Is Elearning The Way Forward Education Essay

Is Elearning The Way Forward Education Essay E-learning, in its broadest sense, is the use of networked information technologies in education. E-learning is also called as web based learning, online learning or Internet based learning. E-learning is not bound to time and classroom attendance students and teachers may be at different locations on different times. One of the most common types of E-learning takes the form of distance learning courses. Universities upload course material for the student to study individually and complete tasks based on the course material. This allows students to access the course material on the web anytime and from anywhere. Advancement in computing and information technology coupled with almost universal availability of the broadband make e-learning an enticing option in many fields including medical education. In this assignment I will be reflecting on my personal experience with e-learning. I will also discuss its applicability in undergraduate medical education, postgraduate medical educatio n and continuing medical education of practicing clinicians. Theory behind e-learning The meaning of knowledge and learning have changed through time. There is a certain swift in emphasis on learning, rather than teaching, as we rightly move towards a learner centred curriculum. E-learning, which is based on well documented adult learning principles, certainly facilitates a learner centred approach. Traditional education is based on instructivism theory. Teacher or tutor teaches a predefined set of information, deciding what students had to learn. Students learn to pass the examination. E-learning is based on constructivist and cognitive theories suggesting that learning is individualised and the students past experiences and knowledge have a great impact on the newly acquired knowledge (Jonassen 1994). Blended learning refers to learning involving multiple methods and approaches, commonly a mixture of class room and e-learning Requirements for successful implementation Mitchell and Honore 2008 proposed a pyramidal system for successful implementation of e-learning programmes. The base of the pyramid, which forms the foundation for successful e-learning programme, consists of appropriate, accessible technology and usable, stimulating and interactive design. The apex of the pyramid is represented by the individuals who are involved in the programme and their attitude and motivation forms a major part in the success of e-learning methods. Basic computing skills are essential for the success of e-learning. There is an assumption that the current undergraduates have the necessary computing skills. Kiran et al 2004 has shown that computing skills among undergraduates are variable and one can not assume expertise or even ability. Good technical support is essential including after hours support. For effective e-learning, student should be able to access material quickly both on campus and at home. Slow connectivity can be a problem. There is considerable cost involved in setting an e-learning programme. Role of e-learning in Continuing Medical Education All practicing clinicians in the United Kingdom are obliged to attend Continuing Medical Education programmes to maintain knowledge and skills as a part of appraisal and revalidation (The General Medical Council). E-learning offers excellent opportunities in this area. I have completed many online e-learning courses. Advantages of these courses include minimal cost, no travel cost and there is no need to take time off to attend these courses as they can be completed from home. They offer excellent value for money and the quality of these courses are comparable to that off traditional courses. I recently attended an advanced laparoscopic surgery skills course. Few weeks prior to the course I was asked to sign up to the course organisers web site. I was able access part of the course material. This enabled me to practise some of the skills prior to attending the course. This has certainly enhanced my learning more than I would have acquired without the access to the e-learning material. There were 20 participants form 8 countries and most found the e-learning very useful. E-learning has made it possible for practicing clinicians from a remote part of the world to contact their peers through video conferencing in the management of difficult clinical situations and this facilitates on-the-job learning. When I was a resident in 1989 I had to wait for over two weeks to find out about an important adverse effect of a drug which now I could find out in a couple of minutes using online electronic databases. In medical education there can be no doubt that opportunities for learning occur all the time and not confined to the class room and e-learning has a lot to offer in this regard. Role of e-learning in Postgraduate Medical Education E-learning plays an important role in Postgraduate Medical Education. Many Deaneries across the United Kingdom has setup e-learning portals for the benefit of postgraduate trainees. Harden 2006 suggested that e-learning will be one of the most important developments in the delivery of postgraduate medical education. In surgical training many hands on courses utilise e-learning methods to enhance face-to-face learning. Types of e-learning resources The basic e-learning resources include e-textbooks, power point presentations of lectures and electronic notice boards. The communication in these methods is one way. Bilham 2005 argues that much of e-learning using these methods was based upon a model of knowledge transmission from the teacher to student as in the traditional education system. The rise of new technologies has turned the World Wide Web from strictly an information destination into a platform, not only to read or watch media, but to actually do things (Martin and Parker 2008). This has made innovative approaches possible in the field of medical education including group projects, virtual patients and virtual clinics. This encourages interactive learning. E-learning in undergraduate medical education I discussed with many Foundation Year one doctors who have graduated from different medical schools across the country. I have observed that the usage of e-learning is variable between medical schools. They felt that e-learning enhanced their learning in basic medical science like anatomy. Multimedia graphics helped them as they felt that the laboratory demonstration in it self was not sufficient for learning. In clinical medicine they felt that e-learning was beneficial in problem based case discussions and case presentations. E-learning has the potential to enhance the learning instead of simply presenting the information. Examples of beneficial multimedia may include a video clip, computer animation for explaining the underlying patho physiology and images of investigations like chest x ray or endoscopy pictures. I have observed that some e-learning using multimedia technology detract the learner from the key message that the teacher wanted to convey and this should be avoided. Physical skills are best learnt by performing them under direct supervision. E-learning, however, can be used to augment the teaching of practical skills. A video showing the technique will be helpful in priming the learner prior to attending a teaching session. Another interesting development in medical education is the application of virtual patient. Examples in this category include a video of clinical consultation to illustrate history taking or examination skills or for demonstrating a physical sign. This is useful for demonstrating certain clinical conditions which the student is unlikely to encounter during their short stay in certain clinical attachments like dermatology or rheumatology. Virtual patients can be used to teach the skills of diagnostic reasoning and patient management through interactivity. There are packages available which allows the student to take a virtual history from a bank of questions and this is followed by examining the patient. This can be artificial and I believe this is better learnt bedside. We have to acknowledge that most of the learning that occurs in clinical practice is opportunistic and technologies which could bridge the gap in experience will be beneficial. Assessment and feedback in e-learning Assessment and feedback are important elements of medical education. Time logged on to the website and accessing the e-learning modules can be monitored as a part of formative assessment. Formative or summative assessments in e-learning courses can be carried out using Multiple Choice Questions and Extended Matching Questions. Multimedia enhanced virtual patient case scenarios can be used for assessment followed by Multiple Choice Questions or diagnostic reasoning tests. Care must be taken to include all possible correct answers in diagnostic reasoning tests because programming can be technically challenging. I have some reservations in using e-learning summative assessments as the identity of the student can not be guaranteed and may encourage cheating. Feedback in e-learning is limited to correction of mistakes and it is difficult to provide detailed feedback. Evidence for e-learning in medical education Cook et al 2008 conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of internet based instruction in medical education. They have concluded that e-learning is better than no intervention and as effective as traditional education. They have also concluded that there is no evidence to conclude that e-learning is better than traditional education. Clark 2002 has demonstrated that students are very satisfied with e-learning. Students, however, do not see e-learning replacing instructor-led training but as a complement to it, forming a part of a blended learning strategy. Advantages and disadvantages of e-learning E-learning has many advantages. The learner can schedule the learning around their personal and professional life minimising disruption to their day to day life. E-learning allows the learner to choose the learning material which is beneficial to them. The learner can pace their learning which suits them best. They will be able to contact their colleagues and teachers in discussions which can happen synchronously or asynchronously depending on the nature of the discussion. E-learning encourages the learner to take responsibility to their learning. The disadvantages of e-learning are as follows. There is a considerable start up cost as well as maintenance cost and this should be taken in to account when setting up an e-learning programme. As learners are responsible for their learning unmotivated learners and learners with poor study habit may find it difficult to progress. There is added responsibility for the facilitator to be available on demand. Students may feel socially isolated, however, blended learning overcomes this issue. Slow or unreliable internet connection can be challenging as most multimedia content needs fast internet connection. Conclusion E-learning has become an integral part of medical education starting from undergraduate medical education to the continuing professional development of the practising clinicians. Like other teaching methods, e-learning has its own strengths and weaknesses and need to be used appropriately. E-learning has the potential to shift the balance form teaching to learning. Basic computing skills are essential for e-learning. The range of e-learning activities varies from e-books to co-ordinated project works. Studies have shown that the results of e-learning methods are comparable to traditional teaching methods in undergraduate medical education. To be successful e-learning has to be combined with traditional teaching methods as a blended approach as practice of medicine involves real patients not virtual patients. E-learning is also playing an important role in the development of postgraduate trainees and life long learning of practicing clinicians. E-learning certainly has the potential t o enhance the learning in medical education, if used appropriately.

Euthanasia is Moral Essay -- Argument for Euthanasia

Recent debates over active euthanasia, "killing" a terminally ill patient, in Holland, has raised the question whether euthanasia is immoral or a simple human right. Doctors seem to have no doubt. They made an oath. The definition of Euthanasia depends on whether it is active or passive. Active Euthanasia I only allowed in Holland, and it means that the doctor takes direct measures to put a patient to sleep, whereas passive Euthanasia only involves stopping pill consumption, or stopping treatment. In England, only passive Euthanasia is allowed. Euthanasia touches some of the deepest feelings in human beings. It is the power over life and death, and responsibilities no one wishes to take, have to be taken. This, of cause, leads to the ultimatum, that it is the patient's own choice. But can we allow some one to take their own lives? Doesn't this mean that everyone else around the patient has failed, that more could have been done? From the patient's point of view, a lot of arguments talk in favour of euthanasia. For one, no body wants to be a burden. If a person has had a car accident, which paralyses him from neck and down, and is doomed to sit in a wheelchair for the rest of his life, he knows that he will be 100% dependant on the ones that care for him, his lived ones, forever. It can also be mentioned that the life quality of a terminally ill patient, gets reduced a lot. Never being able to walk again, never being able to talk to your children again, never being able to go shopping, swimming, playing, driving etc. must be terrible for anyone. The whole situation only gets worse, if the patient himself can see that his condition is worsening, and only time keeps his thoughts clear. A third very importa... ... disease by killing the patient, as he believes. It allows the patient to die in peace with no suffering. Steve Forbes calls euthanasia barbaric (31). Isn't it far more barbaric to force someone to suffer rather than helping them to end their misery? Euthanasia is ethical, and physicians should be allowed to assist in it legally. My great-grandfather was terminally ill with cancer. He couldn't eat or sleep, he just laid there, constantly in pain. There was nothing they could do as far as cancer treatment, because his body was too old and weak. So, he suffered for almost 2 months, while we all watched him suffer more and more everyday as he lay there dying. He stated many times how he just wanted to die and didn't want to live anymore. But, we (society) forced him to suffer. This is something that should have never happened and should never happen again.

Reflection on a Critical Incident Essay -- Nursing Reflective Practice

The reason for this essay is to reflect on a critical incident experience during my six week placement as a student nurse on an orthopedic ward. To explore an event as a critical incident is a value judgment, and the basis of that judgment is the significance attached to the meaning of the incident. Critical incidents are created or produced by the way we look at a situation. Tripp (1993) The incident chosen has made an impact on me due to the fact the side effects of surgery can be very critical to a patient’s life, as would be demonstrated in the critical incident chosen (D.V.T). Deep vein thrombosis. There are various reflective models written by various theorists and they include: Atkins and Murphy (1994), Stephenson (1993), Johns (2000), and Gibbs (1988). For this critical incident the model I have chosen to use is Gibbs (1988) reflective model as a guide because it is more understandable and will reflect more clearly on this critical incident. It is widely known that experience alone is not adequate enough to guarantee that any learning takes place, so it is important that integration of past experiences with new experiences occurs. This is done through the process of reflection. (Fitzgerald 1994). â€Å"To be self aware is to be conscious of one’s character, including beliefs, values, qualities, strengths and limitation. It is about knowing oneself† (Burnard 1992). â€Å"It underpins the entire process of reflection because it allows people to see themselves in a particular situation and honestly observe how they have been affected by the situation and to analyse his or her own feelings.† (Bulman and Schultz 2008). â€Å"Through reflection you develop skills in being able to watch yourself in action, during the course of you... ...health professionals and students. Nursing Standard 27.25 (2013): 41-48. Print NMC - Nursing Midwifery Council (2015), The Code for nurses and midwives http://www.nmc.org.uk/standards/code/ SCHÃâ€"N D A (1983) The Reflective Practitioner: how professionals think in action London: Temple Smith Stephenson (1993) In Reflective practice in nursing: the growth of the professional practitioner, ed. A.M. Palmer, S. Burns and C, Bulman 1994, Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford, UK and Boston, USA. Taylor, Beverly J. (2000) Reflective Practice: A Guide for Nurses and Midwives. Open University Press Tripp, D. (1993) Critical Incidents in Teaching. Developing Professional Judgement. London: Routledge. Williams, B (2001) Developing critical reflection for professional practice through problem-based learning. Journal of Advanced Nursing, Apr;34(1):27-34.

Fashion Marketing of Sephora Essay

It is a member of LVMH group that surrounds the most influential indulgence brands from all over the world. Currently, it’s the retailer of perfumes and cosmetics in US and the second largest is in Europe. It also offers the latest beauty trends, tips from the experts and whole selection of creative gifts. Its commitment to excellence in quality and customer service and well trained and dedicated employees. Sephora’s targeting market: Females and Males of any age and race. Celebrities and socialites have a major impact on today’s society. When Sephora comes out with new products, trends and make up ideas they know that we cannot resist being that almost everyone in society strives for a flawless look. Sephora cosmetics have keen eye when on latest fashion trends when producing their products. They have such a keen eye because they know that as time goes on and generations past fashion changes. Sometimes fashion moves forward and sometimes the fashion of today are trends seen yesterday. Whichever way you look at it Sephora knows our lifestyles change so they make sure their products change to accommodate our way of living. Demographic factors: Race: All around the world you find and you see different people of different races, cultures and languages. Because of the diversity in our society Sephora makes products that go with all skin types. Age:Â   Sephora has a huge selection of make- up being that the ages of their customers range from 10 and up. For the younger generation, Sephora has a huge selection of Lip balms, lotions and nail polishes. For teens, Sephora has a huge selection of everything ranging from Lipstick, Lip-gloss, Blush, Eye shadow, and Mascara etc.

Do I have the right to end my own life? Essay

Looking back, the above-quoted article was only a prophecy in 1979 but around five years later, the prediction became a reality in Oregon. As of 2004, euthanasia was legal in Oregon. â€Å"Currently in the United States the only state where physician-assisted dying, in the form of assisted-suicide, is legal is in Oregon† (Zanskas, and Coduti, cited Quill 2004) and three more states followed after. Despite the fact the euthanasia is legal in a few United States (US) states and in some European countries, it is not a settled issue. â€Å"Euthanasia is legal in the Netherlands† (Welie), and Belgium while suicide is legal in Switzerland. (â€Å"Miracle Survival of the† 9) In fact, â€Å"In 2003, 1,626 cases of euthanasia were reported in Holland. Usually, a sedative is given to induce a coma, followed by a muscle relaxant to stop the breathing. † (â€Å"Miracle†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ) Debates and many deliberations, programs and critics in favor of and against euthanasia and/or assisted suicide, are ongoing public spectacle. What does each side say? Who sounds more reasonable? Which side sounds more practical? Euthanasia, if applied rightfully and for the right reasons and timing can be advantageous but once abused or a mistake is committed, it becomes futile outright. Thus, it may be perceived from a lot of angles and perspectives and has various implications vis-a-vis each scenario. There would be thousands of points to present what the proponents of euthanasia want to emphasize to support their cause and the same is true for the opposing side, those who are against the practice. Even the perspective in looking at these points are so many, such as ethical, psychological, medical, legal, religious, medical ethics and the likes. This paper is dwelling on a single strong reason for each side. â€Å"I have terminal cancer. To have a terminal disease drag on, to endure the pain is absolute hell. At the end, I want the choice to accept treatment, to refuse treatment, to die on my own terms in a dignified manner. † (Hillyard, and Dombrink 1) Above, in the preceding paragraph, was the pro-reform television advertisement from the 1991 Washington Initiative 119 campaign. The statement obviously denotes â€Å"freedom† of the person involved. â€Å"Those who plead for the legalization of euthanasia think that it is cruel to allow a human being to linger for months in the last stage of aging, weakness and decay, and to refuse him his demand for merciful release. † (Hillyard, and Dombrink 20 cited Williams 1969:134) Indeed, if one has to live and yet only live to suffer, make his or her loved ones suffer, what is the point of living at all? On the other hand, euthanasia is very susciptible to abuse. Some patients may opt for euthanasia or assisted suicide only to save their family from financial distress. â€Å"In Oregon, 83% of doctors stated that financial pressures were a factor in a patient’s request to die. (Zanskas, and Coduti cited Bilchik, 1996) Some fear that a right to die may soon become a duty to die, in order to eliminate families from financial ruin. Thus, opting to terminate one’s own life in this manner is nothing else but a plain suicide. From a religious perspective, â€Å"Pope John Paul II sought to emphasize that life is sacred and to counteract these vicious trends in the encyclical The Gospel of Life, and carried this message throughout the world on his many journeys. † (Hamel and Walter 243) Which side has a stronger reason? In fact both sides have their own good reason but since no one can make everything perfect, it is more likely that euthanasia will be abused. In this regard, it is safe not to practice it. However, given that there is a strict set of rules in controlling the process, euthanasia would be a great help for suffering patients. Works Cited Baird, Robert M. , and Stuart E. Rosenbaum, eds. The Moral Issues The Moral Issues. Buffalo, NY: Prometheus Books, 1989. Hamel, Ronald P. , and James J. Walter, eds. Artificial Nutrition and Hydration and the Permanently Unconscious Patient: The Catholic Debate. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press, 2007. Hillyard, Daniel, and John Dombrink. Dying Right: The Death with Dignity Movement. London: Routledge, 2001. â€Å"Miracle Survival of the Woman Doctors Were Going to Let Die; SENIOR CONSULTANT ADVISED 84-YEAR-OLD’S DRIP SHOULD BE REMOVED. † The Evening Standard (London, England) 14 Oct. 2005: 9. Welie, Jos V. M. â€Å"Why Physicians? Reflections on the Netherlands’ New Euthanasia Law. † The Hastings Center Report 32. 1 (2002): 42+. Zanskas, Steve, and Wendy Coduti. â€Å"Eugenics, Euthanasia, and Physician Assisted Suicide: An Overview for Rehabilitation Professionals. † The Journal of Rehabilitation 72. 1 (2006): 27+.

Downsizing the Human Resources Department Essay

Human Resources Department manager Pat Sutton is requesting the downsizing of the Human Resources Department. Instead of the eight employees already in place, Pat wants the department pared down to five employees. She wants the names of three employees selected to be terminated. There is no other alternative to termination, and the company policy states that there can be no early retirement and no moving laterally to another department. Cost-cutting measures are now requiring that five employees do the work of eight. In addition to the names of the three employees recommended for termination, Pat wants to know what action management should take if any of the three employees decide to file a discrimination case against the company and what the employees would have to prove in order to win a discrimination case. Employees Recommended for Termination Pat, I have chosen the three employees to be terminated based on their skill set, work experience, and job function within the Human Resources department. The three to be terminated are: Diane—she has been with the company for 10 years, and although she is an outstanding worker, her attendance problems have cost the company. Horatio—he has only been with the company for six months, is just learning insurance and health matters, and his skills are marginal at best. Greg—he has been with the company for five years and has shown an ability to quickly learn complex areas of work. However, he has not been trained in tech hiring, and his job skills are just average. Of the three named employees, one is female and two are male. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is the main law of employment that is pertinent to these three employees. Possible Cases of Discrimination against Cost Club There are three different types of discrimination cases that could be file by the three employees. Race discrimination—Horatio could file a case of this type. He is Hispanic and has not quite grasped the English language. He would have to prove that because he is Hispanic and has a limited knowledge of English, the company terminated him. I really do not think that Horatio would win if he decided to file a racial discrimination case against the company. His minimal skills in health and insurance after six months are more than enough reason to terminate him. Gender discrimination—Diane could file a case of this type. Her attendance problems stem from her children’s sicknesses over the years. She would have to prove that her termination stemmed from her being a female and missing work due to her sick children. We may have a tough time if Diane files this type of case against the company. She is an outstanding worker and her only blemishes are her missed days of work due to her sick children. Religious discrimination—Greg could possibly file a case of this type. His religious convictions prevent him from working on Saturday or Sunday. This forces other workers to work weekends more frequently. Greg would have to prove that the company terminated him because his religion keeps him from working on the weekend. Greg would have a hard time winning a discrimination case if he were to file, because his work is just average at best. With regard to each employee’s possible claim of discrimination, the company should prepare itself by carefully looking into each employee’s work performance employee performance appraisals. After all, the company needs to offer the three workers more than just a â€Å"we had to terminate three people and you were one of them† explanation. Failure to promote qualified employees is a form of adverse employment action. Employee performance appraisals provide written documentation and prove the employer acted fairly in terminating an employee. Documenting Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs)  The Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) is intended to smooth the progress of positive conversation involving an employee and his or her manager and to explain the work performance that needs development. The PIP is put into effect, at the choice of the manager, when it is deemed essential to assist an employee in improving his or her performance. This arrangement allows managers to set objectives, determine procedures, manage evaluation meetings, and record development. No particular quantity of time is needed for a worker to adhere to a PIP. As a matter of fact, if no improvements are made, an employee can be terminated after a number of weeks. Performance Improvement Plans have an awful reputation amongst personnel who view them as the last step in terminating employment. This is because numerous companies apply Performance Improvement Plans the wrong way or use them for generating a lawful safety net prior to ending employment. Performance Improvement Plans should only be applied if a manager sincerely believes that the worker possesses the ability to improve. Every other thing is agonizing for the worker and takes up too much time for human resources staff and managers. Regarding human resources personnel and managers, a Performance Improvement Plan is more or less hardly ever fitting. If a supervisor is performing poorly or at a level below standards to necessitate a Performance Improvement Plan, it is very rare that he or she will salvage the needed assurance of subordinate employees or his or her own manager. Human Resource organizations possess more than enough admission to extremely private, unique data. Moreover, because of their place in the organization, the harm to your belief in them and their trustworthiness is almost impossible to overcome. Dispute Resolution Process A dispute resolution process is categorized into two types: adjudicative and consensual. In an adjudicative dispute resolution process, an arbitrator, judge, or jury decides the result of the arbitration or litigation. During a consensual dispute resolution process, such as mediation, collaborative law, negotiation, or conciliation, the participants try to come to an agreement (FITT, 302). For the three employees we are terminating, we would need an adjudicative dispute resolution process. This way, an arbitrator can decide the outcome of the case. Responding to Charges of Discrimination Should we be charged with discrimination from terminated employees, we will follow these steps: 1. Gather documents and evidence but wait to interview witnesses and meet with the company’s legal specialist to decide who must manage the inquiry. It may be essential to run an investigation that we reveal to the examining organization, or it may be more vital to run an investigation that can be suppressed. Nevertheless, we should amass any records which specify what actually happened. If a discrimination claim is made founded on a â€Å"disparate impact,† we will need to collect some simple material concerning the diversity of the company’s workforce. This way, the company’s attorney can determine if that data has any importance statistically. 2. If we opt to prepare a re-tort to the discrimination charges on our own, we should take into account that we have numerous onlookers. Initially, some EEOC offices will send a duplicate of the reply to the terminated worker or his/her legal counsel. If the employee or the EEOC chooses to take legal action, they are apt to attempt to exploit the company’s stance as substantiation in their argument. The simple rule to constantly abide by is to just state the facts. Do not state undesirable points about the terminated worker that are case irrelevant, and be sure to corroborate all testimony with any documents available. We should only give the EEOC additional information if it strengthens the company’s stance. This is my recommendation on who should be terminated and what avenues of approach we should take should any discrimination charges be brought against the company.

Macbeth Summary †historical context and the main female roles Essay

* Macbeth was written around 1606 * King James I has recently honoured Shakespeare’s theatre company and so this play was a ‘thank you’ to him; o The story is made relevant to him as he had written a book on Demonology about witchcraft with many of his beliefs appearing in Macbeth. o He also claimed direct descendant of Banquo. o King James later had a medal struck of a snake concealed by flowers after the gunpowder plot on him as it showed deceitful concealment of that in Macbeth. * Women in the 17th century (1600’s) have had no rights and were inferior to men. o They were thought to be more misogynistic as well, implying that they were more susceptible to evil as well e.g. first sin. o They were to be obedient to father and husband and hostess to men so they couldn’t get a divorce & if divorced they would own property or land and would be frowned upon by society o Women had no power or education (Lady Macbeth is different; she can read & has power over husband and as queen) o Only access to throne by way of manliness – (Macduff stripped of his connections with weak womanhood as c-section birth) * Shakespeare takes the historical part of the story from a historian called Raphael Holinshed. In his chronicles, Lady Macbeth is only mentioned once. * The real Macbeth was a Scottish king in the 11th century who ruled after Duncan and is supposed to have been brave, honest and successful in conquering land. * The people of the era would have believed in the divine right of kings whereby a king was appointed by God and only God should have the power to kill him. Therefore the audience would have been appalled to her such a plot. * Witchcraft was very much believed in at this time and those who were thought to be a witch were burnt, hung and drowned as they where that dangerous. They thought they could control everything from the weather to the future and did the work of the devil. Those who didn’t believe would still have followed it for the purposes of the play. Lady Macbeth * She has an abnormal female identity as she is able to read Macbeth’s letter symbolising her power * Her domineering personality also breaks social standards and the witches prophecies display the power of woman’s sexuality * Macbeth and her have an equal relationship â€Å"my dearest partner of greatest† and knows that Macbeth isn’t ruthless enough and so she helps him murder â€Å"Shalt be what thou art promised† or â€Å"Hie, thee hither that I may poor my spirits in thine ear†. They are on the same wave length * Her decision to be ‘unsexed’ by evil turns her into more into a witch character over time than a character of masculine power. * Lady Macbeth is first shown to be stronger, more ruthless and more ambitious than her husband as she plots and persuades her way to the murder of Duncan. She dominates the first meeting showing Macbeth’s dependence on her and the ease that he submits to the plan shows his true ambition. â€Å"Look like the innocent flower and be the serpent under it† * She is pre-eminently cunning with a practical mind to plan the murder * She wishes that she were not a women so she could murder herself and her husband implies she is a masculine soul inhabiting a female body by linking masculinity to ambition and violence o Menstrual flow stop: womb equated to the womanly feelings of tenderness o Milk to gall: denies womanly instincts of birth and suckling child ( would bash in her own child’s head to gain her ambitions) – Antithesis of a maternal mother o Milk of human kindness while blood is masculine in bedchamber o She calls on darkness like her husband to hid the truth * She manipulates Macbeth by questioning his manhood as her ambitions of power have social constraints. He gives in by saying â€Å"I dare do all that may become a man; ho dares to do more is none† and â€Å"when you durst do it, then you are a man† * She is like a ‘serpent behind the innocent flower’ as she performs evil behind being a good hostess to Duncan where he even says â€Å"Fair and noble hostess, we are your guests tonight† while she plans the â€Å"Fatal end to Duncan under my battlements† – she plays the stereotypical women, the perfect mask to get away with murder. * She is very much involved with the murder as she drugs, leaves out the daggers & smears blood over the guards. She even says, â€Å"Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done it † which is a sign that she is human * She steadies her husband’s nerves (a little water clears us of this deed) issuing imperative language and commands over what he should do, but slips later into madness as she sleep walks later through the castle trying to get rid of an invisible blood stain – ambition affects her more strongly than Macbeth before so guilt haunts her more strongly afterward * She is partly responsible for the corruption of Scotland but from the point Macbeth murders the guards unplanned, she slowly slips out of the story * She is cool self-possession who is courageous enough to faint on the news of Duncan’s murder for her husband and dismiss him from the banquet. â€Å"False faith doth hide what do the heart does know† * Lady Macbeth gets queen which is what she wanted but isn’t any happier as her husband drifts away from her (asks permission of servant to speak to him and is left out of other murders as Macbeth wants her to be â€Å"innocent of the knowledge†) * Just before the banquet, Macbeth takes over as the dominant partner controlling their conversion and it taken Lady Macbeth’s last bit of strength to think of an excuse for Macbeth seeing Banquo’s ghost. It works at first relating back to her masculine coward argument against Macbeth but the second time the ghost comes back, Macbeth is in so much shock that he doesn’t give in to her. Lady Macbeth is then forced to call off the banquet without etiquette. On the plus side, Macbeth goes along with her excuse of his terrors showing their still is trust. * She is the complete opposite of Lady Macduff who is era standard woman who is a maternal mother & defends husband despite criticism over leaving them. Her death relates back to â€Å"Fair is foul and foul is fair† as it’s the good that suffer. The murder of her innocents may have put lady Macduff over the edge. * Once Macbeth goes away, Lady Macbeth starts to sleep walk and wants a light beside her as she sleeps as there is so much darkness inside her. This scene shows her at her most venerable with â€Å"Out damned spot† as she reiterates the whole murder. She uses irony of â€Å"Will these hands never be clean† and hyperbole of â€Å"all the perfumes in Arabia couldn’t sweeten this hand† which is a first for her logical mind. * She now says â€Å"what’s done cannot be undone† compared to â€Å"what’s done is done† strong minded opinion earlier in the story. * She apparently kills herself at the end as she can’t cope with the guilt and her character has no further need as Macbeth can’t face her as he sees what deeds they have done. * Macbeth feels that his life is now over because of her death as he uses a strong soliloquy saying â€Å"There would have been time for a word tomorrow† so he goes into battle to die a soldiers death. * The last words on her were from Malcolm saying â€Å"This dead butcher and his fiend like queen † which could be a biased opinion bit we don’t know how she actually died. * Her role in the story is vital but supplementary to the work of the witches in tempting Macbeth to evil as she is the one who Macbeth trusts and loves * The witches and her share similar features in that they lack in human empathy and are ambiguous beings e.g. witches have beards and Lady Macbeth wants to be unsexed. The Three Witches * Three â€Å"weird sisters† who are the first characters we meet in the play providing dark thoughts and unconscious temptations to evil with their supernatural powers as they play on Macbeth’s ambitions like puppeteers. * They have beards giving the impressions that they are neither male or female therefore unambiguous * Each worked with their own ‘familiar’ – an animal of transfiguration (Greymalkin & Paddock) * The witches appear in thunder and lightning as they control it. They speak in rhythmical paradox (rhyming couplets) â€Å"fair is foul etc.† which is echoed by Lady Macbeth and there appears to be an omen over the castle. * The witches plant the thought, Macbeth thinks it and Lady Macbeth waters it * The witches words are comical but a clearly the most dangerous characters as they act as independent agents toying with human lives and their prophecies are reports of the inevitable. * Their effects of temptation are shown in Macbeth as this great military hero is wrapped in a trance, sees visions, is unable to pray and suffers from fear before saying ‘I have almost forgot the taste of fears’ * They could be thought to have controlled Lady Macbeth in her insanity when she rubs at the â€Å"damned spot† as they could have been the ones who as she says â€Å"unsexed† her * Shakespeare leaves the witches well outside the limits of human comprehension and only implies stereotypes of the era for the characters * The witches help no one but themselves, even when Macbeth is helped by their prophecies; there are tricks within e.g. Birnam Wood coming to Dunsinane or being killed of a man not born of a woman. (Equivocation is the distortion of truth)