English literature Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

English literature - Essay Example The two heroes fought in opposing sides during the Trojan wars and their encounters are accounted in odyssey and Aeneid respectively. Odysseus ruled Ithaca and he is regarded as one of the greatest kings and hero of his time. On the other hand, Aeneas was a warrior from Troy who had a Roman/Italian heritage. The two characters share many similarities in their upbringing and attitude towards nobility. Born in noble families, the two heroes chose to defy some norms associated with their social class. However, they were both religious and true to their calling and social status. Certainly, Odysseus and Aerneas had different social status and commanded different forms of respect from their followers and fellow citizens. The two characters reveal how the Romans and Greek valued brevity and war heroes. Indeed, the two characters gained their status from two different events/wars that are rather similar. Odysseus earned his title from a brave idea that led to victory during the battle of th e Trojans. During this episode, Odysseus plan and execute a heroic move by sending alcohol to Greek soldiers. After the Greeks were drunk and asleep, Odysseus and his men descended on them slaughtering them all. Similarly, Aeneas gave motivational talks to the Trojans before they went into the battlefield. Certainly, Odysseus and arenas had a different perspective and obligations to the republic. Aerneas believed that each Roman citizen had a duty and a responsibility towards the state. According to his thinking, every Roman citizen had to remain pious and royal to the Roman race. The character upheld the two virtues and, he believed that the virtues had attached costs and rewards. Aerneas also complied with the will of the gods. He believed that they were the custodians of human destiny and his sole counsel. This is the main difference between the Greek’s outlook toward mortality and personal conduct. In the course of his mission, Aerneas gains and command respect from the p eople leading to the creation of the Roman Empire. The Arneoid depicts that Aerneas sacrificed worldly pleasures for the sake of the Republic. For example, he failed to engage in sexual pleasure with women as other worriers did. According to him, the act was holly and it was meant for procreation rather than for pleasure. This basic virtue was to be included in the newly established Roman culture. Moreover, Aerneas chose to forsake his lover Dido in order to be in the Roman army. This shows his dedication to the service of the republic. Question 2 The New Testament is the textual basis for what became a new civilization, one that largely substituted Christian teachings for the religious, philosophical, and social values that prevailed in the classical, that is the Greek and Roman world. The New Testament particular the New Testament has considerable similarity with the works of profound classical authors such as Homer, Plato, and Virgil. The New Testament has outstanding contradicti on with other classical literature. In particular, the New Testament is written from a spiritual perspective rather than a worldly perspective. Certainly, nearly all classical writers had an ideal physical republic or a city that defined their views towards life and the role of humanity. On the other hand, Jesus referred to the heavenly kingdom that did not resemble anything in this world, as we know it. In this reference, the heavily kingdom as portrayed in the New Testament

Biofuels Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Biofuels - Essay Example This paper examines cons associated with biofuel production as well as their counter views. Advantages of biofuels As earlier noted, biofuel is produced from agricultural crops, especially corn. This means biofuel has generated a market that competes with the food market for crop harvest. Recent studies have shown that the increased dependence on this type of fuel has led to a rise in the demand for food crops in the energy market. Farmers are motivated to channel their crops there due to high market prices for their produce. This has in turn has led to a decrease in supply of agricultural products in the food market. In effect, low supply of food commodities in the food market has translated to increased global food prices (Bruce et al, 2010). According to FAPRI (2009), biofuel production has also encouraged farmers to limit their production of other crops and concentrate on corn. This has led to the reduction in the supply of other types of crops hence an increase in their prices. Extensive corn production has also encouraged extensive land use and potential encroachment into wild habitats, forests, and swampy areas. This threatens the potential of the land to sustain future generations, especially encroachment to wetlands. Bruce et al (2010) states that during biofuel production, a lot of energy is used making the project uneconomical. In some cases, the energy used is more than what is produced. For others like ethanol, 1 unit of energy produces 1.5 units of ethanol. It should also be noted that biofuel are produced from biomass. This is renewable and degradable hence it will have cumulative long-term negative effects on the future generations. A study on biodiesel utilization has revealed that there is an increase in NOx in biodiesel emissions. This means, it has not served to mitigate the effects of fossil fuels upon the environment. Counter views Concerning the contribution of biofuel to increased global food prices, biofuel cannot be totally be blamed f or it. This is because such a project can only be undertaken by a country after a thorough assessment of its ability to feed its people and the availability of excess for biofuel production. Currently, there are enough farms to grow crops that support this project. Countries which produce biofuel like the US and Brazil have significantly increased their corn, sugarcane and vegetable oil production. Farmers plant this crops knowing they are meant for two markets. In some cases, they even have a surplus of these commodities at the end of the year. According to Colitt (2008), improved economic condition leading to better feeding can be blamed for the rise in food prices. Though it may be said that biofuel production is uneconomical due to its input verses output, the situation has changed over the past couple of years. There have been significant improvements in technology