Textile crafts Weaving Essay Example

Textile crafts: Weaving Essay The weaver produces the sousi garbi, khais, lungi (now negligible) farasi etc. The Sousi is a common wear of the women folk of Sindh and is available in beautiful colours and designs in cotton and silk.Sousis, garbis and motros are made in an endless variety of striped design, they are named according to the prevailing colours and the design or pattern of the stripes. The panjkani (five colours), sat rangi (seven colours) zanzer-ao (chain like) and tillai (match stick) are most common.AjrakFabric woven and patterned is tradition of a people, translating dreams born in swift rising desert sands, dyes of indigo and vermillion red, from lattice patterns on fabric through a process, laborious and painstaking. An art and a tradition, the cloth of the inhabitants of Sindh Ajrak aptly described by Noor Jehan Bilgrami. The Blocks used are a beautiful specimens of wood carving.It is a colour fast fabrics put to multifarious uses. Its making is lengthy, complex and highly technical art. In th e first place, the cloth is washed in solution of water and soak or the crushed berries of the lyre or Soda khaar, it is then steamed and stamped with wooden blocks. The die is dipped first in a solution the alizerin i.e. the red colouring matter, then in two other solutions for depth, the cloth with design printed on it is dipped sucessively in a solution of indigo boiled in a cauldron, dipped in a solution , dried and again dipped in indigo. Finally washed it becomes bright and pure Ajrak.Ralli, Patchi Work CappliqueIt means to mix, to join, to connect. It is basically a domestic craft mady by the women in leisure hours, made out of old as well as new cloth. This bright coloured cotton covering is an artistic elaboration of the patch work idea- a master piece of fascinating design and colour which takes the Sindhi women months to make. It is an instinctive artistry of patience and love. One marvels at the colour and design perceptions of the illiterate crafts women who painstaking ly produce it.The LungiThe Lungi is a beautiful specimen of rich silk with board fringes of gold and silver thread. It is regarded to have been popularised by the Mirs of Sindh who wore lungis around their waists. At one time twenty one different varieties in all kinds of material cotton, pure silk or their mixture and woollen lungis were in vogue. This craft is now on the decline and it is rare to find a good piece today. Lungi today is more popular in the Southern and Nor then India.Wood crafts:Lacquer WorkAlmost all the material for the Sindhi craftsmen comes directly or indirectly from mighty Indus. The wood from its bank is used for making wood carving, furniture and other stuff; it is also beautifully decorated with lacquer work, this craft is popularly known as Jandi. The Jandi craftsmen or lacquer workers practice their craft in smaller workshop and it is a flourishing cottage industry. It requires space to store wood, a lathe and little things that go with it ,slicing, chis els, sticks of coloured lac and strips of date palm. Two different techniques are adopted by Jandi craftsmen for motifs and designs.The Kashmore technique is basically inlay. The object after being coated with a fine powder, is polished and on the desired surface, the traditional floral motifs, medallions and panels are outlined with paint. These are then filled in with water colour and when dry, varnished with shellac. The painted object is finally turned on the lathe.Lacquer work of Hala and Khanot is referred as the traditional style, where the wood is first turned on a lathe operated by hand into the required shape. The article is then heated over a slow fire so that it takes the lacquer evenly. It is then put back on lathe and the lac prepared earlier by melting and mixing with dyes is pressed on to it as it revolves on its axis. The lac is of different colours, and the order in which it is to be laid on according to the design is the special knowledge of the turner. The articl e is finally polished off with date palm strips while it is still on lathe. The traditional lacquer swing bed called the pingoh, settee and chairs, vases and lamp stands are popular Jandi items.The art of wood carving developed in the Indus Valley from very early days. In constructing places of worship, palaces and houses, wood was the main material. Elaborated carving with extraordinary precision and accuracy is characteristic of wood work and is still visible at certain places in Sindh. Wood carved designs, floral and geometrical are done in architecture, furniture, doors, windows, panels, roofs etc.The stone carvers are also of the same family and use this technique on stone. Makli, Chaukundi and Shahpur Chakar bear witness to the excellence of this craft.Embroidery:A needle work art where the Sindhi women exceled for it has come to her through ages. The thin bronze needles from the excavation of Moen-jo-Daro are witness to this craft. In the local jargon it is called the Bhart-f illing in with ornamental needle work of a fabric in silk or cotton. It originated as needle craft by women for their personal adornment. The most picturesque of these decorative styles with different motifs is the Gaj, the Abochani, the Bokani, the Astan. They are amazing patterns of rich brilliant colours, gleaming with little round mirrors. Besides mirrors, beads and small shells are also used.ZardoziA specific type of embroidery with silver or golden thread on velvet or other kind of cloth is known as Zardozi, Persian origin gold stitching. Work done on Gota, Champa, Thapa, Kinara, Sindhi Jutti, Topee, Purses, decorative sheets are special features. The description of it is given in Shah Abdul Latifs Sur Maruee; As long as you can spin, spin on, work-season soon declines; All spinners are-but work of all is not in favour lines She neer breaks thread, nor for rest pines who has realized the truth Threads Maru round my wrists tied-gold fine gold they are for me; Omar, dont offer s ilks to rustic maid, they leave me cold Because much dearer I do hold my worn ancestral shawl.ToppeCaps originally intended for children are now made and worn by men, the embroidered cap is almost an article of national dress in Sindh.Pottery:Man must have first used clay to make objects for his needs and pleasure or as a pastime. No wonder, therefore that the markings on pottery or Moen-jo-Daro are easily amongst the earliest in the world. The potters art is the least changed; it is almost the same all over the world. In the developed countries it is now being practised on machines on a large scale with a better finish, but the hands that mould such forms on a small scale do so with prouder finesse. The potter in Sind prepares and kneads his clay dough and moulds it into desired shapes, dyes, prints and covers it with glaze. It is then baked in a gloat or a glazing oven.The first stage, preparation of the clay dough is no big matter. The clay in its naturals state becomes the dough , for finer work, it is mixed with roasted and finely powdered flint (called the chak mak); this is then knead by hand. The potters wheel, a disc which revolves horizontally driven by the hand and regulated by the foot, is made to spin, the clay is placed on the wheel and the potter moulds it gradually giving it the shape he desires. The next stage is when he dries it in the sun. The vessel is then painted with colours from oxides of copper, lead and iron. Stencils are used in tiles but not in pottery. The vessels are glazed with unctuous earth called Channioh, which imparts glaze and permanence to the colours in the potters kiln.No wonder the potters kiln has been eulogised by the great sufi poet of Sindh- Shah Abdul Latif BhitaiLearn loves test of skill,O my love, from the kilnThough it burneth by day and night,from within its hot heartNot a vapour doth startThe heart thats within to betrayTraditional floor covering and other items:KhaisThe Khais used as bed spread or coverlet in Sind, was very much a domestic industry. The yarn is spun by the women of the house who dye and arrange it in tanee or the long lines of thread that make the wrap. The man works the loom and weaves. Both cotton and silk thread is used and it has bright colours. They are reversible each side having a different colour pattern.Khatho (Wollen Blankets)FARSI The Khato is the common mans blanket, it is an emblem of dignified poverty. Blanket weavers are generally Koris and women of Khosa, Lashari, Mari and other Baloch tribes. The blankets or rugs are made of white wool woven in strips from 14 to 18 feet long and about 2 feet wide, the strips being afterwards cut in halves and stitched together. Bubak, small town in Dadu district was very famous for its Woollen carpets called Galicho its weavers were called Galicho bafsThe Sindhi Farasi (mat), is generally woven by women, in smaller sizes. It is commonly used as prayer mat and rug to sleep upon. They are woven with a shuttle in the ordina ry way, the only difficulty being the production of the pattern, which, although regular, occupies the whole of the fabric. These rugs are generally 6 feet long and 4 feet broad. A coarser sort of rug, called Kharir is also very common. This, like a sack is made chiefly of goats hair. Horses nose-bags Tobro acts as Boro and saddle bags Khurzin are also sometimes made of the same material and with the same comparatively elaborate pattern as Farasi. Tall is generally used as a pad to be strapped on horse back as a saddle or as a namdha underneath a saddle.In Thar, we have the Bhils, the Meghwars and Rehbaris who weave woollen fabrics. The Rehbari a shepherd tribe, is known for weaving Woollen cloths and wearing them in winter and summer.Leather work:The Sindhi tanner is a master in his craft. Using the mangrove and bubbur barks, and employing his own native recipes for curing, dyeing and oiling, he has perfected a fine technique for converting crude hide and skin into a soft pliable a nd durable leather. The woman embroiderer is no less an artist in making her designs and working them in colour. The Sochi or the Mochi, for that is how the leather craftsmen are termed, have the finest contribution. The horses Thadka is covered with designs beautifully worked in gold, silver and coloured thread. The Nuth crowning piece on the camels back is a large coloured carpet of leather with beautiful designs, in applique in the centre and the four corners.

Free Essays on Decency Vs Success

‘Being loyal and honest really gets you nowhere these days,’ ponders Tom, reflecting on recent events. It was going to be a hectic week for Tom and his work partner and best friend Jim since their boss requested a new plan for a presentation that would â€Å"make or break† their careers. With only two days until the deadline Tom pulled an â€Å"all-niter† at his office. Jim should have helped, but he had a dinner date with his wife that he said he could not break. By three in the morning Tom felt extreme confidence in his creative new plan for the presentation and called it a night. With only three hours of sleep Tom went into work the next morning exhausted, yet excited to tell Jim his plan for their presentation. After hearing the idea Jim replied with only a simple, â€Å"Sounds good,† then went into his office. Later on that afternoon in a meeting Tom and Jim’s Boss stood up and applauded Jim on his new plan for the presentation (rea lly Tom’s idea) and told Tom that he could learn a thing or two from his friend Jim. Although success ethics have been instilled in Americans for centuries, lately these ethics of how to earn a dollar seem to cross the line of what it means to be decent and moral. There are many examples of why we Americans praise success the way we do. For example, when our nation became independent we (the people) decided that America would stand for optimism, success, and over-all freedom. These theories are the ones that have always stuck with us since elementary school. So is it understandable that we compromise our self-worth and values for success? Maybe, because it is at the heart of our nation, or maybe it is not understandable because compromising our values for a dollar would not make us that far off from any bounty hunter or hooker. If only we could shine the spotlight on the opportunity cost of our decisions when it comes down to the true price of success. Many people lately find them... Free Essays on Decency Vs Success Free Essays on Decency Vs Success ‘Being loyal and honest really gets you nowhere these days,’ ponders Tom, reflecting on recent events. It was going to be a hectic week for Tom and his work partner and best friend Jim since their boss requested a new plan for a presentation that would â€Å"make or break† their careers. With only two days until the deadline Tom pulled an â€Å"all-niter† at his office. Jim should have helped, but he had a dinner date with his wife that he said he could not break. By three in the morning Tom felt extreme confidence in his creative new plan for the presentation and called it a night. With only three hours of sleep Tom went into work the next morning exhausted, yet excited to tell Jim his plan for their presentation. After hearing the idea Jim replied with only a simple, â€Å"Sounds good,† then went into his office. Later on that afternoon in a meeting Tom and Jim’s Boss stood up and applauded Jim on his new plan for the presentation (rea lly Tom’s idea) and told Tom that he could learn a thing or two from his friend Jim. Although success ethics have been instilled in Americans for centuries, lately these ethics of how to earn a dollar seem to cross the line of what it means to be decent and moral. There are many examples of why we Americans praise success the way we do. For example, when our nation became independent we (the people) decided that America would stand for optimism, success, and over-all freedom. These theories are the ones that have always stuck with us since elementary school. So is it understandable that we compromise our self-worth and values for success? Maybe, because it is at the heart of our nation, or maybe it is not understandable because compromising our values for a dollar would not make us that far off from any bounty hunter or hooker. If only we could shine the spotlight on the opportunity cost of our decisions when it comes down to the true price of success. Many people lately find them...

Employment Relations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 2

Employment Relations - Essay Example Workplaces have been using flexibility like outsourcing and casualisation which have a less direct relationship between employer and the worker. The employers prefer flexible labour policies as it allows them to adjust to match the changing demand patterns, thereby enabling the employers to exercise internal numerical flexibility. They are able to attain external numerical flexibility when they outsource particular functions. Employers benefit as they save on costs by engaging labor on just-in-time basis. Outsourcing helps to avoid capital investment and the funds can be used for other investments. By contracting out, the employers also gain as they are able to de-unionize the unionized workforce. Most importantly, through outsourcing, employers gain from the highly specialized skilled workforce that can be available. The employers may have to compromise on quality as the flexile workers have less experience and expertise. The flexible workers are less likely to receive training as t hey are not integrated into the human resource system of the organization. Co-ordination and delivery of services also pose problems in outsourcing out work. Employees benefit as it serves to provide temporary employment to many who do not want full-time employment and also serves a springboard for those who are looking for stable employment.

Organizing a project deliverable Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Organizing a project deliverable - Essay Example For my research, I will focus on questioning employees about their feeling in regards to the low productivity. I will seek to understand the reasons as to why the company productivity is faring poorly, based on their perspective. Research data collection will be through surveys, where we conceal employees identities will be concealed. These will include: Analyzing the findings will be easier owing to the use of close-ended questions (Kerzner 2013). In the findings, employee ratings will appear to help communicate the extent of the problem from the employees’ viewpoint. The research will include the research findings fully, to come up with relevant solutions counteracting the issues at hand. The organization of the research will entail an outline that incorporates parts such as the introduction, problem statement, methodology, findings, conclusion, solutions to the problems, and recommendations. The research deliverable will be complete with this outline and plan, maximizing the organization’s productivity through employee motivation once the stated issues undergo

Ethical Issues of Barclays Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Ethical Issues of Barclays - Essay Example The research has provided valuable insights in respect of how the firm can improve its relationship with customers and investors so that ethical norms can be met more effectively. In June 2012 Barclays Bank’s rate-fixing scandal had mottled its reputation in a horrendous manner. The bank was fined  £ 290 million pounds for altering LIBOR. The investigation into the matter had revealed that the bank indulged in LIBOR manipulation to earn fraudulent profits and to make the bank activities secure against risks arising out of the financial crisis. The LIBOR is considered as one of the most vital information in respect of benchmark rates and it crucially impacts financial trading contracts across the globe. In the light of such events, Bob Diamond, the former chief executive of the bank had submitted his resignation. Subsequently, Anthony Jenkins was chosen as the chief executive officer (CEO). The bank was involved in a number of scandals such as the fraudulent selling of PPI (Payment Protection Insurance) and interest rate rigging which tarnished its reputation and had seriously affected consumers who had shifted to other banks. Almost 12 million holders of current bank account had switched to other banks as the credit rating and overall reputation of the bank declined. Public relations in respect of financial services institutions are essentially about communicating important and accurate information to the stakeholders. PR executives are required to maintain the trust of consumers and shareholders so that their investments remain with the financial institutions.

The success of transformational leadership

The success of transformational leadership Drawing on a critical examination of both theory and empirical research, how can the role of leadership be best understood in organizational change? Key to evolution of an Organization is how well it can adapt to changes be it structural or financial. A good leadership plays a pivotal role in such transitions and will often be the most influential aspect in such changes being implemented successfully. Considering the fact that both Organizational Change and Leadership are very widely defined, for the purpose of the essay I would like to use the following definitions, Leader is a person with vision, energy, authority, and strategic direction ref: (Robert Coffee and Gareth Jones, 2000), Organizational Change is the process of continually renewing an organizations direction, structure, and capabilities to serve the ever-changing needs of external and internal customers- ref: (Moran and Brightman, 2001). Change is one of challenges an organization can face. It, being a continuous process, dealing successful with it is critical to an organizations success- ref: (Kudray and Kleiner, 1997), and certain management levers, such as, strategy, operations, should be constantly altered for the organization to be aligned with the market place. Having said that, it is also very important to critically identify the needed change within the organization. If a certain change is identified as a pivotal one for the growth of the organization, it is also important to consider how the change will be received by the people who will be a part of it. Resistance in our context is opposing to the change. Resistance is very likely with-in the team when the importance of the change is not know. There are various known reasons for someone to resist the change. Some of which are job insecurity and the fear of losing the power. There are existing theories which say that resistance is good and it is related to the individual identity and organizational values. Despite of being a time consuming process, it is very important to overcome resistance to implement the change successfully. Lewins 3 step model for change, Unfreeze, Change and Refreeze: ref ( Lewin, 1951) is considered to be there mother of all change models. The point here was to have organizations prepare initially to ease the process of the change in order to overcome resistance. It has been argued upon, that this theory might not be holding good for the current day situation, as organizations are constantly changing and they will never be having the opportunity to refreeze or attain the new state of equilibrium. Kotters 8 Step Model, ref: ( Kotter, J , 1995) also talks about implementing a change within the organization but considering the present day needs and situation. This model tries to address the developed resistance in the implementation on the change. An effective leadership will always try and overcome resistance and help successfully implement the change, which need not be a top down approach. For a change to be accepted, Nahvandi (2003), believes that you need to first motivate those in y our guiding collation or transformational leadership team. This, per him, is the best achieved through inspiration of the team, which enables them to enact change. Transformational leadership includes inspiring them with a charm and charisma, challenging the team to solve the problems rather than we doing it ourselves and developing personal relationship with each one of them. A combination of these 3 attributes is the best known vehicle to overcome resistance. ref( Nahvandi, 2003). Transformational leadership is that which à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ facilitates a redefinition of a peoples mission and vision, a renewal of their commitment and the restructuring of their systems for goal accomplishment. It is a relationship of mutual stimulation and elevation that converts followers into leaders and may convert leaders into moral agents. Hence, transformational leadership must be grounded in moral foundations. ref(Leithwood, as cited in Cashin et al., 2000, p.1) . According to Bass (1990b, p. 21) transformational leadership occurs when leaders broaden and elevate the interests of their employees, when they generate awareness and acceptance of the purposes and mission of the group, and when they stir employees to look beyond their own self-interest for the good of the group. Success of transformational leadership has been demonstrated by studies in diverse settings such as schools, corporations etc. -ref(Bryant, 2003, p. 36).Also there are existing studies to prove the effectiveness of transformational leadership regardless of culture ref:(Perttula Xin,2005) . Per Carlson and Perrewe (1995, p. 834), as a result of transformational leadership, changes in the organizations mission, strategy, and subordinate commitment levels are very likely to emerge. Also, Odom and Green (2003) argue that principles of transformational leadership (i.e., intellectual stimulation, idealized influence) applied to ethical dilemmas faced by managers offers the prospect of less litigation and better ethical outcomes than the more common transactional approach to ethics. Though Transformational Leadership is the latest buzz word, there have been many people in the past who have demonstrated the traits of this form of leadership. For instance, Genghis Khan was a transformational leader who, during the late 12th and early 13th centuries, united fiercely independent Mongol tribes to ultimately create one of the largest land empires ever seen ref(Yates, 2002). Lee Iacocca is a transformational leader who is credited with saving the Chrysler Corporation. He took over Chrysler when it was on the brink of bankruptcy and set about transforming the ideals of his closest subordinates. In turn, that began to reshape the corporations culture. Because a transformational leader encourages others to becomes transformational leaders, soon the entire organization was filled with effective leaders (Kelly, 2003). Within military and government contexts, General Colin Powell overcame entrenched racism (particularly in the US military) and low institutional expectations of African Americans to become chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1989. He went further, becoming in 1991 the first African American to become US Secretary of State, a position some said he filled with vision and the qualities of a transformational leader (Chekwa, 2001). Other transformational leaders include Christine Nixon, the current Police Chief Commissioner in the Australian state of Victoria, who is popularly understood to have transformed the culture of that police force for the good, and Sir Richard Branson, responsible for international Virgin enterprises (Lussier Achua, 2004). These are positive examples of transformational leaders but as critics (e.g., Yukl, 1989) point out, transformational leadership is not without its dark side and other flaws. The morality of transformational leadership has been questioned, especially by libertarians and organizational development consultants (Griffin, 2003). A key criticism is that within it transformational leadership has potential for the abuse of power (Hall, Johnson, Wysocki Kepner, 2002). Leaders here, motivate followers by engaging them to strong beliefs, irrespective of the effects on them .Transformational leaders can exert a very powerful influence over followers, who offer them trust and respect. Some leaders may have narcissistic tendencies, thriving on power and manipulation. Moreover, some followers may have dependent characters and form strong and unfortunate bonds with their leaders: ref- (Stone, Russell and Patterson, 2003, p. 4). Yukl describes this as the dark side of charisma and goes on to note that for every example of a positive transformational leader demonstrating charismatic qualities (e.g., Mohandas [Mahatma] Gandhi), there is an equally negative example (e.g., Charles Manson).-ref: (Yukl, 1989) There is an argument that transformational leadership is facilitative of change because it contributes to organizational improvement, effectiveness and institutional culture (Barnett, McCormick Conners, 2001). An interesting study by Barnett, McCormick and Conners (2001), shows that teachers may in fact be distracted from concentrating on learning-and-teaching by, for example, taking time away from students to be involved in the corporate school initiatives an inspirational, transformational principal expects of them. Ref: (Barnett, McCormick and Conners (2001), a study conducted on 12 schools in New South Wales and Australia) Related Bibliography Robert Coffee and Gareth Jones, HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW, September-October 2000 Moran, J. W. and Brightman, B. K. (2001) Leading organizational change, Career Development International, 6(2), pp. 111-118. Gary Yukl Journal of Management 1989. Vol. 15, No. 2, 251-289 Bennis, W, (1994), On Becoming a Leader. Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA, ISBN:0-201-40929-1. Lucey, J.J, Why is the failure rate for organization change so high?, Management Services Winter 2008 Evans, M.G. (1970). The effects of supervisory behavior on the path-goal relationship. Organizational, Behavior and Human Performance. 5, 277-298 House, R.J. (1971). A path-goal theory of leader effectiveness. Administrative Science Quarterly, 16, 321-339. House, R.J., Mitchell, T.R. (1974). Path-goal theory of leadership. Contemporary Business, 3, 81-98. Dansereau, E, Jr., Graen, G., Haga, W.J. (1975). A vertical dyad linkage approach to leadership within formal organizations: A longitudinal investigation of the role making process. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance. 13. 46-78. Kudray, L and Kleiner, B, Global trends in managing change, Industrial Management; May/Jun 1997; 39, 3; ABI/INFORM Global pg. 18 Lewin, K, Field Theory in Social Science, Harper and Row, 1951. Nahavandi, A. (2006). The art and science of leadership. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Hay, Iain, Transformational Leadership: Characteristics and Criticisms# Leithwood, K. Jantzi, D. (2000). The effects of transformational leadership on organizational conditions and student engagement with school. Journal of Educational Administration, 38(2), p. 112. Bass, B.M. (1990b). From transactional to transformational leadership: learning to share the vision. Organizational Dynamics, 13, pp. 26-40. Bryant, S.E. (2003). The role of transformational and transactional leadership in creating, sharing and exploiting organizational knowledge. Journal of Leadership and Organizational Studies, 9(4), pp. 32-44. Spreitzer, G.M., Perttula, K.H. Xin, K. (2005). Traditionality matters: an examination of the effectiveness of transformational leadership in the United States and Taiwan. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 26, 205-227. Carlson, D.S. Perrewe, P.L. (1995). Institutionalization of organizational ethics through transformational leadership. Journal of Business Ethics, 14(10), pp. 829-839. Odom, L. Green, M.T. (2003). Law and the ethics of transformational leadership. Leadership and Organization Development Journal, 24(1/2), pp. 62-69. Yates, M. (2002) Genghis Khan. LeaderValues. Retrieved August 3, 2006 from Kelly, M.L. (2003, January 1). Academic advisers as transformational leaders. The Mentor. Retrieved August 3, 2006, Chekwa, E. (2001, July 12-14). Searching for African American transformational leaders. Academy of Business and Administrative Sciences 4th International Conference, Quebec City, Canada. Manuscript available from the author. Lussier, R.N. Achua, C.F. (2004). Leadership: theory, application, skill development (2nd ed.). Eagan, MN: Thomson-West. Yukl, G.A. (1989). Leadership in Organizations (2nd ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall. Stone, A.G., Russell, R.F., Patterson, K. (2003). Transformational versus servant leadership a difference in leader focus. Servant Leadership Roundtable October 2003. Retrieved August 3, 2006 Hall, J., Johnson, S., Wysocki, A. Kepner, K. (2002). Transformational leadership: the transformation of managers and associates. Retrieved August 3, 2006

Images of Blood in William Shakespeares Macbeth Essay -- GCSE Course

Images of Blood in William Shakespeare's Macbeth  Ã‚   In Shakespeare?s tragic play Macbeth, the symbol of blood is portrayed often and with different meanings. Blood as a symbol is developed throughout the play until it becomes the dominating theme. Perhaps the best way to show how the symbol of blood changes throughout the play is to follow the character changes in Macbeth. First he is a brave honored soldier, but as the play progresses acknowledged and trusted by his king, he becomes a treacherous person who has become identified with death and bloodshed, and ends up killing Duncan who put so much trust in him. This is ironic because the previous thane of Cawdor was executed for treason, which is the first thought that comes into his mind when he is appointed thane. He knows that the king?s trust was misplaced; the fact that he murdered his king plays upon his conscience and shows his guilt in different forms. The situation worsens for him after he murders Banquo, who was one of his most loyal and trusted friends. A similar idea can also be applied to lady Macbeth, as her character changes dramatically throughout the course of the play. Hers and Macbeth?s roles can be seen to swap in a way. When the idea of killing Duncan come s into the minds of Macbeth and lady Macbeth, Macbeth is uncertain, he seems withdrawn about the whole idea. Lady Macbeth comes across as evil and bloodthirsty, for it is she who ensures that the murder takes place. Towards the end of the play though, although both characters show the immense guilt of what they have done, it is lady Macbeth who is now withdrawn, and Macbeth who comes across as evil, for the full spell of the witches has now taken effect, he does not believe that the Scots will be d... ...s that he is guilty, when he says "But get thee back, my soul is too much charg'd with blood of thine already.? Of which, Macduff replies, "I have no words, my voice is in my sword, thou bloodier villain than terms can give thee out." After the death of Macbeth at the hands of Macduff, the symbolic theme of blood swings back to the theme of triumph and glory that it was at the beginning of the play. It is the symbol of honor to Malcolm this time. The death of Macbeth is an honored feat that Macduff is congratulated for. As we have seen, the meaning of the symbol of blood changes from honor to treachery, and then to guilt, after this, it returns to the symbolic meaning of honor once again after the villain that changed the meaning from honor to tyranny is killed. Works Cited: Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. Ed. Dietrich Klose. Stuttgart: Reclam, 1970.