, when Lady Macbeth reveals her single weakness up until this point, which is why she couldn’t or wouldn’t murder Duncan herself, â€Å"Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done’t.† This is another facet of her character shown, as we start to see her humane side exposed and vulnerable. Following this Macbeth returns to Lady Macbeth to say he has completed the murder in a terrible state of remorse and fear of what will punish him of the crime he has just committed. â€Å"Wherefore I could not pronounce ‘Amen’? I had most need of blessing, and ‘Amen’ stuck in my throat.† He is obsessively panicky because he cannot say ‘Amen’. It is then, that Lady Macbeth regains control of the situation and transforms into an iron willed woman again in order to hold Macbeth together. She says to him in an ironic and impatient manner, dismissing his hallucinations of a voice crying he had murdered sleep, â€Å"These deeds must not be thought after these ways; so, it will make us mad.† It is then when she sees that Macbeth has brought the bloody daggers back from the scene of the murder that she implicates herself and gets further involved with the murder; Macbeth refuses to return the daggers so she says, â€Å"Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead are but as pictures; ’tis the eye of childhood that fears a painted devil. If he do bleed, I’ll gild the faces of the grooms withal, for it must seem their guilt.† From this point onwards Lady Macbeth and Macbeth’s relationship starts to change as they drift apart emotionally and physically. Their personas are dramatically reversed as Lady Macbeth who was once an iron willed, passionate, ambitious woman becomes extremely deranged and depressed. Her character develops and changes throughout the play as she is transformed from an ambitious, powerful woman to someone is full of regret and with a heart full of foreboding, which lies very heavily on her conscience. Paradoxically, Macbeth’s characteristics, his strong sense of morals and fairplay and a clear conscience are replaced with a tyrant personality and where little or no remorse at the taking of other people’s lives.