Brutus Character Analysis in Shakespeares Tragedy of Julius Caesar Ess

Character Analysis: Brutus William Shakespeare's play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, was mainly based on the assassination of Julius Caesar. The character who was the mastermind behind the assassination was, ironically, Marcus Brutus, a senator and close friend to Julius Caesar. But what would cause a person to kill a close friend? After I examined Brutus' relationship towards Caesar, his involvement in the conspiracy and his importance to the plot it all became clear. Brutus had one particular reason for killing Caesar and that was for the good of the people and the republic. Brutus had no personal reason for killing Caesar. Some of his most admirable traits were his morality and leadership skills. Brutus had a strong relationship with Caesar but a stronger relationship with Rome and its people. I think during Roman times, the only way for someone to get close to a person of high rank is if he/she is a close friend or relative to him/her. Brutus loved Caesar but feared his power and ambition. In the early acts of the play, Brutus says to Cassius, "If it aught toward the general good, set honor in one eye and death in the other, and I will look on both indifferently†¦,,"(act 1, scene 2, ll.85-89), as he is speaking to Cassius. "He then unto the ladder turns his back..."(act 2, scene 1, line 25). As the quote says, Brutus would not allow Caesar to rise to power and then turn his back on the people of Rome. This is the only reason Brutus would conspire against Caesar. Brutus says to himself, "I know no personal cause to spurn at him...How that might change his nature..."(act 2, scene 1, and ll.11-13) Caesar's connection and relationship with Brutus was also very strong. Allowing Brutus to speak to Caesar shows his respect fo... ...thing else. The threat that Caesar poses was that he would begin moving away from the idea of a Roman republic and towards an Empire ruled directly by him. Brutus is complex because he does not kill Caesar for greed, envy, or to preserve his social position like so many of the other conspirators against Caesar, he does it for the good of the people. Once Brutus has made up his mind he sticks to it, and he is rarely questioned. Brutus is very accustomed to having his way without argument, which explains why he rarely listens to anyone else. Brutus is like a piece of elastic. He is easily stretched out, but he's also easily put back to how it used to be. But a piece of elastic will also get worn out and has to be thrown out. Brutus is very quickly persuaded and manipulated. Like elastic, it is stretched and used, then immediately thrown out like it was nothing.

The Folly of Rewarding a While Hoping for B

The Folly Of rewarding A, While Hoping for B Case Study Overview: In this case analysis we shall be examining the unintended contradictory results that reward systems bring about and recommendations in solving the issues highlighted Problem Statement: Many Problems in Organizations are created because of Faulty Incentives and Flawed reward systems that are setup to accomplish one thing but actually does the opposite. â€Å"While Mangers complain about lack of motivation in their workers, they might as well consider the possibility that the reward systems they’ve installed are paying off for the opposite†.Directly linked to these Faulty Incentive and Flawed Systems are key issues with 1) Employee Motivation, 2) Reward Systems, 3) Expectation/Misaligned Perception and 4) Biasness in Decision making that are deeply rooted as a causative agent in the Flawed system Hypothesis 1)Misaligned Perception/Expectation: Process Perspective: A look at Equity theory and Expectancy The ory in understanding the expected outcome perceived by employee as related to behavioral attitude towards rewards systems )Employee Motivation which is dependent on the effectiveness of its reward system: As pointed out by MASLOW HIERACHY OF NEEDS and HERZBERG’S TWO-FACTOR theory of Motivation highlight the effect of rewards both tangible and intangible on behavior 3) Weak or Poor decision Making: As shown by biasness of the community in electing Public service official, even in the face of the right option for endorsement/election 4) Poor performance and attitudes In Most Companies is caused by its reward systems, not the workforce.Analysis: As Pointed out by Expectancy theory that People make choices about behavior based on their expectation of what is likely to happen in terms of effort leading to performance and performance leading to desired reward. On the other hand Equity Theory Points out that those Perceptions about reward systems matter. From Equity Theory, if the R atio of someone’s outcome/input is equal to someone else’s ratio, equity exists.But if not, inequity exists and the theory suggests that People are motivated to reduce their Contribution in some way According to Equity theory, outcomes from a Job include pay, recognition, promotions, social relationships and intrinsic rewards. To get these rewards, the individual makes inputs to the job such as time, effort, experience e. t. c and compares it to someone else’s ratio of contribution. Thus the Individual behavior is affected by his or her Perception than the actual reality.In Sports, An underpaid Basketballer will be discouraged in developing teamwork skill. in order to make up for any inadequacies, Expecting that Scoring will Increase his or her earnings at the detriment of the team success. Similarly, if this player perceives that future rewards might be compromised; such player will reduce his or her commitment in response to his feeling of inequity towards the Team success. Thus it is discovered that people take into account Equity and expectation about future rewards in their choice of behavior.Taking a look further points out that Many rewards systems discourage desired behaviors’ while rewarding the very action that causes problems. Managers obviously design reward systems to motivate people to behave in certain ways, yet reward systems do not always produce the expected results. For example: In World War II troops were committed for the duration unless killed or invalided. They had a strong motivation to hasten the end of the war. Allied troops in the Vietnam War had a tour of a year or less. Their self interest was not tied to the end of the war.While their governments wanted them to focus on winning the war, their rewards were linked to looking after themselves. Not to their opponents. They were there for the duration. Evidence of a Reward System which encourages Contrary behavior can also be traced to the Health Industry . Looking at a health System where Patients bear little or no cost, we shouldn’t be surprised when doctors over test and over treat illness, and nothing is done to curtail this action, because the Patients have no incentive to resist the doctors’ actions.For doctors there may be some direct financial gain from over servicing. More important though is the possible costs and professional damage from malpractice suits. Over servicing diminishes the chance of facing such suits, or losing them if they occur. 3) Evidence of how a poor decision making Process has stereotyped and created a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation is seen in Politics. This is a state of being BIAS Most of us want honest politicians who tell us clearly what they will do in office, then stick to that once elected.The actual reality is that politicians don’t behave that way, yet they get elected by our vote and we sustain this reward system. Also, we expect ou r public service to do the best it can with the community resources available to it. Yet there is usually great mismanagement in the public sector, Yet nobody act to resolve this issue or call the minister to order because it will harm the government’s standing and may cost it votes. This portrays a consequence of a community supported reward system unavoidably biased against good public sector management. )Financial incentives are designed to provide direct motivation – do this and you will get that while at the same time can spell doom. For Example giving a Psychiatrist a higher payment for condemning someone to be incapacitated at the expense of an individual being competent, the psychiatrist can be motivated by the higher pay. This Financial reward can therefore serve as a tangible form of motivation 4) Since some people expect that a certain level of effort will lead to certain levels and types of performance.In turn, people develop expectations that a given level and type of performance will be rewarded or punished Recommendations: Since Organization design are changing in response to a changing world, it is thus imperative to look at an alternative way of reward system, one that benefits all and eliminate the problem introduced by the traditional, conventional approach to reward system. While I Write that there is no one cap fits all solution, also interesting is how the recommendations from each case study analysis somehow tend to be applicable to other case study analysis treated earlier in the classAn effectively planned and administered reward system can improve motivation and performance. 1) Starting from the Issues Introduced by the Expectancy perspective and equity Perspective. An Effective manager can help his or her Organization to understand both equity issues and expectancies. This might involve framing the situation for someone, so that his or her perceptions more closely mirror the Managers perception of reality. Managers cons tantly need to clarify performance and be able to measure the attractiveness of rewards to employees. ) Effective Reward Systems should focus on positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement is the most effective tool for encouraging desired behavior because it stimulates people to take actions because they want to because they get something of value (internally or externally) for doing it. An effectively designed and managed reward program can drive an organization's change process by positively reinforcing desired behaviors. The question to ask at this point is how to build an Effective reward system.By taking the five steps listed below, an effective reward system could be achieved Timely. The recognition/rewards should be provided frequently enough to make performers feel valued for their efforts. Achievable. The employee's or group's goals should be within the reach of the performers Meaningful. The achievements rewarded should provide an important return on investment to both the performer and the organization. Specific. A line of sight should be maintained between rewards and actions.Reliable. The program should operate according to its principles and purpose. 3) Performance Management. Organizations should concentrate on the process of managing performance and get away from thinking of the annual performance appraisal process as performance management. The process of performance management reflects how the work gets done and creates the environment in which people feel valued for their achievements. The performance management process includes four critical components:I) A Focus on what is important to change or be improved. II) A Measures to determine whether and how much progress is being achieved. III) Feedback so that performers will know whether and how much progress is being achieved. IV) Reinforcement so that everyone celebrates achievements as they are being unfolded. 4) Clear Communication. Managers should clarify what they mean by performance so that there won’t be misalignment and such that employees would understand how they can support what the manager is trying to accomplish. CONCLUSION:Since reward system cannot be eliminated from the organization system and people tend to do what they perceive will be rewarded, the solution presented here require a shift in every facet of reward system practice. Also worthy to note is that since reward system will keep evolving, some systems being implemented such as broad banding i. e increment in the pay steps within a specific Job title without a promotion and cafeteria-Style Benefits i. e. Ability to allow employees to select from a menu of benefits. Will need to be designed in such ways that makes them Nimble and Flexible.

American Society Needs Affirmative Action Essay - 1853 Words

American Society Needs Affirmative Action Affirmative action has been the subject of increasing debate and tension in American society. However, the debate over affirmative action has become ensnared in rhetoric that pits equality of opportunity against the equality of results. The debate has been more emotional than intellectual, and has generated more tension than shed light on the issue. Participants in the debate have over examined the ethical and moral issues that affirmative action raises while forgetting to scrutinize the system that has created the need for them. Too often, affirmative action is looked upon as the panacea for a nation once ill with, but now cured of, the virulent disease of†¦show more content†¦The claim is that these programs distort what is now a level playing field and bestow preferential treatment on undeserving minorities because of the color of their skin. While this view seems very logical on the surface, I contend that it lacks any historical support and is aimed more at preserving existing white (2) privilege than establishing equality of opportun ity for all. Any cursory look at the history of this country should provide a serious critique to the idea of a level playing field. Since the birth of this nation, Blacks have been an enslaved, oppressed, and exploited people. Until 1954, when the Supreme Court handed down Brown v. Board, Blacks were legally pushed to the margin of society where many were left to dwell in poverty and powerlessness. The Brown decision removed the legal impediments that had so long kept Blacks in the impoverished peripheral. Despite this long awaited victory for Black Americans, the historic decision failed to provide adequate means for the deconstruction of white dominance and privilege. It merely allowed Blacks to enter the arena of competition. This recognized and established the status quo (white wealth and Black indigence, white employment and Black unemployment, white opportunity and Black disenfranchisement) as anShow MoreRelatedThe Precedency: Supporting the Affrimative Action Essay1486 Words   |  6 PagesAffirmative action is a government policy that gives opportunities to minorities, women, and any group who has been the victim of discrimination in the past. Affirmative action is the outcome of the 1960’s Civil Rights movement, growing out of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which outlawed discrimination based on race, ethnicity, or gender. It was the 1978 Supreme Court decision, The Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, which allowed for the use of race-based preferences as a means ofRead MoreAffirmative Action : Is It Still Needed1544 Words   |  7 Pagesone citizen is mistreated an injustice has been committed against all people. Affirmative Action i s a program whose purpose is to make sure that citizens are treated equally by enforcing a set of policies which are designed to promote the inclusion of all individuals regardless of race, disability, sex, or religion. In the United States democracy we are all equal, but some groups have been enjoying more advantages in society than others for centuries. Current statistics show the depth of modern dayRead MoreAfrican American Economy : African Americans909 Words   |  4 PagesAfrican American Economy The unemployment rate in the African American community is higher than any other group in American society. Institutionalized racism and unequal education opportunities have contributed to the unemployment rate. There are various reasons why the unemployment rate is greater in the African American communities. Consequently, Blacks are attaining higher education at a rate lower than other groups in society, and lack opportunities in the workforce. These are just two of theRead MoreAffirmative Action - Pros and Cons Essay1057 Words   |  5 PagesDiscussion of Affirmative Action Ââ€" Pros and Cons. Affirmative Action programming is seen by some as a mechanical remedy to past social conditions that penalized minority member applicants for employment, women, or persons with disabilities. In the United States, Affirmative Action has been seen as compensation for the exclusion of the African American community, in particular, and has been hoped to create upward mobility for more members of this sector. In this sense, Affirmative Action may haveRead MoreThe Benefits Of Affirmative Action855 Words   |  4 PagesThe benefits of affirmative action for society The ethical issues around the policy of affirmative action often raises disputes in the society. The opponents of the affirmative action or positive discrimination consider that it is the same discrimination, but of the minority against the majority. Some opponents consider that the affirmative action not only does not help the groups of minority, but also diminishes their achievements by providing them extra opportunities. Undoubtedly, there is a reasonRead MoreEssay on Affirmative Action and Racial Equality 1467 Words   |  6 Pages Affirmative Action and Racial Equality (1) Issue Identification Many individuals do not know the meaning of the term â€Å"affirmative action.† In order to clearly understand the issue, one must first know the necessary terms associated with it. Affirmative action is a term given to an action or policy favoring those who tend to suffer from discrimination (i.e. African Americans, Asians, etc.). For example, certain scholarships for African Americans can be regarded as affirmative action opportunitiesRead MoreAffirmative Action : Racial Equality938 Words   |  4 PagesJanuary 21, 2015 Affirmative Action: Racial Equality As a senior in high school, college becomes more of a reality to me- meaning the hunt for the perfect university is approaching...fast. But, the real question is, what do I look for when it comes to my dream college? To my surprise, it’s not the typical campus size issue, but rather it was racial diversity. The bottom line is, I do not want to be placed in a class where I am surrounded by a herd of just one specific race: African-American, Asian, PacificRead MoreAffirmative Action Is The Current Method For Combating Systematic Racism1602 Words   |  7 PagesAffirmative action is the current method for combatting the systematic racism and general bigotry that has long plagued American society. It is a source of much debate, both from the legal and moral perspectives. When it comes to higher education, it has been the subject of serval Supreme court decisions and many philosophical papers. Affirmative action’s stance makes a statement about how American society intends to handle its problems of bigotry; if it wants to ignore them, or if it wants to chooseRead MoreAffirmative Action : An Unfair Tool For Disadvantaged Minority Students857 Words   |  4 PagesAffirmative Action admission policies have been highly criticized since their enactment in the 1960’s. Conservatives see affirmative action as an unfair tool for underachieving minority students rather than a policy to correct past racial inequalities and promote a diverse learning environment. This ideology of affirmative action is portrayed in Jim Huber’s political cartoon, number 1 on the list. Penned for a conservative audience, Huber’s political cartoon argues against affirmative action by suggestingRead More Affirmative Action Is the Wrong Action Essays1708 Words   |  7 PagesAffirmative Action Is the Wrong Action The United States of America has long been a country divided by race. Hate has pervaded her existence since her conception, and now today’s society is forced to deal with those issues. Minorities have suffered at the hands of the white male majority for centuries as the social activities of the old war were brought to the new colonies, only to ferment and continue to affect the lives of all who lived within her borders. There is no doubting that this