Perdón I-212 por deportación de Estados Unidos

Perdà ³n I-212 por deportacià ³n de Estados Unidos Los extranjeros deportados o expulsados de Estados Unidos reciben una penalidad y no pueden ingresar legalmente por un tiempo de castigo, excepto si obtienen un perdà ³n conocido como waiver I-212. El tiempo de castigo puede ser de 5, 10, à ³ 20 aà ±os o incluso de por vida, dependiendo de la razà ³n de la deportacià ³n. En este artà ­culo se explica cundo no es necesario pedir este waiver, tambià ©n conocido en algunos paà ­ses como perdà ³n o permiso, cà ³mo se solicita cuando sà ­ es necesario, tarifa que debe pagarse con la solicitud, tiempo que se demora en resolverse, quà © hacer si se obtiene la aprobacià ³n de este perdà ³n y cundo es necesario adems presentar otro perdà ³n conjuntamente.  ¿Cundo NO es necesario solicitar este perdà ³n? No todos los extranjeros que han sido expulsados o deportados de Estados Unidos necesitan este perdà ³n como paso previo para solicitar una visa no inmigrante -como por ejemplo la de turista o trabajo temporal -  o una visa de inmigrante  para la tarjeta de residencia (green card). Por lo tanto, si no se necesita, no solicitarlo, porque serà ­a una pà ©rdida de tiempo y de dinero. Y es que no precisan pedir este perdà ³n las personas en cualquiera de las siguientes categorà ­as: 1. - Los extranjeros que llegaron a un puesto migratorio de Estados Unidos y se les permitià ³ retirar su solicitud de ingresar al paà ­s. 2.- Los extranjeros que al llegar a un puesto migratorio de Estados Unidos fueron parados y se les impidià ³ el ingreso al paà ­s pero no fueron objeto de una expulsià ³n inmediata oficial. Esto es muy importante, porque hay que distinguir cuando ha habido una expulsià ³n y cuando simplemente no se admite al extranjero y se le devuelve al paà ­s del que ha llegado. Esta diferencia es fundamental. Hay que mirar quà © papeles se firmaron o fueron entregados. 3.- Los extranjeros que fueron parados en la frontera intentando cruzar ilegalmente pero, por la razà ³n que sea, no recibieron una orden de expulsià ³n inmediata. Es muy importante saber si se recibià ³ una o no. 4- Los extranjeros que llegaron a un puesto migratorio sin visa por pertenecer a un paà ­s de Programa de Exencià ³n de Visados y no se les permitià ³ el ingreso. Esto es importante para los turistas y personas de negocio chilenos y espaà ±oles. 5.- Los casos de salida voluntaria, cuando se salià ³ de Estados Unidos dentro del plazo previsto. Esta es una excepcià ³n muy importante. 6. - Los solicitantes de visa U por và ­ctima de violencia que se encuentran en Estados Unidos y piden un ajuste de estatus. 7.- Y, por à ºltimo, aquellos expulsados o deportados de Estados Unidos que ya han cumplido el tiempo de la penalidad. Por lo tanto, es fundamental saber el monto de los aà ±os que aplican a cada caso. Y es que para algunos extranjeros la penalidad dura 5 aà ±os, para otros es de 10 y para otros, 20 y, finalmente, para otro grupo existe lo que se conoce como prohibicià ³n permanente (permanent  bar en inglà ©s). Para conocer con certeza por cunto tiempo es la penalidad y los cargos se deben consultar los rà ©cords de corte, en casos de deportacià ³n, incluyendo la orden del juez y el documento que se denomina Notice to Appear in Removal Procedeedings. En el caso de expulsià ³n inmediata, es aconsejable tener el rà ©cord de la CBP (Patrulla fronteriza) y del Notice of Expedited Removal. En los casos en los que la dicta un juez por ser un caso de arriving alien tambià ©n es importante ese documento. En otras palabras, solo es necesario solicitar este perdà ³n si todavà ­a no ha pasado el tiempo de la penalidad y se quiere solicitar una visa no inmigrante o una visa inmigrante para ingresar a Estados Unidos. En este punto puede surgir la duda de quà © pasa con aquellos extranjeros que tienen una penalidad de prohibicià ³n permanente,  ¿pueden pedir un perdà ³n? La respuesta es que sà ­ en las siguientes condiciones: En primer lugar, si la prohibicià ³n permanente es porque se estuvo ilegalmente en Estados Unidos por ms de un aà ±o (no tiene que ser corrido), despuà ©s se salià ³ del paà ­s y se ingresà ³ o se intentà ³ ingresar posteriormente de forma ilegal y se desea pedir una visa no inmigrante, en este caso se puede pedir el perdà ³n en cualquier momento. Tener en cuenta que para la visa de inmigrante las reglas son distintas y es lo que se explica ms abajo. En segundo lugar, lo mismo sucede para los migrantes que fueron removidos de Estados Unidos y que despuà ©s ingresaron ilegalmente o fueron agarrados cuando lo intentaban. En este caso tambià ©n aplica una prohibicià ³n permanente pero se puede pedir el perdà ³n en cualquier momento si lo que se desea solicitar a continuacià ³n es una visa no inmigrante. Un caso distinto es cuando se quiere solicitar la visa de inmigrante en los 2 supuestos anteriores y tambià ©n todos los dems casos de prohibicià ³n permanente ya es necesario poder demostrar ausencia de Estados Unidos por al menos 10 aà ±os antes de poder solicitar el perdà ³n.  ¿Cà ³mo se pide el perdà ³n I-212 para ingresar a EE.UU. despuà ©s de deportacià ³n? Por regla general el perdà ³n se pide llenando el formulario I-212, si bien hay unas pocas excepciones cuando se solicita una visa no inmigrante en determinados consulados de los Estados Unidos. Tambià ©n puede haber variaciones segà ºn el caso en lo referente a la cuota por aplicar y a la necesidad de aportar datos biomà ©tricos (huellas digitales y fotografà ­as). El formulario debe ir acompaà ±ado de documentos que se piden en las instrucciones del formulario y adems de aquellos  que sirvan de apoyo a la razà ³n por la que se solicita el perdà ³n. Entre ellos, destacan: Certificados de hijos, matrimonio, etc para probar existencia de familiares inmediatos en Estados UnidosDeclaraciones juradas de personas que afirmen que la persona que pide el perdà ³n es de buena moralreportes mà ©dicos o psicolà ³gicos para probar la dureza por la que pasan los familiares en Estados Unidos debido a la separacià ³n causada por la deportacià ³n.Reporte policial para demostrar un rà ©cord limpioEvidencia de rehabilitacià ³n si en el pasado se ha cometido algà ºn delitoCertificados de estudios o profesionales para probar capacidades de empleoReporte sobre la situacià ³n del paà ­s en la que se tiene que vivir si no se permite el regreso a Estados Unidos, etc. Si alguno de estos documentos est en un idioma distinto al inglà ©s, debe traducirse. Este listado debe entenderse como una sugerencia y deben incluirse todo lo que sirva para merecer el perdà ³n. El oficial de migracià ³n tiene libertad para decidir si aprueba la solicitud de perdà ³n. No existen reglas absolutas pero se considera que son factores a favor de su aprobacià ³n los siguientes: La existencia de familiares inmediatos en Estados Unidosla situacià ³n de dureza que puede ser causada al familiar en Estados Unidos, siempre que sea un ciudadano o un residente permanente legal. Incluso se puede considerar la dureza que se causa al empleador que se tenà ­a.El tiempo que se vivià ³ en Estados Unidos. Cuanto ms, mejor.El estatus migratorio que se tenà ­a antes de ser removido. Por ejemplo, si se tenà ­a la green card o una visa.La falta de rà ©cord delictivo o si se ha cometido uno, que no sea grave.En el caso de las expulsiones, cuenta a favor tener sà ³lo 1. Ms de una expulsià ³n aumenta las posibilidades de negacià ³n del perdà ³n.El ser considerado persona con buena moral. Aquà ­ podrà ­a ser un problema situaciones de falta de pago de pensià ³n alimenticia, etc.Si ya ha transcurrido mucho tiempo desde la expulsià ³n o deportacià ³n.La probabilidad de convertirse en residente permanente legal en el futuro. Es decir, se tiene una peticià ³n de resid encia realizada por un empleador o un familiar. Por el contrario, se consideran factores en contra a la hora de decidir sobre la aprobacià ³n del perdà ³n los siguientes: Ausencia de familiares en Estados Unidos o que los familiares no dependan de ningà ºn modo de la persona deportada.Historial delictivo, particularmente cuando se trata de un delito grave o agravado.Mal carcter moralVarias violaciones migratoriasMs de 1 intento de ingreso ilegal a Estado UnidosProbabilidad de convertirse en una carga pà ºblica o se es un peligro para la seguridad de Estados UnidosEnfermedad fà ­sica o mental, excepto si el à ºnico lugar donde puede recibir tratamiento es en Estados Unidos.  Si pasà ³ poco tiempo desde la deportacià ³n o expulsià ³n.Si en el pasado se trabajà ³ ilegalmente en los Estados Unidos. Tiempo de demora del perdà ³n I-212 y cuota por la peticià ³n En la actualidad, la totalidad de las solicitudes de perdà ³n I-212 se resuelven en menos de 180 dà ­as, es decir, seis meses.   En el momento en el que se escribe este artà ­culo, la cuota por aplicar es de $930, que debe pagarse al Servicio de Inmigracià ³n y Ciudadanà ­a (USCIS, por sus siglas en inglà ©s).  ¿Quà © pasa si se obtiene la aprobacià ³n del perdà ³n I-212? Ese perdà ³n es vlido de por vida, a menos que la agencia que lo concedià ³ lo revoque o que la persona cometa algà ºn delito o infraccià ³n migratoria que dà © lugar a una nueva deportacià ³n o expulsià ³n. Sin embargo, el perdà ³n no restaura nunca a la situacià ³n anterior al problema que dio lugar a la deportacià ³n o a la expulsià ³n. Por ejemplo, si se tuvo una visa de turista, no se recupera, o una tarjeta de residencia, etc. Adems, el tener el perdà ³n aprobado por sà ­ mismo no es suficiente para poder ingresar a Estados Unidos. Es decir, hay que solicitar una visa no inmigrante o tener una peticià ³n de visa inmigrante. Cualquiera de estas visas puede ser denegada si no se cumplen todos los requisitos para su aprobacià ³n. En el caso de las visas no inmigrante el problema puede surgir por no ser elegible o por no ser admisible. En el caso de las visas de inmigrante, sà ³lo por causa de inadmisibilidad. Precisamente para muchas causas de inadmisibilidad es posible pedir un perdà ³n. Para las causas que convierten a una persona en inelegible no es posible. Teniendo en cuenta esto, es importante leer el siguiente apartado.  ¿Es necesario pedir otros perdones conjuntamente con  I-212? Dependiendo del caso de cada uno, puede ser imprescindible presentar 1 o ms perdones conjuntamente con el I-212, ya que à ©ste solo sirve para la penalidad de la deportacià ³n o expulsià ³n. Por ejemplo, si se quiere es obtener una visa de inmigrante y hay otros problemas de inadmisibilidad como el castigo de los 3 à ³ 10 aà ±os, fraude de ley, comisià ³n de delito,enfermedad etc. entonces se necesita tambià ©n pedir el perdà ³n I-601, que tiene requisitos muy exigentes. Pero si se desea pedir una visa no inmigrante y hay ms causas de inadmisibilidad adems de la remocià ³n, tambià ©n se debe pedir otro tipo de perdà ³n.    Adems, es posible que el problema sea una causa de inadmisibilidad contra la cual no es posible pedir jams un perdà ³n, como por ejemplo tener en contra una declaracià ³n de haber solicitado previamente de forma frà ­vola la condicià ³n de asilo. Otro ejemplo es haber declarado falsamente ser ciudadano estadounidense para obtener un beneficio. Asimismo, no hay perdà ³n en los casos de delito de drogas cometidos despuà ©s de cumplir los 18 aà ±os, con la à ºnica excepcià ³n de posesià ³n de mariguana para uso propio o en los casos de matrimonio de conveniencia para obtener los papeles. Debido a que los casos de perdones son muy complicados es altamente aconsejable asesorarse por un buen abogado especialista en estos asuntos.  ¿Cul es la penalidad si se ingresa a Estados Unidos sin el perdà ³n I-212? Si se ingresa ilegalmente cuando est pendiente de cumplir el castigo por la expulsià ³n o la deportacià ³n automticamente se reinstaura la orden de deportacià ³n, de tal manera que si se es detenido o arrestado se proceder a su deportacià ³n sin pasar por Corte. Adems, es posible que apliquen multas y que se den cargos penales por los que puede haber pena de prisià ³n.Finalmente, cae sobre esa persona la prohibicià ³n permanente para regresar a Estados Unidos. Consejos legales Es muy importante entender las dificultades de obtener un perdà ³n y, honestamente, que la mayorà ­a que son aprobados han sido preparados por abogados migratorios reputados con experiencia en este tipo de casos. En esta pgina no se recomienda a ningà ºn letrado en particular, pero sà ­ se aconseja verificar con AILA, la asociacià ³n de abogados migratorios, para consultar sobre este tipo de casos. Este es un artà ­culo informativo. No es asesorà ­a legal.

Medieval Christmas Traditions

Medieval Christmas Traditions Among the Pagan traditions that have become part of Christmas is burning the yule log. This custom springs from many different cultures, but in all of them, its significance seems to lie in the iul or wheel of the year. The Druids would bless a log and keep it burning for 12 days during the winter solstice; part of the log was kept for the following year when it would be used to light the new yule log. For the Vikings, the yule log was an integral part of their celebration of the solstice, the julfest; on the log, they would carve runes representing unwanted traits (such as ill fortune or poor honor) that they wanted the gods to take from them. Wassail comes from the Old English words waes hael, which means be well, be hale, or good health. A strong, hot drink (usually a mixture of ale, honey, and spices) would be put in a large bowl, and the host would lift it and greet his companions with waes hael, to which they would reply drinc hael, which meant drink and be well. Over the centuries some non-alcoholic versions of wassail evolved. Other customs developed as part of Christian belief. For example, Mince Pies (so called because they contained shredded or minced meat) were baked in oblong casings to represent Jesus crib, and it was important to add three spices (cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg) for the three gifts given to the Christ child by the Magi. The pies were not very large, and it was thought lucky to eat one mince pie on each of the twelve days of Christmas (ending with Epiphany, the 6th of January). Food Traditions The ever-present threat of hunger was triumphantly overcome with a feast, and in addition to the significant fare mentioned above, all manner of food would be served at Christmas. The most popular main course was goose, but many other meats were also served. Turkey was first brought to Europe from the Americas around 1520 (its earliest known consumption in England is 1541), and because it was inexpensive and quick to fatten, it rose in popularity as a Christmas feast food. Humble (or umble) pie was made from the humbles of a deer the heart, liver, brains and so forth. While the lords and ladies ate the choice cuts, the servants baked the humbles into a pie (which of course made them go further as a source of food). This appears to be the origin of the phrase, to eat humble pie. By the seventeenth century, Humble Pie had become a trademark Christmas food, as evidenced when it was outlawed along with other Christmas traditions by Oliver Cromwell and the Puritan government. The Christmas pudding of Victorian and modern times evolved from the medieval dish of frumenty a spicy, wheat-based dessert. Many other desserts were made as welcome treats for children and adults alike. Christmas Trees and Plants The tree was an important symbol to every Pagan culture. The oak, in particular, was venerated by the Druids. Evergreens, which in ancient Rome were thought to have special powers and were used for decoration, symbolized the promised return of life in the spring and came to symbolize eternal life for Christians. The Vikings hung fir and ash trees with war trophies for good luck. In the middle ages, the Church would decorate trees with apples on Christmas Eve, which they called Adam and Eve Day. However, the trees remained outdoors. In sixteenth-century Germany, it was the custom for a fir tree decorated with paper flowers to be carried through the streets on Christmas Eve to the town square, where, after a great feast and celebration that included dancing around the tree, it would be ceremonially burned. Holly, ivy, and mistletoe were all important plants to the Druids. It was believed that good spirits lived in the branches of holly. Christians believed that the berries had been white before they were turned red by Christs blood when he was made to wear the crown of thorns. Ivy was associated with the Roman god Bacchus and was not allowed by the Church as decoration until later in the middle ages when a superstition that it could help recognize witches and protect against plague arose. Entertainment Traditions Christmas may owe its popularity in medieval times to liturgical dramas and mysteries presented in the church. The most popular subject for such dramas and tropes was the Holy Family, particularly the Nativity. As interest in the Nativity grew, so did Christmas as a holiday. Carols, though very popular in the later middle ages, were at first frowned on by the Church. But, as with most popular entertainment, they eventually evolved to a suitable format, and the Church relented. The Twelve Days of Christmas may have been a game set to music. One person would sing a stanza, and another would add his own lines to the song, repeating the first persons verse. Another version states it was a Catholic catechism memory song that helped oppressed Catholics in England during the Reformation remember facts about God and Jesus at a time when practicing their faith could get them killed. (If you would like to read more about this theory, please be warned that it contains graphic descriptions of the violent nature in which Catholics were executed by the Protestant government and has been refuted as an Urban Legend.) Pantomimes and mumming were another form of popular Christmas entertainment, particularly in England. These casual plays without words usually involved dressing up as a member of the opposite gender and acting out comic stories. Note:Â  This feature originally appeared in December 1997, and was updated in December 2007 and again in December 2015.

Capital Punishment and Execution in the US Research Paper

Capital Punishment and Execution in the US - Research Paper Example The major methods of execution used in the past included the exposure of the defendant to a firing squad. There was also the use of gas chambers as well as hanging and electrocution (Weisenberg). Another method which was introduced later, and is mostly used today, is the use of lethal injection to poison the criminal. One of the most talked of execution is that of Pedro Medina in March 1997; one that most people have criticized and termed notorious (Gromer and Gromer). Initially adopted by 38 states, capital punishment has since been banned by law in 34 states. Some more states have put it on hold while a few still think that it should just be practiced extensively (CNN 1). Capital punishment has been an issue of social contention in the US, of late. Many Americans have maintained a support for it, particularly in murder cases. However, the support has been in the decline following strong criticism from some sectors of the American community. I concur with many that there is nothing good in taking someone’s life, and therefore, more humane ways need to be in place for carrying out the duty. I hereby beg to admit that, despite the cruelty in it, sometimes our emotions push us towards seeing the positive side of it. There has also been a widespread debate on whether or not the executions should be televised. My paper seeks to look at the pros and cons associated with both the idea of capital punishment and the television of the executions. It is a fact that many court TV and other television networks today attempt to cover proceedings on criminal cases. They also go as far as televising the cases to interested viewers from homes. Some media executives and lawyers have foreseen a possibility of a future broadcast of the executions too. They use the case of San Francisco’s KQED-TV as an indicator. This television station hit news headlines a few years ago when it asked for permission to record a murderer’s execution. The station intended to sho w the unedited tape of Robert Alton Harris’ execution, though late in the night when children had slept (Weisenberg). It is interesting to note that both proponents and opponents of capital punishment sometimes, ironically, find themselves as strange bedfellows whenever there is a debate on whether the executions should be broadcasted on TV or not. It is common to find a person who is against capital punishment yet they support the idea of televising the executions. Likewise, some proponents of the punishment also tend to strongly oppose the idea of televising the executions. For those who support capital punishment, televising executions will only serve to promote sympathy for the criminals. This sympathy may blind the general public to an extent that they may not realize the injury the criminal meted on their victim. The opponents of capital punishment, on the other hand, oppose the idea of television on grounds that it has the ability to reduce the death penalty to a few m inutes’ affair. This is so false because the pain covers even the time a criminal spends several sleepless nights in anticipation of the fateful day. Some people also think that showing the executions on TV may give a haunting picture to the viewers, especially the emotionally and psychologically unstable ones, including young children (Bender 1). Televising the executions may also make the execution seem, to many people, as a form of

Significance of International Trade to UK Businesses Assignment

Significance of International Trade to UK Businesses - Assignment Example According to the research findings acknowledging the significance of international trade UK is trying to simplify trade procedures, promoting best practices, removing trade barriers, and facilitating trade and entrepreneur in every possible manner. A dedicated department the Simpler Trade Promotion Board (SITPRO) is established to address related issues. Policies like Access to Finance are targeted to strengthen the local entrepreneurs’ financial standing in international markets. There are several positive and negative impacts associated with international trade. Entrepreneurs get the liberty of choosing cost effective resources from around the world. Specially, from the countries where cost of living is not as high as it is in the UK. This makes a lot of difference in the total operating cost of an enterprise. Stonehouse & David have discussed such an impact of international trade liberalization on UK job industry. Prudential, a renowned UK-based insurance giant saved  £16 million a year by switching their call centre to subcontinent. Beside low salaries, tax relaxations, huge subsidies and low oil prices are some other factors that may attract businesses in UK and entrepreneur may switch to cost effective markets. The overall impact of these factors may result in a shift of manufacturing units of large multinationals from developed countries to underdeveloped countries where they can operate at low costs and can find new markets for their products. Moreover, it may also result in shift of global imports and exports corridors. Great Britain is commonly perceived to be reluctant member of European Union in adopting joint policies. Social Chapter of 1992, which was adopted by UK in 1998, and common currency adoption are commonly referred to emphasize this perception. However, it implements more rigorously, what it accepts as common interest. (USITC, 2000). Britain joined European Free Trade Association (EFTA) 1960, European Economic Community in 1972 a nd EU in 1973. (Jones, 2004, p. 21). Since then EU, policies and community laws got precedence over local policies and regulations. This joint structuring of financial policies and regulations has been a great bearing on UK international trade. One simple example how EU policies can influence UK trade is that of EU free trade policy between member states. EU is operating on the basic principle of four freedoms, â€Å"free movement of goods, people, services and capital.†(Cullingworth & Vincent, 2003, p. 35). This means custom free trade between member states and a common external tariff for non-member states. The objective of these polices was to achieve a higher level of economic prosperity through elimination of trade barriers. (EUC, 2008, p. 9). Another example, where the impact of EU policies can be traced is the expansion of HSBC bank in member states. The HSBC is a large UK-based concern that is operating in several member states of EU. The

Humanism and the Renaissance Essay Example for Free

Humanism and the Renaissance Essay Founded on the ideals of Italian scholar and poet Francesco Petrarca during the late fourteenth century, Renaissance humanism centered itself on humanitys potential for achievement. Although God is credited for creating the universe, human beings are the ones credited for developing and sustaining it. The shift was away from understanding the world through faith and towards a broader intellectual and scientific understanding of it. A humanist, in this context, was simply a teacher whose curriculum focused on the liberal arts. By the mid-fifteenth century, this curriculum evolved to include rhetoric, grammar, poetry, history and moral philosophy (or ethics). Together these individual disciplines comprised the core of humanistic studies. But the ideas introduced were not altogether new. Humanists relied on primary sources such as the classical literature of Greece and Rome. What is remarkable, however, are the great lengths to which the movement sought to recover and reintroduce old ideas to the present times. It is remarkable when considering that after the fall of Rome in the fifth century much of the texts housing ideas central to humanistic thought were virtually lost or buried in obscurity. Ancient ideas within these classical texts were considered crucial because humanists considered the ancient world the pinnacle of human achievement and thought its human accomplishments should serve as the model for contemporary Europe. After the fall of Rome, human progress and achievement slowed to a trickle. Western civilization became mired in a period of cultural decline that the Renaissance mind considered a dark age in human history. The only way out was a return to the ideas propelling the ancient world forward. It was, in essence, a trip back to the future. Humanism profoundly affected the artistic community and how artists themselves were perceived. The medieval mind viewed artists as humble servants whose talent and ability were meant to honor God. This is evident in the work of medieval artists adorning churches and cathedrals. Renaissance artists, in contrast, were trained intellectuals well versed in the classics and mathematical principles. And the art that they created reflected this newfound perspective. The Renaissance also gave birth to a new class in the social order the merchant class which closely resembles what we now refer to as the middle class. And this merchant class had the means to commission an artists services. This dramatically expanded the sources of patronage (i. e. financial support) as well as the themes an artist could consider. No longer was patronage a luxury only the aristocracy could afford. And no longer were commissions relegated primarily to religious considerations. Enlightened citizens with the means to afford it considered artistic patronage an important activity. And with expanded participation, new kinds of art were introduced into the Renaissance landscape. Aristocratic patrons often commissioned portraits. But much of the art commissioned at the time was at the patronage of the merchant class. This art was primarily secular in nature including mythological subject matter and adorned the halls and rooms of town homes and country villas. Citizens such as Cosimo de Medici were civic minded and supported notable worthwhile causes. De Medici supported libraries, for example. He also had a fondness for the work of the artist Donatello and an interest in merging Platos ideals with Christian philosophy in an effort to demonstrate how lifes spiritual aspects can overcome physical limitations (leading to a revival of Neo-Platonism). Cosimos grandson Lorenzo the Magnificent was an avid art collector and benefactor to a young Michelangelo. This underscored the benefit of associating intellectual pursuits with the resources to pursue them. It cast a wide social net along with establishing a thriving market place for creativity. One work of art that embodies the ideal of the Early Italian Renaissance is Donatellos Penitent Magdalene. The work was commissioned between the late 1430s and 1450s. It is a life-size polychromed wood sculpture. The contrapposto positioning (one leg bearing weight with the other relaxed) is a reference to classic Greek style. The work presents Mary Magdalene as a sympathetic figure who has paid her dues in life. It is an emotionally moving piece. Once a prostitute, Mary evolved to become one of Jesus Christs most devout followers and trusted confidants. She was the first person to whom Jesus appeared after the Crucifixion. Afterwards, however, she lived her life in perpetual penance and self-imposed suffering to atone for the sins in life she committed. The sculpture presents Mary as old and frail with few hints of her long lost and forgotten beauty. What does remain to remind us that this was once a strong and beautiful presence to behold is a refined bone structure, the contrapposto pose and long hair. But the trembling hands raised as if in prayer and tattered dress convey that this woman has suffered long enough. She is deserving of forgiveness and compassion. This is the work of an artist well versed not only in the spiritual origin of this womans story, but our own sense of humanity and what we may aspire to.

How Music Has Influenced Me :: College Admissions Essays

Throughout my life, music has always been a major influence. It has the power to change my mood when I'm feeling down, but the thing I find most intriguing about music is that it doesn't always end up improving your mood: like all forms of art, it imitates life, which is not always portrayed in a positive light. The musicians that I admire most have the versatility to induce several different emotional responses in the same piece. This quality is present in most of the wide variety of music I listen to, from Russian composer Dmiti Shostakovich, to Chicago jazz band Tortoise, to California pop/rock sextet Mr. Bungle. Music is far more than the sum of its parts. It can be thought of in a highly mathematical sense, which leaves one in awe of the seemingly endless combinations of rhythm, tone and intervals that a good musician can produce. Admiring music in this way is a lot like admiring an intricate snowflake, or shapes in the clouds; it's beautiful, but at the same time very scientific, based on patterns. All of the aforementioned qualities of music have one thing in common: they can be defined with numeric, specific values. However, the greatest aspect of music lies elsewhere, and cannot be specifically defined with words. It is the reaction that each individual has when they are confronted with their favorite (or least favorite) kind of music. There aren't many words to describe the emotional reaction I get when I hear certain songs, even those that don't have the "complicatedness" of some of the more skillful artists.

Presentation of witches in Macbeth Essay

Macbeth is a play written by William Shakespeare in 1606 during the reign of King James I. This infernal play tells the story of a man who commits regicide in order to gain power himself. Not only does this drama deal with the age-old morality tale of good versus evil but it also deals with what is right and what is wrong. In this essay I will discuss and analyze Shakespeare’s presentation of the witches in Macbeth. At this time witchcraft was feared and it was seen as a real threat. The witches did not fear Christ and this meant they basically had no fear that was outside the moral, religious and social boundaries of 17th century Britain. Catholics in England were seen as outsiders, hated and seen as a threat, this was a lot like the position of witches. Witchcraft was also used as an excuse for bad happenings like natural disasters or deaths. It was usually old women who lived on their own who got accused of being a witch. Many believed accusing these single women was a way of discouraging women from living alone outside the authority of a male-dominated household. Men wanted masculine superiority to remain unchecked. In a way men were scene as good and women were scene as evil. If these women accused of being witches were found guilty they would be tortured into a confession and then murdered. King James I was just one of the people who had strong feelings on witchcraft during this era. He believed that once he was nearly killed by the evils of witchcraft. The original play featured nymphs but Shakespeare changed it and included witches to not only impress and interest King James I but also to warn him of the danger of these evil witches. Involving witches also includes fears of that time and would frighten the audience more than nymphs. Introducing witches also gives the play an excuse for more dramatic stage play and more shocking scenes and was a necessity in the attempt to hasten the plot of Macbeth. The witches feature at the very beginning of Macbeth in Act One, Scene One. They enter to the elements of thunder and lightning in a deserted place that has a significant meaning. The thunder and lightning puts the main focus on the entrance of these witches. This dramatic scene suggests evil and highlights the threat of these witches. They enter from a deserted place that highlights their isolation and avoids distraction to the entrance of these witches. They then talk of what the future holds showing their gift of foresight that is supernatural and against Christian believing. This is an example of the witches going against the beliefs of 17th century Britain that is shown almost straight away. There is also a mention of â€Å"Greymalkin† and â€Å"Paddock† which are the witches’ familiars and part of the criteria of being a witch was having a familiar that confirms the strange sisters are witches. The scene ends, â€Å"Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover th rough the fog and filthy air.† All three of the witches say this together like a spell would be said. Here the witches heighten the sense of mystery in the play by confusing the audience by dealing with opposites. This rounds off the spooky scene with a dramatic ending. In Act One, Scene Three the witches also enter to thunder as they meet again as planned. It is not as dramatic and there is no lightning but evil and fear is still present. One of the witches talks about getting revenge on a sailor by killing him. King James I believed the witches attempted to kill him with makes it relevant to the King. Macbeth and Banquo are introduced in this scene. Macbeth comments on the day by saying â€Å"so fair and foul a day I have not seen.† Then Banquo notices the â€Å"so withered, and so wild in their attire† witches with beards and is utterly shocked. Macbeth then asks them â€Å"What are you?† and he is also horrified. The witches then together say a verse hailing Macbeth, flattering him sarcastically. The witches talk in riddles and say make some confusing comments like, â€Å"Less than Macbeth, and greater. Not so happy, yet much happier.† The characters of the witches are still quite mysterious but in this scene they have shown some emotions that support the view that they are evil, as they involve murdering and other terrible things. In Act Four, Scene One the witches once again enter to the thunder that suggests evil is coming and they then begin casting an evil spell. They put lots of different things in a cauldron and chant together, â€Å"Double, double toil and trouble, fire burn, and cauldron bubble.† Saying the verse together creates an aural effect that would scare the audience. A â€Å"scale of a dragon† and a â€Å"tooth of a wolf† are just a couple of things that go into this cauldron of evil. When they have their potion ready they â€Å"cool it with a baboons blood.† This is imagery of blood and it has a sickening and shocking effect. Throughout the play the impact of the witches is developed and strengthened by the reactions of the other characters. The witches have a major impact on Macbeth and he believes what they are saying. This makes us ask the question of whether Macbeth is under a spell of the witches making or whether he is acting under his own free will. The witches do not harm Macbeth therefore he is an agent of God, but he does destroy himself. That corresponds with the Christian notion of made in God’s image but with the power of free will. The witches use the weakness of Macbeth to their advantage and to show they can have control over people but they cannot move Banquo to the dark side. Banquo is stronger then Macbeth and does not just believe whatever the witches say. He doubts the reality of his senses and is skeptical. The witches use language in this play to get across their point in a strong way. They use plenty of repetition. â€Å"I’ll do, I’ll do, I’ll do† they repeat three times and three is widely seen as the magic number. They also use a lot of imagery in the play. For example they put in the cauldron, â€Å"A finger of birth-strangled babe† which makes you think of innocence and the witches are creating drama by including something harmless and loved. The witches’ dramatic rituals reinforce their sisterhood as they speak together and work together. They are completely original and together they are isolated from the rest of society but they have each other. The rhyming couplets help make the chant more flowing. The witches also say, â€Å"I’ll give thee a wind.† This suggests the witches can control the weather and the natural environment. The witches in these plays are warning King James I that witches can manipulate people to kill the King even though he is saw as untouchable. Shakespeare allows the audience to see that the witches do have this influence and they can cause evil through other people with Macbeth being an example. The witches tie in with the established idea that women could be harmful to men at this time as they have the power of manipulation. I think the witches work very well in Macbeth. They create fear and drama throughout the play. They can be linked with terrorists in our society today. Terrorists are now feared and they have the power to get their own way because of their evil to a certain extent. Women were seen as a threat in the 17th century as witches were usually women now Muslims are scene as a threat as a lot of terrorists are Muslims.