Customer Relationship Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Customer Relationship Management - Essay Example Recent research on categorization has led to scholars questioning the assumption and trying to test the impacts of two variables which are moderating on the customer needs categorization (Hamilton, 2005). Categorizing Customer Needs in Computer Software Sales Selling computer software is a business to business (B2B) activity. Hence, there is a need of categorizing customer needs for this activity. There is a method provided that helps the organization in the identification and categorization of the customer’s visits or contacts with the customer service center. This means that the organization has been provided with a method of identifying the customer’s problem or goal. The organization has also been using this method to categorize the customer needs into set that are centered on behavior. Hence, the organizations has integrated customer categorization and goal thereby initiating a foundation for optimizing the direction of the customer’s request through an appr opriate center. This method helps the organization in the collection of information that is related to the customer’s behavior. The organization then uses the information in the determination of the optimum manner that customer’s needs can be handled (Gupta, 2001). ... One the customers have been consulted, the organization then interprets the customers’ needs correctly in specs and design. Hence, the organization then provides operational definitions of output (Fader, 2010). Best Measures for Actual and Potential Value for the Customer Base Customer base refers to the grouping of the customers or consumers that an organization servers. The customer base is mainly composed of repeat customers with high ration of purchase over a given period. The best measure for actual and potential value for the customer base is the Eyeball Approach. The Eyeball Approach is based on the assumption that companies need to rapidly acquire customers so that they can grow. This also enhances the chances of the company to gain first mover advantage and also helps in the creation of network externalities which are very strong. For the organization that is involved in selling computer software to other businesses, the Eyeball Approach is also very advantageous base d on the fact that the number of businesses coming into the customer care desk indicates to the organization whether the organization is registering a positive growth. With an increase in the number of customers that are coming to the organization, it means that the organization is developing positively. This also means that its actual value for the customer base is very high. This also indicates that the potential value for the customer base is also very favorable to the organization. Hence, it is important for the organization to use the Eyeball Approach to assess the actual and potential value for the customer base (Hamilton, 2005). Why the Eyeball Approach is Advantageous The assumptions of the Eyeball Approach have been

Bio psycho social Essay Example for Free

Bio psycho social Essay I met with Louis Sutter on Sunday, March 31, 2013. Daniel is a twenty two year old Jewish white male. He currently resides at 123 Apple Road, Columbia, SC, 29205. He is currently studying full time at USC-Columbia and unemployed. He is not married, but in a two year relationship with his girlfriend, Taylor. He was referred to me from the counseling center at USC-Columbia. He was sent to me for anxiety and stress management. Source of Data I received documents from USC- Columbia’s counseling Center, and health records from his primary doctor. I had consent from the client as well as his counselor and his primary physician. The client followed counselor’s advice and made an appointment with me voluntarily. Description and development of presenting problem Louis is currently in counseling where his counselor suggested he specifically seek stress and anxiety management. He is a full time student who is struggling to balance the demands of college and time management which has recently triggered a significant amount of stress and anxiety. My client sought my assistance after struggling to complete assignments on their due dates. Family History Louis currently resides in Columbia but is originally from Greenville, South Carolina. In Columbia, he lives with two roommates. Their names are Brandon and Jeffery. They are both Jewish white male students in their twenties. Louis and his roommates take part in a Jewish fraternity. Louis is the second child to Jane and Rueben Sutter. His parents are middle aged. He has an older sister named Jori who is twenty seven. Louis is very close to his  mother, Jane. Louis is also close to his maternal grandfather. He does not interact that much with his paternal family. Client History Louis was born on March 20, 1991. He graduated high school in 2009. He enrolled in college and plans to graduate May 2014. In 2007 he reports that he struggled with the academic demands of high school. In that same year, documents note that Louis was tested for learning disabilities and psychological disorders. His physician and psychiatrist suggested medication and therapy. See attached document for specific past medications. After some trial and error, my client is currently taking Pristiq and Adavan. My client and medical records show that he takes 80mg Pristiq daily and 50mg Adavan when needed. My client says he is satisfied with his meds and the dosages. He also informed me that his mother and sister suffer from anxiety and depression. My client suggests a healthy intimate relationship because he has been dating the same girl for two years and is content. He has no criminal record or legal issues which were verified with a background check. He mentioned that he has never had an issue with drugs or alcohol. Current Situation Despite the anxiety and stress, Louis appears to be a positive, healthy and happy person. He takes part in a Jewish college fraternity, has a good support system, takes part in some Jewish traditions as well as participates in activities related to his major. He seems enthusiastic about classes, just struggles to meet deadlines, procrastinates as well as feels nervous when doing assignments. He wants to complete assignments confidently but says he is always second guesses himself. My client is a full time student who does not work during when classes are in session. He states that his parents financially support him as well as his saving from working in the summers. He says with his savings and parents help, he is able to pay for food, rent and bills. He has his own transportation and is able to get around town, to classes, internship and social events. He says he is more of a cultural Jew than a religious Jew. Assessment Strengths Problem List Planning, Implementation, Evaluation, and Termination Self- Assessment

The Advantages Of Primary Health Care

The Advantages Of Primary Health Care Primary health care is a vital function of an society acting as backbone. India was one of the first countries to recognize the advantages of Primary Health Care (PHC). PHC was conceptualized in 1946 when Sir Joseph Bhore committee made recommendations that formed the foundation stone for health service in India. Recommendations:- Integration of preventive and curative services at all administrative levels. Short term Primary Health Centers for every 40,000 population. Long Term- Primary Health Centers per 10,000-20,000 population to have 75 beds. Formation of Village health committee Provision of Social Doctor Three months training in preventive and social medicine to prepare social physicians. First Five Year plan (1951-1955) Community Development Program launched, 1952 keeping in eye 80% population lived in rural areas. Each Community Development Block (CDB) formation approximately 100 villages with a total population of one lakh. For one CDB, one Primary Health Centre was created. Second Five Year plan (1956-61) Health Survey and Planning Committee, The Mudaliar Committee, had to review the progress made in the health sector after submission of Bhore committee report. The major recommendation:- To limit the population served by primary health centres to 40,000 Improvement in the quality of health care provided by these centers. Provision of one basic health worker per 10,000 populations was recommended. The Jungalwalla Committee 1967 Highlighted importance of integration of health services. Integrated health services were defined as a service with a unified approach for all problems instead of a segmented approach for all different problems. The committee recommended integration from the highest to lowest level in the services, organization and personnel. The Kartar Singh Committee on Multipurpose workers 1973 Laid down the norms about health workers ensuring proper coverage one primary health centre to be established for every 50,000 population Each primary health centre to be divided into 16 sub-centres each for a population of 3,000 to 3,500. Each sub-centre to be staffed by a team of one male and one female health worker. The work of 3-4 health workers to be supervised by one health assistant. Major Goals to be acheived by National health Policy 2002 Eradicate Polio and Yaws Eliminate Leprosy Eliminate Kala Azar Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis Achieve zero level growth of HIV/AIDS Reduce mortality by 50% on account of TB, Malaria, other vector and water borne diseases Reduce prevalence of blindness to 0.5% Reduce IMR 30/1000 and MMR 100/lakh Increase utilization of public health facilities from 75% Establish an integrated system of surveillance, national health accounts and health statistics Increase health expenditure by Govt. as a % of GDP from existing 0.9% to 2% Increase share of central grants to constitute at least 25% of total health spending Legal Framework Insurance act, 1938 came into effect from 1st july 1939 (Amended in 1950, 1999). Contains provision regarding licensing of agents and their remunerations, prohibition of rebates and protection of policy holders interest. IRDA Act 1999, IRDA responsible for the administration of the insurance act. Power to register insurance companies. Monitor and certify terms of business. Inspect documents of insurers Adjudicating disputes between insurers and intermediaries. Decide on dipute related to settlement of claim. Life Insurance Corporation Act, 1956 for LIC only which was later on ceased on amendment of Insurance act 1999. Consumer protection Act 1986 (COPA) ensures that consumers of policies can approach any of the listed organization in the act for redress in case he is not satisfied with the goods or services provided. Income Tax Act : The premium paid is deducted under Section 80 D of the ITA. MRTP Act 1969 (Monopoly and restrictive trade Practices act) Controls concentration of economic power in one hand Restricts monopoly in the market Employees State insurance act, 1948 Treatment rcvd benefits Benefits not received Eligibility Central Government health Scheme (CGHS) addresses consumer complaints. Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 addresses all complaints and demand for compensation. Indian Contract Act 1872 for Breach of contract Deficiency in services Damages Dispute of facts Negligence Drugs control act (1950) and Indian Medical council act (1956) Literature Review Health Policy Challenges of India: private health Insurance lessons from the International Experience by Ajay Mahal The research concentrates on Regular development of Health Services in India and persisting challenges which are growing at the same pace. The are of study concentrates on United states, united Kingdom, Canada, Brazil, Germany, Israel. The research focuses on the health care system in Canada and appreciates the control methods used for services. The research findings are highlighted as: Patient satisfaction and Quality of care How to reconcile the need for choice among providers with cost containment. Reconciliation of consumer choice with equity. The study concentrates on the cost factor in the consumers mind and how the governments of these countries are trying to achieve the balance. Too much specialties and more supply of doctors may increase the cost of care. While conducting the study it was not taken into account that Health services have a long term impact. The study considers the short term impact which is seen by the consumer and drives him to the product. Health Insurance in India Prognosis and prospectus by Randall P Ellis, Moneer Alam, Indrani Gupta. Corroborating evidence that the system is disproportionately private is the estimate that 80 per cent of all registered allopathic physicians are private [Uplekar and George 1994, p 10]. An even higher estimate for the private sector appears in a report of the Planning Commissions Working Group on Health Management and Financing which estimated that household expenditures on treatment may be as much as 8.4 per cent of GDP versus public spending of only 1.1 per cent of GDP (Planning commission report 1996) In recent years nominal user fees have been charged at government facilities in Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Punjab and Karnataka. These fees remain low in comparison to both private fees and the unofficial payments which are still made at most public facilities in these states and in other parts of the country. Nonetheless, these efforts at cost recovery remain in important initiative for improving incentives, decentralizing some spending authority and augmenting resources at public health facilities. The life insurance companies in India have relied on actuarial methods and life tables for fixing premia. The employment of rigorous procedures for the fixation of premia was not possible owing to paucity of the epidemiological data cross-classified by region and major socioeconomic class. The GIC and its subsidiaries do not have the option of estimating probabilities associated with the vulnerability of individuals to various diseases. Hence, they have relied mainly on simplified procedures based on the information available to them from the policy documents and the claims register. Recently, however, the GIC introduced a differential system for setting premia for its Mediclaim policies which adjusts for health expenditure differences as between five age groups. Information has also been collected for differences in claims rates by age, sex, rural/urban, habitat, occupation, and income groups. The age dimension, however, remains the only criterion being used by the GIC for adjusting premia. Inter Regional Inequality Facility Health Insurance for the poor, India by Rajeev Ahuja, Senior Fellow Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) The series of Policy Briefs summarizes the experiences of Government initiatives aimed at addressing inequality in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The study concentrates on some of the initiatives and suggests some key learning for success of health insurance for individuals and families on low- incomes. Provision of healthcare services of a reasonable quality; Possibility of resource mobilization from the targeted population in order to recover costs. Presence of intermediary agency to overcome the informational disadvantages and high transaction costs involved in providing insurance to low-income groups. A Healthier future for India by Rajat Gupta (The McKinsey Quarterly, Jan 2008) The report speaks about acting on three fronts: A series of policy reforms needed to provide subsidized health insurance for the country citizens. Innovation in products. Today most of them offer only limited services. Regulatory environment which recognizes health insurance as separate business and not part of the insurance industry. It is essential for the growth of the sector. Health Insurance in India by K. Sujatha Rao Secretary, National Commission on Macroeconomics and Health, GOI. The present system of financing and payment systems raise several important concerns on the suitability of the structure to meet current day problems and future challenges. The large size of out of pocket expenditures provides an opportunity to pool these resources and facilitate spreading risk from households to government and employers on a shared basis which will be a more equitable financial arrangement. The dimension of equity is of particular concern as the inelasticitys of demand for acute care, are resulting in over 33 lakh persons being pushed below poverty line, every year. In short the social benefits of instituting social insurance as a financial instrument to replace user fees, outweighs the possible risks of moral hazard and increased costs, typical outcomes of prepaid insurance. How to minimize these two market failures are of concern and need to be addressed by developing a well thought out strategy taking international evidence into account so we build on existing kn owledge and learn from others experiences. It is argued that it is not advisable for governments to intervene in health insurance markets in a piecemeal manner-insurance for pensioners by the Department of Personnel; for weavers by the Department of Textiles, for fishermen by the Department of Agriculture, for farmers by the Department of Cooperatives, poor women by the Department of Rural Development etc., as such attempts fragment risk pools. In other words, resorting to insurance as a financing instrument must be an act of a deliberate strategy that addresses the market failures in order to ensure that inequities do not widen and the poor are not marginalized two typical outcomes of private, fragmented insurance systems In conclusion it is reiterated that given the fiscal constraints for government to provide universal access to free health care, insurance can be an important means of mobilizing resources, providing risk protection and achieving improved health outcomes. The crit ical need is to experiment with the wide range of financing instruments available in different scenarios and have adequate flexibility in the design features, the structures and processes, institutional mechanisms and regulatory frameworks, so that a viable balance can be achieved for minimizing market distortions so that the outcomes do not make the cure worse than the disease (Enthoven 1983, 1993). Unregulated markets are inefficient and inequitable, requiring governments to intervene to ensure no segmentation in the system (Bloom, 2001). For this, the burden of building partnerships and managing change is on the government, which in turn needs to base its strategy on sound research. Community Health Insurance in India- An overview by N Devadasan, Kent Ranson, Wim Van Damme, Bart Criel The objectives range from providing low cost health care to protecting the households from high hospitalisation costs. BAIF, DHAN, Navsarjan Trust and RAHA explicitly state that the health in surance scheme was developed to prevent the individual member from bearing the financial burden of hospitalisation. Healthinsurance was also seen by some organisations as a method of encouraging participation by the community in their own healthcare. And finally, especially the more activist organizations (ACCORD, RAHA) used community health insurance as a measure to increase solidarity among its members one for all and all for one. Health Care in India Emerging market report, 2007 (PWC) A growing healthcare sector Healthcare is one of Indias largest sectors, in terms of revenue and employment, and the sector is expanding rapidly. During the 1990s, Indian healthcare grew at a compound annual rate of 16%. Today the total value of the sector is more than $34 billion. This translates to $34 per capita or roughly 6% of GDP. By 2012, Indias healthcare sector is projected to grow to nearly $40 billion. The private sector accounts for more than 80% of total healthcare spending in India. Unless there is a decline in the combined federal and state government deficit, which currently stands at roughly 9%, the opportunity for significantly higher public health spending will be limited. One driver of growth in the healthcare sector is Indias booming population, currently 1.1 billion and increasing at a 2% annual rate. By 2030, India is expected to surpass China as the worlds most populous nation. By 2050, the population is projected to reach 1.6 billion. Government Health Expenditure of India: A benchmark study by Economic Research foundation, 2006 Health expenditure in India is dominated by Private spending. The study covers Pattern of health expenditure in India. House holds- 68.8 % External funding 14.4% Central Government 7.2% Firms 5.1% Others 4.7% Source: National Health account for India, 2001-2002 Absolute levels of total government spending on health, family welfare and child development are absurdly low by international standards, not only in per capita terms but also as share of GDP. Government spending on health amounts to less than 1 per cent of GDP. This has meant that a disproportionately large and growing share of the burden of health care has been borne by households in India, such that they account for an increasing share of total expenditure (nearly three-quarters in the most recent year for which data are available). Unlike many other countries, this is completely in the form of Out-of-pocket expenses, which are inherently regressive. Also, the share of household consumption expenditure devoted to health care has also been increasing over time, especially in rural areas where it now accounts for nearly 7 per cent of the household budget on average. Origin and Evolution of Primary Health care in India The study is about history of Health insurance in India Post-Independence. The paper starts with the Bhore committee report and follows on with major findings and suggestions of all the reports. The report also places some light on National Rural Health mission and its strategies. FICCI Health Insurance Report 2010 The report covers areas:- Promoting Quality Healthcare through Health Insurance Suggested standard format for provider bills Suggested discharge summary contents TPA/Insurer contract and concept on standardization of TPA hospital contract The report covers US healthcare industry and lay guideline for development of Indian healthcare industry on same patterns. Rise of health insurance in India Whats driving your revolution, Health conference, International Finance Corporation, April 20th 2007. The report covers the areas of healthcare financing in the country. It differentiates the growth factors and gives a 35% growth figure for last 5 years from the report date. It gives the 75-25 ratio of private and public health services. Research Objective To find out various factors influencing buying behavior towards health insurance product. To measure the relative weight age. To find out mutual correlation between factors and purchase decision by the consumers. Major Hypothesis H0 = Word of mouth is not the most effective advertisement for sale of health insurance products. H = Word of mouth is the most effective advertisement for sale of health insurance products. Research Methodology Descriptive method is used as research design. The research included Survey method as data collection tool. Sample Design:- 1. Target population Delhi working population in IT sector. Lower middle class Rural people who are employed as daily wages labour 2. Sample Size: 70 3. Sample Selection Simple random sampling The target population has been intentionally selected with a view to get data from a mix population. It will help in identifying the behavior of people from different economic class. Data Collection Secondary data source: Government bodies (National Health care report, Rural Health Policies, Budgetary provisions, UID program, etc) Private research bodies (McKenzie report on health insurance in India, PWC report, FICCI health insurance group report) Research paper published and presented in international seminars, journals and conferences. Primary data collection was done through filling up of questionnaire. Analysis tools used: SPSS and Excel DATA ANALYSIS No of respondents 70 and their distribution on the basis of yearly earnings. From the readings we have following findings: No. of Respondents in salary range less than 1lakh is of those people who are labours, daily wages workers, hawkers etc. No. of Respondents in salary range less than 2lakhs is of those people who are freshers, some old people who are working as Guards. No. of Respondents in salary range less than 3lakhs is of those people who are in IT enabled services and small time freelancers. No. of Respondents in salary range less than 4lakhs is of those people who are in IT field, BPO. No. of Respondents in salary range less than 5lakhs is of those people who are in IT field and Government employees. No. of Respondents in salary range less than 9lakhs but more than 5lakhs is of those people who are in IT field, Government service, Self employed. Do you have an Insurance Policy? The question was asked for General insurance policy and not specific to Health insurance only. The finding suggested that out of 70 respondents 55(79%) have insurance policy, 15 (21%) do not have insurance policy. Market Share of the organizations providing coverage on the basis of Respondents. The result is based on insurance policy owned by the respondents. Out of 70 respondents LIC has a share of 45%. ICICI Prudential Lombard has a share of 13% Kotak life has share of 6% followed by Max New York Life HDFC at 4% each. TATA AIG has a share of 3% Birla Sun Life has 2 %. Bajaj Allianz has 1%. 21% of the respondents do not have an insurance policy. Reason for buying Insurance Policy. The result is based on insurance policy and not health insurance policy in specific. The respondents were asked for the reason for buying policy when the bought it first time. Out of 70 respondents Tax saving 43% Security 23% Investment 10% Other 3% Do not have an insurance policy as they do not feel the need for an insurance policy 21 %. Which type of Policy do you have? The question was asked with the purpose to find the share of health insurance policy out of total insurance policy. The data is based on survey of 70 respondents. Traditional policy owners have 49%. ULIP policy owners 19% Health Insurance Pension plan at 4% Others 3% 21% of the respondents did not have an insurance policy. How did you come to know about the policy? The Question was asked in order to find out if word of mouth (Office/Family/Referrals) has a major share in insurance policy sales. The data is based on survey of 70 respondents. 21% of the respondents were influenced by Advertisement (Newspaper, Magazines, Internet, and Hoardings). 40% of the respondents were influenced by the Insurance Advisor. Family, friends, referrals have 12%. 6 % of the respondents were influenced by Kiosk, Directly from insurance office, direct calling, and Website sales. 4% of the respondents have other reasons. 21% of the respondents do not have insurance so they did not participate in the question. Factors influencing the purchase decision of the policy. The question was asked for the first insurance policy owned. The data is based on survey of 70 respondents. 33% of the respondents opted insurance for Savings(Tax Benefit) 17% of the respondents were influenced by advisors. 13% of the respondents have faith in there family, friend, relatives, colleagues. 6% of the respondents were influenced by advertisements. 9% of the respondents have taken policy as an investment option for long time. 21% of the respondents do not have an insurance policy. Do you have health benefit policy? The question was asked because if people do not have health insurance policy then what other options they have if any. The findings had a clear difference from the previous question findings which suggested only three respondents had health insurance policy. Out of 70 respondents 63% of the respondents said they have other form of health coverage. 37 % of the respondents did not have health insurance coverage. Name of the Source providing medical facilities. The Question was asked to find, what these other sources are. Out of 70 respondents surveyed 37% of the respondents have medical coverage from there office. 7% of the respondents are availing medical care and facilities through NGOs working in the area. 4% of the respondents use the charitable hospital or medicine shops(trust owned) to get the medical facilities. 19% of the respondents have others which is Government health insurance schemes at state level and Central level. 33% of the respondents did not had health insurance. If you buy a Second policy what are the factors which will influence your purchase decision. The question was asked to only 55 respondents and the data represents the same. 31 % of the respondents said they will look for new policy. 25% of the respondents said they will look for better services from there insurance provider. 9% of the respondents said that they would like to fill the gap left by there current policy. 15% of the respondents will depend on the inputs from there friends, relatives, colleagues, etc. Others have 20% of the share with different views. Technical factors responsible for effecting purchase decision The Question was asked to find out factors related to policy which influence buyers decision. Out of 70 respondents 48% of the respondents will look for Benefits from the Policy cover. 30% of the respondents will look for returns as they think it as safe investment. 20% of the respondents will look for the premium as per their pocket size. 2% of the respondents have other reasons.

Essay --

Clare Kelly Hour: 6 â€Å"The test of a round character is whether it is capable of surprising in a convincing way. If it never surprises, it is flat. If it does not convince, it is a flat pretending to be round.† -E.M. Forster Benvolio initially appears to be a minor character in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. As Romeo’s trustworthy cousin he is the consistent anchor and voice of reason throughout the play. Benvolio is portrayed as an honest, steadfast friend and peacemaker yet he has his own heartaches, which cause him to not always act sensibly. Shakespeare cunningly gives the audience an early indication of Benvolio’s personality through his name. Benvolio translated literally means â€Å"good-will† or â€Å"well wisher† a role he consistently fills, although sometimes unsuccessfully throughout the play, striving to keep himself and others around him out of any conflict. In the very first scene of the play, Benvolio quickly establishes himself as the peacemaker as he tries to stop the fight between the Montague and Capulet servants by saying, â€Å"Part fools! Put up your swords, you know not what you do.†(I.i.64-65) Wanting peace he warns them to stop arguing before things evolve into a grave situation. In that statement, Shakespeare references the Gospel of Luke â€Å"Father forgive them for they know not what they do† (Luke 23:34), using his skillful use of the written language to allude that Benvolio was taking on a Christ like peacemaker role in the play. Benvolio’s moral convi ctions do not change over the course of the play. His stance on peace is evident in all three scenes. In Act III, as Mercutio and Tybalt begin to fight, Benvolio once again attempts to be the voice of reason, â€Å"We talk here in the public haunt of mean: eithe... ...he is out for a pre-dawn stroll. â€Å"A troubled mind drove me to walk abroad.†(I.i.114) Then later on in Act I there is evidence that Benvolio doesn’t always act sensibly as he convinces Romeo to sneak in un-invited to the enemies masquerade ball, which could end in grave consequences. In Act II Benvolio and Mercutio join together to make fun of the Nurse at her expense, â€Å"hide her face, for her fans the fairer face.† (II.iv.98-99) In conclusion, although in the beginning Benvolio only appeared as a minor character, over the course of the play Shakespeare devolved Benvolio into a well rounded, three-dimensional character by making him not only a sensible peacemaker, and a honest trustworthy friend but also creating him to have a troubled mind like any other normal human. It is ironic that Benvolio, a minor character, is the only one that was left to pick up the pieces. Essay -- Clare Kelly Hour: 6 â€Å"The test of a round character is whether it is capable of surprising in a convincing way. If it never surprises, it is flat. If it does not convince, it is a flat pretending to be round.† -E.M. Forster Benvolio initially appears to be a minor character in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. As Romeo’s trustworthy cousin he is the consistent anchor and voice of reason throughout the play. Benvolio is portrayed as an honest, steadfast friend and peacemaker yet he has his own heartaches, which cause him to not always act sensibly. Shakespeare cunningly gives the audience an early indication of Benvolio’s personality through his name. Benvolio translated literally means â€Å"good-will† or â€Å"well wisher† a role he consistently fills, although sometimes unsuccessfully throughout the play, striving to keep himself and others around him out of any conflict. In the very first scene of the play, Benvolio quickly establishes himself as the peacemaker as he tries to stop the fight between the Montague and Capulet servants by saying, â€Å"Part fools! Put up your swords, you know not what you do.†(I.i.64-65) Wanting peace he warns them to stop arguing before things evolve into a grave situation. In that statement, Shakespeare references the Gospel of Luke â€Å"Father forgive them for they know not what they do† (Luke 23:34), using his skillful use of the written language to allude that Benvolio was taking on a Christ like peacemaker role in the play. Benvolio’s moral convi ctions do not change over the course of the play. His stance on peace is evident in all three scenes. In Act III, as Mercutio and Tybalt begin to fight, Benvolio once again attempts to be the voice of reason, â€Å"We talk here in the public haunt of mean: eithe... ...he is out for a pre-dawn stroll. â€Å"A troubled mind drove me to walk abroad.†(I.i.114) Then later on in Act I there is evidence that Benvolio doesn’t always act sensibly as he convinces Romeo to sneak in un-invited to the enemies masquerade ball, which could end in grave consequences. In Act II Benvolio and Mercutio join together to make fun of the Nurse at her expense, â€Å"hide her face, for her fans the fairer face.† (II.iv.98-99) In conclusion, although in the beginning Benvolio only appeared as a minor character, over the course of the play Shakespeare devolved Benvolio into a well rounded, three-dimensional character by making him not only a sensible peacemaker, and a honest trustworthy friend but also creating him to have a troubled mind like any other normal human. It is ironic that Benvolio, a minor character, is the only one that was left to pick up the pieces.

Realism in Romantic poetry Essay

Reality is abstract, as it depends on every individual’s own perspective. When Wordsworth says, â€Å"world is too much with us†, it depends on us how we look at the world, as every being has a world of his own. We acknowledge the events around us with whom we can relate, but ignore many other changes considerable for others. Most of the times, Romantics are considered escapist, and are alleged that their writings reflect an Imaginary world far from the reality surrounding us. But going through various poems of Wordsworth and Coleridge, I find it vice versa. â€Å"All bright and glittering in the smokeless air. Never did sun more beautifully steep In his first splendor, valley, rock, or hill; Ne’er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep! The river glideth at his own sweet will: Dear God! The very houses seem asleep; And all that mighty heart is lying still! † [Westminster Bridge; Wordsworth; Sept 3,1802] The allegation that Wordsworth moved from the harsh realities of the cities brought about by the industrial revolution initiated in 1765. This allegation was made relatively stronger by placing Wordsworth vis-a-vis Victorian realism. In my view such an allegation is a product of superficial readings of his poems. The poem composed upon ‘Westminster Bridge’ illustrates keen sense of socio-economy of the then London. It describes the urban landscape departing from his stock theme based on rural landscape. It talks about the landscape of the city which has been divested to its negative qualities. Like the smoke of the industries, the busy crowd, insensitive to its fellow man and the incessant desire in man to control nature. The term smokeless air is for him a matter to rejoice a state of the city distilled of the harmful effects of industrialization. The line, â€Å"the river glideth at his own sweet will† encapsulates the entire project of Wordsworth vis-a-vis the new call given by the middle class to conquer and exploit nature. In this sense his realism is much more pronounced and subtle than it is taken into account of. Citing from historical context, one can notice the involvement of the likes of Coleridge, Wordsworth and Lamb during French revolution. In 1798, the year ‘Lyrical Ballads’, a joint effort by Wordsworth and Coleridge, came out, was a turbulent period in England’s history. Hostilities had broken out between Her and France in 1793 (and was to last with unremarkable intermission for over twenty years), and by 1798, she was faring badly in the war. Wordsworth had, of course, visited France in 1791-92, and had been in Paris at perhaps the most critical of all the great moments of the French Revolution that began with the destruction of the notorious prison of the Bastille in July 1789. (Coleridge’s poem, An Ode on the Destruction of the Bastille). The political tussle between the Girondins and the Jacobins were at a height, and Wordsworth saw clearly the slow rise of the Jacobins under Robespierre. He felt a deep concern for the Girondin leaders whom he felt were the genuine revolutionaries. He believed in the â€Å"reasonableness† of human nature and also believed passionately that men were â€Å"worthy of liberty†. Wordsworth’s early republicanism, his concern for France and the Revolution is described memorably in his long and autobiographical Prelude: Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive, But to be young was very Heaven! O times, In which the meager, stale, forbidding ways Of custom, law and statute, took at once The attraction of a country in romance! The prelude testifies to the shock that Wordsworth felt in his â€Å"moral nature† when he saw the Revolution that was to redeem mankind, turn to dust. For many, Tom Paine, William Godwin, Coleridge and Wordsworth, the French Revolution was not simply as struggle of a people to be free- it was mankind’s struggle to achieve something better- a new age for the entire human race- when aristocracy and class privilege would give to democracy and â€Å"Reason† would destroy the fetters of superstition and tyranny. Coleridge, like Wordsworth, had been swayed by the ideals of the Revolution, but the savagery and unrestrained mob frenzy under the Terror disillusioned him as did the rise of Napoleon and France’s aggressive conquests of other European nations. In France, An Ode and Fears in Solitude, Coleridge describe his feelings with candour: O France, that mockest Heaven, adulterous, blind, And patriot only in pernicious toils! Are these thy boasts, Champion of humankind? To mix with kings in low lust of sway, Yell in the hunt, and share the murderous prey; To insult the Shrine of Liberty with spoils From freemen torn; to tempt and to betray? [France, An Ode] British sympathizers of the French Revolution like Wordsworth, Coleridge and Southey were lampooned in the conservative press. Coleridge was so much influenced by William Godwin’s idea (Political Justice, 1793) of rejection of authority, abolition of private property, creation of a just state that along with Robert Southey, he was ready to set sail for America to establish a perfect state along the lines charted by Godwin. The political ideas of Wordsworth and Coleridge was also strengthened by pursuing the ideological goals of Unitarianism (which verged on radical deism) and drew heavily on the ideas of English â€Å"Commonwealthman† of the seventeenth century. Side by side to these intellectual debates between the conservatives and the liberals, the economic and the human cost of the war proving to be enormous. In the country, rural poverty was becoming acute and the number of beggars, starving children, gypsies, wounded soldiers roaming the country lanes could be seen from early poetry. Wordsworth’s poetic capability to recreate the sorrows and hardships of these homeless, starving populace is one of his lasting achievement as a poet. The Old Cumberland Beggar in poem of the same name, the traveler of Guilt and Sorrow, the blind London beggar in The Prelude are all powerful figures of forsaken humanity who become permanent symbols of the human condition. The effect of industrialization was viewed by both Wordsworth and Coleridge with a mixture of excitement and distrust. The new industrial cities- Birmingham, Sheffield, Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester, by 1815, contained a large population that had come from the country to look for work, and both Wordsworth and Coleridge were increasingly worried about the rising number of poor. Against the expanding complexities of men living in an industrial wasteland, the destruction of old livelihoods and an increasing impossibility to believe in a benign Providence, harmony with Nature offered the Romantic poets another way of life. The disruptive force of the French Revolution added the impetus to romanticism. There are individual differences among the great romantic poets concerning the conception of nature. But all of them share a common objection to the mechanistic universe of the eighteenth century- even though Wordsworth admires Newton and accepts him, at least in the orthodox interpretation. All romantic poets conceived of nature as an organic whole, on the analogue of man rather than a concourse of atoms- a nature that is not divorced from aesthetic values, which are just as real (or rather more real) than the abstractions of science. My conclusion concerning the romantic poets may be unorthodox and even unconventional. On the whole political criteria seem grossly overrated as a basis for judging a man. References Blake, Wordsworth and Coleridge [Edited by Debjan Sengupta and Shernaz Cama; Worldview Critical Editions] The Prelude by William Wordsworth An Ode on the Destruction of the Bastille by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Biography of Justinian I, Emperor of Byzantine

Biography of Justinian I, Emperor of Byzantine Justinian, or  Flavius Petrus Sabbatius Justinianus, was arguably the most important ruler of the Eastern Roman Empire. Considered by some scholars to be  the last great Roman emperor and the first great Byzantine emperor, Justinian fought to reclaim Roman territory and left a lasting impact on architecture and law. His relationship with his wife, Empress Theodora, would play an essential role in the course of his reign. Justinians Early Years Justinian, whose given name was Petrus Sabbatius, was born in 483 C.E. to peasants in the Roman province of Illyria. He may have still been in his teens when he came to Constantinople. There, under the sponsorship of his mothers brother, Justin, Petrus acquired a superior education. However, thanks to his Latin background, he always spoke Greek with a notable accent. At this time, Justin was a highly-ranked military commander, and Petrus was his favorite nephew. The younger man climbed the social ladder with a hand up from the older, and he held several important offices. In time, the childless Justin officially adopted Petrus, who took the name Justinianus in his honor. In 518, Justin became Emperor. Three years later, Justinian became a consul. Justinian and Theodora Sometime before the year 523, Justinian met the actress Theodora. If The Secret History by Procopius is to be believed, Theodora was a courtesan as well as an actress, and her public performances bordered on the pornographic. Later authors defended Theodora, claiming that she had undergone a religious awakening and that she found ordinary work as a wool spinner to support herself honestly. No one knows precisely how Justinian met Theodora, but he appears to have fallen hard for her. She was not only beautiful, but she was also shrewd and able to appeal to Justinian on an intellectual level. She was also known for her passionate interest in religion; she had become a Monophysite, and Justinian may have taken a measure of tolerance from her plight. They also shared humble beginnings and were somewhat apart from Byzantine nobility. Justinian made Theodora a patrician, and in 525 - the same year that he received the title of Caesar - he made her his wife. Throughout his life, Justinian would rely on Theodora for support, inspiration, and guidance. Rising to the Purple Justinian owed much to his uncle, but Justin was well-repaid by his nephew. He had made his way to the throne through his skill, and he had governed through his strengths; but through much of his reign, Justin enjoyed the advice and allegiance of Justinian. This was especially true as the emperors reign drew to a close. In April of 527, Justinian was crowned co-emperor. At this time, Theodora was crowned Augusta. The two men would share the title for only four months before Justin passed away in August of that same year. Emperor Justinian Justinian was an idealist and a man of great ambition. He believed he could restore the empire to its former glory, both in terms of the territory it encompassed and the achievements made under its aegis. He wanted to reform the government, which had long suffered from corruption, and clear up the legal system, which was heavy with centuries of legislation and outmoded laws. He had great concern for religious righteousness and wanted persecutions against heretics and orthodox Christians alike to end. Justinian also appears to have had a sincere desire to improve the lot of all citizens of the empire. When his reign as sole emperor began, Justinian had many different issues to deal with, all in the space of a few years. Justinians Early Reign One of the very first things Justinian attended to was a reorganization of Roman, now Byzantine, Law. He appointed a commission to begin the first book of what was to be a remarkably extensive and thorough legal code. It would come to be known as the Codex Justinianus  (the  Code of Justinian).  Although the Codex would contain new laws, it was primarily a compilation and clarification of centuries of existing law, and it would become one of the most influential sources in western legal history.   Justinian then set about instituting governmental reforms. The officials he appointed were at times too enthusiastic in rooting out long-entrenched corruption, and the well-connected targets of their reform did not go easily. Riots began to break out, culminating in the most famous Nika Revolt of 532. But thanks to the efforts of Justinians able general Belisarius, the riot was ultimately put down; and thanks to the support of Empress Theodora, Justinian showed the kind of backbone that helped solidify his reputation as a courageous leader. Though he may not have been loved, he was respected. After the revolt, Justinian took the opportunity to conduct a massive construction project that would add to his prestige and make Constantinople an impressive city for centuries to come. This included the rebuilding of the marvelous cathedral, the Hagia Sophia. The building program was not restricted to the capital city, but extended throughout the empire, and included the construction of aqueducts and bridges, orphanages and hostels, monasteries and churches; and it encompassed the restoration of entire towns destroyed by earthquakes (an unfortunately all-too-frequent occurrence). In 542, the empire was struck by a devastating epidemic that would later be known as Justinians Plague or the Sixth-Century Plague. According to Procopius, the emperor himself succumbed to the disease, but fortunately, he recovered. Justinians Foreign Policy When his reign began, Justinians troops were fighting Persian forces along the Euphrates. Although the considerable success of his generals (Belisarius in particular) would allow the Byzantines to conclude equitable and peaceful agreements, war with the Persians would flare up repeatedly through most of Justinians reign. In 533, the intermittent mistreatment of Catholics by the Arian Vandals in Africa came to a disturbing head when the Catholic king of the Vandals, Hilderic, was thrown into prison by his Arian cousin, who took his throne. This gave Justinian an excuse to attack the Vandal kingdom in North Africa, and once again his general Belisarius served him well. When the Byzantines were through with them, the Vandals no longer posed a serious threat, and North Africa became part of the Byzantine Empire. It was Justinians view that the western empire had been lost through indolence, and he believed it his duty to re-acquire territory in Italy - especially Rome - as well as other lands that had once been part of the Roman Empire. The Italian campaign lasted well over a decade, and thanks to Belisarius and Narses, the peninsula ultimately came under Byzantine control - but at a terrible cost. Most of Italy was devastated by the wars, and a few short years after Justinians death, invading Lombards were able to capture large portions of the Italian peninsula. Justinians forces were far less successful in the Balkans. There, bands of Barbarians continually raided Byzantine territory, and though occasionally repulsed by imperial troops, ultimately, Slavs and Bulgars invaded and settled within the borders of the Eastern Roman Empire. Justinian and the Church Emperors of Eastern Rome usually took a direct interest in ecclesiastical matters and often played a significant role in the direction of the Church. Justinian saw his responsibilities as emperor in this vein. He forbade pagans and heretics from teaching, and he closed the famous Academy for being pagan and not, as was often charged, as an act against classical learning and philosophy.   Though an adherent to Orthodoxy himself, Justinian recognized that much of Egypt and Syria followed the Monophysite form of Christianity, which had been branded a heresy. Theodoras support of the Monophysites undoubtedly influenced him, at least in part, to attempt to strike a compromise. His efforts did not go well. He tried to force western bishops to work with the Monophysites and even held Pope Vigilius in Constantinople for a time. The result was a break with the papacy that lasted until 610 C.E.   Justinians Later Years After the death of Theodora in 548, Justinian showed a marked decline in activity and appeared to withdraw from public matters. He became deeply concerned with theological issues, and at one point even went so far as to take a heretical stand, issuing in 564 an edict declaring that the physical body of Christ was incorruptible and that it only appeared to suffer. This was immediately met with protests and refusals to follow the edict, but the issue was resolved when Justinian died suddenly on the night of November 14/15, 565. His nephew, Justin II succeeded Justinian.   The Legacy of Justinian For nearly 40 years, Justinian guided a burgeoning, dynamic civilization through some of its most turbulent times. Although much of the territory acquired during his reign was lost after his death, the infrastructure he succeeded in creating through his building program would remain. And while both his foreign expansion endeavors and his domestic construction project would leave the empire in financial difficulty, his successor would remedy that without too much trouble. Justinians reorganization of the administrative system would last some time, and his contribution to legal history would be even more far-reaching.   After his death, and after the death of the writer Procopius (a highly respected source for Byzantine history), a scandalous exposà © was published known to us as The Secret History. Detailing an imperial court rife with corruption and depravity, the work - which most scholars believe was indeed written by Procopius, as it was claimed - attacks both Justinian and Theodora as greedy, debauched and unscrupulous. While most scholars acknowledge the authorship of Procopius, the content of The Secret History remains controversial; and over the centuries, while it tarred the reputation of Theodora pretty badly, it has largely failed to reduce the stature of Emperor Justinian. He remains one of the most impressive and important emperors in Byzantine history.