Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Issue Of Preference Shares Is Corporations-Myassignmenthelp.Com
Question: What Is The Issue Of Preference Shares Is Corporations? Answer: Introducation The central issue in the given case is to determine if Grand Ltd can issue 5,000 new preference shares on the same terms as existing preference shares. The relevant statute governing the issue of the preference shares is Corporations Act 2001. In accordance with section 124 of this Act, the company has the right to issue various classes of shares including the preference shares (Cassidy, 2013). However, as per section 254A Corporations Act 2001, the preference share issue may be conducted by the company only if the rights related to the same are clearly defined either in the constitution of the company or have obtained approval through a special resolution. The various aspects on which there must be objective clarity are outlined below (Austlii, 2017a). Capital Repayment Surplus assets and profits related participation Nature of dividends (i.e. cumulative or non-cumulative) Voting rights associated Priority in relation to dividend and capital payment when compared with other class of shares Also, in accordance with section 246C, issuance of preference shares on the same terms would alter the rights of the current preference shares (Austlii, 2017c). Application In light of the given facts, it is apparent that Grand Ltd (the issuing entity) has already issued 5,000 preference shares after the registration through the special resolution route which has defined the rights of preference shares. In line with s. 254A, one possible manner of issuance of preference share is based on the rights mentioned in the Constitution of the company which is not valid in the given case as the issuing entitys Constitution is silent on future preference share issue. Thus, the company using special resolution of the members for issuance of incremental 5,000 preference shares can go ahead with the transaction exhibited the right granted by s. 124.However, since the company intends to issue them on same conditions as existing preference shares, thus the rights of the current preference shareholders may be adversely impacted particularly at the time of bankruptcy or liquidation. Also, dividend payment may be adversely impacted and hence the approval from the existin g shareholders would not be unanimous. Thus, it is highly likely that the permission may not be granted (Austlii, 2017b). Based on the above discussion, it may be concluded that Grant Ltd can issue incremental preference shares by passing a special resolution of members but taking unanimous permission of the existing preference shareholders could be difficult which can put the plan in jeopardy. Whenever, there is splitting of the shares into various classes, then variation of rights may happen which is determined by s. 246C. As per this, if the division of shares into more classes, then there is variation of rights if the shares belonging to the different classes do not carry the same right while earlier they enjoyed the same rights. Thus, in such a situation since rights of certain shareholders are adversely impacted, it is imperative to seek the written consent of the existing shareholders (Ciro and Symes, 2013). With regards to resolution or consent, there needs to be unanimous support. In the absence of the same, s. 246D would be applicable. This advocates that when the approval is not unanimous, then the matter may land in court if a minimum of 10% of the shareholders lodge a complaint (Austlii, 2017d). As per the given facts, it is apparent that there would be variation of rights as the Audax family which owns about 60% shares would get two votes per share (Class A) while the remaining shareholders would only get one vote per share (Class B). As a result, the interests and rights of the minority shareholders would be adversely impacted and hence it is imperative that a unanimous approval of the shareholders would be required. However, in this given case it would fail to come as there is no incentive for the 40% minority shareholders to agree to the given scheme of division. If the Audax family does push the resolution through the support of some other shareholders, still it is likely that the matter will land up in court and the judge will nullify the proposed scheme. The relevant rule is s. 246C as per which if the company tends to issue a new class of shares which currently does not exist, then issuance of the same may impact the rights of the existing shareholders if the rights available to the new shareholders are not same as the current shareholders (Austlii, 2017c). Thus, in such a situation since rights of certain shareholders are adversely impacted, it is imperative to seek the written consent of the existing shareholders. With regards to resolution or consent, there needs to be unanimous support. In the absence of the same, s. 246D would be applicable. This advocates that when the approval is not unanimous, then the matter may land in court if a minimum of 10% of the shareholders lodge a complaint (Austlii, 2017d). In the given case, since the majority shareholder Audax family wants to raise additional capital in the form of equity but without dilution of their control, then they wish to issue class B shares to new investors. This may impact the rights of the existing shareholders particularly considering that these are also being issued at $ 5. In the given case, the existing shareholders would not allow of class B shares as it results in the Audux family keeping control instead of diluting their stake in case they do not wish to assume incremental debt. Thus, it is likely that the resolution would not be passed unanimously and hence it could potentially be annulled through legal intervention. Conclusion Based on the above, it is apparent that the Grant Ltd would not be able to issue class B shares at $ 5. References Austlii (2017a). CORPORATIONS ACT 2001 - SECT 254A, Power to issue bonus, partly-paid, preference and redeemable preference shares. [online]. Available at: https://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/ca2001172/s254a.html [Accessed 10 Aug.2017]. Austlii (2017b). CORPORATIONS ACT 2001 - SECT 254B, Terms of issue. [online]. Available at: https://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/ca2001172/s254b.html [Accessed 10 Aug.2017]. Austlii (2017c). CORPORATIONS ACT 2001 - SECT 246C, Certain actions taken to vary rights etc. [online]. Available at: https://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/ca2001172/s246c.htmln [Accessed 10 Aug.2017]. Austlii (2017d). CORPORATIONS ACT 2001 - SECT 246D, Variation, cancellation or modification without unanimous support of class. [online]. Available at: https://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/ca2001172/s246d.html [Accessed 10 Aug.2017]. Cassidy, J. (2013) Corporations Law Text and Essential Cases. 4th edn. Sydney: Federation Press. Ciro, T. and Symes, C. (2013) Corporations Law in Principle. 9th edn. Sydney: LBC Thomson Reuters
Sunday, May 3, 2020
Educational Mindset free essay sample
Growth by most definitions is an increase of some sort or another. Growth means starting at one point and continually achieving more over time. The growth mindset is no different. The concept of the growth mindset is that over time and throughout oneââ¬â¢s life, they continually adapt, change, and achieve a higher level of understanding about themselves and how they perceive themselves. This growth is due to the fact that they are generally able to identify their faults and weaknesses as well as understand their strengths. They accept the fact that they have these deficiencies, however, they are not satisfied with them, therefore they attempt to fix them or change them. This mindset that one is never done growing, learning, developing or bettering themselves is the basis for the ââ¬Å"growth mindsetâ⬠and the epitome of what these types of individuals stand for. The ideal example of a person that would have to have a growth mindset is a golfer. We will write a custom essay sample on Educational Mindset or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Every golfer knows that they could always do better the next time. Whether it be a missed put or a shanked nine iron, there is no such thing as a perfect round. Without a growth mindset, an individual would just give up after their first round. They live by the motto that failure isnââ¬â¢t okay, but it isnââ¬â¢t the end either. They will try over and over again, hoping to achieve a different and better outcome the next time. No outcome is fixed in the eyes of these individuals. In the eyes of individuals with a ââ¬Å"fixed mindsetâ⬠, the outcome is what it is. If the outcome is not a complete success, it is a complete failure. There is little to no middle ground for people with a fixed mindset. These are the people who often get great grades, have great performances, and are told all their life that they are great individuals. These feelings of greatness are completely demolished as soon as these individuals encounter any amount of failure or let down. To people with a fixed mindset, things are usually black or white, seldom do they associate within the realms of gray. Improvement is not an option for those that have adapted this type of mindset. They believe you are either born with a skill or you are not. They do not believe that a skill can be developed and honed for a better result. For this reason, when failure occurs, they simply accept the outcome and choose not to attempt to better themselves for alternate outcome. These mindsets are often formed at a very early age. Parents praise their children for what they are great at and often neglect encouragement for what their children are not good at. These individuals also believe that their mindset cannot be changed. Growth or fixed, what kind of mindset do I have? Well, I love to golf, and the good Lord knows that I am far from perfectâ⬠¦ever! I am still in school, going back to get my masters in teaching, which means I am not satisfied with where I am at in my career. I am striving to do better after 37 years of trials and errors and multiple failures. I have refused to settle for anything and continue to take on challenges year after year. My four children are all different, yet I know not one of them is perfect. They all have flaws, and I encourage each one to do better the next time they attempt something. I am on my second marriage, a vast improvement from my first one. Again, I chose not to settle in a relationship that neither of us were happy in, and instead of believing I was a failure at relationships, I chose to make sure I did things better the next time around. I believe that I am not a perfect husband or father, unfortunately I fail often. These failures only make be a better father and husband though, because I learn from them and make myself better for the next time. So, growth or fixed? Which am I? As much as I love to be successful, success does not define me, hold me back or limit me in any way. That being said, I suppose I have a ââ¬Å"growth mindsetâ⬠. This is a quality that I am proud of, and hopefully it will be something I can pass down to my children. The mind never stops growingâ⬠¦neither should the mindset.
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Academic Integrity Journal
Academic Integrity Journal Academic integrity is a noble ethic which all educational administrators, instructors and students need to observe Recently, there have been several incidents of cheating which have compromised the quality of education offered in several learning institutions.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Academic Integrity Journal specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Cheating and plagiarism are dishonest academic practices which affect educational standards negatively. This paper will discuss how cheating and plagiarism affect academic practices in different learning environments. Many learning institutions in the country are affected by incidents of cheating and other academic malpractices. Students cheat in exams due to different reasons. Many students cheating to enable them get good grades after their exams have been marked. They cannot tolerate failure because they feel it has a negative impact on their reputation. They resort to cheating to avoid being held responsible for their academic shortcomings. Students are tempted to cheat in exams to satisfy their teachersââ¬â¢ and parentsââ¬â¢ expectations. Parents exert a lot of pressure on their children to perform well at school, which drives them to cheat in exams. Some parents do not take failure by their children in examinations, lightly (Daly). They scold their children whenever they receive poor grades in school. Parents need to encourage their children to improve their academic performance, even when they fail. This will reduce the pressure which students have to deal with in educational institutions. Teachers and other education professionals need to observe high moral standards in their duties to discourage students from cheating. Academic dishonesty reflects negatively on an instructorââ¬â¢s professionalism because it shows that he or she failed to prepare students for exams. Instructors need to understand their students to find out what dr ives them to cheat in exams. They need to teach students to have integrity in learning to make them good citizens in future. Academic dishonesty needs to be discouraged to make students learn virtues of hard work, patience and resilience. Students who are morally upright are willing to accept results they get after sitting for their exams. Students need to be made aware on how cheating impacts negatively on their future (Strauss).Advertising Looking for report on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Some students register good grades in college but they are unable to perform responsibilities assigned to them at work. Students who cheat in college examinations fail to acquire skills to help them perform their work responsibilities effectively. Educational authorities need to put in place strict measures to curb academic dishonesty. Students and teachers who engage in cheating and plagiarism need to be punished t o make them stop this habit. Harsh penalties need to be imposed to make more instructors and their students aware of the consequences of cheating. This approach will serve as a deterrent to academic dishonesty. Educational authorities need to come up with laws that criminalize cheating to ensure the habit does not take root in many institutions. Instructors who are found to abet or encourage cheating by students need to have their teaching licenses revoked. This will make them take their professional responsibilities more seriously. Administrators and other stakeholders in educational institutions, need to discourage their students from cheating, to ensure they maintain high levels of integrity in their studies (Strauss). Academic dishonesty is a critical issue which needs to be tackled effectively by all education professionals in the country. Teaching professionals who supervise and evaluate examinations need to be more vigilant to ensure students do not engage in any form of chea ting. Educational institutions need to work with relevant authorities to recommend how examinations. This will ensure questions which students are asked are not very complex. Students should only sit for exams which conform to their levels of education and syllabus coverage. Robbins reveals that students are motivated to cheat when they feel exam questions are too complex for their understanding. This makes them resort to cheating to help them pass their exams (Robbins). Educational experts who formulate exam questions need to liaise with teachers and other curriculum experts to ensure students sit for appropriate exams.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Academic Integrity Journal specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Collaborations between teachers, examination boards and curriculum experts help to reduce cheating incidents in educational institutions. Students need to be told which sections of the learning curriculum ar e examinable, to enable them prepare for exams properly. This will reduce the temptation that drives them to cheat in examinations. Recently, Washington DC, Atlanta and Texas have been in the news for wrong reasons because of rampant cheating in exams by high school and college students (Robbins). One of the leading academic institutions the country, Harvard, has also been affected by a cheating scandal. Investigations which were carried out revealed that some students plagiarized answers and others copied their friendsââ¬â¢ work. This scandal has tarnished the reputation of the institution. This shows how academic honesty has become widespread and need to be controlled before educational standards deteriorate. In conclusion, all stakeholders in educational institutions need to work harder to reduce incidents of cheating by students. This will discourage students from engaging in academic malpractices which affect educational standard in the country. This will reduce cheating inc idents in academic institutions thereby improving learning outcomes. Daly,Tim. ââ¬Å"Atlanta Cheating Scandal: Why Dont More Kids Cheat?â⬠Huffington Post. Hufffington Post, 29 Apr. 2013. Web. Robbins, Rebecca D. ââ¬Å"Harvard Investigates Unprecedented Academic Dishonesty Case.â⬠The Harvard Crimson. Harvard Crimson, 30 Aug. 2012. Web. Strauss, Valerie. ââ¬Å"How They Cheated on D.C Tests: Excerpts from New Report.â⬠The Washington Post. Washington Post, 14 Apr. 2013. Web.Advertising Looking for report on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More
Friday, March 6, 2020
Pakistan History, Culture, Geography and Climate
Pakistan History, Culture, Geography and Climate The nation of Pakistan is still young, but human history in the area reaches back for tens of thousands of years. In recent history, Pakistan has been inextricably linked in the worlds view with the extremist movement of al Qaeda and with the Taliban, based in neighboring Afghanistan. The Pakistani government is in a delicate position, caught between various factions within the country, as well as policy pressures from without. Capital and Major Cities Capital: Islamabad, population 1,889,249 (2012 estimate) Major Cities: Karachi, population 24,205,339Lahore, population 10,052,000Faisalabad, population 4,052,871Rawalpindi, population 3,205,414Hyderabad, population 3,478,357All figures based on 2012 estimates. Pakistani Government Pakistan has a (somewhat fragile) parliamentary democracy. The President is the Head of State, while the Prime Minister is the Head of Government. Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharifà and President Mamnoon Hussain were elected in 2013. Elections are held every five years and incumbents are eligible for reelection. Pakistans two-house Parliament (Majlis-e-Shura) is made up of a 100-member Senate and a 342-member National Assembly. The judicial system is a mix of secular and Islamic courts, including a Supreme Court, provincial courts, and Federal Sharia courts that administer Islamic law. Pakistans secular laws are based on British common law. All citizens over 18 years of age have the vote. Population of Pakistan Pakistans population estimate as of 2015 was 199,085,847, making it the sixth most populous nation on Earth. The largest ethnic group is the Punjabi, with 45 percent of the total population. Other groups include the Pashtun (or Pathan), 15.4 percent; Sindhi, 14.1 percent; Sariaki, 8.4 percent; Urdu, 7.6 percent; Balochi, 3.6 percent; and smaller groups making up the remaining 4.7 percent. The birth rate in Pakistan is relatively high, at 2.7 live births per woman, so the population is expanding rapidly. The literacy rate for adult women is only 46 percent, compared with 70 percent for men. Languages of Pakistan The official language of Pakistan is English, but the national language is Urdu (which is closely related to Hindi). Interestingly, Urdu is not spoken as a native language by any of Pakistans main ethnic groups and was chosen as a neutral option for communication among the various peoples of Pakistan. Punjabi is the native tongue of 48 percent of Pakistanis, with Sindhi at 12 percent, Siraiki at 10 percent, Pashtu at 8 percent, Balochi at 3 percent, and a handful of smaller language groups. Most Pakistan languages belong to the Indo-Aryan language familyà and are written in a Perso-Arabic script. Religion in Pakistan An estimated 95-97 percent of Pakistanis are Muslim, with the remaining few percentage points made up of small groups of Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Parsi (Zoroastrians), Buddhists and followers of other faiths. About 85-90 percent of the Muslim population are Sunni Muslims, while 10-15 percent are Shia. Most Pakistani Sunnis belong to the Hanafi branch, or to the Ahle Hadith. Shia sects represented include the Ithna Asharia, the Bohra, and the Ismailis. Geography of Pakistan Pakistan lies at the collision point between the Indian and Asian tectonic plates. As a result, much of the country consists of rugged mountains. The area of Pakistan is 880,940 square km (340,133 square miles). The country shares borders with Afghanistan to the northwest, China to the north, India to the south and east, and Iran to the west. The border with India is subject to dispute, with both nations claiming the mountain regions of Kashmir and Jammu. Pakistans lowest point is its Indian Ocean coast, at sea level. The highest point is K2, the worlds second-tallest mountain, at 8,611 meters (28,251 feet). Climate of Pakistan With the exception of the temperate coastal region, most of Pakistan suffers from seasonal extremes of temperature. From June to September, Pakistan has its monsoon season, with warm weather and heavy rain in some areas. The temperatures drop significantly in December through February, while spring tends to be very warm and dry.à Of course, the Karakoram and Hindu Kush mountain ranges are snowbound for much of the year, due to their high altitudes. Temperatures even at lower elevations may drop below freezing during the winter, while summer highs of 40à °C (104à °F) are not uncommon. The record high is 55à °C (131à °F). Pakistani Economy Pakistan has great economic potential, but it has been hampered by internal political unrest, a lack of foreign investment, and its chronic state of conflict with India. As a result, the per capita GDP is only $5000, and 22 percent of Pakistanis live under the poverty line (2015 estimates). While GDP was growing at 6-8 percent between 2004 and 2007, that slowed to 3.5 percent from 2008 to 2013. Unemployment stands at just 6.5 percent, although that does not necessarily reflect the state of employment as many are underemployed. Pakistan exports labor, textiles, rice, and carpets. It imports oil, petroleum products, machinery, and steel. The Pakistani rupee trades at 101 rupees / $1 US (2015). History of Pakistan The nation of Pakistan is a modern creation, but people have been building great cities in the area for some 5,000 years. Five millennia ago, the Indus Valley Civilization created great urban centers at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, both of which are now in Pakistan. The Indus Valley people mixed with Aryans moving in from the north during the second millennium B.C. Combined, these peoples are called the Vedic Culture; they created the epic stories upon which Hinduism is founded. The lowlands of Pakistan were conquered by Darius the Great around 500 B.C. His Achaemenid Empire ruled the area for nearly 200 years. Alexander the Great destroyed the Achaemenids in 334 B.C., establishing Greek rule as far as the Punjab. After Alexanders death 12 years later, the empire was thrown into confusion as his generals divided up the satrapies; a local leader, Chandragupta Maurya, seized the opportunity to return the Punjab to local rule. Nonetheless, Greek and Persian culture continued to exert a strong influence on what is now Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Mauryan Empire later conquered most of South Asia; Chandraguptas grandson, Ashoka the Great, converted to Buddhism in the third century B.C. Another important religious development occurred in the 8th century A.D. when Muslim traders brought their new religion to the Sindh region. Islam became the state religion under the Ghaznavid Dynasty (997-1187 A.D.). A succession of Turkic/Afghan dynasties ruled the region through 1526 when the area was conquered by Babur, founder of the Mughal Empire. Babur was a descendant of Timur (Tamerlane), and his dynasty ruled most of South Asia until 1857 ââ¬â¹when the British took control. After the so-called Sepoy Rebellion of 1857, the last Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah II, was exiled to Burma by the British. Great Britain had been asserting ever-increasing control through the British East India Company since at least 1757. The British Raj, the time when South Asia fell under direct control by the UK government, lasted until 1947. Muslims in the north of British India, represented by the Muslim League and its leader, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, objected to joining the independent nation of India after World War II. As a result, the parties agreed to a Partition of India. Hindus and Sikhs would live in India proper, while Muslims got the new nation of Pakistan. Jinnah became the first leader of independent Pakistan. Originally, Pakistan consisted of two separate pieces; the eastern section later became the nation of Bangladesh. Pakistan developed nuclear weapons in the 1980s, confirmed by nuclear tests in 1998. Pakistan has been an ally of the United States in the war on terror. They opposed the Soviets during the Soviet-Afghan war but relations have improved.
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Personal Hazard Plan Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words
Personal Hazard Plan - Research Proposal Example However, while just reading will not automatically force you to form new habits, knowledge of practical safety tips, if applied, could save you much pain, even your very life. Surely, you do not need to burn your fingers on the stove to establish that the stove is hot. Through the pain and suffering of thousands at the hands of that rough teacher Experience, safety rules have been established. As for the author of this paper, clumsiness may not at all be an issue, however considering that he needs to attend to several activities in different areas everyday, it could be noted that he is then not free from meeting accidents along the way. Hence, within the discussion that follows, it could be observed that personal hazard plans needs to be established to assure that the author would be well prepared in handling possible accidents that may occur. However, to be able to create a plan that would be most effective for the author's safety, it is first important to know how safety rules are created based from the historical reports pertaining to the development of the said process of safety preparation. Possible dangers: since it is a university, it is expected to be established with high buildings with either stairs or elevators as means of manual or automatic transport around the area. For this reason, it is necessary that the author be able to understand how to deal with certain natural occurrences such as earthquakes. Safety Measures to Consider: It is advised that when in school, there is a need to keep safe at all times. When a slight shock of earthquake happens, it is important to take immediate cover. Follow the different escape areas, to do so, knowing the map of the building for the different exists around the area is indeed essential. (b) Second is Qualcomm Stadium- Chargers Stadium (address is: 9449 Friars Rd, San Diego, CA 92108). Possible dangers: Since the area is a wide-open space, only huge natural hazards could be expected to happen, such as storm and earthquake. With these occurrences happening in the middle of highly populated occasion, it is important for one to be ready for an exit from the area. Safety Measures to Consider: When in a crowded area, be sure to situated in a location where it is easy to exit from the place in case of any emergency situations occurring. It could be noted that through this approach to the situation, one could assure himself that he would be able to get out at once and avoid any possible stampede just incase emergencies happen during an event. (c) home( address is: 3939 Georgia Street, San Diego, CA 92103). Possible dangers: Even though the home seems to be the safest place for everyone. However, even though this is the case it is still important to handle safety effectively even within one's own house. Safety Measures to Consider: The house itself should be safe from falling out with simple shocks of low-end earthquakes. It should also be prepared for possible thunderstorms. Exit points should always be ready when emergencies occur. (d) work(address is: 7170 Miramar Rd, San Diego, CA 92121). Possible dangers: At work, technical and natural dangers should be well expected and prepared for. It is through this that one is protected from the possible occurrences that would break in
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
What Atlanta has to offer the tourist Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1
What Atlanta has to offer the tourist - Essay Example Some of the extremely incredible visitorsââ¬â¢ attractions and tourists destinations in Atlanta are as follows: Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta is one of the most frequently visited parks by tourists in Atlanta. It is equipped with many amphitheatres. The Park derives its name from the 1996 Olympic Games which were organized in Atlanta. The CNN Studios happens to be just across the Centennial Olympic Park. Here, the tourists get to learn the way news are organized off the screen and the way they are broadcasted. Then there is the King Center, which honors the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. Life of the activists who have struggled to attain civil rights is presented in a video. Tourists get to gain an in-depth understanding of the civil rights evolution. Next is the famous Ebenezer Baptist Church quite near the King Center, which tourists frequently feel drawn towards. There are many other attractions for tourists in Atlanta. It is undoubtedly, one of the best places for a tourist to
Monday, January 27, 2020
Beowulf The Perfect Hero English Literature Essay
Beowulf The Perfect Hero English Literature Essay What is a hero. Directly defined from the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a hero is a mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability. A great display of heroism and what it truly means to be a hero was captured in a long poem, Beowulf, which was close to being lost during a fire in 1731 in the Cotton Library (Foster). All of the attributes in which a hero should have are possessed by Beowulf, such as loyalty, courage, and strength. Beowulf presents a journey of a warrior that transforms himself into a unforgettable hero. The epic of Beowulf perfectly captured and paved the way for all heroes. The first attribute to a good hero is being loyal to the people around you, no matter the circumstance. In the very beginning of the poem we see the first signs of loyalty when Beowulf sails for land of the Danes. The family ties between that of Hrothgars family and Beowulfs is enough for Beowulf to go with his men and risk his life to help (Foster). Not only does this support and show how Beowulf was loyal but it shows us the mind set of how people thought in that time period. These morals and values which you begin to see in Beowulf also reflect some of the ideas and beliefs of Anglo-Saxons England, the time period in which Beowulf is believed to be set in (Foster). Once he arrives on the shore of Denmark he announces: We belong by birth to the Geat people And owe allegiance to Lord Hygelac. In his day, my father was a famous man, a noble warrior-lord named Ecgtheow. (260-263) Loyalty emerges again when Beowulf prepares to fight Grendel, Edward Foster writes Beowulf confronts that physical evil and, bolstered by lineage and loyalty, routs the inimical force with which all people must contend (Foster). What Edward Foster is saying is, Beowulf needs to stay loyal to Hrothgar as well as protect his families reputation; Beowulf must go through with his fight and defeat Grendel. After Beowulf had defeated Grendel he speaks to Horthgar in lines 1826-1829 saying: If ever I hear from across the ocean That people on your borders are threatening battle As attackers have done from time to time, I shall land with a thousand thanes at my back This passage continues to show Beowulfs continued loyalty to Hrothgar even after defeating Grendel and his mother. Jacqueline Vaught wrote in her criticism Beowulf: The Fight at the Center, In a poem so obviously concerned with social loyalty, the fact Beowulf is alone when he enters the mere is one of the largest signals that his experinces there are central to the meaning of the poem (Vaught). Hrothgar isnt the only person in the poem in which Beowulf swears loyalty to. Richard Schrader wrote in his analysis of Beowulf, à ¢Ã¢â ¬Ã ¦never indicating that he wants to take over and his stressing his loyalty to Hygelac upon returning to his home (Schrader). Even towards end of his life, coincidentally towards the end of the poem, Beowulf shows loyalty to his people. When a thief steals the goblet guarded by a dragon it begins to terrorize the people of Geatland. In return Beowulf, much older now, suits up and sets out to defeat the dragon. The men with Beowulf refuse to go in to fig ht the dragon, all but one, whom shows loyalty to his leader. Loyalty, a recurring theme in this poem pushes the two men to defeat the dragon at the expense of Beowulfs life. Another, trait that contributed to Beowulfs heroism is his courage and lack of fear. One instance where Beowulf displays his courage was during the swimming match in lines 530-580. Not only was he swimming for five days and five nights but during the race he decides to stop and fight sea monsters as stated in lines 559-5641: Time and again, foul things attacked me, lurking and stalking, but I lashed out, gave as good as I got with my sword. My flesh was not for feasting on, there would be no monsters gnawing and gloating Over their banquet at the bottom of the sea. When is was time to fight Grendel, a descendent of Cain, Beowulf refused to wear armor or use any weapons because Grendel himself did not wear armor or have any weapons. The poem goes beyond belief to sell the point that Beowulf was truly afraid of nothing even making him seem godlike in a way. When the time comes to fight Grendels mother must separate himself from society to the cave in which she lives in (Vaught). Essentially in his epic adventure in being the perfect hero, Beowulf needs to man up and become a monster himself (Vaught). The final act of courage displayed by Beowulf was when he was at his weakest, weakened by old age. With a bunch of cowardly men as described in lines 2596-2601: No help or backing was to be had then from his highborn comrades; that hand-picked troop broke ranks and ran for their lives to the safety of the wood. But within one heart sorrowed welled up: in a man of worth the claims of kinship cannot be denied. No matter the circumstance Beowulf, even with the feeling of death among him, he went out on the quest to destroy the dragon terrorizing his people. He along, with Wiglaf, were the only two men with the courage to face the dragon and kill it for their peoples protection. The whole epic poem is a timeline of the development of a perfect hero. Each of the three battles contributed to the creation of the perfect hero. When he first comes Beowulf is a war hardened warrior but still needs to prove and make a name for him self. In the first battle with Grendel, Jacqueline Vaught does a great job pointing out Beowulf does not fulfill his quest as the hero-precisely because he is still within society, literally inside the walls of Herot and the circle of his men (Vaught). What you can take away from that is, although Beowulf wanted to even the playing field per say by taking off his armor and fighting Grendel bare handed, he still had home court advantage and still had all his men within Herot Hall. The real test came in the next great battle of Beowulfs against Grendels mother where he had to venture to a new undiscovered and unknown place. This is where you begin to see Beowulf grow as a hero and a character because for the first time he is really challeng ed. His transformation here was put best by Vaught when she wrote: As he enters the mere, Beowulf makes his journey inward. Rapidly he discovers that neither society nor even his own physical strength can help him in this internal battle. But when he stands, he also finds the center of himself, the strength of his unyielding will (Vaught) Still though, Beowulf relies on a sword made by giants to defeat the monster. Taylor Culbert summed it up best when saying Whereas the first two battles revealà Beowulfà in the role of youthful warrior, the dragon fight displays his exemplary behavior as a mature king (Culbert). The last dragon he defeats is where the perfect hero is born and at the same time killed. It was when Beowulf knew he wasnt going to make it yet willed himself onward to help defeat the dragon that the perfect hero was made. Family and lineage was an important factor when determining whether or not someone could be a hero in the Anglo-Saxon culture. Throughout the poem, before Beowulf would speak, it would refer to him as Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow. This shows the importance of lineage along with other things. For example after the watchmen, Wulfgar, told Hrothgar of Beowulfs lineage, Hrothgar sends the reply: My lord, the conquering king of the Danes, Bids me announce that he knows your ancestry; Also that he welcomes you here to Herot And salutes your arrival from across the sea. (391-394) The hero in Anglo-Saxon culture is expected to carry about revenge in honor of family and to show loyalty (Foster). Some may have a different view of Beowulf and may see him as an arrogant character that only cares about glory. This is a valid point, but regardless Beowulf put the people first and protected them during all his fights. During his fight with Grendels mom Beowolf had no audience to see him defeat her, this shows that although he may care about being remembered, he cares more about his loyalty to Hrothgar and his people. Another relative point can be made during the fight against Grendel. During this fight the poet only regards Beowulfs point of view in four passages, as pointed out by Charles Moorman (Culbert). Also it is fair to point out that it was selfish of Beowulf to try and defeat the last dragon when he was old of age. But if it were not going to be Beowulf to defeat this dragon, who else would have? Clearly everyone else was afraid of it as was pointed out above during the passage in which all his cowardly men left him to go in alone with Wiglaf. The dragon would have contin ued to terrorize the people and set villages on fire. It was a necessary sacrifice to go and die for his people. The qualities of loyalty, courage and nobility all play key factors into the development of a perfect hero in Beowulf. In this epic poem he takes a journey to unknown lands and displays these characteristics in many ways. He was loyal to the Danes and helped them during a time where they lived in fear for their lives. He was courageous and didnt back down from any fight, even risking his life at times to give his opposition a fair fight. Beowulf proved to be a noble man and represent his lineage with great pride. The epic of Beowulf perfectly captured and paved the way for all heroes. As he was dying in the cave with Wiglaf by his side, Wiglaf refused to take Beowulfs treasures (Schrader). Being the only one of Beowulfs kinsmen to go in with him this man, Wiglaf, is set up to be the next perfect hero. Beowulf proved to be a legendary figure and displayed his ability of great strength many times, transforming himself into one of the greatest heroes of all time.
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