Thursday, August 27, 2020

Locating German Vital Records

Finding German Vital Records Common enrollment of births, relationships, and passings in Germany started following the French Revolution in 1792. Starting with areas of Germany under French control, most German states inevitably built up their own individual frameworks of common enrollment somewhere in the range of 1792 and 1876. When all is said in done, German common records start in 1792 in Rheinland, 1803 in Hessen-Nassau, 1808 in Westfalen, 1809 in Hannover, Oct 1874 in Prussia, and Jan 1876 for every single other piece of Germany. Since Germany has no focal storehouse for common records of births, relationships, and passings, the records might be found in a few distinct areas. Nearby Civil Registrars Office Most polite birth, marriage, and passing records in Germany are kept up by the common enrollment office (Standesamt) in the nearby towns. You can for the most part acquire common enrollment records by writing (in German) to the town with the fitting names and dates, the purpose behind your solicitation, and verification of your relationship to the individual(s). Most urban areas have sites at www.[city name].de where you can discover the contact data for the proper Standesamt. Government Archives In certain territories of Germany, copy common records of births, relationships and passings have been sent to the state chronicles (Staatsarchiv), area documents (Kreisarchive), or another focal vault. A significant number of these records have been microfilmed and are accessible at the Family History Library or through neighborhood Family History Centers. The Family History Library The Family History Library has microfilmed the common enrollment records of numerous towns all through Germany up to around 1876, just as duplicates of records sent to a considerable lot of the different state files. Do a Place Name search in the online Family History Library Catalog for the name of the town to realize what records and timespans are accessible. Ward Records Frequently called ward registers or church books, these incorporate records of births, submersion, relationships, passings, and entombments recorded by German places of worship. The principal enduring Protestant records go back to 1524, yet Lutheran places of worship, by and large, started requiring absolution, marriage, and entombment records in 1540; Catholics started doing as such in 1563, and by 1650 most Reformed areas started keeping these records. A considerable lot of these records are accessible on microfilm through Family History Centers. Something else, youll need to write (in German) to the particular area which served the town wherein your progenitors lived.

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Macroeconomic policy about population growth

Presentation After the World War II, the new foundations, for example, World Bank and IMF were built up in order to cultivate globalization. This thusly prompted decrease of destitution, production of ventures, work creation, increment in monetary development, and improved living standards.Advertising We will compose a custom appraisal test on Macroeconomic strategy about populace development explicitly for you for just $16.05 $11/page Learn More This brought about an expansion in populace and decrease in newborn child death rate. In 1960’s and 1970’s nations began to grasp globalization which thusly offered ascend to worldwide exchange (Mishkin, Giavazzi, Srinivasan, International Monetary Fund., 2000). The degree at which nations grasped globalization varied. This prompted variations in the pace of financial development and populace development rates. For the most part, there was a general increment in populace in numerous pieces of the world. Correlation of populace development and monetary development Below is a rundown of twenty creating nations whose populace development was high during the 1960s and 1970s and remained very high toward the start of the present century; Countries Population development rate (%) GDP per capita Afghanistan 3.85 $700 Bangladesh 1.57 $1,900 Brazil 1.13 $7,600 Cambodia 1.7 $1,700 Costa Rica 1.32 $9,000 Ecuador 1.44 $3,300 Ethiopia 3.19 $700 Gaza strip 3.2 $600 Honduras 1.89 $2,600 Iran 1.25 $7,000 Jordan 0.98 $4,300 Lebanon 1.05 $4,800 Nepal 1.6 $1,400 Niger 3.64 $800 Pakistan 1.57 $2,100 Philippines 1.9 $4,600 Venezuela 1.49 $4,800 Vietnam 1.08 $2,500 Zimbabwe 4.31 $1,900 Indonesia 1.15 $3,200 Factors that prompted an expansion in populace development The expansion in populace development could be credited to various elements. One of these components remembers decrease for kid death rate. The rise of thorough social insurance plans prompted a sharp decrease in kid death rates. Some perilous contaminations, for ex ample, jungle fever turned out to be fundamentally smothered. As economy got lively, there was have to expand human work and this prompted continued increment in populace development rates in some creating nations. There was additionally a development of enterprises which requested human work (Mishkin National Bureau of Economic Research., 2008).Advertising Looking for appraisal on business financial aspects? We should check whether we can support you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More During 1960’s and 1970’s, numerous African nations experienced increment in populace. This is on the grounds that kids were viewed as a wellspring of eminence by numerous networks. In the Muslim commanded portions of North Africa, there were expanded dominion as the Muslims attempted to extend their religion. The need to have a satisfactory number of officers prompted increment in birth rates. Muslim ladies were profoundly ensured to give solid children who might later become officers. Increment in the pace of social ills, for example, youngster marriage additionally contributed altogether in the populace development. This brought about early relationships and drop out from schools. This issue was increasingly articulated in Africa and South East Asia. In the 21st century, Latin America experienced populace blast due to declining passing rates just as increment in birth rates. The populace development rate was developing at a quicker rate than some other piece of the world except for Africa. The number of inhabitants in Mexico nearly multiplied during the period 1960 and 1990 raising a great deal of worry in the Latin America. The potential impact of fast populace development on the financial advancement was likewise of a significant concern. In the mid 21st century, food adequacy additionally helped populace development rate. The development of new advances made horticultural exercises increasingly effective, dependable and gainful. New creation strateg ies and apparatus prompted an expansion in farming efficiency. Subsequently, individuals got more advantageous as lack of healthy sustenance decreased fundamentally. This was a sharp difference from the prior period which was described by extreme appetite and high youngster death rates (Loh, 1976).Advertising We will compose a custom evaluation test on Macroeconomic approach about populace development explicitly for you for just $16.05 $11/page Learn More Below is a rundown of twenty creating nations whose populace development was high in the 1960’s and 1970’s and declined toward the start of the 21st century; Population development rate (%) GDP per capita Argentina 1 $11,200 Armenia 0.06 $3,900 Burma 1.08 $1,900 Chile 0.84 $9,900 Haiti 0.79 $1,600 Iceland 0.69 $30,900 Jamaica 0.73 $3,800 Maldives - 0.15 $3,900 Palau 0.58 $9,000 Singapore 0.82 $23,700 South Africa - 0.38 $10,700 Sri Lanka 0.93 $3,700 Syria 0.91 $3,300 Thailand 0.57 $7,400 Tunisia 0.98 $6,900 Uruguay 0. 23 $12,600 Macau 0.88 $19,400 Saint Lucia 0.39 $5,400 Botswana 1.66 $8,800 Morocco 1.07 $4,000 Since 1960’s, the pace of birth has been on a sharp decrease in the creating nations because of different monetary and segment factors. Research conveyed by different associations, for example, World Bank shows that, low wages are profoundly connected with high birth rates. Research additionally shows that there were differed reasons ascribed to low richness rates in the creating nations yet the vast majority of them were related with human development and monetary development. One of these reasons incorporates parents’ inclination for littler families when their wellbeing conditions show signs of improvement. Different explores show that, sound guardians will in general have low dependence on their kids to deal with them at mature age or even to chip away at their ranches. On the opposite guardians with unexpected frailty conditions want to have numerous youngsters who will deal with them at mature age. The world richness rate declined from 4.5% during 1960-1965 to 3.3% during 1990-1995. In Sub-Saharan Africa in 1993 the fruitfulness rate was 6.4 which remain the most elevated on the planet. Ladies in Sub-Saharan Africa had 6.4 kids which was altogether bigger from different pieces of the world. Ladies in industrialized nations had 1.8 kids while their partners in Middle East and North Africa had 4.9 youngsters in their beneficial wellbeing. The richness rates were likewise low at South Asia, Latin America and Caribbean, and South East Asia with recorded figures of; 4.2, 3.0 and 2.5 individually. Elements that prompted a decrease in populace development rateAdvertising Searching for evaluation on business financial matters? We should check whether we can support you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Find out More The decrease in populace development can be credited to various elements which incorporates: culture, practical and social components. So as to control populace blast, nations occupied with conceptive wellbeing efforts. This made open mindfulness identifying with the need to control human populace. Purposeful endeavors were made by a greater part of creating nations in order to think of approach structures to manage human populace. Different Countries thought of clear rules on the ideal birth rates. In the mid 21st century numerous nations began family arranging activities. During this period there was expanded mindfulness on the threats which are probably going to be brought about by the populace blast. There were at that point away from of the chance of future strain on assets and increment in social ills. Therefore, numerous nations began family arranging programs which nearly turned into a world standard. Truth be told, a few nations set extraordinary teams to initiate the family arranging programs. A portion of the human populace control procedures which turned out to be increasingly normal during this period incorporate utilization of contraceptives and fetus removal (Wan Shimomura, 2007). Increment in industrialization prompted gigantic occupation creation. Individuals got increasingly associated with financial exercises and in this manner had brief period to participate in social exercises. A few explores demonstrated that joblessness was one of the significant reasons for high populace development during the mid 21st century. This is on the grounds that needy individuals had moderately higher birth rates than their rich partners. High rate of sickness (HIV-AIDS) and displacement because of political abuse in numerous pieces of the Africa prompted a huge decrease in populace development. Until, late 1960’s numerous African nations were under pilgrim rule. A few nations, for example, Namibia and South Africa got freedom late. Politically-sanctione d racial segregation rule by the pioneer aces disintegrated the expectations for everyday comforts of the subjects and this thus diminished populace development. The impacts of constrained work significantly observed the populace decrease radically. In numerous pieces of the created nations there were revelation of valuable minerals, for example, copper and oil. This prompted rise of numerous ventures, for example, steel and copper enterprises. There was work creation which subsequently improved people’s ways of life. Many worked engaged in monetary exercises and this diminished time used in social exercises. Levels of absence of education were still high. Instruction was not very much grasped by many creating nations. Schools were scantily populated in numerous pieces of the creating nations. These settled for less of living and kid death rate turned out to be high. During the period 1960’s and 1970’s, illnesses were extremely wild in numerous pieces of the wor ld. The social insurance frameworks were lacking and in certain nations they were non-existent. Ailments, for example, Malaria, smallpox, plague, cholera and tuberculosis caused increment in death rates. Uncleanliness which was a serious repulsive infection was additionally a typical ailment in most African nations. Absence of legitimate human services frameworks prompted an expansion in death rate and low richness rate. During the mid 21st century, there was a significa

Friday, August 21, 2020

Blog Archive Monday Morning Essay Tip Anecdotal Opening

Blog Archive Monday Morning Essay Tip Anecdotal Opening Many candidates choose to take a straightforward, historical approach to their personal statements. This can be an easy way to organize an essay, but this approach may also lead candidates to ignore possibilities for a more focused and gripping introduction. Although nothing is fundamentally wrong with taking a historical approach, under certain circumstances, an anecdotal approach can better maintain the reader’s interest. (This all comes down to executionâ€"a strong writer could effectively execute either approach.) Example 1: Historical “When I graduated from NYU with a finance degree, I eschewed Wall Street and pursued my own distinct path; I opened a flower shop in midtown New York, never imagining the challenges I would face as I strived to bring in new customers and locate products around the world. With time, I learned to advertise selectively (on billboards in local office buildings) and developed relationships with suppliers, particularly one in Peru, with whom I obtained an exclusive on Heliconia flowers. After one year, we started to specialize in foreign flowers and, with a niche identified, we developed a strong client base. My firm stabilized and I was no longer bleeding cash to support my 11 employees; we were cash flow neutral and contemplating a new location.” This introduction, which is historical in nature, is very direct and informative, but involves almost no drama or emotion. To be more effective, the writer might instead consider positioning him/herself as “the hero” and drawing the reader in with some anecdotal tension. Example 2: Anecdotal “My hand quivered as I signed a lease for 1,000 square feet of retail space in midtown New York. Two months later, I flung open the doors to my flower shop and was stunned when I did not make a sale until my third day. Admittedly, I began to question the wisdom of entrepreneurship and wondered if I should have joined my peers from NYU’s finance program as an analyst on Wall Street instead. However, each day, a trickle of customers came in, and more often than not, they commented on the colorful and rare flowers in my window, like the Peruvian Heliconia, exclusive to my shop. Within weeks, I had core customers picking up scheduled orders and referring friends; I bolstered this ‘word of mouth’ with select advertising on electronic billboards in the four 50-story office towers surrounding the shop. Soon, I noticed a surge of customers and was no longer bleeding cash. After one year, we were cash flow neutral, and I was even contemplating opening another location.” In this version, the same information is conveyed, but the tension inherent in the “quivering hand” and the empty store act as a “hook” that draws the reader in. By taking this more personal, emotional and indeed anecdotal approach, the writer allows the reader to identify with his/her struggle and thus maintains the reader’s interest. Again, this is not a case of right or wrong. Each candidate should decide what works best in his/her own essays. Share ThisTweet Monday Morning Essay Tips

Monday, May 25, 2020

Climate Change Global Warming - 1575 Words

Addressing Climate Change Climate change is an issue that is currently on the lips of everyone, the world over. The issue to do with climate change covers a myriad of aspects that revolves around the life of human beings, and all living things in general. The increased temperatures that are currently being witnessed are results of the much talked about climate change. An absolute change in weather patterns is also another product of climate change. This issue of climate change, which is brought about by the massive emissions of greenhouse gases, and is largely caused by man, is among the biggest challenges the world faces today. This paper addresses issues of climate change, the challenges, and potential solutions to the problem. ? Climate change is one of the biggest issues that destruct our world, and if individuals substitute the production of energy from renewable sources and begin to learn potential solutions to the problem, it will save the world. Many conventions, especially involving the UN are being held in order to look for a lasting solution to this problem (Vermeulen et al. 177). President Obama is always being heard talking about the issue of climate change, and how it endangers the life of all living things currently residing on planet earth. UN secretary General Ban ki Moon is also often bringing nations together to ponder on the best solution towards reducing the world’s carbon footprint, and further, reduce the emission of other harmful gases. The bestShow MoreRelatedGlobal Warming And Climate Change974 Words   |  4 Pagesabout global warming, whether it is true or false. Is there evidence to prove that global warming has impacted the climate due to the rise in the earth’s temperature? Climate change is a problem that is worldwide that should be reviewed. The rise in the earth’s temperature has caused some impact to the weather and climate changes to many places worldwide. This rise in temperature has the potential of causing drastic changes to the earth in many ways. It is time to view the global warming concernsRead MoreClimate Change Of Global Warming924 Words   |  4 Pages Figure 0.1 shows the different effects of global warming. Global warming is the warming of our planet at an extreme rate. The Earth’s climate has warmed by 7.8OC since 1880. (Quick facts about science, 2015). What causes global warming? The cause of global warming is the carbon dioxide. This acts like a blanket. Protecting the earth, and heating the earth. Sun rays would normally bounce around the earth, but with the blanket, the sun rays heat the blanket which heats the earth. (Petersen ScienceRead MoreGlobal Warming And Climate Change1398 Words   |  6 Pages Global warming and climate change have been frequent topics of discussion over the past several years. Although people tend to focus on the politics, it is important to look past the media aspects of it into the cold hard facts of what our Earth is currently experiencing, and what has caused it in the first place. The cause of climate change includes natural causes, but human causes are what is generating such a rapid global temperature change. It’s time that the ways in which humanity affectsRead MoreClimate Change And Global Warming1060 Words   |  5 PagesClimate change (Klaus) 1000 The terms â€Å"global warming†, â€Å"climate change† or â€Å"greenhouse effect† have become more than just parts of the popular lexicon as they rather are subject of public discussions, scientific research or political debates. Despite the popularity and the ubiquity of these terms, the public’s theoretical and conceptual understanding of them and their causal relations is often based on superficial knowledge and buzzwords or caricatures outlined and depicted in several popular mediaRead MoreClimate Change : Global Warming1194 Words   |  5 PagesDonya Curtis April 19, 2017 English 1001-rough draft Global Warming Global warming is one facet of the broader term climate change. It is the increase in the average temperature of the Earth s surface air and oceans from the mid 20th century and the projected continuation. The Global warming is primarily the consequence of building up greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. Emission rates for most important anthropogenic greenhouse gas, CO2, have increased 120 fold in the past 140 years. WhileRead MoreClimate Change and Global Warming1074 Words   |  5 PagesClimate change and Global Warming are out of control. This means that, no matter what policies, processes or actions are implemented, the Earth as we know it will never be the same again. There is significant evidence to support this hypothesis. The dilemma becomes whether we can limit the damage and adapt to a new status quo or not. Rising sea levels and the damage caused by this phenomenon has irreversible impacts on coastlines worldwide. Damage to sensitive reef systems cannot be fixed. This alsoRead MoreClimate Change And Global Warming1022 Words   |  5 PagesWhat = Climate Change Who = Emma, Aoife, Julia, Rachael, Mariah and Cà ©line What is it? Climate Change is a change in the demographic distribution of weather patterns, and related change in oceans, land surfaces and ice sheets, happening over time scales of decades or longer. It’s the world’s greatest threat. Climate change is the change in temperature over a period of time. It involves the greenhouse effect and global warming. Where is it? It is an issue affecting everyone everywhere. ClimateRead MoreClimate Change And Global Warming1474 Words   |  6 Pagesphenomenon, known as â€Å"smog† became an often daily occurrence in big, urbanized cites across the globe. Also, Al Gore’s book, An Inconvenient Truth, popularized the issue of climate change and global warming as a result of the damage that the modern world has done to the atmosphere. He noted that people resist the facts about climate change due to the inconvenience of changing their lifestyles. But, uninhibited industrialization of several countries has led to intense modernization and revolution of theRead MoreClimate Change And Global Warming928 Words   |  4 PagesThis paper will discuss climate change and global warming on the economy. The paper also gives a description on climate change and global warming. As well as what it hold for future business owners. It will also discuss what the government is doing about climate change/global warming. Climate change is a long-term shift in the statistics of the weather (including its averages). For example, it could show up as a change in climate normal (expected average values for temperature and precipitation)Read MoreClimate Change And Global Warming1630 Words   |  7 PagesClimate Related Threats Global warming will lead to uncontrollable devastation such as famine, war, and economic instability. Climate change will accelerate the dislocation of hundreds of millions of people and the extinction of many species. The negative effects of climate change are obvious on every continent. Professor Le Quere, director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of East Anglia said, The human influence on climate change is clear. The atmosphere and

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Moby Dick and the Whaling Industry - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 3 Words: 956 Downloads: 3 Date added: 2019/05/08 Category Literature Essay Level High school Tags: Moby Dick Essay Did you like this example? Herman Melville uses the perils of whaling to develop his idea of revenge in his well-written book, Moby Dick. Melville went through many experiences growing up such as being in the navy, whaling, and then being held captive by cannibals (gateway proquest). When he returned home from his journeys he began to write about his previous experiences. Melville was an exceptional author; writing many books during his lifetime. At the time Moby Dick (one of Melvilles most popular books) was being written, America was trying to establish its nationality and international identity (novels for students, encyclopedia). The country did this by establishing colonies and figuring out who can be allowed in America. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Moby Dick and the Whaling Industry" essay for you Create order Melville keeps the reader on their toes with the way he changes the point of view several times. Ishmael is the narrator throughout the book and he is introduced in the beginning with a very famous line Call me Ishmael. He switches up the point of view in 2 different ways; first and third person. As he describes the events in his book, he uses his own thoughts and the thoughts and feelings of other characters in the book from an outside point of view. Without Ishmael there would be no story. He is a very different person in human nature, but as the narrator he is a very unique person. Then we have Ahab, he is described as a very mystical person because no one knows about him. But he was considered an ungodly, god-like person because he always thought ahead about everything. As soon as Moby Dick ate his leg, he immediately wanted revenge. He also has a white scar down his face from a thunderbolt. Some even say it runs down his whole body. Then we have Starbuck, he is Captain Ahabs c hief mate. He was mainly the chief mate because of how skinny and limber he was. He was the only one that had the courage to stand up to his captain. Queequeg is the harpooner Ishmael met and had to room with him in the inn. Stubb is a humorous person. When he tells his men to do something he has a sarcastic tone so it doesnt feel like they are being bossed around. Pippin gets scared when they were on the way to get a whale and jumps out but luckily Stubb saves him. As the story goes on you learn more about why Moby Dick is so important to these whaling voyagers. The very large white sperm whale has sunken so many ships and has so many scars and has killed many people. Ahab wants him so bad because he left a very big white scar on his face and ripped his leg off, but Ahab managed to leave his mark on the large whale. While Moby Dick was being written, America was going through a wild period because they were trying to establish their identity both nationally and internationally. Transcendentalism, the idea that God was in this world as well as every individual, was the principle philosophical and religious view point. This was proposed by Ralph Waldo Emerson in his essay, Self- Reliance. In the 1850s, whaling was a very unregulated business, American whalers were free to sail the open seas and hunt for whales in any waters. Barely a year after his return, Melville finished is manuscript on the semi- fictional novel based on his first travel to Marquesas. In the year that Moby Dick was being published, a whaler was sunk by a sperm whale in circumstances similar to that of the climax in this novel. Herman Melville was born in New York City in 1819 to his parents Allan and Maria. Both of Melvilles grandfathers, Thomas Melville and Peter Gansevoort, were Revolutionary war heroes, which Herman Melville had great pride in. Melvilles family was very dedicated to their faith, in fact, nearly three weeks after Herman Melvilles birth, he was baptized at his home by a minister of the Southern Reform Dutch church. Allan Melville sent all of his sons to the New York Male School. Unfortunately, Melville had to drop out of school at the age of fifteen and go to work due to the loss of his father. At the age of twenty, Melville started the beginning of his career on vessels. In one of his books, REDBUN, he describes his first voyage as both thrilling and harrowing. In the middle of one of his voyages, Melville jumped ship at the Marquesas and lived there for a month among the cannibals. In this time, the natives capture him and held him captive in the valley of Typee. He was able to escape by boarding an Australian trade ship. This experience sparked a new novel called Typee, which he found great success in. In 1851, one of Melvilles greatest novels was published, it was not immediately recognized, but as years went on it became more popular. Melville published many more novels after this, but he did not experience very much success. By the time of his death, September 28, 1891, Melvilles reputation declined greatly. The failure of his works led him to wonder if a book in a mans brain is better off than a book bound in calf- at any rate it is safer from criticism. Herman Melville was a great author, his novels reflected his very adventurous lifestyle. One of his greatest successes Moby Dick, gives a great sense of excitement and adventure by changing up the points of view. As you can see, Melville had a semi rough child hood suffering losses in his family and having to go to work at an early age. Herman Melville uses the perils of whaling to develop his idea of revenge in his well-written book, Moby Dick.

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Comparison of Thrusscross Grange and Wuthering Heights Essay

Comparison of Thrusscross Grange and Wuthering Heights Never have two more opposing places existed than Thrusscross Grange and Wuthering Heights. Wuthering Heights is a dwelling characterized by fiery emotions, primal passions, bitter vengeance, and blatant evil. Thrushcross Grange is a peaceful, beautiful abode which epitomizes all that is good and lovely. Emily Bronte includes these two places in the Romantic novel, Wuthering Heights, to create a contrast which furthers the overall theme of good vs. evil. Wuthering Heights is a house set high upon a hill where is exposed to extreme weather conditions. Storms often come â€Å"rattling over the heights in full fury.† - Storms which have â€Å"growling thunder,† and â€Å"great drop.† The name of†¦show more content†¦Heathcliff, the protagonist, is a very vile and wicked man who spends his entire existence on earth seeking revenge and ruining the lives of others. A character from the story proves this by her question: â€Å"Is Mr Heathcliff a man? If so, is he mad? And if not, is he a devil?† Catherine, another tenant of the is a wild and willful girl who marries Edgar Linton, against her better judgement. Later, she dies because she cannot find a way to reconcile her passionate love for Heathcliff with her position as Edgar’s wife. Posthumously, she haunts Heathcliff for twenty years. Hindley Earnshaw is yet another example of the ferocity at the Heights for, â€Å"he neither wept nor prayed: he cursed and defied; execrated God and man, and gave himself up to reckless dissipation† He has a keen hatred for Heathcliff and a weakness of character - both of which inevitably destroy him. He dies of alcohol poisoning shortly after attempting to murder Heathcliff. Thrushcross Grange however is altogether opposite from the Heights. Although Bronte’s description of the Grange is not as in-depth, the reader is still able to gather many images of the peaceful abode. The Grange is set within a lush, protected valley and is encompassed by a high stone wall. In our first encounter with Thrushcross Grange, we are told that, â€Å"the light came from thence.† The Grange is filled with music, books, and other lovely objects. It is described as â€Å"beautiful- a splendid place carpeted

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Gilgameshs Quest for Immortality free essay sample

In the epic poem Gilgamesh, the main theme is Gilgamesh’s quest to defeat the demon that is in the back of every human’s mind at all times: death. His quest to defeat mankind’s penultimate battle proves futile in the end, yet could Gilgamesh be considered to be immortal in a different sense? Immortality can exist on two planes: both a physical and metaphorical world. Gilgamesh did fail is his quest to live tangibly forever, and therefore seeks everlasting life in an allegorical sense. If he could create something, an idea or an action that will be remembered forever, such as killing Humbaba, he too can live forever via this accomplishment. So, in a sense, Gilgamesh did actually succeed in his quest for eternal life. We will write a custom essay sample on Gilgameshs Quest for Immortality or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Gilgamesh has everything he could possibly ask for: riches, fame, power, yet he still wants more. He wants to live forever. Since he is used to being instantaneously gratified of everything he wants, he expects the same to occur in his quest for eternal life. After the death of Enkidu, his desire to live forever grows even stronger. Having a sheltered, privileged life, the death of Gilgamesh’s closed friend, essentially his other half, was most likely his first experience with death, and it terrified him. In Book IX, he asks, â€Å"Must I die too? Must I be as lifeless as Enkidu? How can I bear this sorrow that gnaws at my belly, this fear of death that drives me onward? † This does indeed drive him onward and leads him straight to the gods. Gilgamesh is not pleased with what the gods have to tell him, though. After his long journey and the retelling of his story, Shiduri tells him â€Å"You will never find the eternal life that you seek. When the gods created makind, they also created death, and they held back eternal life for themselves alone. Humans are born, the live, then they die, this is the order the gods have decreed. † Yet, instead of accepting his fate (which is the common fate of all mankind), he becomes enraged, demanding knowledge of how to find Utnapishtim. Gilgamesh is told the key to eternal life—an herb. However, once he picks this herb, a snake eats it and Gilgamesh has exhausted all his chances at immortality. The story abruptly ends there. We do not know to what extent Gilgamesh accepts his fate, if he does at all. But if one creates something that will live forever, won’t he too live forever? Shakespeare has been dead in a physical sense for almost 400 years, yet his work is as, if not more, prevalent today than it was then. So couldn’t one argue that Shakespeare is still alive in the context of his sonnets and plays? He is dead, yet he created something that will live forever. One can also live eternally by carrying out an action or initiative that affects people for many years to come. Again, for an example, Martin Luther King Jr. is dead, however, he lives on through all the progress he made for civil rights. Obviously, Gilgamesh will not live on as an immortal forever. However, he manifests himself in an action that will live on forever—killing Humbaba. So, he lives eternally through the execution of this action. The fact that he could live on forever in the minds of men is alluded to several times in the text. When Gilgamesh and Enkidu leave on their quest to slay Humbaba, Gilgamesh says, â€Å"I will cut down the tree, I will kill Humbaba, the whole world will know how mightly I am. I will make a lasting name for myself, I will stamp my fame on men’s minds forever. † His name lives on throughout the centuries, so he does along with it. These allusions are made only early in the text, by both Gilgamesh and Enkidu. In addition to the previous quote, Gilgamesh says in Book V, â€Å"If we help each other and fight side by side, we will make a lasting name for ourselves, we will stamp our fame on men’s minds forever. † The early discussion of living forever through actions rather than in the flesh could show that Gilgamesh or Enkidu might have some awareness of their fate. If either one of them could exist physically forever, what would be the point of killing Humbaba? They’d have all eternity to put their stamp on the human race, so why bother trying to leave their mark through an action that is dangerous and capable of inducing anger in the gods? Gilgamesh was written over 4600 years ago. It’s arguably the oldest written text, older even than the bible. 4600 years is a long time, essentially an eternity relative to the average human’s timeline. And we are still reading Gilgamesh today. So, he has succeeded in his quest for immortality. We all know his name, what he did. He is alive in both our minds and the pages of this book.